NPR News: July 19, 2025, 8 PM EDT – Detailed Summary

Released on July 20, 2025

1. Legal Developments: Jeffrey Epstein Case

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Anastasia Tsiolkas

Attorney General Pam Bondi has made a significant legal move in the high-profile case of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi filed a formal request with a Manhattan federal court to release grand jury testimony related to Epstein's activities. This action has ignited controversy and drawn criticism from various political factions.

Anastasia Tsiolkas reported on the motivations and repercussions of this request:

"Pam Bondi filed the motion to a Manhattan federal court. The move came after intense criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers and from rank and file MAGA supporters looking for release of the materials."
— Anastasia Tsiolkas, [00:38]

President Donald Trump has publicly defended Bondi's actions, attributing the push for releasing the testimony to Democratic efforts:

"Nothing will be good enough for the troublemakers and radical left lunatics making the request. It will always be more, more, more."
— President Trump, via Truth Social, [00:38]

Furthermore, Trump has escalated the situation by filing a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. This lawsuit responds to the newspaper's report alleging that Trump wrote a sexually suggestive birthday card to Epstein in 2003.

2. Natural Disasters: Texas Hill Country Flooding

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: James Hartley
Interviewee: Katie Boylan

The Texas Hill Country continues to grapple with the aftermath of catastrophic flooding that occurred on July 4th. Approximately 100 individuals remain missing, and the search and recovery efforts are fraught with emotional and physical challenges.

James Hartley provides an on-the-ground perspective:

"The Guadalupe river still bears evidence of the destruction wrought on July 4th."
— James Hartley, [01:38]

Katie Boylan, a nurse assisting the recovery teams, shared the heart-wrenching scenes she's witnessed:

"You can just see the hurt and the devastation that's in their eyes. I mean, even just, you know, you see them just picking up like baby clothes that, you know, hopefully just washed away from a house. But, you know, you know, that has to hurt."
— Katie Boylan, [01:51]

Boylan highlighted the severe mental health impacts on those involved in the recovery, especially those who have discovered the bodies of children:

"The mental health effects are worst among those who have found the bodies of children."
— Katie Boylan, [02:06]

3. International Relations: U.S. Pressure on Brazil’s Judiciary

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Carrie Khan

Tensions between the United States and Brazil have escalated as the Trump administration intensifies its pressure on Brazil's judiciary. The U.S. has implemented visa revocations targeting multiple Brazilian Supreme Court justices, their family members, and allies, with a particular focus on punishing former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has strongly condemned these actions:

"Visa revocations are, quote, arbitrary and completely unfounded. I am certain that no form of intimidation or threat will compromise Brazil's mission to defend and uphold the Democratic rule of law."
— President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, [02:25]

Carrie Khan elaborated on the U.S. stance:

"The U.S.'s main target, according to Rubio, is justice. Alexandre de Moraz is leading the case of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally. Bolsonaro is facing charges he tried to overturn his 2022 reelection loss and plotted a coup to stay in power."
— Carrie Khan, [02:25]

4. Domestic Affairs: USDA's SNAP Data Request and Public Safety Trends

a. USDA Requests Sensitive SNAP Data

Host: Jeanine Herbst

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has mandated that states submit sensitive data from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by July 30th. This data includes personal information such as Social Security numbers and birth dates, which the USDA intends to use to verify the program's integrity.

However, this directive has sparked controversy:

"Critics say the request violates federal privacy laws. Meanwhile, a federal lawsuit is challenging the data collection."
— Jeanine Herbst, [03:14]

The debate centers around privacy concerns versus the need to ensure the effectiveness and legitimacy of federal assistance programs.

b. Rising Death Rates Among Cyclists and Pedestrians

Reporter: Ping Huang

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals alarming trends in pedestrian and cyclist safety across the United States. The report indicates that walking and cycling are significantly more dangerous in the western and southern regions compared to the Northeast and Midwest.

Key findings include:

• Increased Fatalities:
  "Cyclists and walkers in the west and south are almost twice as likely to die from injuries than those in the Northeast and Midwest."
  — Ping Huang, [04:06]

• Rising Death Rates:
  "The death rate for walkers and bikers has risen by about 40% from 2013 to 2023, amounting to more than 8,400 cyclists and pedestrians killed in 2023."
  — Ping Huang, [04:06]

• Circumstances of Accidents:
  "Most walking deaths happened at night in places without a sidewalk. Cycling deaths were most common in urban areas in the summer months."

The CDC offers safety recommendations to mitigate these risks:

"The CDC encourages walkers and bikers to be visible, wear safety gear, and stay in sidewalks and bike lanes when possible. Drivers should stay alert and not drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances."
— Ping Huang, [04:53]

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the July 19, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. It highlights significant legal battles, natural disaster impacts, international tensions, and pressing domestic safety concerns, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing issues.