NPR News: 07-26-2025 9PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – Episode Summary: July 26, 2025, 9 PM EDT

1. Multiple Stabbings at Traverse City Walmart

Timestamp: 00:20

Jeanine Herbst opens the episode with breaking news from Traverse City, Michigan, where a violent incident unfolded at a local Walmart. According to Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea, multiple individuals were stabbed in what authorities are describing as random acts of violence, with no predetermined victims.

• Sheriff Michael Shea: “Based on the information that we have at this time, it appears there were random acts that there was no the victims were not predetermined.” ([00:38])

Eleven victims are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital, with several undergoing surgery. One suspect has been taken into custody. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her condolences on social media, emphasizing her support for the victims. As of now, there is no confirmed motive behind the attack.

2. Israel Resumes Aid Drops into Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict

Timestamp: 00:51

The host transitions to the escalating conflict in Gaza, highlighting Israel’s decision to resume aid deliveries and establish humanitarian corridors for United Nations convoys. Despite these efforts, Gaza health officials report a tragic toll from recent Israeli airstrikes.

• Emily Fang, NPR News, Tel Aviv North: “Some of the dead had been shot Friday night while trying to get food near Zikim Crossing on Gaza's northern border with Israel... Israeli airstrikes killed more than two dozen more people over a 24-hour period.” ([01:22])

At least 57 individuals lost their lives in the past day alone, with more potentially trapped under rubble due to the inaccessibility of rescue teams. The conflict, ongoing since 2023, has resulted in nearly 60,000 Palestinian deaths, with aid organizations warning of increasing fatalities from what they describe as man-made starvation.

3. Texas Congressman Keith Self Faces Mixed Reactions at Town Hall

Timestamp: 02:05

Shifting to U.S. politics, Texas Congressman Keith Self garnered both praise and criticism during his recent town hall meeting. Representing a deeply conservative district north of Dallas, Self is a staunch supporter of President Trump and the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

• Representative Keith Self: “And I don't mind pushing back against the leadership because as I said, all of y' all have been promised this for so long. We've got to make it happen.” ([02:41])

Self advocated for the release of the Epstein files, asserting that delays by other leaders could potentially harm the president. This stance has polarized his constituents, reflecting the broader national debate surrounding transparency and accountability in high-profile investigations. The town hall, part of a series of local meetings nationwide, underscores the growing tension between elected officials and their voter bases.

4. Extreme Heat Drenches Central and Eastern United States

Timestamp: 02:57

Meteorological concerns take center stage as extreme heatwaves sweep across the central regions and the eastern seaboard of the United States. The National Weather Service has issued multiple heat warnings and advisories, forecasting temperatures soaring into the upper 90s to low 100s Fahrenheit, with heat indices reaching up to 115 degrees in certain areas this weekend.

This intense heat poses significant risks to public health, infrastructure, and daily activities, prompting authorities to advise residents to take necessary precautions to stay safe during the extreme weather conditions.

5. Peru Seizes Record Amount of Smuggled Mercury Linked to Illegal Gold Mining

Timestamp: 02:57

Environmental law enforcement efforts in Peru have achieved a significant victory with the seizure of a record 4 tons of smuggled mercury. This hazardous substance is notoriously used in illegal gold mining operations within the Amazon rainforest, causing severe ecological and health repercussions.

• Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro: “Working off an international intelligence tip say they found 4 tons of mercury hidden inside bags of gravel labeled as crushed stone... According to a new report by the Environmental Investigation Agency, at least 200 tons of mercury has been illegally smuggled to countries in the Amazon over the past six years.” ([03:34])

The mercury was concealed in gravel bags labeled as crushed stone on a cargo vessel en route to Bolivia, with Mexico identified as the primary source. The surge in gold prices has unfortunately driven up mercury demand, exacerbating environmental degradation as the chemical contaminates air, water, and soil, thereby endangering wildlife and human populations alike.

6. Fenway Park Concession Workers Strike Over Pay Disputes

Timestamp: 04:20

In sports-related labor news, concession workers at Boston's iconic Fenway Park have initiated a strike for the second consecutive day, protesting against inadequate pay and demanding better working conditions. The Aramac workers, committed to a five-day strike that began yesterday, aim to minimize disruptions to Red Sox games while urging patrons to refrain from purchasing snacks and treats during their absence.

• Union Statement: The workers are seeking living wages, the establishment of guardrails on technology use, and overall respect in their roles.

Aramac, the management body, expressed disappointment over the union's rejection of their latest offer, maintaining that they have been negotiating in good faith. The situation has attracted national attention, with Senator Bernie Sanders stepping in to encourage the Red Sox organization, which is not directly involved in the negotiations, to support the striking workers.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive overview of pressing local and international issues, from violent incidents and geopolitical conflicts to environmental crimes and labor disputes. Through clear reporting and compelling quotes from key figures, listeners are kept informed of events shaping the current landscape.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. In Michigan, police say multiple people were stabbed at a Walmart in Traverse City. Eleven are being treated at a local hospital and Grand Travis County Sheriff Michael Shea says several are in surgery.

[Michael Shea]

Based on the information that we have at this time, it appears there were random acts that there was no the victims were not predetermined.

[Jeanine Herbst]

One person is in custody. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmere says on social media that her thoughts are with the victims. So far, there's no word on a motive. Israel says it's resuming aid drops into Gaza and will create humanitarian corridors to enable UN Convoys to travel safely into the Strip. This is Gaza. Health officials say at least 57 people are dead from Israeli airstrikes in the last 24 hours as they were trying to get food along an aid route. NPR's Emily Fang has more.

[Emily Fang]

Some of the dead had been shot Friday night while trying to get food near Zikim Crossing on Gaza's northern border with Israel. The Israeli military fatally shot at least 80 people at the same crossing only days before, according to Gaza health officials and local morgues. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes killed more than two dozen more people over a 24 hour period. Gaza health officials say more people may remain under rubble because rescue crews cannot reach them. Nearly 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's war in Gaza that began in 2023. And the deaths from what aid organizations say is man made starvation are growing. Emily Fang, NPR News, Tel Aviv, North.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Texas Congressman Keith Self got praise and criticism at his town hall meeting this morning. Bill Ziebel from member station KERA reports. The Republican says he supports releasing the Epstein files.

[Bill Ziebel]

Self's a second term congressman in deep red Texas, north of Dallas. He strongly backs President Trump and the one big beautiful bill act that's now law. He told constituents that he's pushed back against those leaders whose actions helped delay, for now, anyway, the release of the Epstein files that could possibly hurt the president. Here's Self responding to a question from a constituent.

[Michael Shea]

And I don't mind pushing back against the leadership because as I said, all of y' all have been promised this for so long. We've got to make it happen.

[Bill Ziebel]

Representatives are on break across the country, starting to hold town hall meetings in their communities. I'm Bill Ziebel in Dallas.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Extreme heat is hitting the central part of the country along with the eastern seaboard. The National Weather Service has issued heat warnings and advisories for several states as temperatures are expected in the upper 90s to low 1002 with heat indices up to 115 degrees in places this weekend. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Officials in Peru say they have seized a record 4 tons of smuggled mercury that's used for illegal gold mining in the Amazon rainforest. NPR's Carrie Kahn has more custom Officials.

[Carrie Kahn]

Working off an international intelligence tip say they found 4 tons of mercury hidden inside bags of gravel labeled as crushed stone. The bags were on a cargo ship bound for Bolivia, originating from Mexico, which Peruvian officials say is the source of much of smuggled mercury. According to a new report by the Environmental Investigation Agency, a non profit group, at least 200 tons of mercury has been illegally smuggled to countries in the Amazon over the past six years. Soaring gold prices have boosted mercury demand. The highly dangerous chemical is used to extract gold from river sediments. The process leaves behind toxic residues in the air, water and ground, poisoning wildlife and people. Carrie Kann, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Concession workers at Boston's Fenway park are on strike for the second day in a row over pay. The Aramac workers started a five day strike yesterday. They say they don't want people to stay away from the Red Sox games, but they are urging people not to buy any snacks or treats. The union posted on social media it's asking for living wages, guardrails on technology and respect. Aramac says it's bargained in good faith and it's disappointed the union rejected its latest offer. Senator Bernie Sanders is urging the Red Sox, which isn't involved in negotiations, to support the workers. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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