NPR News: 07-18-2025 1PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 18, 2025, 1PM EDT – Detailed Summary

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1. Major Cuts to Public Media Funding

NPR’s David Folkenflick reports on a significant development affecting public media across the United States. Late Thursday night, the House of Representatives, with unanimous Republican support, voted to rescind $1.1 billion in funding for broadcasting over the next two years. This decision marks a severe interruption of public media support that has been in place for over half a century.

Key Points:

• Impact on Funding: The federal funding traditionally accounts for approximately 1-2% of NPR’s total funds, whereas public radio stations receive around 10%, and PBS and public TV stations about 15%.
• Political Motivation: Conservatives have long aimed to diminish public media funding, citing alleged liberal bias. Folkenflick notes that “Conservatives have sought to strip away funding for public media before claiming it shows liberal bias.”
• Administration’s Role: President Trump has been at the forefront of targeting public broadcasting as part of a broader strategy against certain media outlets, making it a litmus test for loyalty.
• Legislative Outcome: Despite public broadcasting officials' efforts to counteract the cuts, the legislation succeeded with support from only two GOP lawmakers in the House.
• Future Implications: Public media executives anticipate potential consolidations, especially affecting rural stations, and expect further budget cuts. Additionally, there may be increased efforts to solicit financial support from the public.

Notable Quote:

“Conservatives have sought to strip away funding for public media before claiming it shows liberal bias.” – David Folkenflick [00:44]

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2. Controversy Over Expired U.S. Food Aid

In the midst of a $9 billion rescission package, which primarily affects foreign aid, the U.S. administration faces criticism over the disposal of 500 metric tons of expired high-energy biscuits intended for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Key Points:

• Government Defense: State Department officials argue that the expired food represents only a minor fraction of the total food aid the U.S. provides annually. Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokesperson, emphasizes, “When you are moving 1 million metric tons of food around the world every year for 1% to be the factor that has to get destroyed is a remarkable record.”
• Political Backlash: Democratic lawmakers are decrying the waste, questioning the administration's commitment to humanitarian aid.
• Administrative Explanation: The deputy secretary of state for management attributed the waste to the shutdown of USAID, expressing regret over the loss.

Notable Quote:

“When you are moving 1 million metric tons of food around the world every year for 1% to be the factor that has to get destroyed is a remarkable record.” – Tammy Bruce, State Department [02:09]

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3. Nvidia Gains Approval to Sell Advanced Chips to China

NPR’s Emily Fang covers the notable shift in U.S.-China tech relations as Nvidia receives authorization to sell its most advanced semiconductor chips, known as H20 semiconductors, to China.

Key Points:

• Regulatory Changes: Previously, U.S. export controls restricted Nvidia from selling certain high-end chips to China due to national security concerns.
• Approval and Reactions: The recent approval marks a significant policy reversal. China welcomed the decision, stating it is “on the right path.”
• Influence of Diplomacy: This development follows renewed discussions between Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and former President Trump, indicating high-level lobbying efforts may have influenced the policy change.

Notable Quote:

“This apparent reversal comes after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met again with President Trump earlier this month.” – Emily Fang [02:29]

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4. Tribute to Songwriter Alan Bergman

In a heartfelt remembrance, co-songwriter Alan Bergman passed away at age 99, leaving behind a legacy of over 60 years in the music industry. Jeff London reflects on Bergman’s illustrious career and personal life.

Key Points:

• Career Achievements: Alongside his wife Marilyn Keith, who passed away in 2022, Bergman composed numerous iconic songs such as "The Windmills of Your Mind" and "The Way We Were."
• Awards and Honors: The duo received two Grammy Awards, three Oscars, four Emmys, and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980.
• Personal Legacy: London highlights the enduring impact of Bergman’s music, capturing “misty watercolor memories” that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Notable Quote:

“You find in the windmills of your mind, misty watercolor memories.” – Jeff London [03:56]

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5. President Trump to Sign Landmark Digital Currency Bill

President Trump is set to sign a significant piece of legislation aimed at regulating digital currencies, particularly focusing on stablecoins. This move represents a pivotal step in establishing a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies in the United States.

Key Points:

• Stablecoin Regulation: The bill introduces new regulations for stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like the U.S. Dollar to mitigate price volatility.
• Market Impact: Following news of the impending legislation, U.S. stock markets exhibited volatility, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average experiencing a decline of approximately 235 points to 44,244.

Notable Quote:

“President Trump's preparing to sign a landmark bill today that would govern digital currency.” – Lakshmi Singh [04:28]

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6. Market Update

*Publishers provide a brief update on the stock market, noting mixed performances. Specifically, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is observed to be down 235 points, approximately half a percent, settling at 44,244.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now comprehensively covered critical developments in public media funding, U.S. foreign aid controversies, advancements in U.S.-China tech trade relations, a tribute to a beloved songwriter, and significant legislative actions in the realm of digital currency. Each story underscores the dynamic interplay between politics, economics, and cultural legacies shaping the current landscape.

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Notable Quotes Summary:

• David Folkenflick: “Conservatives have sought to strip away funding for public media before claiming it shows liberal bias.” [00:44]
• Tammy Bruce: “When you are moving 1 million metric tons of food around the world every year for 1% to be the factor that has to get destroyed is a remarkable record.” [02:09]
• Emily Fang: “This apparent reversal comes after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met again with President Trump earlier this month.” [02:29]
• Jeff London: “You find in the windmills of your mind, misty watercolor memories.” [03:56]
• Lakshmi Singh: “President Trump's preparing to sign a landmark bill today that would govern digital currency.” [04:28]

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Public media stations are waking up to a new reality. The House of Representatives voted late in the night to pull back $1.1 billion in spending on broadcasting over the next two years. As NPR's David Folkenflick reports, the move, taken solely with Republican votes, means Congress has severed bonds stretching back more than five decades.

[David Folkenflick]

The federal money typically provides 1 or 2% of NPR's funds, but 10% for public radio stations and 15% for PBS and public TV stations. Conservatives have sought to strip away funding for public media before claiming it shows liberal bias. President Trump targeted public broadcasting as part of a larger assault in the media and made it a test of loyalty for him. Public broadcasting officials had promised to fight to the end, but won over just two GOP lawmakers in the House late Thursday night. Executives say some stations may consolidate or be forced to close, especially in rural areas. Others foresee cuts. For now, expect pitches seeking financial support. David Folkenflick, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

In all the rescissions, package totals around $9 billion in cuts, a majority of which was slated for foreign aid. The administration is defending its record on food aid after destroying 500 metric tons of high energy biscuits that had expired in an overseas warehouse. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports. State Department officials say the expired food aid was a tiny fraction of what the US Gives each year.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Democratic lawmakers have been blasting the State Department over the expired food aid that was intended for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The deputy secretary of state for management called it a casualty of the shutdown of USAID and said he was distressed that the food went to waste. But State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce says it was relatively a small amount.

[Tammy Bruce]

When you are moving 1 million metric tons of food around the world every year for 1% to be the factor that has to get destroyed is a remarkable record.

[Michelle Kellerman]

She says the US Remains the largest provider of food aid, adding, quote, we will not be lectured about this. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News. The State Department.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The tech company Nvidia now has a go ahead to sell its most advanced semiconductor chips in China. Here's NPR's Emily Fang.

[Emily Fang]

The U.S. put successive layers of export controls on Nvidia to stop it from selling some of its chips to China on national security grounds. Yet this week, after months of lobbying the US And China. Nvidia said it would get approval from the US to sell what are called H20 semiconductors to China, its highest end chip. China said the move was, quote, on the right path. This apparent reversal comes after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met again with President Trump earlier this month.

[Lakshmi Singh]

That's NPR's Emily Feng reporting. U.S. stocks are mixed this hour with the Dow Jones industrial average down 158 points at last check. You're listening to NPR News. Oscar winning songwriter Alan Bergman has died. He passed away yesterday at his Los Angeles home at the age of 99. Bergman, with his wife Marilyn, who passed away in 2022, had a career that spanned more than 60 years and many hit songs, among them the the Windmills of youf Mind and the Way We Were. Jeff London has this remembrance.

[Jeff London]

The Brooklyn born Bergman met his songwriting and life partner Marilyn Keith in 1950s Hollywood. And they went on to create hundreds of songs, many iconic, like the circles.

That you find in the windmills of your mind, misty watercolor memories.

Along the way, they picked up two Grammy Awards, three Oscars and four Emmys. They were inducted into the Songwriters hall of fame in 1980. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York.

[Lakshmi Singh]

President Trump's preparing to sign a landmark bill today that would govern digital currency. It consists of new regulations for stablecoins. That's a type of cryptocurrency linked to a stable asset such as the US Dollar to guard against price volatility. Now updating numbers from Wall street, we see the dow is down 235 points, roughly half a percent at 44,244. This is NPR News.

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