NPR News Now: August 1, 2025, 3AM EDT – Detailed Summary

Hosted by NPR's Shea Stevens, this episode of NPR News Now covers significant national and international developments, including President Trump's new tariffs, the deadly Texas floods, Kamala Harris's forthcoming book, changes in Temporary Protected Status for migrants, declining vaccination rates among children, and updates on financial markets.

1. President Trump's New Tariffs and Legal Challenges

[00:15] Shea Stevens opens the episode with breaking news about President Trump signing an executive order imposing new tariffs on over 60 U.S. trading partners. This move includes a seven-day extension of existing import taxes on Mexico, granting an additional 90 days for negotiating a new trade agreement.

NPR's Scott Horsley delves deeper into the implications and legal controversies surrounding these tariffs:

• Legal Basis: The tariffs are justified under a statute from the 1970s. However, this law does not explicitly grant the president the authority to impose tariffs, a power traditionally held by Congress.
• Legal Challenges: Various businesses and states have sought judicial intervention to nullify these tariffs. The White House maintains that the president is exercising broad emergency powers.
• Court Proceedings: Attorney Neil Catchall, representing several businesses, strongly opposes the administration's stance. At an appeals court hearing, Catchall remarked, "That is a breathtaking claim to power that no president has asserted in 200 years. And the consequences are staggering." [01:06]

Despite a lower court ruling two months prior to strike down the tariffs, they remain effective as the case progresses through the appeals system, potentially reaching the Supreme Court. The outcome could have profound effects on international trade relations and executive power.

2. Deadly July 4th Floods in Texas Hill Country

[01:25] Shea Stevens reports on the tragic floods in Texas Hill Country that resulted in at least 138 fatalities. Officials recently confirmed that there was a significant delay—40 minutes—before mass warnings were dispatched during the disaster.

Paul Flav from Texas Newsroom interviews Kerr County Sheriff Larry Latha amidst legislative scrutiny:

• Initial Silence: Sheriff Latha had previously declined to comment on when the code red alert system was first activated.
• Reason for Delay: Latha explained, "Until now, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Latha had declined to answer questions about when county officials first activated their code red alert system the morning of the floods...the reason was too few people and too much happening." [02:05]
• Operational Challenges: Latha further stated, "These people, they were overwhelmed. Okay? These dispatchers were with phone calls, radio transmissions, trying to type. They did a great job." [02:12]
• Timeline: The code red was requested by first responders at 4:22 AM but was only sent out at 5:01 AM, contributing to the high death toll.

The floods have sparked intense discussions among legislators in Kerrville to evaluate the shortcomings in emergency response protocols.

3. Kamala Harris Announces Upcoming Book and Political Plans

In a significant political update, Shea Stevens shares that former Vice President Kamala Harris will release a book titled "107 Days", detailing her brief presidential campaign in 2024.

Deepa Shivaram provides insights into Harris's announcement:

• Campaign Reflection: The book is based on Harris's period of reflection during her short-lived presidential bid, which lasted 107 days after President Biden exited the race.
• Public Statement: Harris shared a video on social media explaining that the book comprises her campaign reflections and journal entries.
• Future Political Aspirations: This revelation coincides with Harris's decision not to run for Governor of California in the upcoming election, though she remains open to future political roles, including a possible presidential run in 2028.
• Upcoming Interview: Harris is scheduled to appear on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert later tonight, marking her first public interview post-office tenure. [02:22]

4. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Extensions for Migrants

[03:10] Shea Stevens reports that a federal judge has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for tens of thousands of migrants from Nepal and Central America:

• Nepalese Nationals: Approximately 7,000 Nepalese individuals will retain TPS beyond their initial expiration on Tuesday.
• Central American Nationals: Over 50,000 migrants from Honduras and Nicaragua are spared from losing TPS in September.
• Policy Reversal: Contrary to the initial plan by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to terminate TPS, citing that the conditions necessitating its provision no longer exist, the judiciary has intervened to maintain these protections for the affected populations.

This decision provides immediate relief to thousands of migrants facing uncertain futures and underscores ongoing debates over immigration policies.

5. Decline in Vaccination Rates Among Kindergartners

Health concerns are highlighted as NPR's Maria Godoy reports a troubling decline in vaccination rates among children entering kindergarten during the 2024-2025 school year:

• Vaccination Statistics: Nationwide, only 92.5% of kindergartners were vaccinated against measles, mumps, and Rubella, falling short of the 95% threshold deemed necessary for community protection against measles outbreaks.
• Regional Declines: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that over half of U.S. states experienced a decrease in measles vaccination coverage among kindergartners.
• Rise in Exemptions: Additionally, the number of children with exemptions from one or more required vaccines increased in 36 states and the District of Columbia.
• Public Health Implications: This decline coincides with the highest number of measles cases in the U.S. in over three decades, raising alarms among public health officials about potential outbreaks and herd immunity erosion.

Maria Godoy emphasizes the urgency of addressing vaccine hesitancy and ensuring higher vaccination coverage to safeguard public health. [03:58]

6. Financial Markets Update

Concluding the episode, Shea Stevens provides a brief update on the financial markets:

• Market Performance: U.S. futures and Asia Pacific markets are experiencing a downturn.
• Economic Context: While details are sparse, this decline may be reflective of the ongoing trade tensions and domestic economic uncertainties highlighted earlier in the episode. [04:46]

Note: Advertisements from Capital One and Mint Mobile were present in the transcript but have been excluded from this summary as per instructions.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the August 1, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the major events and their implications.