NPR News: 07-26-2025 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 26, 2025, 10AM EDT

Hosted by Giles Snyder

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President Trump's Visit to Scotland Sparks Security Concerns

[00:11] Giles Snyder opens the episode by reporting on President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to Scotland. The trip includes visits to his golf resorts and meetings with UK and EU leaders.

[00:40] Fatima Al Kassab elaborates on the extensive security measures implemented for the visit, highlighting that the operation is expected to cost Scottish taxpayers millions of dollars.

[00:55] Local resident Kerry Walsh from Glasgow voices her concerns:

“So much is being spent on him. The benefit of him being here is, if I'm honest.” [00:57]

She questions the value of the expenditure, expressing uncertainty about the tangible benefits of Trump's presence.

The Scottish Police Union has noted that the allocation of additional resources has stretched their capabilities, potentially delaying responses to other incidents over the weekend. In response, protesters have organized what they term a "festival of resistance," with demonstrations occurring in several Scottish cities.

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Jeffrey Epstein Controversy Trails President Trump to Scotland

[01:18] Giles Snyder transitions to the lingering controversy surrounding the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which has followed President Trump to Scotland. Despite the allegations, Trump states upon his arrival that his focus remains on "making deals, not on conspiracy theories."

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Uncertainty Over New Jersey Military Base’s Future Use

[01:18] The discussion shifts to New Jersey's Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, with reports indicating that it has not received orders to prepare for use as a federal immigration detention center.

[01:51] Kenneth Burns reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth informed Democrats Herb Conaway and Donald Norcross about the potential reallocation of the base last week. However, the base commanders themselves are reportedly unaware of any definitive plans:

“Norcross, as well as Conaway, took issue with what they called a lack of transparency from the Trump administration.” [02:07]

[02:13] Kerry Walsh criticizes the administration:

“You've seen the reports from across this country on how we are not doing the right job of informing not only members of Congress, but our own nation on what's taking place.” [02:13]

Both congressmen express concerns regarding how such a shift could impact the base's core missions and its role in the community.

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Severe Heat Wave Grips the Southeast

[02:35] Giles Snyder reports on an ongoing heat wave affecting much of the Southeastern United States. Health officials are issuing warnings about the dangers of extreme heat.

[02:45] Dr. Alec Patel, a pediatrician from Stanford Children's Health, offers safety advice:

“Always have a buddy system if you're going out and make sure people know where you're going. If you do have to go outside in the heat. But it's best to stay away from those peak sunshine hours and try to go outside and play in the early morning or the evening.” [02:45]

Forecasters predict that the excessive heat will continue to spread from the mid-South to the East Coast, with "feels like" temperatures potentially soaring above 110 degrees early next week.

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Tragic Shooting at University of New Mexico Dormitory

[03:00] The University of New Mexico's main campus in Albuquerque remains open despite a recent shooting incident. Authorities have arrested an 18-year-old suspect following the tragedy that occurred early Friday.

The incident resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy and injured a 19-year-old. Campus police reported that four individuals, including the suspect, were engaged in a video game session inside a dorm room when the shooting erupted.

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Data Breach Hits Popular Dating App 'T'

A newly popular dating application known as "T" has suffered a significant data breach. Hackers have reportedly accessed over 70,000 personally identifiable images of its users, raising concerns about privacy and security measures within the app.

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U.S. Postal Service Celebrates 250th Anniversary Amid Uncertain Future

[04:01] Hansi Lobal reports on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) celebrating its 250th anniversary. Founded in 1775, USPS has evolved from horseback riders to a vast delivery network serving approximately 167 million addresses six days a week.

[04:18] Hansi highlights the challenges facing USPS today:

“These days, people are not relying on mail deliveries as much as they did when TVs ran that 1990 ad from USPS,” she notes, emphasizing the shift in communication methods.

In response to the Trump administration's discussions about overhauling the independent agency, the American Postal Workers Union organized a rally in New York. The union protests against potential privatization efforts, advocating for the continuation of USPS's essential services without taxpayer funding.

[04:38] David Steiner, the new postmaster general, faces the daunting task of navigating ongoing reorganizations that have already led to service cuts and delivery delays.

[04:41] Kerry Walsh adds her perspective:

“I do not believe that the Postal Service should be privatized.” [04:41]

The future of USPS remains uncertain as policymakers debate its restructuring amidst declining reliance on traditional mail services.

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Closing

[04:49] Giles Snyder concludes the episode, reiterating the day's significant news stories.

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This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the July 26, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

[Capital One]

This message comes from Capital One with the Capital One Saver card. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment. Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms apply.

[Giles Snyder]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. President Trump is in Scotland this weekend visiting his golf resorts and squeezing in some meetings with UK And EU leaders. A major security operation is underway for his visit visit with officers from forces around the UK Brought in to support Scottish police. Some locals, though, are concerned about the scale and cost of the operation. NPR's Fateboho Kassab reports from Edinburgh.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

President Trump's visit to his golf courses on opposite sides of the country has prompted a major police operation around Scotland, which is expected to cost Scottish taxpayers millions of dollars. Kerry Walsh from Glasgow says she's not sure it's worth it.

[Kerry Walsh]

So much is being spent on him.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

Being here, and I don't know what.

[Kerry Walsh]

The benefit of him being here is, if I'm honest.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

The Scottish Police Union says resources are stretched and it may take officers much longer to respond to other incidents over the weekend. As a result, protesters are planning what they are calling a festival of resistance to the president's visit, with demonstrations underway in several Scottish cities. Fatima Al Kassab, NPR News, Edinburgh.

[Giles Snyder]

The controversy surrounding the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has followed President Trump to Scotland, but Trump told reporters upon arriving there that he's focused on making deals, not on conspiracy theories. Officials said New Jersey's joint base McGuire Dix, Lakehurst have not received orders to prepare space for a federal immigration detention center. That's according to two congressmen who visited the military base. Kenneth Burns of member station WHYY reports on the visit after Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth notified the congressman that he authorized a base for use by ice.

[Kenneth Burns]

Hagseth informed New Jersey Democrats Herb Conaway and Donald Norcross last week of the move. Conaway's district includes the base.

[Giles Snyder]

In fairness to the commanders on the base, they are as much in the dark as we are about what may happen.

[Kenneth Burns]

Norcross, as well as Conaway took issue with what they called a lack of transparency from the Trump administration.

[Kerry Walsh]

You've seen the reports from across this country on how we are not doing the right job of informing not only members of Congress, but but our own nation on what's taking place.

[Kenneth Burns]

Both have also expressed concerns over how the core missions of the base could be affected by housing and immigration. Detention center For NPR News, I'm Kenneth Burns in Wrightstown, New Jersey.

[Giles Snyder]

A heat wave that has much of the Southeast in its grip has health officials warning of the dangers of extreme heat. Dr. Alec Patel is a Stanford Children's Health pediatrician.

[Dr. Alec Patel]

Always have a buddy system if you're going out and make sure people know where you're going. If you do have to go outside in the heat. But it's best to stay away from those peaks sunshine hours and try to go outside and play in the early morning or the evening.

[Giles Snyder]

Forecasters say excessive heat will expand from the mid south to the east coast today. With the peak of this heat wave likely to come early next week. The Southeast could see feels like temperatures topping 110 degrees. This is NPR News. The University of New Mexico says its main campus in Albuquerque will be open today. Authorities have arrested an 18 year old following a shooting at a dormitory. The incident happened early Friday. A 14 year old boy was killed and a 19 year old was wounded. Campus police say four people, including the suspect, were playing video games inside a dorm room when the shooting started. A newly popular dating app known as T has been hit with a data breach. The company says hackers have accessed more than 70,000 personally identifying images of users. U.S. postal Service marking its 250th anniversary today. NPR's Hansi Lobal reports on the milestone as the country's mail service faces an uncertain future during the Trump administration.

[Hansi Lobal]

What began in 1775 with the horseback riders of the Constitutional Post has become a network for deliveries on foot, by truck, plane, boat and even mule for about 167 million addresses six days a week.

[Giles Snyder]

We are Postal Service. We deliver for you.

[Hansi Lobal]

These days, people are not relying on mail deliveries as much as they did when TVs ran that 1990 ad from USPS, which is a financial support of NPR. USM, the American Postal Workers Union rallied this week in New York protest Trump administration talk of overhauling the independent mailing agency, which generally receives no tax dollars to keep it running. David Steiner is the new postmaster general.

[Kerry Walsh]

I do not believe that the Postal Service should be privatized.

[Hansi Lobal]

It's not clear how Steiner will continue USPS's ongoing reorganization, which so far has led to service cuts and delivery delays. Hansi Le Wang, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

And I'm Jael Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.

[Capital One]

This message comes from Capital One with the Venture X card. Earn unlimited double miles on everything you buy, plus get premium benefits at a collection of hotels when booking through Capital One Travel. What's in your wallet? Terms apply [e-mail].