Texas Flooding Update, Tariff Limbo, Health Groups Sue RFK, Jr.

Summary

Up First from NPR – Detailed Summary Episode Title: Texas Flooding Update, Tariff Limbo, Health Groups Sue RFK, Jr.
Release Date: July 8, 2025

NPR's Up First delivers a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing news in a concise 10-minute format. In this episode, hosts Leila Fadel and Michelle Martin guide listeners through three major stories: the devastating floods in Texas, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs under President Trump, and a significant lawsuit filed against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Below is a detailed summary of each segment, enriched with key quotes and insights from the podcast.

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1. Texas Flooding Update

Timestamp Highlights: [00:02] – [06:01]

The episode opens with a harrowing report on the catastrophic floods ravaging Central Texas. Four days into the disaster, the death toll continues to climb, sparking intense scrutiny over the region's preparedness and response mechanisms.

• Rising Death Toll:
  Michelle Martin reports, "The number of fatalities continues to increase four days after the overflowing Guadalupe River ravaged parts of the area" ([02:22]). State authorities have confirmed at least 100 deaths, predominantly in Kerr County, including 56 adults and 28 children. Many individuals remain missing, intensifying the tragedy.

• Impact on Camp Mystic:
  The devastation at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River, is particularly heartbreaking. "Camp Mystic... has said that 27 campers and counselors were killed in the floods" ([03:20]). The camp's infrastructure was severely compromised, with parts being swept away and surrounding areas obliterated.

• Community and Political Response:
  Survivors like Paul Sharer express deep sorrow over the loss of young lives. Sheriff Sherer of Kerr County, a 74-year-old resident who lost his home, underscored the personal toll, stating, "He had to evacuate in the early hours of Friday when the water was already about 4ft tall in the parking lot. He lost his home, but he says he's lucky and that he's praying for the families of the girls who died" ([04:10]).

• Need for Improved Warning Systems:
  A significant concern among residents is the lack of effective warning systems. Sergio Martinez Beltran reports that "almost all of the residents I've talked to in Kerr County say they did not get an alarm" ([04:36]). While some received text alerts, many felt they were notified too late as waters surged. Calls for the installation of sirens echo, with Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick emphasizing, "Had we had sirens along this area... it's possible that that would have saved some of these lives" ([05:12]).

• Ongoing Rescue and Recovery Efforts:
  Search and rescue operations remain active, with Governor declaring it a "247 operation" ([05:33]). As water levels recede, the full extent of the destruction becomes visible, with cleanup crews tirelessly removing debris from streets and riverbanks.

Notable Quote:

Dan Patrick: "Had we had sirens along this area up and down... It’s possible that that would have saved some of these lives." ([05:12])

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2. Tariff Limbo under President Trump

Timestamp Highlights: [06:10] – [09:43]

The second segment delves into the volatile landscape of U.S. tariffs, highlighting President Trump's unpredictable trade policies and their ramifications for businesses and the economy.

• Tariff Threats and Delays:
  Michelle Martin outlines the uncertainty faced by U.S. importers: "Stocks tumbled Monday after the president threatened to impose still import taxes on more than a dozen countries... Trump pushed back the effective date of those tariffs, however, until August 1st" ([06:10]). The continuous postponement leaves businesses in a state of flux, unable to plan effectively.

• Expert Analysis on Uncertainty:
  Scott Lincecum, a trade expert at the Libertarian Cato Institute, emphasizes the precarious situation: "We have no idea what tariffs will be in August. We have no idea what they'll be next year" ([08:20]). This unpredictability creates a "brutal investment environment" for both importers and investors.

• Impact on U.S. Businesses and Consumers:
  Scott Horsley explains, "For businesses that depend on imports or consumers who want to buy a Japanese car or a Korean appliance, this just means more uncertainty" ([07:43]). Companies grapple with decisions on whether to stock up before potential price hikes or wait for clarity, hindering strategic planning and growth.

• Economic Implications:
  The Institute for Supply Management reports that tariff uncertainty is adversely affecting the U.S. manufacturing sector, which was initially expected to benefit from the trade war. "Customers do not want to make commitments in the wake of massive tariff uncertainty," remarks a factory manager ([08:38]).

• Revenue vs. Economic Strain:
  Despite the turmoil, tariff revenues have surged, with the government collecting close to $100 billion this year, primarily since April's imposition of new tariffs. Scott Lincecum points out, "foreign companies might absorb some of that tariff expense, but most of the tax is going to fall on families and businesses here in the United States" ([09:02]).

Notable Quote:

Scott Lincecum: "We have no idea what tariffs will be in August. We have no idea what they'll be next year." ([08:20])

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3. Health Groups Sue Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Timestamp Highlights: [09:43] – [13:43]

The final story addresses a landmark lawsuit filed by leading medical organizations against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., challenging his recent vaccine policy decisions.

• Overview of the Lawsuit:
  Michelle Martin introduces the lawsuit: "The lawsuit is focused on some of his recent actions on vaccine policy. It alleges that Kennedy's decisions on Covid vaccines have endangered the public and violated federal law" ([10:01]). Six prominent medical groups, including the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics, spearhead the legal action.

• Specific Grievances:
  The core of the lawsuit targets Kennedy's override of CDC recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women and healthy children. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. elaborates, "The lawsuit says Kennedy bypassed the normal process... He did not consult with this expert group, that he did not explain why he was going against the evidence that supports vaccinating children and pregnant women" ([10:50]).

• Legal Arguments and Expert Opinions:
  Legal experts, such as James Hodge, a health law professor at ASU, highlight that the case hinges on administrative law details: "It comes down to some technical questions about administrative law and whether he disregarded the process" ([12:35]). The plaintiffs argue that Kennedy's actions were "arbitrary and capricious," lacking proper procedural adherence as mandated by federal law.

• Potential Outcomes and Reactions:
  Senator Dan Patrick comments on the lawsuit's prospects: "You've got to actually prove that the secretary went outside the boundaries of the law and instituted policy without following proper procedure... [The plaintiffs] make a plausible case that that’s occurred here" ([12:59]). The lawsuit seeks to reinstate the original CDC recommendations, emphasizing the necessity of following established scientific and procedural norms.

• HHS Response:
  In response, an HHS spokesperson affirmed, "the secretary stands by his CDC reforms" ([13:15]). The legal teams aim to schedule a hearing in the coming weeks, with the ultimate goal of restoring the vaccination guidelines for vulnerable populations.

Notable Quote:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: "This lawsuit is... Kennedy bypassed the normal process... He did not consult with this expert group, that he did not explain why he was going against the evidence that supports vaccinating children and pregnant women." ([10:50])

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Conclusion

Today's episode of Up First from NPR provides an in-depth examination of critical issues affecting Texas communities, the national economy, and public health policy. Through insightful reporting and expert testimonies, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of each topic's complexities and implications. Whether addressing the immediate human cost of natural disasters, the ripple effects of fluctuating trade policies, or the intricate legal battles in public health administration, NPR ensures its audience is well-informed and engaged with the most pertinent stories of the day.

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Support and Production Credits

The episode was meticulously edited by Alfredo Carbajal, Raphael Nam, Jane Greenhal, Jana Williams, and Lisa Thompson, with production led by Ziad Buch, Nia Dumas, and Christopher Thomas. Engineering support was provided by Stacy Abbott, and Zo Van Genhoven served as the technical director.

For ongoing updates and more in-depth stories, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to Up First and support their local NPR station at donate.npr.org.

Transcript

[Michelle Martin]

Four days after deadly floods in Central Texas, the death toll keeps rising.

[Dan Patrick]

Had we had sirens along this area, it's possible that that would have saved some of these lives.

[Lila Fadel]

Could something have been done differently to prevent this tragedy?

[Michelle Martin]

I'm Michelle Martin. That's Lila Fadel. And this is up first from NPR News. U.S. importers are facing several more weeks of tariff limbo and unsteady markets.

[Scott Lincecum]

We have no idea what tariffs will be in August. We have no idea what they'll be next year.

[Michelle Martin]

How can investors and business owners keep up when President Trump keeps changing the rules?

[Lila Fadel]

And several major medical groups are suing Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. Their lawsuit says his actions on vaccine policy are dangerous and illegal. Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

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[Will Stone]

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[Lila Fadel]

The Texas Hill country is reeling from the devastation caused by deadly floods.

[Michelle Martin]

The number of fatalities continues to increase four days after the overflowing Guadalupe river ravaged parts of the area. And residents are starting to ask whether this could have been prevented.

[Lila Fadel]

NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran is in Kerrville, Texas, and joins us now. Hi, Sergio.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Hi, Layla.

[Lila Fadel]

So let's start with the latest. What do we know now about fatalities? It's gone up.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Yeah. Yeah. The latest news is very unfortunate. State authorities have said that at least 100 people have died as a result of the floods. But the vast majority of those fatalities are in one county here, Kerr County. The Sheriff's office says 84 people were killed. This figure includes 56 adults and 28 children. Others remain missing. So truly devastating news here.

[Lila Fadel]

It's just so many children. Were most of them at that Christian summer camp, Camp mystic, that sits along the river?

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Yeah. Presumably, you know, local authorities did not provide a breakdown in their last update, which happened in the form of a social media post yesterday and different from the press conferences they had been holding twice a day. But Camp mystic, which is the all girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe river that you mentioned, has said that 27 campers and counselors were killed in the floods. I went up to the Camp Leila and parts of it were swept away and the areas around it were completely destroyed. And, you know, even people who survived the floods like Paul Sharer, have mentioned how painful it is to see so many kids die.

[Scott Horsley]

These kids that were there were like 7, 8, 9 and 10 year olds. They had a big life ahead of them and it's pitiful that this happened to them.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Sherer is 74 and was living in a small apartment by the Guadalupe River. He had to evacuate in the early hours of Friday when the water was already about 4ft tall in the parking lot. He lost his home, but he says he's lucky and that he's praying for the families of the girls who died.

[Lila Fadel]

And Sergio, I mean, one of the big questions is about whether people were warned in time with enough notice to get out of the way of these flash floods. What are people telling you on the ground?

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Yeah, you know, almost all of the residents I've talked to in Kerry county say they did not get an alarm. Some got text messages, but they say it happened as the river was already on their steps. One of them told me he'd like the state to have an alarm system along the river. And this is something, you know, I've also heard from other folks. They want flood sirens or something like that. And politicians lately seem to be listening. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick told Fox News yesterday the state needs to step up and pay for an alarm system along the Guadalupe River.

[Dan Patrick]

Had we had sirens along this area up and down, the same type of sirens that they have in Israel when there's an attack coming, that would have blown very loudly. It's possible that that would have saved some of these lives.

[Lila Fadel]

Now it's been four days of search and rescue. Is anything changing at this point?

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

At this point, search and rescue operations continue. The governor has said it's a 247 operation. Yesterday I was by the riverbank and law enforcement agents were searching the area. And as the water volumes recede, you can clearly see the destruction in the area. So cleaning crews are now out in the streets, too, removing debris from the river and the roads.

[Lila Fadel]

That's NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran in Kerrville, Texas. Thank you for your reporting.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

You're welcome.

[Lila Fadel]

Investors got an unwelcome reminder this week that President Trump still likes tariffs.

[Michelle Martin]

Stocks tumbled Monday after the president threatened to impose stif import taxes on more than a dozen countries, including Japan and South Korea. Trump pushed back the effective date of those tariffs, however, until August 1st. And if recent history is a guide, he could change course before that. In the meantime, though, U.S. importers are facing several more weeks of tariff limbo.

[Lila Fadel]

NPR's Scott Horsley joins us now to discuss all this. Hi, Scott.

[Scott Horsley]

Good morning, Lily.

[Lila Fadel]

So, Scott, it feels like tariffs, no tariffs, tariffs, no tariffs. A little bit like Groundhog's Day here. What's going on?

[Scott Horsley]

Yeah, well, Trump posted letters on social media yesterday threatening to slap 25% tariffs on everything the US imports from Japan and South Korea, along with even higher rates on goods from other smaller trading partners. Those tariff rates are similar to the ones Trump called for back in April, using a formula based on the US Trade deficit with each country. Of course, back in April, he backed down after a sharp sell off in the stock market. At the time, the president said he was suspending the highest tariffs for 90 days to allow time to make new trade deals. Now that 90 day window closes tomorrow, and so far, not a lot of new deals have been struck. So once again, Trump is pushing back the effective date for another three and a half weeks. So who knows what the real tariff rate will ultimately be. For now, the waiting game continues.

[Lila Fadel]

So what does that mean for trading partners or for US Businesses and consumers?

[Scott Horsley]

For trading partners, they might be wondering just how serious Trump is since he keeps moving the goalpost. The two countries that have struck trade deals, the UK And Vietnam, did not get any real tariff relief from the United States. For businesses that depend on imports or consumers who say, want to buy a Japanese car or a Korean appliance, this just means more uncertainty. Should they race to buy now before the tariffs go up? Should they wait to see if tariffs will be lower down the road? It's hard to make a decision when the rules keep changing. And Scott Lincecum, who is a trade expert at the Libertarian Cato Institute says that's where we are right now.

[Scott Lincecum]

We have no idea what tariffs will be in August. We have no idea what they'll be next year. And that is a brutal investment environment for either importers or individuals looking to invest in the United States.

[Scott Horsley]

A report from the Institute for Supply Management last week said this tariff limbo is really weighing on the US Factory sector, which, by the way, is supposed to be the beneficiary of the president's trade war. As one factory manager quoted in the report put it in customers do not want to make commitments in the wake of massive tariff uncertainty.

[Lila Fadel]

Okay. And meanwhile, the government continues to collect tens of billions of dollars in tariff revenue. How's that going?

[Scott Horsley]

So far this year, the government's collected close to $100 billion in tariffs. More than two thirds of that has come in just since April when Trump announced his worldwide import taxes. Lincecum says foreign companies might absorb some of that tariff expense, but most of the tax is going to fall on families and businesses here in the United States.

[Scott Lincecum]

Barring a really radical departure from the traditional economics. It means that somebody in America is paying all of those new taxes.

[Scott Horsley]

And even though the higher tariffs have been pushed back until at least August 1, the average tax on imports today is five or six times what it was before Trump returned to the White House and launched this new trade war.

[Lila Fadel]

NPR's Scott Horsley. Thank you, Scott.

[Scott Horsley]

You're welcome.

[Lila Fadel]

Some of the country's leading medical groups representing doctors and others in public health are suing Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

[Michelle Martin]

The lawsuit is focused on some of his recent actions on vaccine policy. It alleges that Kennedy's decisions on Covid vaccines has endangered the public and the violated federal law.

[Lila Fadel]

NPR health correspondent Will Stone joins me now to explain. Hi, Will.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Hi there.

[Lila Fadel]

Okay, so tell us more about the specifics here. Who's bringing this lawsuit and why? Do they think Kennedy has acted illegally?

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Yeah, there are six medical groups who are filing suit, including the American College of Physicians, the American Public Health Association. There's also the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Susan Kressley leads that organization. And here's what she told reporters on Monday.

[Michelle Martin]

Over the past several months, experts have.

[Scott Horsley]

Been sidelined, evidence has been undermined, and.

[Michelle Martin]

Our nation's vaccine infrastructure is now threatened.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

So this is a 42 page complaint. It catalogs many of Kennedy's actions and statements on vaccines since he became head of the Department of Health and Human Services. It argues he's demonstrated a, quote, clear pattern of hostility toward the established scientific process. And installed people with anti vaccine views in positions of authority. All of that is the context for what the lawsuit actually centers on, which is Kennedy's specific decision related to the COVID vaccine schedule. In late May, people may remember, Kennedy announced the federal government was removing the CDC recommendations that pregnant women and healthy children should get the shots. And that's really what this lawsuit is focused on.

[Lila Fadel]

Okay, so what is the argument? That that was illegal?

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Yeah, I mean, the groups say this was arbitrary and capricious and violated how these decisions should be made under federal law. Yes, Kennedy is the head of HHS and does oversee the cdc, but there are still procedures in place that Congress has outlined. For example, changes to the CDC vaccine schedule are supposed to involve a federal panel of experts that give advice on vaccines. The lawsuit says Kennedy bypassed the normal process. He did not consult with this expert group, that he did not explain why he was going against the evidence that supports vaccinating children and pregnant women. It also points out Kennedy later went on to replace this panel of experts entirely with his own choices. So those are just some of the points these medical groups are making to back up their complaint. And one of the plaintiffs is actually a pregnant physician who is remaining anonymous, but says she fears she won't be able to get a Covid shot as a result of Kennedy's directive.

[Lila Fadel]

And what's the reaction been like to this lawsuit? Does it have a chance?

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Well, obviously, Kennedy's efforts to overhaul vaccine policy have been front and center during his tenure. You know, very controversial and concerning to many in public health. This lawsuit touches on all of that. But James Hodge, who's a health law professor at asu, told me it's not enough to just talk about undermining trust in vaccines. It comes down to some technical questions about administrative law and whether he disregarded the process.

[Dan Patrick]

You've got to actually prove that the secretary went outside the boundaries of the law and instituted policy without following proper procedure. They make a plausible case that that's occurred here. Well, and to that degree, I think a court will at least entertain some of that.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Now, in response to the lawsuit, an HHS spokesperson sent a brief statement to NPR saying the secretary stands by his CDC reforms. The lawyer representing these medical societies said they hope to get a hearing scheduled in the next few weeks. Ultimately, their goal is to restore the original recommendations for children and pregnant women to get the COVID shots.

[Lila Fadel]

NPR's Will Stone. Thank you, Will.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Thank you.

[Lila Fadel]

And that's a first for Tuesday, July 8th.

[Michelle Martin]

I'm Layla Faulden, and I'M Michelle Martin. Did you know that there is an easy way to stay connected to news and podcasts from npr, and that is the NPR app. You can hear community news from your local station, stories from around the world, and podcast suggestions based on what you like. Download the NPR app in your App Store.

[Lila Fadel]

Today's episode of up first was edited by Alfredo Carbajal, Raphael Nam, Jane Greenhal, Jana Williams and Lisa Thompson. It was produced by Ziad Buch, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacy Abbott and our technical director is Zo Van Genhoven. Join us again tomorrow.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Foreign.

[Will Stone]

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