NPR News Now: Episode Summary (07-28-2025)

Release Date: July 28, 2025
Host: Dave Mattingly
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

1. US-EU Trade Agreement Reached

Key Points:

• Leaders Involved: U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
• Location of Announcement: Scotland, during Trump’s visit.
• Main Terms of the Deal:
  • U.S. Tariffs: Most EU exports to the U.S. will now face a 15% tariff with minimal exceptions.
  • EU Tariffs: The EU has agreed not to impose tariffs on its imports of U.S. goods.
• Deadline: The agreement was finalized just days before the implementation of 30% tariffs on U.S. imports from the EU, which were set to take effect the following day.
• Upcoming Meetings: President Trump is scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss the trade deal between the US and the UK, as well as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Notable Quote:

“Most EU exports to the U.S. will face a 15% tariff with essentially no exceptions,” said Franco Ordonez at [00:45].

2. Humanitarian Aid and Aid Blockade in Gaza

Key Points:

• Aid Efforts:
  • Jordan and UAE: Partnered to airdrop 25 tons of food over Gaza.
  • Israeli Air Force: Dropped essential supplies such as flour, sugar, and canned food.
  • Secure Aid Routes: The UN World Food Program (WFP) commended Israel’s new initiative to establish secure routes for aid trucks entering Gaza.
• Current Crisis:
  • A third of Gaza’s population has not eaten for several days.
  • The WFP has sufficient food supplies to feed Gaza’s entire population for approximately three months.
• Blockade Enforcement: The Israeli navy intercepted a boat carrying international activists attempting to breach the blockade with food and supplies.

Notable Quotes:

“A third of Gaza’s population was not eating for days,” stated Franco Ordonez at [01:28].

“Just seeing her being able to get falls on them and compete with them and humble them and it's like, I want to do that, too one day,” shared Claire Keenan Kurgan regarding the inspiration for young competitors in timber sports at [04:17].

3. Walmart Store Attack in Traverse City, Michigan

Key Points:

• Incident Details:
  • Location: Walmart store in Traverse City, Michigan.
  • Date: Over the weekend.
  • Perpetrator: 42-year-old Bradford James Gilley.
  • Nature of Attack: Knife attack targeting shoppers.
  • Casualties: 11 people injured, all expected to survive.
• Legal Proceedings:
  • Gilley is facing one count of terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder.
• Community Response:
  • Multiple bystanders, including one armed individual, intervened in the parking lot, preventing further harm.
  • Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea emphasized the heroism of the bystanders but did not disclose their identities.

Notable Quotes:

“Bradford James Gilley is facing one count of terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder,” reported Claire Keenan Kurgan at [02:30].

“If they choose to make a public statement, they will,” added Dave Mattingly at [02:54], acknowledging the actions of the bystanders.

4. Small Plane Crash off Monterey, California

Key Points:

• Incident Details:
  • Location: Off Monterey, near Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove.
  • Flight Origin: San Carlos Airport, San Francisco Bay.
  • Aircraft: Twin-engine Beechcraft.
  • Casualties: Three fatalities; bodies recovered by the US Coast Guard the previous day.
• Investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is probing the cause of the crash.

Notable Quote:

“Authorities say the flight originated from the San Carlos Airport along the San Francisco Bay,” reported Dave Mattingly at [03:09].

5. Lumberjack World Championships Highlight Female Competitors

Key Points:

• Event Overview:
  • Location: Wisconsin.
  • Participants: 100 competitors, with 45 being women, marking the highest female participation to date.
• Competitions Included:
  • Ax swinging.
  • Wheeled crosscut saws.
  • Log rolling, where participants attempt to knock opponents into the water without physical contact.
• Inspirational Stories:
  • Ainie Anderson, 16: Inspired by her mentor’s skills and competitiveness, aspiring to excel and challenge her male counterparts.
• Historical Context:
  • Timber sports, rooted in logging traditions of northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, were predominantly male at the turn of the 20th century.

Notable Quotes:

“Log rolling is where two people tread on a log and try to knock their opponent into the water without touching,” explained Ayan Silver at [03:56].

“Just seeing her being able to get falls on them and compete with them and humble them and it's like, I want to do that, too one day,” added Claire Keenan Kurgan at [04:17], highlighting Ainie's motivation.

6. Federal Reserve Expected to Maintain Current Interest Rates

Key Points:

• Policy Decision: The Federal Reserve is anticipated to keep U.S. interest rates steady in the upcoming policy meeting.
• Context: This decision comes in the face of pressure from President Trump, who has advocated for a rate cut.

Notable Quote:

“The Federal Reserve is expected to hold US Interest rates steady at this week's policy meeting, despite pressure from President Trump for the Fed to cut rates,” stated Dave Mattingly at [04:40].

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant international trade agreements, humanitarian efforts amidst conflict, domestic incidents of violence, noteworthy cultural events, and economic policy developments. Through detailed reporting and firsthand accounts, listeners are kept informed on critical issues affecting both the national and global landscape.