NPR News Now: Episode Summary – July 18, 2025

Released: July 19, 2025

1. President Trump Sues The Wall Street Journal for Defamation

Timestamp: [00:20]

NPR's Windsor Johnston reports that President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, its parent company, and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The suit accuses the Journal of defamation stemming from a story that alleged Trump's name appeared on a lewd birthday card sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for Epstein's 50th birthday. Trump is seeking damages of at least $10 billion, denouncing the report as "false, defamatory, and malignant." This legal action underscores the ongoing tensions between Trump and major media outlets.

2. Health Experts Examine President Trump's Diagnosis of Venous Insufficiency

Timestamp: [01:08]

In a report by Will Stone, medical professionals delve into President Trump's recent diagnosis of venous insufficiency—a condition characterized by improper functioning of the veins, often leading to swelling in the lower legs. Stone explains, "This dysfunction most often happens just as a result of getting older. The condition can also be due to a blood clot, what's known as deep vein thrombosis." Experts emphasize that while a blood clot can pose serious health risks, it’s also possible for a clot to have occurred years earlier, leading to valve damage and subsequent venous issues.

3. Immigration Advocates Launch Class Action Lawsuit Against Trump Administration

Timestamp: [01:27]

Windsor Johnston introduces a significant legal development as a coalition of immigration advocates files a class action lawsuit against the Trump administration. Juliana Kim details that the lawsuit, lodged in federal court in Washington, D.C., targets the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Kim states, "It argues that for years authorities limited making arrests in immigration courts in order to not interfere with the legal proceedings and scare people away from showing up to their hearings." The suit alleges a shift in policy at the onset of Trump's second term, leading to the arrest of hundreds of non-citizens at courthouses even when they were complying with legal processes. In response, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented that the arrests are "common sense and conserves law enforcement resources."

4. Fatal Explosion at Los Angeles Sheriff's Training Facility

Timestamp: [02:22] – [03:02]

A tragic incident unfolded in Los Angeles as an explosion at a sheriff's department training center resulted in the deaths of three deputies. Steve Futterman reports on the incident, quoting Louisiana County Sheriff Robert Luna: "Tragically, they were three sworn members who were fatally killed that were assigned to our arson explosives detail." The blast occurred while deputies were handling explosive ordnance, and Sheriff Luna assured the public, "There is no continuing danger." Futterman adds, "This is an isolated incident. There is no threat to this community." Luna further highlighted the severity by noting, "The three deaths [are] the largest loss of life for the department since 1857."

5. U.S. Designates Pakistani Militant Group as Terrorist Organization

Timestamp: [03:17] – [03:40]

Windsor Johnston reports on the U.S. State Department's recent designation of the Pakistani militant group, the Resistance Front, as a terrorist organization. Omkar Khandekar from Mumbai elaborates, "The State Department said that the resistance front was a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant organization. The two groups, it said, had attacked India multiple times." This move aligns with President Trump's call for justice following the April attacks on Indian civilians, which India attributes to the Resistance Front with alleged support from the Pakistani government. However, Pakistan denies these claims and asserts that it has dismantled Lashkar-e-Taiba, stating, "Any group's links with them, it said, belied realities on the ground." The designation has intensified tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to three days of heightened conflict.

6. Footwear-Theft Fox Causes Havoc in Grand Teton National Park

Timestamp: [04:26]

In a lighter yet peculiar story, Windsor Johnston highlights an unusual thief in Grand Teton National Park—a fox with a penchant for stealing footwear. The National Park Service has issued warnings to campers, noting that 32 pairs of shoes have disappeared to date. Park rangers remain uncertain about the number of foxes involved or the locations where the stolen shoes are being concealed. This mischievous behavior has become a quirky concern for visitors enjoying the park's natural beauty.

7. Stock Market Update: Dow Falls by 142 Points

Timestamp: [04:26]

Concluding the news roundup, Windsor Johnston provides a brief financial update, stating, "At close on Wall Street today, the Dow was down 142 points." This downturn reflects the day's market fluctuations, though the reasons behind the decline were not detailed in this segment.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode aired on July 18, 2025. Notable quotes have been included with appropriate attributions and timestamps to provide an accurate and comprehensive overview for those who did not listen to the original podcast.