NPR News: 07-25-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 25, 2025

Host: Shea Stevens
Release Date: July 25, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

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1. House Oversight Committee Targets Ghislaine Maxwell

Shea Stevens kicks off the episode by reporting on significant developments concerning Ghislaine Maxwell. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer recently visited Maxwell at a Florida prison to discuss her potential testimony. Comer has formally issued a subpoena demanding Maxwell appear before his panel next month, emphasizing the committee's sustained interest in the Epstein case.

James Comer [00:38]: "What I've told people all week, the Republicans on the House Oversight Committee have been very interested in this Epstein ordeal for weeks now. And I told Mike Johnson that our members wanted to pursue that."

Despite these efforts, House Speaker Mike Johnson has postponed the committee's vote on releasing sensitive Epstein files, citing the need for an early summer recess. Comer pointed out that the Justice Department is cooperating with their request to facilitate Maxwell's appearance.

2. Justice Department Investigates UnitedHealthcare

Transitioning to healthcare, Shea Stevens introduces a report by NPR's Yuki Noguchi on the Justice Department's latest probe into UnitedHealthcare. The investigation centers on allegations that the insurance giant manipulated its Medicare Advantage plans to extract additional payments from the government.

Yuki Noguchi [01:17]: "The company said it is cooperating and has launched its own third party investigation. It said it had, quote, a long record of responsible conduct and effective compliance."

UnitedHealthcare, the largest private Medicare Advantage provider covering approximately 8 million Americans, has denied wrongdoing while the Wall Street Journal initially exposed these claims. The probe highlights concerns over potential systemic issues within major health insurers and their interactions with government programs.

3. Gaza Ceasefire Talks Stall Amid Tensions

Shea Stevens then delves into the complex dynamics of the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. The latest round of talks in Qatar was abruptly ended by the U.S., with Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff citing Hamas's lack of good faith.

Steve Witkoff [02:30]: "Hamas did not appear to be acting in good faith."

As a result, the U.S. is exploring alternative strategies to secure the release of remaining hostages and stabilize the civilian situation in Gaza. Concurrently, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed strong opposition to the United Nations' move to recognize a Palestinian state, while French President Emmanuel Macron announced intentions to do so.

Michelle Kellerman [02:30]: "In a letter posted on X, Macron promises the Palestinian Authority president that France intends to recognize a Palestinian state."

Macron plans to formally announce this recognition at the September UN General Assembly and is set to co-host a two-state solution conference with Saudi Arabia next week, which notably excludes U.S. participation. The Trump administration's envoy has attributed the breakdown in diplomacy to Hamas's approach, with humanitarian groups warning of impending widespread hunger in the region.

4. President Trump’s Executive Order on College Athletes

Shifting to domestic policy, Shea Stevens highlights a pivotal move by President Donald Trump. He has signed an executive order aimed at redefining the status of college athletes, determining whether they should be considered employees of their institutions.

Shea Stevens [03:08]: "President Trump has signed an executive order directing federal authorities to determine whether college athletes can be considered employees of their schools."

The order seeks to balance the rights of athletes to earn income through endorsements under the name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules while ensuring that scholarships and roster spots remain available for non-revenue-generating sports. This decision marks a significant shift in the landscape of collegiate athletics, potentially impacting millions of student-athletes across the nation.

5. In Memoriam: Hulk Hogan and Chuck Mangione

The episode solemnly acknowledges the passing of two influential figures:

• Hulk Hogan: NPR's Andrew Limbong pays tribute to the legendary professional wrestler who died at 71. Hogan, born Terry Bollea, was synonymous with the 1980s wrestling boom known as "Hulkamania."

  Hulk Hogan [03:51]: "All those Hulkamaniacs live vicariously to me. That's why they get off of my style, brother."

  Hogan's charisma extended beyond the ring, featuring memorable moments like his appearance in Rocky III and his legal battle with Gawker, which ultimately led to the website's bankruptcy. In recent years, Hogan had also become a notable figure in right-wing politics, notably speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention to promote "Trumpamania."

• Chuck Mangione: Celebrated as a Grammy-winning jazz legend, Mangione passed away at 84. Known for his fusion of pop and electric sounds, his iconic track "Feels So Good" became a top-five hit in 1978. Mangione's contributions to music, including his collaborations with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and his prowess as a horn player and composer, left an indelible mark on the jazz and pop music landscapes.

Shea Stevens [04:29]: "Grammy winning jazz legend Chuck Mangione has died at the age of 84... Mangione's 'Feel so Good' became a top five hit in 1978."

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NPR News Now offers a comprehensive snapshot of the latest developments across political oversight, healthcare investigations, international diplomacy, domestic policy shifts, and notable obituaries. This episode underscores the interplay between governmental actions, international relations, and cultural legacies shaping contemporary discourse.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer traveled to a Florida prison to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein. Comer has issued a subpoena for Maxwell to appear before his panel next month. The Kentucky Republican says the Justice Department is cooperating with a request to help make that happen.

[James Comer]

What I've told people all week, the Republicans on the House Oversight Committee have been very interested in this Epstein ordeal for weeks now. And I told Mike Johnson that our members wanted to pursue that.

[Shea Stevens]

Comer says he told House Speaker Johnson his panel was planning to vote this week on releasing the Epstein files minus the names of underage victims. Johnson delayed the vote by calling an early summer recess. The Justice Department is conducting a civil and criminal investigation of UnitedHealthcare, the largest private provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the nation. NPR's Yuki Noguchi has details.

[Yuki Noguchi]

The health insurance giant runs its Medicare Advantage plan on behalf of the government, covering about 8 million American. The Wall Street Journal reported UnitedHealthcare was using doctors to extract extra payments from the government program, prompting the Justice Department probe. The company said it is cooperating and has launched its own third party investigation. It said it had, quote, a long record of responsible conduct and effective compliance. Yukinoguchi, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

The U.S. has cut short the latest round of Gaza cease fire talks in Qatar. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff says Hamas did not appear to be acting in good faith. Witkoff says the US Will consider alternative options for getting the remaining hostages in Gaza freed, while also seeking a more stable environment for civilians in the territory. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the nation strongly objects to UN Recognition of a Palestinian state. French President Emmanuel Macron says he plans to recognize Palestine. But first, NPR's Michelle Kellerman says Macron is calling for a ceasefire.

[Michelle Kellerman]

In a letter posted on X, Macron promises the Palestinian Authority president that France intends to recognize a Palestinian state. The French leader says he'll make the announcement at the UN General assembly in September. Next week, France and Saudi Arabia are hosting a conference on a two state solution. The US Is not planning to attend that. Meanwhile, the Trump administration envoy in the Middle east is blaming Hamas for, in his words, not acting in good faith in ceasefire talks for Gaza. With diplomacy in doubt, aid groups are warning of widespread hunger. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News the State Department.

[Shea Stevens]

U.S. futures are flat in after hours trading. This is NPR. President Trump has signed an executive order directing federal authorities to determine whether college athletes can be considered employees of their schools. The order calls for preserving scholarships and roster spots for non revenue sports. The move is aimed at clarifying the name, image and likeness rule that allows athletes to earn income from endorsements. Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71. As NPR's Andrew Limbong reports, Hogan was one of the defining stars of professional wrestling.

[Andrew Limbong]

Hulk Hogan had a knack for riling people up to get people to believe he was fighting for them.

[Hulk Hogan]

All those Hulkamaniacs live vicariously to me. That's why they get off of my style, brother.

[Andrew Limbong]

His real name was Terry Bollea, but as Hulk Hogan, he was the face of professional wrestling's boom in the 1980s. The craze around him known as Hulkamania spread far and wide, including a memorable appearance in Rocky 3.

[Hulk Hogan]

You're in trouble.

[Andrew Limbong]

Hogan retired in 2012 and soon after sued the website Gawker into bankruptcy for publishing his sex tape. More recently, he was a figure of right wing politics, appearing at the Republican national convention in 2024, rallying the crowd for what he called Trumpamania. Andrew Limbong, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

Grammy winning jazz legend Chuck Mangione has died at the age of 84. Mangione was a composer and horn player who fused pop and electric sounds. He played trumpet with various ensembles, including Art Blakely's Jazz Messengers. Mangione's Feel so Good became a top five hit in 1978. This is NPR News.

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