Michel Martin had a conversation with Deanne Criswell, who used to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during President Biden's time in office. They talked about how to handle natural disasters.
Key Facts
The conversation took place on NPR's Morning Edition.
Deanne Criswell was the head of FEMA under President Biden.
FEMA stands for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The discussion focused on responding to natural disasters.
The interview with Criswell was led by Michel Martin.
The audio of the interview will be available for listening later.
President Trump plans to visit central Texas on Friday to look at the damage caused by last week's flooding. He will meet with local officials in Kerr County to get updates about the situation.
Key Facts
President Trump will visit Kerr County, Texas, on Friday.
The visit is to see the damage from recent flooding.
Local officials will brief him on the situation.
The flooding happened last week and caused significant damage.
The visit is part of President Trump’s schedule to assess the impact of the floods.
Three Muslim sisters, Jamilah, Zaynah, and Latifah McBryde, helped change the rules of women's wrestling in the U.S. by advocating for the ability to compete while wearing full-body uniforms that meet their religious beliefs. Their efforts, supported by their coaches, led to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) allowing these modified uniforms.
Key Facts
The McBryde sisters grew up in Buffalo, N.Y., and were homeschooled.
They faced challenges because they couldn't wrestle boys or wear traditional wrestling singlets due to their faith.
They created uniforms inspired by those used by Iranian women wrestlers, which included a long-sleeved shirt, leggings under pants, and a head covering.
Coaches and athletic trainers helped adapt the uniforms using velcro and tape to secure them.
Latifah was denied participation at the Pan American Championships in 2022 due to uniform restrictions from United World Wrestling.
Life University coaches actively supported the sisters, promising to push for rule changes.
In summer 2022, NAIA approved the modified uniforms.
The sisters started at Life University later that year, finding a supportive team environment.
A federal judge in New Hampshire stopped President Trump's executive order that aimed to end birthright citizenship. The judge's decision means the order will not be enforced anywhere in the United States.
Key Facts
A judge in New Hampshire made a decision against an executive order.
The executive order was from President Trump.
The order aimed to end birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship means if you are born in the U.S., you are a citizen.
The judge's ruling stops the order from being enforced in the whole country.
Representative Robert Garcia from California is now the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Garcia, who has a reputation for being outspoken, was chosen for this role despite other, more senior colleagues. He will focus on holding high-profile investigations and oversight, although he faces some limitations compared to the Republican chair.
Key Facts
Robert Garcia is the new top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
At 47, he is the youngest ranking member in Congress.
The House Oversight Committee looks into major issues like the 9/11 attacks and government handling of COVID-19.
Garcia took over after Gerry Connolly's passing and Stephen Lynch's brief term.
Democrats chose Garcia because they want more direct confrontation with Republicans, including former President Trump.
As a ranking member, Garcia cannot set the committee agenda or issue subpoenas.
Garcia was born in Peru, immigrated to the U.S. as a child, and later became a U.S. citizen.
He started his political journey while in college as student government president and later ran a local news site.
President Trump successfully signed a large tax and policy bill into law by July 4, which includes parts of his second-term goals. The bill makes some previous tax cuts permanent, adds new tax provisions, and raises spending in some areas, but could also cut health and food assistance for many and increase the government's debt significantly. Now, Trump and the Republicans need to explain and promote the bill to voters, especially with upcoming elections.
Key Facts
President Trump signed a 900-page tax and policy bill called the "One Big Beautiful Bill."
The bill was passed by Congress and signed into law on the Fourth of July.
It includes permanent extensions of 2017 tax cuts and new provisions like no tax on tips and overtime.
The bill also increases spending on immigration enforcement and the military.
Certain provisions might lead millions to lose health and food assistance.
The Congressional Budget Office says it could add $3.4 trillion to the deficit over ten years.
Trump and Republicans need to convince voters of the bill's benefits before upcoming elections.
Around 80% of American families saw tax reductions from earlier cuts, but the savings often weren't noticeable.
Texas officials are considering installing flood warning sirens in Kerr County after deadly flash floods killed at least 120 people on July 4, 2025. These sirens make loud noises to warn people about rising water levels and potential floods. Officials believe that adding these sirens could help save lives in the future.
Key Facts
Flood warning sirens are being considered for Kerr County along the Guadalupe River.
The idea follows severe flash floods on July 4, 2025, which resulted in over 120 deaths.
Flood sirens make loud noises and can help alert people outdoors about impending floods.
Sirens are already used for other emergencies like tornadoes and tsunamis in the U.S.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick supports installing the sirens and promises state funding for Kerr County by next year.
A change.org petition for these sirens received nearly 40,000 signatures.
Local experts say sirens are effective in rural areas and where people vacation outdoors.
Sirens do not work well indoors, so other warnings like cell phone alerts are also important.
President Trump's new law, called the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," introduces a new tax deduction for seniors 65 and older. This deduction means more seniors may pay less or no federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits, but it does not create a special exemption for these taxes.
Key Facts
The new law includes a $6,000 annual tax deduction for people aged 65 or older.
This deduction helps reduce taxes on Social Security benefits for some seniors, but it does not remove taxes altogether.
An email from the Social Security Administration claimed the law provided historic tax relief for seniors, but it was criticized for being misleading.
Nearly 88% of seniors receiving Social Security may pay no taxes on their benefits under the new law.
Many seniors already do not pay taxes on Social Security because their income is too low to be taxed.
The email was unusual because the Social Security Administration typically does not send political messages.
The Social Security Administration stated that most people receiving Social Security benefits will not have to pay federal income taxes on them anymore. However, experts have pointed out that this information might not be entirely accurate.
Key Facts
The Social Security Administration sent an email about changes to taxes on Social Security benefits.
The email suggested that most beneficiaries would stop paying federal income taxes on their benefits.
Experts have noted that the statement from the Social Security Administration could be misleading.
The change is related to a new policy bill involving tax cuts.
Details about how the tax changes affect Social Security benefits may not be fully clear.
Six Secret Service agents have been disciplined, with suspensions ranging from 10 to 42 days, following last year's attempted shooting of Donald Trump at a rally. The incident, deemed an "operational failure," involved a shooter who was killed at the scene, and resulted in a bystander being killed and Trump being injured.
Key Facts
Six Secret Service agents face suspensions from 10 to 42 days without pay.
The agency has not disclosed the names of these agents.
The attempted assassination occurred at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13, 2024.
A gunman fired from a rooftop, injuring Trump and killing a bystander.
Agents shot and killed the attacker at the scene.
Trump criticized the failure to have an agent stationed on the rooftop.
The Secret Service has implemented 21 of 46 recommended changes since the incident.
Another plot against Trump occurred at a golf course, but it was stopped before any harm was done.
A protest broke out in Camarillo, California, during a federal immigration raid at a farm. The authorities and protesters clashed, and agents used tactics like smoke canisters to disperse the crowd. The immigration enforcement was part of a broader effort in Southern California, focusing on various workplaces.
Key Facts
Protesters and federal agents clashed during an immigration raid at a farm in Camarillo, California.
Authorities used smoke canisters to try to scatter the protesters.
The raid involved Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a marijuana facility.
The farm, Glass House Farms, complied with the search warrants and holds licenses to grow cannabis and other crops.
Protesters included people worried about the safety of their family members working on the farm.
There was confusion about whether chemicals like tear gas were used during the incident.
The Trump administration has increased immigration enforcement in Southern California, including raids at various locations.
A young woman, Judith Ramos, expressed concern about her father's whereabouts after he was taken away during the raid.
Democrats in the U.S. Senate released texts and emails that suggest government lawyer Emil Bove, a nominee for a federal judge position, misled courts about deportation plans during Trump's presidency. Senator Dick Durbin claims these communications show Bove directed misleading actions to carry out deportations under a controversial law.
Key Facts
Senate Democrats released texts and emails concerning lawyer Emil Bove.
Bove allegedly told colleagues to mislead courts about Trump’s deportation plans.
He was acting deputy attorney general for the Department of Justice.
Bove was nominated for a judge position on the U.S. Court of Appeals.
The documents suggest Trump used the Alien Enemies Act to justify deportations.
A court order prevented certain deportations, but planes still landed in El Salvador.
A former DOJ lawyer, Erez Reuveni, filed a complaint about these actions.
Reuveni claimed he was discouraged from questioning wrongful deportations.
Research from Princeton University shows that threats against local school officials in the U.S. have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The study found a 170% rise in threats, particularly concerning issues like mask mandates and LGBTQ+ policies, affecting officials across the political spectrum.
Key Facts
Threats against school officials in the U.S. have increased by 170% since the pandemic began.
The research was conducted by Princeton University's Bridging Divides Initiative.
Researchers interviewed 39 school board officials and surveyed over 820 school board members.
Issues like mask mandates and diversity initiatives were common sources of conflict.
The study covered threats documented from November 2022 through April 2023 compared to previous years.
Sarah Leonardi, a Broward County school board member, received specific threats after a field trip story was publicized.
The rise in threats is not limited to one political party; it affects officials across all political views.
Increased hostility has been linked to pandemic-related disputes over individual freedoms and government directives.
President Donald Trump's administration has widened restrictions on federal public benefits for undocumented immigrants. The US Department of Health and Human Services added more programs to the list that undocumented immigrants cannot access, increasing the total to 44 programs.
Key Facts
The US Department of Health and Human Services announced new restrictions on benefits for undocumented immigrants.
This decision expands the interpretation of a 1996 law that limits access to federal benefits.
Undocumented immigrants will no longer be eligible for 13 additional programs, including Head Start and mental health services.
The total number of restricted programs for undocumented immigrants is now 44.
The HHS policy will undergo a 30-day public comment period before becoming official.
This is part of President Trump’s broader efforts to restrict undocumented immigration.
Critics argue these restrictions may worsen challenges for vulnerable immigrant groups.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate, is suing the US government for $20 million after being held in immigration detention for over 100 days. His claim alleges false imprisonment and malicious actions after he participated in pro-Palestinian protests. A judge ordered his release, ruling he was not a flight risk.
Key Facts
Mahmoud Khalil was detained for participating in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.
He has filed a $20 million claim for damages against the Trump administration.
Khalil's lawsuit accuses the government of false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.
Khalil was arrested on March 8 by immigration agents.
A federal judge ruled in late June that Khalil was not a threat and ordered his release.
The US government wants to deport Khalil, claiming his activism harms its foreign policy interests.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined Khalil posed a foreign policy risk.
Khalil was held for over three months and missed the birth of his first child.
A Canadian leader criticized U.S. lawmakers for downplaying the seriousness of wildfires. Smoke from Canadian fires has affected air quality in the U.S., prompting a request from some U.S. Congress members for Canada to improve wildfire management. Manitoba is currently dealing with 104 wildfires, forcing evacuations and a state of emergency.
Key Facts
The premier of Manitoba, Canada, criticized U.S. lawmakers for trivializing the impact of wildfires.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has affected air quality in the United States.
Manitoba is dealing with 104 active wildfires, some of which are out of control, leading to a state of emergency.
Two communities in Manitoba, Garden Hill Anishininew Nation and Snow Lake, have been evacuated.
Canadian Armed Forces are helping with evacuations due to the fires.
Wildfires in Canada are commonly caused by lightning strikes.
Scientists link worsening wildfires to climate change, with Canada warming faster than the global average.
This year, over four million hectares of land in Canada have burned, affecting provinces like Manitoba and Saskatchewan significantly.
Mahmoud Khalil, a former student activist, has filed a $20 million wrongful detention claim against the Trump administration after being imprisoned for over three months. He alleges that the administration damaged his reputation and unlawfully detained him as part of a broader crackdown on foreign nationals viewed as critical of the U.S. Khalil wishes to bring attention to the alleged misuse of power and hopes any compensation can support other activists.
Key Facts
Mahmoud Khalil is a former student activist who was imprisoned for over three months.
Khalil has filed a $20 million wrongful detention claim against the Trump administration for damaging his reputation and unlawful detention.
The claim targets several U.S. government departments, including Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Khalil believes the administration's actions were to silence activists and plans to use any compensation for helping other activists.
He is facing deportation proceedings linked to his activism for Palestinian rights.
Khalil's arrest was part of a broader initiative to deport foreign nationals with views considered hostile by the Trump administration.
Khalil was arrested by plain-clothed officers and moved between several states before being detained in Louisiana.
His legal team filed challenges against both his deportation and detention.
Amanda Anisimova reached her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The 23-year-old American will compete against Poland's Iga Swiatek in the final, marking a significant comeback after taking time off for her mental health.
Key Facts
Amanda Anisimova defeated Aryna Sabalenka with scores of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to reach the Wimbledon final.
This is Anisimova's first Grand Slam final appearance.
Anisimova took a break from tennis to focus on her mental health before making this comeback.
She was ranked 191st last year and did not qualify for the main draw at Wimbledon.
Anisimova is the second woman in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam final after failing to qualify the previous year.
She was accompanied by family and friends at Wimbledon during her successful run.
Her performance will improve her ranking to within the world's top 10.
Anisimova aims to be the third American woman to win a Grand Slam title this year.
A shelf cloud, a type of cloud that forms at the front of a thunderstorm, was seen over Bowie, Maryland, as severe weather hit the area. This storm also caused flash flooding in Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
A shelf cloud appeared over Bowie, Maryland.
The US Weather Service issued a thunderstorm watch for the area.
Shelf clouds form at the edge of a thunderstorm's gust front and indicate worsening weather.
An eyewitness filmed the cloud and reported strong winds as the sky darkened.
The storm resulted in flash flooding in Washington, D.C.
