7.8.25 Texans help survivors, Congress manages Medicaid, and passing down an ancient art - The World and Everything In It

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[00:06]
Mary Reichardt
Good morning. Flash flooding victims number at least 90 in Texas. How is the town responding to the tragedy?
[00:12]
Nick Eicher
Also today, the ongoing debate over federal funding for Medicaid. And later, one man's mission to keep an ancient art forum alive.
[00:20]
Rob Noble
Just a fellow that likes to make arrowheads. And I don't mind showing people how I do it.
[00:26]
Nick Eicher
And world Opinions contributor Nathan Finn on the wisdom of coming to our Sense.
[00:38]
Mary Reichardt
It's Tuesday, July 8th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichert.
[00:45]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Iger. Good morning.
[00:49]
Mary Reichardt
Time now for the news with Kent Covington.
[00:52]
Kent Covington
Authorities in central Texas say that more than 100 people are now confirmed dead after catastrophic weekend flooding. That news comes as search and rescue teams continue to wade into swollen rivers and use heavy equipment to untangle trees. It's all part of a massive search for roughly 40 people still missing. One volunteer said Monday.
[01:14]
Kirk Marchand
We are here with about 40 chainsaws, cutting into the brush, pulling it all.
[01:19]
Paul Butler
Back, separating it in piles of what to burn metal and trash.
[01:25]
Kent Covington
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has asked the public to pray for all the families affected by this tragedy.
[01:31]
Kirk Marchand
I know as the days go longer, people, many people are losing hope. But we're not losing hope. We're going to continue to work hard to search.
[01:41]
Kent Covington
Flash floodwaters barreled through Kerr county on Friday, ripping up trees by their roots and washing away entire homes. Holly Kate Hurley was a counselor at Camp mystic in the path of those floodwaters.
[01:54]
Kirk Marchand
In the morning they gathered all the.
[01:56]
Dale Miller
Counselors who were at Cypress Lake and they told us that two of sorry, two of the cabins with the seven.
[02:05]
Jessica James
Year old girls were wiped away.
[02:08]
Kent Covington
The fast moving waters rose 26ft on the river in only 45 minutes. In the dark of night, President Trump has declared a major disaster for Kerr county, activating federal aid. The president is huddling today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. The meeting is largely centered on U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. Last night, Trump hosted Netanyahu and Israel's first lady for dinner.
[02:34]
Kirk Marchand
Thank you very much, everybody. It's an honor to have Mibi and Sarah with us, friends of mine for a long time.
[02:41]
Kent Covington
Netanyahu thanked the president for his administration's work in Trump's first term in bringing about the Abraham Accords, normalizing ties between Israel and multiple Arab nations. And he praised Trump for his efforts to bring about peace in the Middle east and beyond.
[02:56]
Nick Eicher
So I want to present to you.
[02:58]
Kirk Marchand
Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize committee, it's nominating you for the peace prize, which is well deserved and you should get it. Thank you very much. This I didn't know. Well, thank you very much.
[03:15]
Kent Covington
As for the war in Gaza, the United States is pressing for a 60 day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The proposal would see a partial pullback of Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of more Israeli hostages. Meantime in Lebanon, an effort to disarm Hezbollah appears to be gaining steam. The Lebanese government has responded to a proposal to disarm the Iran backed terror group and US Envoy Tom Barak called the government's response spectacular.
[03:45]
Kirk Marchand
I'm unbelievably satisfied with the response now. What it takes is a parrying thrust to the details which we're going to do. We're both committed to get to the details and get a resolution.
[04:00]
Kent Covington
For many years, Hezbollah has, with Iranian support, largely controlled southern Lebanon, and many Western officials said the Lebanese government simply allowed it to happen. But now, with a weakened Iran, US Officials see an opportunity for change. The new proposal includes economic reforms to address Lebanon's six year economic crisis. The Trump administration is dialing up pressure on trading partners to complete new trade agreements with the United States this month.
[04:29]
Jessica James
The administration, the president and his trade team want to cut the best deals for the American people and the American worker.
[04:36]
Kent Covington
White House press Secretary Caroline Levitt says US Officials are sending out letters to many different countries notifying them of the planned tariffs they may soon face when selling goods in the United States.
[04:47]
Jessica James
The reciprocal tariff rate or these new rates that will be provided in this correspondence to these foreign leaders will be going out the door or deals will be made.
[04:56]
Kent Covington
The President back in April issued a 90 day pause on reciprocal tariffs that he had announced just weeks earlier while trade talks were ongoing. That pause was set to expire tomorrow, but Levitt said the President is extending the deadline to August 1st. At the US southern border, law enforcement officers shot and killed a 27 year old man after he opened fire on a Border Patrol facility with a high powered rifle. McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez.
[05:25]
Kirk Marchand
There were many, many, many dozens of rounds fired from by the suspect towards the building and towards agents in that building.
[05:32]
Kent Covington
The suspect was identified as Ryan Lewis mosqueda. Both local McAllen police and federal agents returned fire and Rodriguez said several agencies are working together to investigate the incident. The FBI, however, is taking the lead and the motive is one of the things that the bureau will try to determine. The shooting comes in the wake of numerous, sometimes violent protests against immigration enforcement and US Border Patrol chief Mike Banks. Said Monday.
[05:58]
Kirk Marchand
We've got to hold those that are.
[06:00]
Paul Butler
Encouraging violence against law enforcement or inciting violence.
[06:04]
Kent Covington
We've got to hold them accountable. Mosquera's father told police that his son had psychological issues and that he had been looking for him in the hours before the shooting. Russia's transport minister was found dead Monday in his car near Moscow, while World's Benjamin Eicker has more.
[06:21]
Leo Briceno
Russian officials say Vladimir Putin removed Transport Minister Roman Starovoit from office on Monday, and they claim that just hours later, Starvoight died from a self inflicted gunshot wound, likely suicide. But some independent journalists say that the puzzle pieces don't quite fit together. Some reports suggest that Staravoight may have died before the official announcement of his dismissal, and the Kremlin yesterday was tight lipped about the reason for his removal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that it stemmed from a, quote, loss of trust. But analysts note Starovo had been implicated in a corruption probe over the funds that were meant to fortify the Russian border in the Kursk region. That's an area that saw heavy Ukrainian drone incursions last year. For world, I'm Benjamin Eicher.
[07:14]
Kent Covington
And I'm Kent Covington. Straight ahead, more on the devastating flooding in Texas, plus efforts to keep an ancient tradition alive. This is THE WORLD and everything in.
[07:49]
Mary Reichardt
It'S Tuesday the 8th of July. So glad to have you along for today's edition of THE WORLD and Everything In It. Good morning. I'm Mary Reichardt.
[07:56]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. First up, heartbreak in Texas. Until this weekend, Kerrville was best known as the capital of the Texas Hill Country, a vibrant town with a thriving art scene, home to the Kerrville Folk Festival, nestled along the scenic Guadalupe River, a favorite summer getaway.
[08:16]
Mary Reichardt
But on July 4, that river turned deadly, rising fast, spilling over its banks and sweeping away homes, businesses and lives. More than 90 people did not make it out. Campers, tourists and locals. Here's World's Paul Butler.
[08:32]
Paul Butler
Early Friday morning, Kirk Marchand was sitting on his covered porch in Kerrville, Texas. It was raining hard. As he read his Bible, he could hear an unusual sound over the rain.
[08:43]
Kirk Marchand
I heard what I thought were fireworks in the distance and I thought that's strange, and suddenly realized I was hearing trees snap in the river, which is about a mile from our home.
[08:55]
Paul Butler
The day before, the National Weather Service issued a flood warning along the river. The area has a lot of limestone, so excess rainwater fills the river basin quickly. Then early Friday morning about 1am the weather service sent out a flash flood alert for ker, triggering automatic emergency alerts on mobile devices and weather radios. Marchand missed those overnight. But sitting on his porch Friday morning.
[09:20]
Kirk Marchand
I glanced at my phone and sure enough, all the alerts were there from late the night before and earlier that morning indicating that flooding, and potentially catastrophic flooding was occurring in the Guadalupe River.
[09:36]
Paul Butler
By 7am the sheriff's office began evacuating residents. The Guadalupe river floods frequently. In fact, it's one of the deadliest rivers in all of Texas. But last weekend, the flood waters rose much quicker than usual, in some places more than 30ft in less than an hour. There was very little time to respond. Local resident Scott Walden says he's never seen anything like it.
[09:58]
Dale Miller
We couldn't tell if the water was going to continue to rise, so I said we need to get out of the house. So I grabbed my wife and we literally jumped in the water and it swept us down to about 200ft down that way and there is a crepe myrtle tree that we grabbed hold of and we waited for rescue.
[10:16]
Paul Butler
Walden and his wife are just one of more than 850 high water rescues since Friday. U.S. department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined Governor Greg Abbott on Saturday, pledging federal assistance and encouraging everyone to lend a helping hand.
[10:32]
Mary Reichardt
We were created to serve people. God created us to serve each other.
[10:37]
Kirk Marchand
And now is a wonderful time to go find somebody you can help.
[10:40]
Paul Butler
Volunteers continue to comb the riverbanks, hoping to find survivors. Jessica James feels compelled to help out.
[10:46]
Jessica James
You know, I've got two babies at home. You know, they're home safe and there's people out there that they're missing their children or their family members. So it's, I feel like it's the least I could do to help. It's what I would want if my kids were missing. So.
[10:59]
Paul Butler
Meanwhile, Governor Abbott set aside Sunday as a statewide day of prayer. Your prayers have made a difference.
[11:06]
Kirk Marchand
We ask for continued prayers as we continue our efforts to locate everybody who's.
[11:13]
Paul Butler
Been affected by this prayer matters. Many Kerrville churches took that call seriously, spending time Sunday morning calling out for God's mercy and attempting to bring comfort to those hurting.
[11:25]
Kirk Marchand
Jesus, we come before you broken some of us with what feels like nothing, but we know that with you we have everything. Jesus, give us hope.
[11:37]
Dale Miller
God, we thank you for not just being with us on the mountaintop, but walking with us through the valleys. God, touch those that are brokenhearted today, those that are still wandering and missing loved ones. Father, we pray that you'd be merciful to them.
[11:54]
Paul Butler
Heavenly Father, we come to you today.
[11:57]
Kirk Marchand
And ask that your word would speak to us, that you would comfort, encourage, challenge, and even change us. And we lift these things up. In Jesus name, amen.
[12:09]
Paul Butler
Kerrville resident Kirk Marchand attends Christchurch Presbyterian. He says Sunday's service was a challenging one.
[12:18]
Kirk Marchand
We love and trust in a good God, and so we all wrestle with something like this. There's also a bit of an uneasiness in the sense of how are we to wrestle with this.
[12:33]
Paul Butler
Pastor Billy Crane spoke from Psalm 20. There's nothing more important we can do.
[12:39]
Kirk Marchand
Than to ask the Lord to act.
[12:41]
Paul Butler
You are not wasting your time to.
[12:43]
Kirk Marchand
Stop and to pray, to lift up the grieving and the hurting, to pour out to the Lord, your own broken heart and ask him to do something. You have a range of emotions through something like this, and the first one, of course, is you just. You just want to do something, you want to help. But the other emotion there is a sense of guilt that you feel. So when something like this happens, it's like, oh, you know, couldn't we have done something? How could we allow this to happen to folks in our valley? And of course, again, it's an extraordinary event, but those are just some of the emotions that you wrestle with as a resident of a community like this.
[13:29]
Paul Butler
Marchand says that right now his church is doing what it can to stay out of the way as rescue and recovery efforts continue. He says the outpouring of material aid has been overwhelming.
[13:40]
Kirk Marchand
Everything from waters to diapers to restaurants, cooking food. And all of that is, of course, welcomed by all the first responders and officials that are taking care of that. But the outpouring has just been phenomenal.
[13:55]
Paul Butler
Marshand says local officials have actually sent out messages asking people to stop bringing donations into the area for the time being while they figure out what's actually needed moving forward. Marchand is confident that the material needs will be met. As he says, it's Texas, after all. But he adds, healing is going to be a long time coming.
[14:15]
Kirk Marchand
Entire families were lost in this and. And of course, you know, my heart aches as a grandparent for these families from all over the country who had children at these camps and what they're going through. So praying for them, for the peace of Christ to touch them in what is arguably probably some of the hardest moments they'll ever experience in their lives.
[14:47]
Paul Butler
For world I'm Paul Butler with additional reporting from Mary Muncie.
[14:55]
Nick Eicher
Up next, cutting back on Medicaid. On Independence Day, President Donald Trump signed his sweeping legislative package into law, what he dubbed the one big beautiful bill.
[15:07]
Kirk Marchand
It's the biggest bill of its type in history. We've never had anything like that before. Nothing like that they thought would be possible to get passed.
[15:15]
Mary Reichardt
The new law boosts border and defense spending and extends the 2017 tax cuts. But to offset the new costs and the loss of projected tax revenue, it also rewrites some of the rules on mandatory federal spending. That includes Medicaid, the program that helps provide health care for low income Americans, the elderly and those with disabilities.
[15:36]
Nick Eicher
Critics complain millions could lose their health care. Supporters say it's a long overdue fix that gives states more control. Here now is World's Washington bureau reporter Leo Briceno.
[15:49]
Leo Briceno
Medicaid cost the federal government $600 billion in 2024, more than one in every ten dollars Washington spent last year. Last week, Republicans accomplished their goal of trimming that number by reforming who receives Medicaid and how the program is funded.
[16:06]
Kirk Marchand
So there's three buckets of changes. Two involve enrollment. One involves payments to states and you know how much states and the feds are paying, respectively.
[16:15]
Leo Briceno
That's Ed Heiselmeyer, an expert in health care policy for the Heritage Foundation. First, he explained that enrollment will now require proof of residential address, making states increase the reporting and more to make Medicaid inaccessible to illegal aliens. In the second bucket, Republicans hope to shrink the number of people on Medicaid to through slightly stricter work requirements. The bill Requires adults ages 18 to 64 to work 80 hours a month to be eligible. Beneficiaries can also meet that standard by completing part time education, community service or a work program. As a result of those first two buckets, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that as many as 17 million Americans could lose their health insurance over the next 10 years. But who exactly will those changes affect?
[17:04]
Kirk Marchand
Non, elderly, able bodied adults who are on the program, the vast majority of whom, by the way, do not have children.
[17:11]
Leo Briceno
The total number of Americans losing coverage will depend on a few factors. How many people are on the program now? That shouldn't be the number of people that decide to get other forms of health insurance and those who opt to forego the work requirements that will go into effect at the end of 2026.
[17:27]
Kirk Marchand
In that regard, it's expected that some people will simply choose to give up their coverage rather than go and get a job.
[17:36]
Leo Briceno
While those two changes to enrollment are significant, it's the change to federal payments that stands to have a more dramatic effect on Medicaid state by state. One of the many ways that states raise money for Medicaid is through something called provider tax. Right now, states can tax health care providers for up to 6% of their revenue in order to fund Medicaid programs. The federal government will then match that 6% dollar for dollar. With that extra money in hand, states can then put resources back into their hospitals, pharmacies and clinics.
[18:10]
Kirk Marchand
This has been going on for years, and administrations, both Republicans and Democrats, have tried to ratchet it down. Obviously, states, and particularly hospitals, like the idea of getting more money.
[18:24]
Leo Briceno
It's a big part of how states raise funding for Medicaid. But Republicans have seen provider tax as a way for states to draw in federal funding as they can. Here's House Freedom Caucus Chairman Maryland Congressman Andy Harris.
[18:37]
Dale Miller
The provider tax is a scam, and it's left mostly intact in the bill.
[18:42]
Leo Briceno
Right now, 38 states have a provider tax close to the 6% cap. With Congress lowering the cap from 6% to 3.5%, they'll need to scale down those taxes in just over two years. The question now is how will states adjust? Heiselmaier at the Heritage foundation says there won't be a silver bullet solution.
[19:04]
Kirk Marchand
The old joke in health policy circles is if you've seen one state Medicaid program, you've seen one state Medicaid program. They're all everyone's different.
[19:13]
Leo Briceno
He says that states with large urban populations tend to enroll more people due to high costs of living, while paying doctors less.
[19:20]
Kirk Marchand
So it becomes very difficult. You're covered, but it goes very difficult to find a doctor. Whereas the more rural states, even if they're poorer states like Mississippi or Idaho, they actually pay the doctors. They just don't put everybody on the program.
[19:36]
Leo Briceno
States could raise taxes to fill the gap or move funds from other budget lines, but that won't be easy after years of depending on the provider tax, here's Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro last week.
[19:49]
Paul Butler
I have made very clear Pennsylvania can't backfill those cuts on Medicaid or on snap.
[19:55]
Leo Briceno
In particular, Democrats like Shapiro argue that the increased state burden would put rural hospitals at risk. With fewer clients, rural hospitals depend heavily on federal funding.
[20:06]
Paul Butler
I've got 25 rural hospitals right now that are operating at a loss, operating at a deficit that rely extensively, almost the majority of their funding coming through public payers like Medicaid.
[20:20]
Kirk Marchand
They would likely shudder if these cuts.
[20:23]
Paul Butler
Went into place over time.
[20:25]
Leo Briceno
To protect rural hospitals from funding changes, the new law does provide $50 billion in supplemental funding over five years. When asked about changes to Medicaid, many Republicans said they believe that their bill strikes a good balance between limiting costs and keeping the program for those who need it the most.
[20:42]
Kirk Marchand
Even with the changes, Medicaid is going to grow by 24% over the next decade.
[20:49]
Leo Briceno
That's Congressman Mike Lawler of New York. He's one of a handful of moderate Republicans who had previously expressed concern about changes to Medicaid.
[20:56]
Kirk Marchand
So anybody saying, oh, they're cutting Medicaid? No, we are. We are slowing the rate of growth to make sure that the program is sustainable. Medicaid spending has doubled over the last five years. That is not a sustainable trajectory.
[21:09]
Leo Briceno
So Republicans expect to save the federal government roughly $1 trillion in the next 10 years. Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that Medicaid costs will increase by 24% over the next decade due to factors like inflation, an aging population and rising medical costs. How states manage those costs remains to be seen. Reporting for World, I'm Leo Braceno.
[21:47]
Kent Covington
Additional support comes from Nicaea Conference 2025, a historic gathering of church leaders from every inhabited continent. More@nicaeaconference.com From Water's Edge, Kingdom Investments, personal.
[22:03]
Dale Miller
Investments that build churches.
[22:06]
Kent Covington
5.05% APY on a three month term. Watersedge.com invest and from Cedarville University, committed to transforming lives through Christ centered education. Cedarville. Edu World.
[22:36]
Nick Eicher
City dwellers have a rite of passage they call parallel parking. In Portland, Oregon, it's a spectator sport.
[22:42]
Dale Miller
The way this works is when you're ready, put your car in reverse, listen for the whistle. That's your begin.
[22:48]
Nick Eicher
Dozens of people lined up to squeeze into the teensiest of curb spaces. No backup cameras permitted. No curb kisses either. And for sure no bumping the pool noodle bumpers. Just nerves, precision and an audience on edge. Cars were scored on time, length, style and how tightly they hugged the curb. Short cars, fewer points, showmanship, a bonus for you. The grand prize though, a spray painted toy Subaru, a leftover gift card and infinite Portland street cred. It's the world and everything in it. Today is Tuesday, July 8th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Nick Eicher.
[23:47]
Mary Reichardt
And I'm Mary Reichard. Coming next on the world and everything in it, Flint knapping. Long before metal or machines, there was flint and fire and patient hands.
[23:59]
Nick Eicher
Flint knapping once meant survival. Today it means community, history and craft. WJI mid career graduate Amanda Donahue meets some of the modern day craftsmen still chipping away at the old ways.
[24:17]
Jessica James
What you making?
[24:20]
Rob Noble
I don't know. Probably gonna break.
[24:21]
Kirk Marchand
It's got cracks on it.
[24:24]
Jessica James
Rob Noble is a flintknapper at the Osage Nap in near Boonville, Missouri. Layers of leather protect Noble's left leg where he's holding a piece of flint rock. He repeatedly strikes it with a tool held in his right hand. Now 60 years old, he started napping in his late 20s. Did you have somebody that taught you how?
[24:44]
Rob Noble
Not until I started coming to napping. I had one old guy that I used to sit and nap with him.
[24:50]
Kirk Marchand
He passed away now and he taught.
[24:53]
Rob Noble
Me quite a bit.
[24:54]
Jessica James
Next to Rob sits Dale Miller. He's working on a six inch point.
[24:58]
Rob Noble
Dale, he's a traditionalist. He uses antler and stones.
[25:03]
Jessica James
Miller is much younger than most of the other nappers, but he's not a newbie.
[25:07]
Kirk Marchand
I started when I was 16. I'm doing it ever since. I guess I started earlier than a lot of people do.
[25:15]
Jessica James
As Noble and Miller work, chips of rock start collecting at their feet.
[25:19]
Kirk Marchand
When you work these stone tools, you create debitage chips of rock. Some of them the Indians would use to make scraping tools, cutting tools out of smaller points. Sometimes they just left them on the ground. And you may find these in a field. There's a bunch of chips of rock. That's where someone sat down and made an arrowhead.
[25:41]
Jessica James
It's a tricky process and the materials don't always cooperate.
[25:45]
Kirk Marchand
This rock here's got a seam in it. So if I keep removing material here, hopefully it'll go away. We gotta be careful. I don't hit it right, it'll just break.
[25:58]
Jessica James
While there are younger nappers like Dale Miller, many of the older masters have retired or died. I count about 14 people here. Is this a good turnout?
[26:08]
Kirk Marchand
There's nap ins that draw hundreds, maybe even thousands of people. You know, it just kind of depends how popular they are, where they're located.
[26:16]
Jessica James
One nap in regular is Ernest Jones.
[26:19]
Rob Noble
I've always been interested in Indians and the pieces they made.
[26:25]
Jessica James
Jones is 85 years old.
[26:28]
Rob Noble
Basically, it's the knowing how, how they did it that would let me appreciate what I saw. And I always thought that nobody today in the modern world made arrowheads.
[26:41]
Jessica James
His interest in napping began with his wife's scout troop.
[26:45]
Rob Noble
One year she took them to Fort Osage and it just so happened there was some guys sitting there making arrowheads. So I thought, oh wow, that's neat. So I went to the fort one just to see what was going on.
[26:58]
Jessica James
Jones doesn't think of himself as an educator, but once he learned how to nap himself, he wanted to teach others how to do it.
[27:05]
Rob Noble
After a while, once I got my courage up, I started attending historical craft events anywhere that I, that I thought what I did would be of benefit to the people who attended these events.
[27:23]
Jessica James
Passing on his knowledge gave him a connection to centuries of human experience.
[27:27]
Rob Noble
Some of it I'm not an archaeologist, I'm not a geologist, just a fellow that likes to make arrowheads. And I don't mind showing people and telling them how I do it because I'm showing them something they've never seen before. But it's a progress of learning a forgotten arrow, almost forgotten art and craft. And that's the neat thing, is that you're reintroducing something that's been around for thousands of years.
[28:00]
Jessica James
Eventually, Ernest Jones had to put down his tools. He was unable to attend this year's nap in.
[28:06]
Rob Noble
Basically it was my eyesight. I have macular degeneration. I have other things to worry about right now rather than me on a personal basis. It's my wife. She needs my help more than I need to nap.
[28:25]
Jessica James
But he misses the craft and the camaraderie.
[28:28]
Rob Noble
I still pick up my tool every now and then and look at it. But it's probably more than anything else the fellowship of the people. Meeting all these people, you get not only knowledge of the flintknapping world, but of their background and their history, which kind of enriches yours.
[28:54]
Jessica James
Despite his health challenges, Jones sometimes thinks about taking up his old hobby again.
[29:00]
Rob Noble
I keep saying one of these days I'm gonna get a rock and see if I can bang one out again. I've still got a few more years to go, but yeah, someday, someday.
[29:17]
Jessica James
Back at the Osage nap in, Dale Noble hopes people who've never heard of napping will get curious enough to stop and ask what he's doing.
[29:25]
Kirk Marchand
But it's a great, great opportunity to see how stone tools were made. At least chipped stone tools smoke, neat people. And oftentimes we'll have artifacts that we found because we're all interested in those too. Can be a really nice learning opportunity.
[29:45]
Jessica James
Reporting for World I'm Amanda Donahue in Boonville, Missouri.
[30:03]
Mary Reichardt
Today is Tuesday, July 8th. Good morning this is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichert.
[30:11]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. When future historians look back on the so called transgender movement, world Opinions contributor Nathaniel Finn says two male athletes will feature prominently in the record.
[30:26]
Dale Miller
It's a story of two men. One helped make transgenderism a national phenomenon, the other unwittingly opened society's eyes to what it had missed.
[30:35]
Nick Eicher
The fifth event for the Bench Decathlon 400 Met Bruce Jenner has been famous.
[30:40]
Dale Miller
For his entire adult life. He became a household name when he won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Like many elite athletes, Jenner became a celebrity endorser of various products, most notably the breakfast cereal Wheaties, because a complete.
[31:00]
Paul Butler
Breakfast with Wheaties is good tasting and good for you.
[31:03]
Dale Miller
He also appeared in various films and television programs. All right, we're ready. For over a decade, in the 2000s and 2010s, Jenner starred on the reality television show Keeping up with the Kardashians, where he became a celebrity among a new generation who never knew him when he was one of the best known athletes in America. In the summer of 2015, Jenner identified publicly as a woman.
[31:28]
Rob Noble
I would say I've always been very confused with my gender identity since I was this big.
[31:34]
Dale Miller
He changed his name to Caitlyn Jenner, adopted feminine pronouns, and eventually underwent sex reassignment surgery to create the appearance that he was a woman. For about a decade, it seemed like Bruce Jenner represented a tipping point. Transgenderism became one of the agendas represented in the increasingly ubiquitous acronym lgbtq. While the legislative fortunes of transgenderism ebbed and flowed based upon congressional and presidential elections, transgender activists seem to be gaining ground in the public imagination. Take your mark. That brings us to the second athlete, William Thomas. For a brief time, he became a poster child for transgender advances in American society. Thomas wasn't an elite athlete like Jenner, but he was good enough to swim for the University of Pennsylvania, an NCAA Division I program. During his junior year, Thomas began to identify as a woman and adopted the new name Leah Thomas. After undergoing hormone therapy, Thomas was allowed to swim for the women's team. In 2022, Thomas won a national championship in the women's 500 yard freestyle.
[32:48]
Kirk Marchand
Thomas wins the NCAA championship.
[32:51]
Dale Miller
While Jenner seemed like a tipping point, Thomas represented a reality check. Progressive activists celebrated Thomas win, but many Americans realized that allowing biological men to compete in women's athletics and is unjust. Numerous states passed laws barring men from competing in women's sports at the high school level. In the spring of 2024, the National association for Intercollegiate Athletics, the NAIA, banned men from women's sports. In February of 2025, President Trump issued an executive order.
[33:26]
Kirk Marchand
In a few moments, I'll sign a historic executive order to ban men from competing in women's sports.
[33:33]
Dale Miller
It's about time, it states. It is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities. The order updated NCAA eligibility requirements to align with biological sex. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights began investigating the University of Pennsylvania for allowing Thomas to compete as a woman, and it froze over $175 million in federal funding.
[34:05]
Kent Covington
This morning, the University of Pennsylvania reversing course.
[34:08]
Dale Miller
On July 1, university President Larry Jamison wrote a letter announcing the investigation was resolved. Jamison acknowledged that female student athletes were at a competitive disadvantage during the 20212022 season. He apologized to those women and and updated school athletic records to reflect current NCAA eligibility standards. We should welcome this turn of events. Conservatives should celebrate every wise use of political power to enforce just policies that promote human flourishing. It's unjust for males to compete in girls and women's sports that so many educators don't see. That reflects a malformed view of justice that's informed more by progressive identity politics than God's design or even basic common sense. I'm Nathan Finn.
[35:08]
Nick Eicher
Tomorrow, a special Washington Wednesday with Hunter Baker on the countdown to America's 250th birthday and what Sweden is doing to try to rein in immigration overload. That and more tomorrow. I'm Nick Iger.
[35:23]
Mary Reichardt
And I'm Mary Reichardt. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible records that as Jesus reclined at a table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? But when he heard it, he said, those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Verses 10 through 13 of Matthew, chapter 9. Go now in grace and peace.

Summary5 min read

The World and Everything In It
Episode: July 8, 2025
Title: Texans help survivors, Congress manages Medicaid, and passing down an ancient art
Host: Mary Reichardt & Nick Eicher
Release Date: July 8, 2025

1. Devastating Flash Floods in Texas

The episode opens with a harrowing report on the catastrophic flash floods that struck Kerr County, Texas, resulting in over 100 confirmed deaths and approximately 40 individuals still missing. The rapid influx of floodwaters, rising up to 26 feet in just 45 minutes, destroyed entire communities and swept away lives.

Key Highlights:

Search and Rescue Efforts: Volunteer teams are tirelessly working to navigate swollen rivers and clear debris. Kirk Marchand (00:52) emphasizes, “We are here with about 40 chainsaws, cutting into the brush, pulling it all” (00:52).
Community Response: Governor Greg Abbott and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have pledged federal assistance and called for prayers, underlining the community's resilience and faith (10:32).
Personal Stories: Local residents like Scott Walden (09:58) recount their terrifying experiences, highlighting the suddenness and ferocity of the floods. Dale Miller (10:16) shares, “We grabbed my wife and we literally jumped in the water and it swept us down” (09:58).
Religious Support: Churches in Kerrville have dedicated Sunday as a day of prayer, providing spiritual solace to those affected. Pastor Billy Crane led prayers reflecting the community's faith amidst the tragedy (11:25).

2. Congressional Maneuvers on Medicaid and Trade Policies

President Donald Trump's recent legislative package, dubbed the "one big beautiful bill," has sparked significant debate, particularly concerning Medicaid reforms and international trade agreements.

Medicaid Overhaul:

Cost Reduction: The new law aims to reduce federal Medicaid expenditures by $1 trillion over the next decade through stricter enrollment requirements and increased state control (15:35).
Enrollment Changes: The bill mandates proof of residential address and imposes work requirements for adults aged 18 to 64, potentially disqualifying millions from coverage (16:05).
State Impact: Experts like Ed Heiselmeyer (16:15) caution that the diverse nature of state Medicaid programs makes uniform adjustments challenging, with states like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressing concerns over funding cuts and rural hospital viability (19:03).

Trade Policies:

Tariff Adjustments: The administration is enforcing reciprocal tariffs on foreign goods, aligning with a temporary pause extended to August 1st, to incentivize new trade agreements (04:29).
Economic Implications: White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt (04:35) and House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (18:37) discuss the strategic use of tariffs to balance trade deficits and protect American industries.

3. U.S. Southern Border Shooting Incident

A tragic incident at the U.S. southern border saw the death of a 27-year-old man, Ryan Lewis Mosqueda, after he opened fire on a Border Patrol facility. The FBI is leading the investigation to determine the motive, amidst heightened tensions and recent protests against immigration enforcement.

Key Points:

Incident Details: Mosqueda fired numerous rounds before being neutralized by law enforcement (05:24).
Community Reaction: Officials like McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez (05:31) emphasize accountability, while Mosqueda's father attributes the actions to his son's psychological issues (05:55).

4. Mysterious Death of Russian Transport Minister

The episode also delves into the suspicious death of Russia's Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, who was found dead shortly after being removed from his position. While Russian officials claim it was a suicide, independent journalists suggest inconsistencies, hinting at possible foul play linked to corruption allegations and regional security issues.

Insights:

Official Statement: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denies any loss of trust as the reason for Starovoit's removal (06:20).
Analytical Perspectives: Analysts point to Starovoit's involvement in corruption probes related to military funding as a potential motive behind his sudden death (06:20).

5. Preserving the Ancient Art of Flint Knapping

Shifting to a cultural narrative, the podcast spotlights Rob Noble and Dale Miller, dedicated artisans in Boonville, Missouri, who are committed to preserving the ancient craft of flint knapping. This intricate process of shaping flint into tools and arrowheads connects modern enthusiasts with centuries-old traditions.

Key Highlights:

Artisan Stories: Rob Noble (24:24) shares his journey, “I don't mind showing people and telling them how I do it because I'm showing them something they've never seen before” (24:24).
Educational Efforts: Younger practitioners like Dale Miller (25:02) emphasize the importance of teaching and community involvement to keep the craft alive (27:05).
Camaraderie and Legacy: The social aspect of flint knapping events fosters a deep sense of community and historical appreciation among participants (28:25).

6. The Impact of Transgender Movement on Sports

A provocative segment examines the influence of prominent figures like Caitlyn Jenner and William (Leah) Thomas on the transgender movement, particularly in the realm of athletics. The discussion highlights the ensuing legislative and institutional responses aimed at regulating gender participation in sports.

Key Insights:

Caitlyn Jenner's Influence: Caitlyn Jenner's public transition marked a significant moment for transgender visibility, intertwining with pop culture through appearances on shows like "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" (30:25).
William (Leah) Thomas' Case: Thomas' participation and victory in the NCAA women's swimming championship ignited nationwide debates on fair competition, leading to stringent policies banning biological males from female sports categories (32:51).
Legislative Actions: President Trump’s executive order (33:26) and subsequent investigations into universities reflect a broader political push to redefine gender eligibility in sports (34:08).
Conservative Perspectives: Contributors argue that these measures protect fair athletic opportunities for women, rejecting what they perceive as progressive identity politics influencing sports (35:08).

Conclusion

This episode of The World and Everything In It weaves together stories of natural disasters, political strategies, cultural preservation, and social movements, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of pressing current events. Through in-depth reporting and diverse perspectives, hosts Mary Reichardt and Nick Eicher deliver a rich and engaging narrative that informs and inspires.

Notable Quotes:

Kirk Marchand on Search Efforts: “We are here with about 40 chainsaws, cutting into the brush, pulling it all” (00:52).
President Trump on Ceasefire: “I’m unbelievably satisfied with the response now. What it takes is a parrying thrust to the details which we're going to do” (03:45).
Dale Miller on Medicaid Cuts: “We are slowing the rate of growth to make sure that the program is sustainable” (20:56).
Rob Noble on Flint Knapping: “I'm showing them something they've never seen before” (24:24).
Nathan Finn on Transgender Policies: “It's unjust for males to compete in girls and women's sports” (35:08).

Loading summary

Transcript157 lines

[00:06]
Mary Reichardt
Good morning. Flash flooding victims number at least 90 in Texas. How is the town responding to the tragedy?
[00:12]
Nick Eicher
Also today, the ongoing debate over federal funding for Medicaid. And later, one man's mission to keep an ancient art forum alive.
[00:20]
Rob Noble
Just a fellow that likes to make arrowheads. And I don't mind showing people how I do it.
[00:26]
Nick Eicher
And world Opinions contributor Nathan Finn on the wisdom of coming to our Sense.
[00:38]
Mary Reichardt
It's Tuesday, July 8th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichert.
[00:45]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Iger. Good morning.
[00:49]
Mary Reichardt
Time now for the news with Kent Covington.
[00:52]
Kent Covington
Authorities in central Texas say that more than 100 people are now confirmed dead after catastrophic weekend flooding. That news comes as search and rescue teams continue to wade into swollen rivers and use heavy equipment to untangle trees. It's all part of a massive search for roughly 40 people still missing. One volunteer said Monday.
[01:14]
Kirk Marchand
We are here with about 40 chainsaws, cutting into the brush, pulling it all.
[01:19]
Paul Butler
Back, separating it in piles of what to burn metal and trash.
[01:25]
Kent Covington
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has asked the public to pray for all the families affected by this tragedy.
[01:31]
Kirk Marchand
I know as the days go longer, people, many people are losing hope. But we're not losing hope. We're going to continue to work hard to search.
[01:41]
Kent Covington
Flash floodwaters barreled through Kerr county on Friday, ripping up trees by their roots and washing away entire homes. Holly Kate Hurley was a counselor at Camp mystic in the path of those floodwaters.
[01:54]
Kirk Marchand
In the morning they gathered all the.
[01:56]
Dale Miller
Counselors who were at Cypress Lake and they told us that two of sorry, two of the cabins with the seven.
[02:05]
Jessica James
Year old girls were wiped away.
[02:08]
Kent Covington
The fast moving waters rose 26ft on the river in only 45 minutes. In the dark of night, President Trump has declared a major disaster for Kerr county, activating federal aid. The president is huddling today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. The meeting is largely centered on U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. Last night, Trump hosted Netanyahu and Israel's first lady for dinner.
[02:34]
Kirk Marchand
Thank you very much, everybody. It's an honor to have Mibi and Sarah with us, friends of mine for a long time.
[02:41]
Kent Covington
Netanyahu thanked the president for his administration's work in Trump's first term in bringing about the Abraham Accords, normalizing ties between Israel and multiple Arab nations. And he praised Trump for his efforts to bring about peace in the Middle east and beyond.
[02:56]
Nick Eicher
So I want to present to you.
[02:58]
Kirk Marchand
Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize committee, it's nominating you for the peace prize, which is well deserved and you should get it. Thank you very much. This I didn't know. Well, thank you very much.
[03:15]
Kent Covington
As for the war in Gaza, the United States is pressing for a 60 day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The proposal would see a partial pullback of Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of more Israeli hostages. Meantime in Lebanon, an effort to disarm Hezbollah appears to be gaining steam. The Lebanese government has responded to a proposal to disarm the Iran backed terror group and US Envoy Tom Barak called the government's response spectacular.
[03:45]
Kirk Marchand
I'm unbelievably satisfied with the response now. What it takes is a parrying thrust to the details which we're going to do. We're both committed to get to the details and get a resolution.
[04:00]
Kent Covington
For many years, Hezbollah has, with Iranian support, largely controlled southern Lebanon, and many Western officials said the Lebanese government simply allowed it to happen. But now, with a weakened Iran, US Officials see an opportunity for change. The new proposal includes economic reforms to address Lebanon's six year economic crisis. The Trump administration is dialing up pressure on trading partners to complete new trade agreements with the United States this month.
[04:29]
Jessica James
The administration, the president and his trade team want to cut the best deals for the American people and the American worker.
[04:36]
Kent Covington
White House press Secretary Caroline Levitt says US Officials are sending out letters to many different countries notifying them of the planned tariffs they may soon face when selling goods in the United States.
[04:47]
Jessica James
The reciprocal tariff rate or these new rates that will be provided in this correspondence to these foreign leaders will be going out the door or deals will be made.
[04:56]
Kent Covington
The President back in April issued a 90 day pause on reciprocal tariffs that he had announced just weeks earlier while trade talks were ongoing. That pause was set to expire tomorrow, but Levitt said the President is extending the deadline to August 1st. At the US southern border, law enforcement officers shot and killed a 27 year old man after he opened fire on a Border Patrol facility with a high powered rifle. McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez.
[05:25]
Kirk Marchand
There were many, many, many dozens of rounds fired from by the suspect towards the building and towards agents in that building.
[05:32]
Kent Covington
The suspect was identified as Ryan Lewis mosqueda. Both local McAllen police and federal agents returned fire and Rodriguez said several agencies are working together to investigate the incident. The FBI, however, is taking the lead and the motive is one of the things that the bureau will try to determine. The shooting comes in the wake of numerous, sometimes violent protests against immigration enforcement and US Border Patrol chief Mike Banks. Said Monday.
[05:58]
Kirk Marchand
We've got to hold those that are.
[06:00]
Paul Butler
Encouraging violence against law enforcement or inciting violence.
[06:04]
Kent Covington
We've got to hold them accountable. Mosquera's father told police that his son had psychological issues and that he had been looking for him in the hours before the shooting. Russia's transport minister was found dead Monday in his car near Moscow, while World's Benjamin Eicker has more.
[06:21]
Leo Briceno
Russian officials say Vladimir Putin removed Transport Minister Roman Starovoit from office on Monday, and they claim that just hours later, Starvoight died from a self inflicted gunshot wound, likely suicide. But some independent journalists say that the puzzle pieces don't quite fit together. Some reports suggest that Staravoight may have died before the official announcement of his dismissal, and the Kremlin yesterday was tight lipped about the reason for his removal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that it stemmed from a, quote, loss of trust. But analysts note Starovo had been implicated in a corruption probe over the funds that were meant to fortify the Russian border in the Kursk region. That's an area that saw heavy Ukrainian drone incursions last year. For world, I'm Benjamin Eicher.
[07:14]
Kent Covington
And I'm Kent Covington. Straight ahead, more on the devastating flooding in Texas, plus efforts to keep an ancient tradition alive. This is THE WORLD and everything in.
[07:49]
Mary Reichardt
It'S Tuesday the 8th of July. So glad to have you along for today's edition of THE WORLD and Everything In It. Good morning. I'm Mary Reichardt.
[07:56]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. First up, heartbreak in Texas. Until this weekend, Kerrville was best known as the capital of the Texas Hill Country, a vibrant town with a thriving art scene, home to the Kerrville Folk Festival, nestled along the scenic Guadalupe River, a favorite summer getaway.
[08:16]
Mary Reichardt
But on July 4, that river turned deadly, rising fast, spilling over its banks and sweeping away homes, businesses and lives. More than 90 people did not make it out. Campers, tourists and locals. Here's World's Paul Butler.
[08:32]
Paul Butler
Early Friday morning, Kirk Marchand was sitting on his covered porch in Kerrville, Texas. It was raining hard. As he read his Bible, he could hear an unusual sound over the rain.
[08:43]
Kirk Marchand
I heard what I thought were fireworks in the distance and I thought that's strange, and suddenly realized I was hearing trees snap in the river, which is about a mile from our home.
[08:55]
Paul Butler
The day before, the National Weather Service issued a flood warning along the river. The area has a lot of limestone, so excess rainwater fills the river basin quickly. Then early Friday morning about 1am the weather service sent out a flash flood alert for ker, triggering automatic emergency alerts on mobile devices and weather radios. Marchand missed those overnight. But sitting on his porch Friday morning.
[09:20]
Kirk Marchand
I glanced at my phone and sure enough, all the alerts were there from late the night before and earlier that morning indicating that flooding, and potentially catastrophic flooding was occurring in the Guadalupe River.
[09:36]
Paul Butler
By 7am the sheriff's office began evacuating residents. The Guadalupe river floods frequently. In fact, it's one of the deadliest rivers in all of Texas. But last weekend, the flood waters rose much quicker than usual, in some places more than 30ft in less than an hour. There was very little time to respond. Local resident Scott Walden says he's never seen anything like it.
[09:58]
Dale Miller
We couldn't tell if the water was going to continue to rise, so I said we need to get out of the house. So I grabbed my wife and we literally jumped in the water and it swept us down to about 200ft down that way and there is a crepe myrtle tree that we grabbed hold of and we waited for rescue.
[10:16]
Paul Butler
Walden and his wife are just one of more than 850 high water rescues since Friday. U.S. department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined Governor Greg Abbott on Saturday, pledging federal assistance and encouraging everyone to lend a helping hand.
[10:32]
Mary Reichardt
We were created to serve people. God created us to serve each other.
[10:37]
Kirk Marchand
And now is a wonderful time to go find somebody you can help.
[10:40]
Paul Butler
Volunteers continue to comb the riverbanks, hoping to find survivors. Jessica James feels compelled to help out.
[10:46]
Jessica James
You know, I've got two babies at home. You know, they're home safe and there's people out there that they're missing their children or their family members. So it's, I feel like it's the least I could do to help. It's what I would want if my kids were missing. So.
[10:59]
Paul Butler
Meanwhile, Governor Abbott set aside Sunday as a statewide day of prayer. Your prayers have made a difference.
[11:06]
Kirk Marchand
We ask for continued prayers as we continue our efforts to locate everybody who's.
[11:13]
Paul Butler
Been affected by this prayer matters. Many Kerrville churches took that call seriously, spending time Sunday morning calling out for God's mercy and attempting to bring comfort to those hurting.
[11:25]
Kirk Marchand
Jesus, we come before you broken some of us with what feels like nothing, but we know that with you we have everything. Jesus, give us hope.
[11:37]
Dale Miller
God, we thank you for not just being with us on the mountaintop, but walking with us through the valleys. God, touch those that are brokenhearted today, those that are still wandering and missing loved ones. Father, we pray that you'd be merciful to them.
[11:54]
Paul Butler
Heavenly Father, we come to you today.
[11:57]
Kirk Marchand
And ask that your word would speak to us, that you would comfort, encourage, challenge, and even change us. And we lift these things up. In Jesus name, amen.
[12:09]
Paul Butler
Kerrville resident Kirk Marchand attends Christchurch Presbyterian. He says Sunday's service was a challenging one.
[12:18]
Kirk Marchand
We love and trust in a good God, and so we all wrestle with something like this. There's also a bit of an uneasiness in the sense of how are we to wrestle with this.
[12:33]
Paul Butler
Pastor Billy Crane spoke from Psalm 20. There's nothing more important we can do.
[12:39]
Kirk Marchand
Than to ask the Lord to act.
[12:41]
Paul Butler
You are not wasting your time to.
[12:43]
Kirk Marchand
Stop and to pray, to lift up the grieving and the hurting, to pour out to the Lord, your own broken heart and ask him to do something. You have a range of emotions through something like this, and the first one, of course, is you just. You just want to do something, you want to help. But the other emotion there is a sense of guilt that you feel. So when something like this happens, it's like, oh, you know, couldn't we have done something? How could we allow this to happen to folks in our valley? And of course, again, it's an extraordinary event, but those are just some of the emotions that you wrestle with as a resident of a community like this.
[13:29]
Paul Butler
Marchand says that right now his church is doing what it can to stay out of the way as rescue and recovery efforts continue. He says the outpouring of material aid has been overwhelming.
[13:40]
Kirk Marchand
Everything from waters to diapers to restaurants, cooking food. And all of that is, of course, welcomed by all the first responders and officials that are taking care of that. But the outpouring has just been phenomenal.
[13:55]
Paul Butler
Marshand says local officials have actually sent out messages asking people to stop bringing donations into the area for the time being while they figure out what's actually needed moving forward. Marchand is confident that the material needs will be met. As he says, it's Texas, after all. But he adds, healing is going to be a long time coming.
[14:15]
Kirk Marchand
Entire families were lost in this and. And of course, you know, my heart aches as a grandparent for these families from all over the country who had children at these camps and what they're going through. So praying for them, for the peace of Christ to touch them in what is arguably probably some of the hardest moments they'll ever experience in their lives.
[14:47]
Paul Butler
For world I'm Paul Butler with additional reporting from Mary Muncie.
[14:55]
Nick Eicher
Up next, cutting back on Medicaid. On Independence Day, President Donald Trump signed his sweeping legislative package into law, what he dubbed the one big beautiful bill.
[15:07]
Kirk Marchand
It's the biggest bill of its type in history. We've never had anything like that before. Nothing like that they thought would be possible to get passed.
[15:15]
Mary Reichardt
The new law boosts border and defense spending and extends the 2017 tax cuts. But to offset the new costs and the loss of projected tax revenue, it also rewrites some of the rules on mandatory federal spending. That includes Medicaid, the program that helps provide health care for low income Americans, the elderly and those with disabilities.
[15:36]
Nick Eicher
Critics complain millions could lose their health care. Supporters say it's a long overdue fix that gives states more control. Here now is World's Washington bureau reporter Leo Briceno.
[15:49]
Leo Briceno
Medicaid cost the federal government $600 billion in 2024, more than one in every ten dollars Washington spent last year. Last week, Republicans accomplished their goal of trimming that number by reforming who receives Medicaid and how the program is funded.
[16:06]
Kirk Marchand
So there's three buckets of changes. Two involve enrollment. One involves payments to states and you know how much states and the feds are paying, respectively.
[16:15]
Leo Briceno
That's Ed Heiselmeyer, an expert in health care policy for the Heritage Foundation. First, he explained that enrollment will now require proof of residential address, making states increase the reporting and more to make Medicaid inaccessible to illegal aliens. In the second bucket, Republicans hope to shrink the number of people on Medicaid to through slightly stricter work requirements. The bill Requires adults ages 18 to 64 to work 80 hours a month to be eligible. Beneficiaries can also meet that standard by completing part time education, community service or a work program. As a result of those first two buckets, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that as many as 17 million Americans could lose their health insurance over the next 10 years. But who exactly will those changes affect?
[17:04]
Kirk Marchand
Non, elderly, able bodied adults who are on the program, the vast majority of whom, by the way, do not have children.
[17:11]
Leo Briceno
The total number of Americans losing coverage will depend on a few factors. How many people are on the program now? That shouldn't be the number of people that decide to get other forms of health insurance and those who opt to forego the work requirements that will go into effect at the end of 2026.
[17:27]
Kirk Marchand
In that regard, it's expected that some people will simply choose to give up their coverage rather than go and get a job.
[17:36]
Leo Briceno
While those two changes to enrollment are significant, it's the change to federal payments that stands to have a more dramatic effect on Medicaid state by state. One of the many ways that states raise money for Medicaid is through something called provider tax. Right now, states can tax health care providers for up to 6% of their revenue in order to fund Medicaid programs. The federal government will then match that 6% dollar for dollar. With that extra money in hand, states can then put resources back into their hospitals, pharmacies and clinics.
[18:10]
Kirk Marchand
This has been going on for years, and administrations, both Republicans and Democrats, have tried to ratchet it down. Obviously, states, and particularly hospitals, like the idea of getting more money.
[18:24]
Leo Briceno
It's a big part of how states raise funding for Medicaid. But Republicans have seen provider tax as a way for states to draw in federal funding as they can. Here's House Freedom Caucus Chairman Maryland Congressman Andy Harris.
[18:37]
Dale Miller
The provider tax is a scam, and it's left mostly intact in the bill.
[18:42]
Leo Briceno
Right now, 38 states have a provider tax close to the 6% cap. With Congress lowering the cap from 6% to 3.5%, they'll need to scale down those taxes in just over two years. The question now is how will states adjust? Heiselmaier at the Heritage foundation says there won't be a silver bullet solution.
[19:04]
Kirk Marchand
The old joke in health policy circles is if you've seen one state Medicaid program, you've seen one state Medicaid program. They're all everyone's different.
[19:13]
Leo Briceno
He says that states with large urban populations tend to enroll more people due to high costs of living, while paying doctors less.
[19:20]
Kirk Marchand
So it becomes very difficult. You're covered, but it goes very difficult to find a doctor. Whereas the more rural states, even if they're poorer states like Mississippi or Idaho, they actually pay the doctors. They just don't put everybody on the program.
[19:36]
Leo Briceno
States could raise taxes to fill the gap or move funds from other budget lines, but that won't be easy after years of depending on the provider tax, here's Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro last week.
[19:49]
Paul Butler
I have made very clear Pennsylvania can't backfill those cuts on Medicaid or on snap.
[19:55]
Leo Briceno
In particular, Democrats like Shapiro argue that the increased state burden would put rural hospitals at risk. With fewer clients, rural hospitals depend heavily on federal funding.
[20:06]
Paul Butler
I've got 25 rural hospitals right now that are operating at a loss, operating at a deficit that rely extensively, almost the majority of their funding coming through public payers like Medicaid.
[20:20]
Kirk Marchand
They would likely shudder if these cuts.
[20:23]
Paul Butler
Went into place over time.
[20:25]
Leo Briceno
To protect rural hospitals from funding changes, the new law does provide $50 billion in supplemental funding over five years. When asked about changes to Medicaid, many Republicans said they believe that their bill strikes a good balance between limiting costs and keeping the program for those who need it the most.
[20:42]
Kirk Marchand
Even with the changes, Medicaid is going to grow by 24% over the next decade.
[20:49]
Leo Briceno
That's Congressman Mike Lawler of New York. He's one of a handful of moderate Republicans who had previously expressed concern about changes to Medicaid.
[20:56]
Kirk Marchand
So anybody saying, oh, they're cutting Medicaid? No, we are. We are slowing the rate of growth to make sure that the program is sustainable. Medicaid spending has doubled over the last five years. That is not a sustainable trajectory.
[21:09]
Leo Briceno
So Republicans expect to save the federal government roughly $1 trillion in the next 10 years. Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that Medicaid costs will increase by 24% over the next decade due to factors like inflation, an aging population and rising medical costs. How states manage those costs remains to be seen. Reporting for World, I'm Leo Braceno.
[21:47]
Kent Covington
Additional support comes from Nicaea Conference 2025, a historic gathering of church leaders from every inhabited continent. More@nicaeaconference.com From Water's Edge, Kingdom Investments, personal.
[22:03]
Dale Miller
Investments that build churches.
[22:06]
Kent Covington
5.05% APY on a three month term. Watersedge.com invest and from Cedarville University, committed to transforming lives through Christ centered education. Cedarville. Edu World.
[22:36]
Nick Eicher
City dwellers have a rite of passage they call parallel parking. In Portland, Oregon, it's a spectator sport.
[22:42]
Dale Miller
The way this works is when you're ready, put your car in reverse, listen for the whistle. That's your begin.
[22:48]
Nick Eicher
Dozens of people lined up to squeeze into the teensiest of curb spaces. No backup cameras permitted. No curb kisses either. And for sure no bumping the pool noodle bumpers. Just nerves, precision and an audience on edge. Cars were scored on time, length, style and how tightly they hugged the curb. Short cars, fewer points, showmanship, a bonus for you. The grand prize though, a spray painted toy Subaru, a leftover gift card and infinite Portland street cred. It's the world and everything in it. Today is Tuesday, July 8th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Nick Eicher.
[23:47]
Mary Reichardt
And I'm Mary Reichard. Coming next on the world and everything in it, Flint knapping. Long before metal or machines, there was flint and fire and patient hands.
[23:59]
Nick Eicher
Flint knapping once meant survival. Today it means community, history and craft. WJI mid career graduate Amanda Donahue meets some of the modern day craftsmen still chipping away at the old ways.
[24:17]
Jessica James
What you making?
[24:20]
Rob Noble
I don't know. Probably gonna break.
[24:21]
Kirk Marchand
It's got cracks on it.
[24:24]
Jessica James
Rob Noble is a flintknapper at the Osage Nap in near Boonville, Missouri. Layers of leather protect Noble's left leg where he's holding a piece of flint rock. He repeatedly strikes it with a tool held in his right hand. Now 60 years old, he started napping in his late 20s. Did you have somebody that taught you how?
[24:44]
Rob Noble
Not until I started coming to napping. I had one old guy that I used to sit and nap with him.
[24:50]
Kirk Marchand
He passed away now and he taught.
[24:53]
Rob Noble
Me quite a bit.
[24:54]
Jessica James
Next to Rob sits Dale Miller. He's working on a six inch point.
[24:58]
Rob Noble
Dale, he's a traditionalist. He uses antler and stones.
[25:03]
Jessica James
Miller is much younger than most of the other nappers, but he's not a newbie.
[25:07]
Kirk Marchand
I started when I was 16. I'm doing it ever since. I guess I started earlier than a lot of people do.
[25:15]
Jessica James
As Noble and Miller work, chips of rock start collecting at their feet.
[25:19]
Kirk Marchand
When you work these stone tools, you create debitage chips of rock. Some of them the Indians would use to make scraping tools, cutting tools out of smaller points. Sometimes they just left them on the ground. And you may find these in a field. There's a bunch of chips of rock. That's where someone sat down and made an arrowhead.
[25:41]
Jessica James
It's a tricky process and the materials don't always cooperate.
[25:45]
Kirk Marchand
This rock here's got a seam in it. So if I keep removing material here, hopefully it'll go away. We gotta be careful. I don't hit it right, it'll just break.
[25:58]
Jessica James
While there are younger nappers like Dale Miller, many of the older masters have retired or died. I count about 14 people here. Is this a good turnout?
[26:08]
Kirk Marchand
There's nap ins that draw hundreds, maybe even thousands of people. You know, it just kind of depends how popular they are, where they're located.
[26:16]
Jessica James
One nap in regular is Ernest Jones.
[26:19]
Rob Noble
I've always been interested in Indians and the pieces they made.
[26:25]
Jessica James
Jones is 85 years old.
[26:28]
Rob Noble
Basically, it's the knowing how, how they did it that would let me appreciate what I saw. And I always thought that nobody today in the modern world made arrowheads.
[26:41]
Jessica James
His interest in napping began with his wife's scout troop.
[26:45]
Rob Noble
One year she took them to Fort Osage and it just so happened there was some guys sitting there making arrowheads. So I thought, oh wow, that's neat. So I went to the fort one just to see what was going on.
[26:58]
Jessica James
Jones doesn't think of himself as an educator, but once he learned how to nap himself, he wanted to teach others how to do it.
[27:05]
Rob Noble
After a while, once I got my courage up, I started attending historical craft events anywhere that I, that I thought what I did would be of benefit to the people who attended these events.
[27:23]
Jessica James
Passing on his knowledge gave him a connection to centuries of human experience.
[27:27]
Rob Noble
Some of it I'm not an archaeologist, I'm not a geologist, just a fellow that likes to make arrowheads. And I don't mind showing people and telling them how I do it because I'm showing them something they've never seen before. But it's a progress of learning a forgotten arrow, almost forgotten art and craft. And that's the neat thing, is that you're reintroducing something that's been around for thousands of years.
[28:00]
Jessica James
Eventually, Ernest Jones had to put down his tools. He was unable to attend this year's nap in.
[28:06]
Rob Noble
Basically it was my eyesight. I have macular degeneration. I have other things to worry about right now rather than me on a personal basis. It's my wife. She needs my help more than I need to nap.
[28:25]
Jessica James
But he misses the craft and the camaraderie.
[28:28]
Rob Noble
I still pick up my tool every now and then and look at it. But it's probably more than anything else the fellowship of the people. Meeting all these people, you get not only knowledge of the flintknapping world, but of their background and their history, which kind of enriches yours.
[28:54]
Jessica James
Despite his health challenges, Jones sometimes thinks about taking up his old hobby again.
[29:00]
Rob Noble
I keep saying one of these days I'm gonna get a rock and see if I can bang one out again. I've still got a few more years to go, but yeah, someday, someday.
[29:17]
Jessica James
Back at the Osage nap in, Dale Noble hopes people who've never heard of napping will get curious enough to stop and ask what he's doing.
[29:25]
Kirk Marchand
But it's a great, great opportunity to see how stone tools were made. At least chipped stone tools smoke, neat people. And oftentimes we'll have artifacts that we found because we're all interested in those too. Can be a really nice learning opportunity.
[29:45]
Jessica James
Reporting for World I'm Amanda Donahue in Boonville, Missouri.
[30:03]
Mary Reichardt
Today is Tuesday, July 8th. Good morning this is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichert.
[30:11]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. When future historians look back on the so called transgender movement, world Opinions contributor Nathaniel Finn says two male athletes will feature prominently in the record.
[30:26]
Dale Miller
It's a story of two men. One helped make transgenderism a national phenomenon, the other unwittingly opened society's eyes to what it had missed.
[30:35]
Nick Eicher
The fifth event for the Bench Decathlon 400 Met Bruce Jenner has been famous.
[30:40]
Dale Miller
For his entire adult life. He became a household name when he won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Like many elite athletes, Jenner became a celebrity endorser of various products, most notably the breakfast cereal Wheaties, because a complete.
[31:00]
Paul Butler
Breakfast with Wheaties is good tasting and good for you.
[31:03]
Dale Miller
He also appeared in various films and television programs. All right, we're ready. For over a decade, in the 2000s and 2010s, Jenner starred on the reality television show Keeping up with the Kardashians, where he became a celebrity among a new generation who never knew him when he was one of the best known athletes in America. In the summer of 2015, Jenner identified publicly as a woman.
[31:28]
Rob Noble
I would say I've always been very confused with my gender identity since I was this big.
[31:34]
Dale Miller
He changed his name to Caitlyn Jenner, adopted feminine pronouns, and eventually underwent sex reassignment surgery to create the appearance that he was a woman. For about a decade, it seemed like Bruce Jenner represented a tipping point. Transgenderism became one of the agendas represented in the increasingly ubiquitous acronym lgbtq. While the legislative fortunes of transgenderism ebbed and flowed based upon congressional and presidential elections, transgender activists seem to be gaining ground in the public imagination. Take your mark. That brings us to the second athlete, William Thomas. For a brief time, he became a poster child for transgender advances in American society. Thomas wasn't an elite athlete like Jenner, but he was good enough to swim for the University of Pennsylvania, an NCAA Division I program. During his junior year, Thomas began to identify as a woman and adopted the new name Leah Thomas. After undergoing hormone therapy, Thomas was allowed to swim for the women's team. In 2022, Thomas won a national championship in the women's 500 yard freestyle.
[32:48]
Kirk Marchand
Thomas wins the NCAA championship.
[32:51]
Dale Miller
While Jenner seemed like a tipping point, Thomas represented a reality check. Progressive activists celebrated Thomas win, but many Americans realized that allowing biological men to compete in women's athletics and is unjust. Numerous states passed laws barring men from competing in women's sports at the high school level. In the spring of 2024, the National association for Intercollegiate Athletics, the NAIA, banned men from women's sports. In February of 2025, President Trump issued an executive order.
[33:26]
Kirk Marchand
In a few moments, I'll sign a historic executive order to ban men from competing in women's sports.
[33:33]
Dale Miller
It's about time, it states. It is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities. The order updated NCAA eligibility requirements to align with biological sex. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights began investigating the University of Pennsylvania for allowing Thomas to compete as a woman, and it froze over $175 million in federal funding.
[34:05]
Kent Covington
This morning, the University of Pennsylvania reversing course.
[34:08]
Dale Miller
On July 1, university President Larry Jamison wrote a letter announcing the investigation was resolved. Jamison acknowledged that female student athletes were at a competitive disadvantage during the 20212022 season. He apologized to those women and and updated school athletic records to reflect current NCAA eligibility standards. We should welcome this turn of events. Conservatives should celebrate every wise use of political power to enforce just policies that promote human flourishing. It's unjust for males to compete in girls and women's sports that so many educators don't see. That reflects a malformed view of justice that's informed more by progressive identity politics than God's design or even basic common sense. I'm Nathan Finn.
[35:08]
Nick Eicher
Tomorrow, a special Washington Wednesday with Hunter Baker on the countdown to America's 250th birthday and what Sweden is doing to try to rein in immigration overload. That and more tomorrow. I'm Nick Iger.
[35:23]
Mary Reichardt
And I'm Mary Reichardt. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible records that as Jesus reclined at a table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? But when he heard it, he said, those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Verses 10 through 13 of Matthew, chapter 9. Go now in grace and peace.