NPR News: 07-18-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – July 18, 2025

Hosted by Shea Stevens

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1. House Republicans Approve $9 Billion Cuts to Foreign Aid and Public Media

At [00:16], Shea Stevens reports that House Republicans have granted final approval to a sweeping plan aimed at reclaiming $9 billion previously allocated for foreign aid and public media. The measure, now awaiting President Donald Trump's signature, proposes cutting over a billion dollars from organizations such as NPR and PBS, as well as their member stations. Stevens highlights that although a minimal portion of NPR's funding is sourced directly from taxpayers, the majority relies on donations and member station dues. Critics argue that this legislation represents Congress relinquishing its fiscal authority to the executive branch.

2. President Trump's Health Update

Continuing at [00:56], White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt provides an update on President Trump's health. Levitt states:

"The president underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies. Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency AB9 in common condition." ([00:56])

This diagnosis indicates that Trump's swelling in the legs is due to a common vein disorder. Additionally, a note from the president's doctor confirmed that his lab results remain within normal limits ([01:14]).

3. New USPS Postmaster General Opposes Privatization

At [01:14], Shea Stevens introduces NPR’s Hanji Lawang’s report on the new U.S. Postmaster General's stance against privatizing the nation's mail service. David Steiner, the newly appointed Postmaster General with a background at FedEx, addressed concerns raised by USPS employee unions regarding potential privatization efforts.

In a video message to postal workers, Steiner emphasized his position:

"I do not believe that the Postal Service should be privatized or that it should become an appropriated part of the federal government. I believe in the current structure of the Postal Service as a self-financing, independent entity of the executive branch." ([01:48])

He further explained that the Postal Service operates without tax dollars, though his plans to modify the controversial reorganization initiated by former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in 2021 remain unclear ([02:00]).

4. DOJ Recommends Minimal Sentence for Officer in Breonna Taylor Raid

Shea Stevens reports at [02:13] that the Department of Justice is advocating for a one-day prison term for Brett Hankinson, a former Louisville police officer involved in the ill-fated raid that resulted in Breonna Taylor’s death. Roberto Roldan of Louisville Public Media details the case:

Hankinson is the sole officer to face legal repercussions, having been acquitted of state-level charges in 2022 and experiencing a hung jury in his initial federal trial. Despite a conviction last year for violating Taylor's Fourth Amendment rights, the DOJ under President Trump is reassessing the necessity of prosecuting Hankinson. Notably, the DOJ’s recommended sentence starkly contrasts with the U.S. Probation Office's proposal of two to fourteen years. Hankinson's sentencing is slated for the upcoming Monday ([02:31]).

5. Tropical Storm Chantal Devastates Central North Carolina

At [03:07], Shea Stevens updates listeners on the severe impact of Tropical Storm Chantal in Central North Carolina, which has prompted the declaration of a state of emergency. Governor Josh Stein is contemplating a request for federal assistance to bolster his state's strained response efforts. The storm delivered approximately a foot of rain to parts of North Carolina earlier this month, causing widespread damage and overwhelming local resources.

6. Passing of Former Congressman Bill Clay

Shea Stevens reports at [03:07] the death of Bill Clay, a former U.S. Congressman from Missouri, who passed away at the age of 94. Jason Rosenbaum of St. Louis Public Radio provides an in-depth look at Clay's legacy:

Bill Clay was the first African American to represent Missouri in Congress and was a pivotal figure in strengthening black political influence within the legislative branch. A civil rights stalwart, Clay even endured imprisonment for his participation in protests against employment discrimination. He played a crucial role in founding the Congressional Black Caucus, which, in a 2019 interview, he described as transformative for African American advocacy:

"We don't need in between middle people to be our spokesperson. We will speak for ourselves." ([04:12])

Clay retired from Congress in 2000 and is survived by his three children, including his son, Lacey Clay, who succeeded him in the House ([04:20]).

7. Remembering Connie Francis

Concluding the news segment at [04:34], Shea Stevens announces the passing of renowned singer and actress Connie Francis at the age of 87. Francis was celebrated for her numerous top 20 hits during the late 1950s and 1960s, including classics like "Who's Sorry Now" and "Where the Boys Are." Interestingly, her 1962 song "Pretty Little Baby" has recently surged in popularity on TikTok, introducing her timeless music to a new generation.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments covered in the July 18, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing a comprehensive overview for those who did not listen to the original broadcast.

Transcript

[Capital One]

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. House Republicans have given final approval for a plan to take back $9 billion in already approved funding for foreign aid and public media. The measure now goes to President Trump for signing. It includes more than a billion dollars in cuts from npr, PBS and their member stations. Only a small percentage of NPR funding comes directly from taxpayers. Most comes from donations and member station dues. Critics of the rescission bill say that Congress is ceding its spending powers to the executive branch. President Trump has been diagnosed with a common vein disorder after being examined for swelling in his legs. Here's White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt.

[Caroline Levitt]

The president underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies. Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency AB9 in common condition.

[Shea Stevens]

A note from the president's doctor said that Trump's lab results were within normal limits. The new U.S. postmaster General says he does not support privatizing the country's mail service. As NPR's Hanji Lawang reports. The comments come amid questions about the future of usps.

[David Steiner]

President Trump has been among the most vocal supporters of selling off to a private company the mail services provided by the U.S. postal Service, which is a financial supporter of NPR. New Postmaster General David Steiner's background at FedEx has raised privatization concerns among USPS employee unions. But in a new video message to postal workers, Steiner addressed what he called rumors.

I do not believe that the Postal Service should be privatized or that it should become an appropriated part of the federal government. I believe in the current structure of the Postal Service as a self financing, independent entity of the executive branch.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars to keep it running. It's not clear what changes Steiner plans to make to the controversial reorganization plan former Postmaster General Louis Dejoy rolled out in 2021. DeJoy stepped down this March. Hansi Loong, NPR News, Washington.

[Shea Stevens]

The Justice Department is recommending only one day in prison for a former Louisville police officer. Brett Hankinson took part in the botched raid that led to the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor in her apartment. Roberto Rodan with Louisville Public Media has this report.

[Roberta Roldan]

Hankison is the only officer involved in the raid who's faced legal consequences, but it was a long road to get there. He was acquitted on state level charges in 2022, and his first federal trial resulted in a hung jury. Hankison was convicted last year of violating Taylor's Fourth Amendment rights. The Department of Justice now under President Donald Trump, appears to be questioning whether Hankison should have been prosecuted in the first place. Their one day recommended sentence is much lower than the to 14 years proposed by the U.S. probation Office. Hankison's sentencing is scheduled for Monday. For NPR News, I'm Roberta Roldan in Louisville.

[Shea Stevens]

U.S. futures are higher in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is npr. Central North Carolina is under a state of emergency as the region grapples with the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Chantal. Governor Josh Stein says he may seek federal funding to aid his state's overwhelmed response efforts. Stein's office says Chantal dumped as as a foot of rain on parts of North Carolina earlier this month. Former US Congressman Bill Clay has died at the age of 94. The St Louis native played a major role in enhancing black political power in Congress. As St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum.

[Jason Rosenbaum]

Reports, Clay was the first black person to ever represent Missouri in Congress. In St. Louis, he was a civil rights icon, even serving time in jail for his role in protesting employment discrimination. He also helped create the Congressional Black caucus. In a 2019 interview with the U.S. house, historian Clay said the caucus was a turning point in how African Americans advocated for themselves.

[Bill Clay]

We don't need in between middle people to be our spokesperson. We will speak for ourselves.

[Jason Rosenbaum]

Clay retired from Congress in 2000. He is survived by his three children, including his son, Lacey Clay, who succeeded his father in the House. For NPR News, I'm Jason Rosenbaum in Jefferson City.

[Shea Stevens]

Singer, actress Connie Francis has died at the age of 87. Francis recorded more than a dozen top 20 hits during the late 1950s and 1960s, including who's Sorry now and where the boys are. The 1962 release of Pretty Little Baby recently became a hit on TikTok. This is NPR.

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