NPR News: 07-30-2025 7PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 30, 2025, 7 PM EDT

Violent Incident in New York City

In a tragic event on Monday, a 27-year-old Las Vegas man carried out a shooting at a New York City skyscraper, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The perpetrator, identified as Shane Tamora, later took his own life. NPR's Sarah Ventri reported that Tamora purchased the assault rifle used in the incident for $1,400 from his supervisor at the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. The supervisor is currently cooperating with investigators and faces no charges at this time. Ventri highlighted, “Tamora left a note inside his apartment stating, ‘when I look into you and dad's eyes, all I see is disappointment. I love you, Mama’” (00:37). Additionally, authorities have recovered antipsychotic prescription medication from Tamora's residence, indicating potential mental health issues that may have contributed to the tragedy.

U.S. Imposes Tariffs on Brazil

In international trade developments, President Donald Trump announced a significant tariff increase targeting Brazil, one of the highest imposed under his administration. Effective August 6th, a 50% tariff will be levied on all Brazilian goods, although a list of exemptions has been included. NPR's Kerry Pecan detailed that the executive order justifies these duties by accusing Brazil of human rights violations, undermining the rule of law, and politically persecuting former President Jair Bolsonaro. Pecan stated, “Trump says Brazil deserves the high tax because it violates human rights, undermines the rule of law and is politically persecuting its former president” (01:37).

The order exempts critical exports such as orange juice and aircraft parts. Notably, Brazil supplies nearly half of all orange juice consumed in the U.S., and the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has warned that the steep tariffs could lead to layoffs of its U.S. workers. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury has sanctioned a Brazilian Supreme Court justice for what it describes as abusive rulings and censorship of opponents.

Nonprofits Oppose Politicization of Houses of Worship

A coalition of over a thousand nonprofit organizations is actively resisting the Trump administration's initiative to allow houses of worship to endorse political candidates. NPR's Jason DeRose reported that these groups argue such a move would "erode public trust and threaten the independence and integrity of the entire nonprofit sector" (02:24). The backlash stems from a recent IRS court filing interpreting the 1954 Johnson Amendment, which traditionally prohibits religious institutions from endorsing political candidates. The nonprofit coalition, including prominent organizations like the National Council of Nonprofits, Public Citizen, and the Interfaith Alliance, asserts that allowing clergy to make political endorsements from the pulpit politicizes religious spaces and undermines their nonpartisan missions.

Kamala Harris Announces Future Political Plans

In political news, former Vice President Kamala Harris has declared that she will not seek the governorship of California. However, she remains open to the possibility of running for the White House in 2028. NPR's Windsor Johnston reported that Harris spent months contemplating a gubernatorial bid before deciding against it. In her statement, Harris expressed frustration with the current state of U.S. politics, stating, “U.S. politics, government and the nation's institutions have too often failed the American people, culminating in what she calls this moment of crisis” (03:10). Harris previously served as California’s Attorney General and her decision keeps her options open for future political endeavors.

Music Industry Highlights: Ozzy Osbourne and Tyler the Creator Dominate Billboard Charts

The music industry saw significant activity this week as both Ozzy Osbourne and Tyler the Creator made notable impacts on the Billboard charts. Stephen Thompson of NPR reported that five albums entered the Billboard Top 10 for the first time this week. Among them, a greatest hits compilation by the late Ozzy Osbourne has gained considerable attention following his passing last week. In a remarkable achievement, Tyler the Creator's new album, "Don't Tap the Glass," debuted at number one, marking his fourth consecutive album to reach the top spot. Thompson highlighted, “Tyler the Creator is in the midst of a busy creative stretch” (03:56). This success comes just nine months after his previous album, "Chromacopia," which also topped the charts for three weeks in November.

Stock Market Update

The stock market showed mixed results today. Windsor Johnston reported that the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 171 points, the S&P 500 fell by 7 points, while the NASDAQ Composite saw a modest increase of 31 points (04:44). This fluctuation reflects ongoing volatility in the financial markets amid various economic and political factors influencing investor sentiment.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Shane Tamora’s note: “When I look into you and dad's eyes, all I see is disappointment. I love you, Mama.” (Sarah Ventri, 00:37)
• President Trump on Brazil tariffs: “Brazil deserves the high tax because it violates human rights, undermines the rule of law and is politically persecuting its former president.” (Kerry Pecan, 01:37)
• Kamala Harris on political crisis: “U.S. politics, government and the nation's institutions have too often failed the American people, culminating in what she calls this moment of crisis.” (Kamala Harris, 03:10)

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a concise yet comprehensive overview of significant national and international events, ranging from a tragic shooting incident and major trade policy changes to influential movements within the nonprofit sector and updates from the political and music worlds. The inclusion of direct quotes and detailed reporting provides listeners with a clear and engaging understanding of the day's most pressing news.

Transcript

[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.

[Windsor Johnston]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Authorities are releasing new information about the 27 year old gunman who shot and killed four people at a New York City skyscraper on Monday. NPR Sarah Ventri reports. The Las Vegas man later took his own life.

[Sarah Ventri]

According to the nypd, Shane Tamora bought the assault rifle used in Monday's shooting for $1,400 from his supervisor at the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. The supervisor is cooperating with investigators and is not currently charged with a crime. On Tuesday, police said investigators would search tomorrow's Las Vegas apartment. Now they confirm that Tamura left a note inside that studio apartment which stated, quote, when I look into you and dad's eyes, all I see is disappointment. I love you, Mama. Police also say they've recovered antipsychotic prescription medication from his home. Sarah Ventri, NPR News, New York.

[Windsor Johnston]

President Trump says Brazil will have one of the highest tariffs he's imposed on a country. A 50% tariff on all Brazilian goods takes effect on August 6th. NPR's Kerry Pecan reports. Trump signed an executive order today justifying the duties while also exempting a long list of Brazil's exports.

[Kerry Pecan]

Trump says Brazil deserves the high tax because it violates human rights, undermines the rule of law and is politically persecuting its former president. Brazil's ex far right leader Jair Bolsonaro is facing charges of attempting a coup to stay in power after losing the 2020 election. The US treasury also sanctioned a Brazilian Supreme Court justice for rulings it characterized as abuse of power, power and censoring opponents. Trump's executive order does include a long list of tariff exemptions, including orange juice exports and aircraft parts and planes. Brazil provides nearly half of all OJ consumed in the US And Embraer, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, warned of layoffs of US Workers if hit by the steep tariffs. Carrie Conn, NPR News, Sao Paulo.

[Windsor Johnston]

A large group of nonprofit organizations is pushing back against the Trump administration's move to allow houses of worship to endorse political candidates. NPR's Jason DeRose reports. They warn that doing so could politicize their work.

[Jason DeRose]

More than a thousand groups have signed onto the letter that says the move erodes public trust and threatens the independence and integrity of the entire nonprofit sector. In a court filing earlier this month, the irs said the 1954 Johnson amendment, which bars houses of worship from endorsing candidates, should not apply to political speech during worship services, meaning clergy could make endorsements from the pulpit. Among the group's signing the letter are the National Council of Nonprofits, Public Citizen and the Interfaith Alliance.

[Windsor Johnston]

Jason DeRose, NPR News, former this is NPR News. Former Vice President Kamala Harris has announced that she will not run for governor of California, but left open the possibility that she could make another bid for the White House in 2028. Harris spent months privately considering whether to run for governor. She previously served as the state's attorney. In a statement, Harris said U.S. politics, government and the nation's institutions have too often failed the American people, culminating in what she calls this moment of crisis. Tyler the Creator and Ozzy Osbourne led a chaotic week on the Billboard charts. NPR Stephen Thompson has more.

[Stephen Thompson]

For the second straight week, five albums cracked the Billboard top 10 for the first time, including a greatest hits package by Ozzy Osbourne, who died last week.

[Tyler the Creator]

I'.

[Stephen Thompson]

At the very top of the charts, a surprise new album by the rapper, songwriter and artist Tyler the Creator debuts at number one. It's called Don't Tap the Glass, and it's his fourth consecutive album to hit the top spot. Tyler the Creator is in the midst of a busy creative stretch. He's just nine months removed from his last album, Chromacopia. That record topped the Billboard charts for three weeks in November. Stephen Thompson, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Stocks traded mixed on Wall street today. The dow was down 171 points, the NASDAQ Composite up 31, the S&P down 7. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

[Viori]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Viori, featuring the performance jogger. Visit viori.com NPR for 20% off your first purchase on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns. Exclusions apply. Visit the website for full terms and conditions.