NPR News Now: July 21, 2025
Host: Dale Willman
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.
Los Angeles Nightclub Car Attack
[00:20] Dale Willman opened the episode with a distressing report from Los Angeles. Police believe that Fernando Ramirez, a 29-year-old suspect, deliberately rammed his car into a group of people outside a Hollywood nightclub.
[00:32] Steve Futterman provided further details:
"Police believe the suspect became enraged when he was told to leave the nightclub. Initially, he began driving away, but then allegedly made a sudden U-turn and crashed his car into dozens of people."
In the chaos that ensued, bystanders intervened, pulling Ramirez from the vehicle and attacking him. During the altercation, Ramirez was also shot in the buttocks.
[00:55] Los Angeles Police Officer Jeffrey Lee emphasized the ongoing danger:
"The suspect in the shooting is still outstanding. We consider him armed and dangerous and possibly carrying a silver revolver."
Authorities have ordered Ramirez to be detained on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, with formal charges anticipated from the district attorney's office in the upcoming week.
Texas Lawmakers Convene for Special Session
[01:17] Following devastating flooding on July 4th, Texas state lawmakers are set to return for a special session on Monday. The agenda includes discussions on disaster preparedness and the potential redrawing of congressional districts ahead of next year's midterm elections.
[01:29] Blaze Gainey from Texas Newsroom explained the political maneuvering:
"Typically, states redraw districts at the top of the decade once the population estimates from the census are released. But President Trump has urged Texas to redraw those congressional lines ahead of the midterm elections. He believes there's at least five more seats for the U.S. House here."
The Justice Department has raised concerns, noting that much of the proposed redistricting appears to involve "constitutional gerrymandering" within heavily Democratic voting blocks around Houston.
Escalation in Russia-Ukraine Conflict with Drone Warfare
[01:53] Dale Willman reported on the intensifying conflict between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting a massive drone attack launched by Russia involving over 300 drones.
[02:13] Hanna Palomarenko detailed the diplomatic exchanges:
"In his evening video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov sent a proposal to Russia for the two sides to meet, and Zelenskyy supports the proposal. The pace of negotiations must be increased. Everything must be done to achieve a ceasefire."
On the Russian side, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated:
"Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to move toward a peace settlement for Ukraine, but Moscow's main objective is to achieve its goals."
This exchange underscores the ongoing tension, with both nations engaging in military actions while diplomatic efforts for peace remain fragile.
Deadly Clashes in Gaza
[02:53] The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the health ministry reporting at least 85 Palestinians killed on Sunday alone while seeking food assistance. This marks one of the deadliest days in over 21 months of conflict.
The cumulative death toll in the fighting with Israel has tragically reached 58,800 people, a figure exceeding the total number of American soldiers killed during the entire Vietnam War.
Entertainment Highlights
Discovery Channel's Shark Week: "Dancing with Sharks"
Dale Willman shifted to lighter news with the launch of the Discovery Channel's Shark Week, now featuring an unconventional theme: "Dancing with Sharks."
Hosted by former "Dancing with the Stars" host Tom Berggren, the program showcases scuba diving shark handlers performing underwater dances with hammerhead sharks. The week also includes segments on shark attacks and mysterious shark species, aiming to provide both entertainment and education about these fascinating creatures.
Sports: Scotty Scheffler's British Open Victory
[03:54] Joe Hernandez reported a significant achievement in the world of golf:
American pro golfer Scotty Scheffler won the British Open championship in Northern Ireland with an impressive score of 17 under par. Scheffler triumphed over competitors by four strokes, outperforming Americans Harry Potter, Paris English, and Chris Goderup, who secured second and third places respectively.
Scheffler attributed his success to "a lot of work, patience, and focus over all 72 holes of the tournament." With this victory, he is on track to secure a career Grand Slam, having already won the PGA Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier this year, and the Masters Tournament twice—in 2022 and 2024.
Trump's Demands on Sports Team Names
[04:35] In controversial remarks, former President Donald Trump is threatening to halt a deal to build a stadium in Washington, D.C., for the Washington Commanders football team. His demand? That the team revert to its former name, the Washington Redskins.
Trump justified the name change by stating it was initially altered due to being considered a "disparaging stereotype." He extended his demands to the Cleveland Guardians, insisting they return to their old name, the Indians.
This stance has sparked discussions about the intersection of politics, social issues, and sports branding.
This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on July 21, 2025. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune in to the full podcast.