NPR News Now: July 26, 2025, 10AM EDT
Hosted by Giles Snyder
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Closing
[04:49] Giles Snyder concludes the episode, reiterating the day's significant news stories.
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.