NPR News: 07-29-2025 12AM EDT

Summary

NPR News: July 29, 2025 – Detailed Episode Summary

Release Date: July 29, 2025

In this episode of NPR News Now, host Shea Stevens delivers a comprehensive update on several critical events unfolding both nationally and internationally. The episode covers a tragic mass shooting in New York City, President Donald Trump's diplomatic efforts in Scotland, a significant court ruling affecting Planned Parenthood, political developments in North Carolina, and escalating tensions in the West Bank.

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Mass Shooting in Midtown Manhattan

At [00:16], Shea Stevens reports on a devastating mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, where five people have been killed and one injured. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch provides detailed insights:

"He goes up to the 33rd floor, which is Rudin Management, and begins to walk the floor firing rounds as he travels. One person was struck and killed on that floor. He then proceeds down a hallway and shoots himself in the chest." [00:41]

The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamora from Las Vegas. Commissioner Tisch indicates that Tamora is believed to have acted alone, and authorities are actively seeking motives behind this tragic event.

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President Trump's Scotland Visit and EU Trade Deal

President Donald Trump is concluding his trip to Scotland, where he announced a significant trade deal with the European Union. NPR's Fatima Al Kassab reports on the local reactions:

"Protesters at this rally outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh waved Palestinian flags and held signs that read 'Scotland is already great.' In Aberdeen, near the president's new golf course, a van plastered with a big photo of the president with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein circulated." [01:24]

Local sentiments are largely unfavorable towards Trump. Aberdeen resident Bev Luke expresses the community's stance:

"He's a hateful man. People seem to be coming together a bit more against this." [01:46]

Supporting this, a recent poll reveals that 71% of people in Scotland have an unfavorable view of Trump, a figure higher than the unfavorable ratings across the rest of the UK.

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Federal Judge Blocks Defunding of Planned Parenthood

At [02:01], Shea Stevens reports on a pivotal legal decision where a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from defunding Planned Parenthood. NPR's Katie Riddle provides a detailed analysis:

"The judge wrote in her decision that the law unfairly targeted Planned Parenthood and called it, 'legislative punishment.'" [02:14]

The administration sought to halt Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide, expanding existing restrictions that already prohibit the use of federal funds for abortions. This ruling is seen as a protection of essential health services, including cancer screenings and access to contraception, provided by the clinics.

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Political Developments in North Carolina Senate Race

Shea Stevens updates listeners on the political landscape in North Carolina:

• Roy Cooper, the former Governor of North Carolina, has announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat, filling the vacancy left by retiring GOP Senator Thom Tillis.

• Michael Whatley, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, is expected to formally enter the race for the GOP nomination to succeed Tillis.

These developments signal a competitive Senate race with significant implications for the state's political alignment.

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Additional Mass Shootings and Legal Proceedings

The episode also covers multiple violent incidents:

1. Reno, Nevada Shooting:

   • Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting outside a casino in Reno, where a gunman killed at least three people and injured three others before being fatally shot by police. Details about the suspect's identity and motives remain undisclosed.

2. Michigan Walmart Stabbing:

   • 42-year-old Bradford Gilley faces terrorism charges following a mass stabbing at a Walmart in northern Michigan. Gilley is held on 11 counts of assault with intent to murder. He had a prior mental health warrant issued on Friday and pleaded not guilty at a Monday hearing.

These incidents highlight ongoing concerns regarding public safety and mental health issues.

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Escalating Violence in the West Bank

Concluding the episode, Shea Stevens addresses the rising tensions in the occupied West Bank. NPR's Emily Fang provides an in-depth report:

"The West Bank town of Taibi is known for its beer brewery of the same name and a more than 1,500-year-old church that was partially burned by Jewish settlers." [04:04]

Following a visit by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who condemned the attacks as "unacceptable," recent acts of violence include:

• Arson: Two vehicles in Taibi were set on fire.
• Stone-Throwing: Incendiary actions against homes in the area.
• Graffiti: Offensive epithets sprayed on at least one residence.

Bashar Fawadle, a parish priest in Taibi, emphasized the impact of these acts:

"There's been a strong uptick in Jewish settler violence in the West Bank, violence that, 'targets the Palestinian people and their very existence.'" [04:04]

International condemnation is evident, with Germany's ambassador to Israel denouncing the settlers as "criminals abhorrent to any faith."

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This episode of NPR News Now offers listeners a thorough overview of the day's most pressing news stories, encapsulating the gravity of the events and their broader implications. From tragic acts of violence to significant political and legal developments, the report provides a nuanced understanding of the current landscape.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Authorities in New York are seeking a motive for a mass shooting that's left five people dead and one person injured in midtown Manhattan. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch says surveillance footage shows a man getting out of a double parked vehicle and entering an office high rise carrying a rifle. Just says the gunman is then seen shooting a police officer and a woman in the lobby.

[NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch]

He goes up to the 33rd floor, which is Rudin management, and begins to walk the floor firing rounds. As he traveled. One person was struck and killed on that floor. He then proceeds down a hallway and shoots himself in the chest.

[Shea Stevens]

Tisch identified the suspect as 27 year old Shane Tamora of Las Vegas. She says that Tamora is believed to have acted alone. President Trump is wrapping up his Scotland trip after announcing a trade deal with the European Union. NPR's Fatima Akakasab reports the demonstrators turned out in force.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

Protesters at this rally outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh waved Palestinian flags and held signs that read Scotland is already great. In Aberdeen, near the president's new golf course, a van plastered with a big photo of the president with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein circulated. The city resident Bev Luke says Trump is not welcome.

[Bev Luke]

He's a hateful man. People seem to be coming together a bit more against this.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

A recent poll found 71% of people in Scotland have an unfavourable view of Trump, higher than across the rest of the UK Fatima Al Kassab, NPR News, Aberdeen.

[Shea Stevens]

A federal judge is blocking the Trump administration from defunding Planned Parenthood. NPR's Katie Riddle reports that the ruling may help protect essential health services in some communities.

[Katie Riddle]

The Trump administration was attempting to stop Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood clinics across the country. It is part of the administration's recently passed policy bill split. Specifically, it mandated that if clinics provided abortion care, they could not receive Medicaid. But it is already illegal to use federal funds to pay for abortions. Essentially, the change in law would have prevented clinics from providing basic health care like cancer screenings and access to contraception. The judge on Monday wrote in her decision that the law unfairly targeted Planned Parenthood and called it, quote, legislative punishment. Katie Riddle, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper says he will seek the Democratic nomination for a U.S. senate seat. Cooper is seeking the vacancy that's been created by retiring GOP Senator Thom Tillis. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is expected to formally seek the GOP nomination for Tillis seat. This is npr. Authorities in Nevada are seeking a motive for deadly shooting outside of a casino in Reno. A gunman killed at least three people and injured three others before police fatally shot him. No word on the suspect's identity or a possible motive for the attack. A suspect in Saturday's mass stabbing at a northern Michigan Walmart is facing terrorism charges. 42 year old Bradford Gilley is being held on 11 counts of assault with intent to murder. Gilly was the subject of a mental health warrant issued on Friday. He pleaded not guilty at a hearing on Monday. For a second time this month, Jewish settlers have attacked a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee recently visited that town to support a Palestinian church. NPR's Emily Fang has more.

[Emily Fang]

The west bank town of Taibi is known for its beer brewery of the same name and a more than 1,500-year-old church that was partially burned by Jewish settler. Huckabee criticized that act as, quote, unacceptable. Then this week, settlers set fire to two vehicles in Taipei, hurled stones at homes there, and then graffitied epithets on at least one home. Bashar Fawadle, a parish priest in Taipei, said the Israeli military raided the town soon after but did not arrest any of the settlers. There's been a strong uptick in Jewish settler violence in the west bank, violence that, quote, targets the Palestinian people and their very existence. According to Fawadle, Germany's ambassador to Israel denounced the settlers in a post on X as, quote, criminals abhorrent to any faith. Emily Fang, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Shea Stevens]

This is NPR News.

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