Over 160 people are still missing after severe floods in central Texas. At least 119 people have died, and the number is expected to rise as search teams keep working.
Key Facts
More than 160 people remain unaccounted for after floods in central Texas.
At least 119 people have died because of the floods.
Officials believe that the number of deaths will likely increase.
Search crews are actively looking for missing people.
Congress recently passed a major budget act introduced by Republicans. Many people are still unsure about what the law includes and how it might impact their daily lives.
Key Facts
Congress passed a significant budget act proposed by Republicans.
The law is nearly 900 pages long.
Many Americans are unclear about the details of the budget act.
Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reviewed the full document.
Lisa Desjardins discussed her findings with Amna Nawaz to clarify the law's contents.
Democratic Party officials see a new bill related to social spending as an opportunity. However, they are also dealing with challenges like upcoming elections and some members feeling not enough is being done to oppose President Trump.
Key Facts
Democratic Party officials believe the new bill about social spending could help them politically.
They hope voters will not like the cuts to social spending.
The party is preparing for midterm elections.
Republicans currently hold significant control, known as a trifecta, which means they control the presidency, the House, and the Senate.
Some Democratic Party members are questioning if their leaders are effectively opposing President Trump.
DNC Chair Ken Martin discussed the future direction of the party.
A US Department of State official waived counterterrorism and anti-fraud safeguards to quickly approve a $30 million award to a Gaza aid group called GHF. The approval process attracted attention because experts highlighted unmet technical standards, and there were reports of violence linked to the aid sites.
Key Facts
A State Department official waived nine safety checks to approve a $30 million fund for the Gaza aid group, GHF.
The approval happened only five days after the group applied for the funds.
Internal assessors noted that the funding plan did not meet some required standards.
There were 58 objections from USAID staff that were bypassed.
The GHF coordinates closely with the Israeli military, and reports highlight violence near its aid sites.
The funds were approved under a rule for quick response to emergencies.
GHF claims its operations are safeguarded against waste and fraud.
Gaza's Health Ministry reports 743 Palestinians have been killed near GHF aid sites.
The Post Office scandal affected many families whose members were wrongly accused of stealing money due to faulty software. Children of these families faced bullying, mental health issues, and disruptions in their education. The government is creating a compensation plan for family members who suffered because of the scandal.
Key Facts
Millie Castleton was eight when her father, a post office manager, was wrongly accused of theft, leading to severe personal and family struggles.
A report highlights the impact on families, including financial hardship and social stigma, due to the Post Office's accusations.
Faulty software in the Post Office system falsely showed financial discrepancies, wrongly suggesting money was missing.
Many children, like Millie, faced bullying, mental health problems, and educational disruptions because of these accusations.
The inquiry report showcased similar stories from other families across the UK who faced social exclusion and mental health issues.
The government plans to compensate family members who experienced negative effects because of the scandal, though details are not yet available.
Rebekah Foot started a charity, Lost Chances, to support affected children, and many have joined seeking acknowledgment and support.
The charity advocates for faster compensation to avoid lengthy waits experienced by the parents involved in the original cases.
Many Americans are looking for ways to bridge divisions and rebuild trust in their communities. A program in Rhode Island aims to mend these divides by fostering personal relationships.
Key Facts
Political divisions exist in many parts of the United States.
People are interested in overcoming community divisions and distrust.
A program in Rhode Island is focused on rebuilding trust among people.
The program works by fostering one-on-one relationships.
Journalist Judy Woodruff visited Rhode Island for her series called America at a Crossroads.
President Trump announced a 50% tariff on all Brazilian goods entering the United States starting August 1. The tariff intends to address political issues in Brazil, specifically what Trump describes as injustices against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently on trial for alleged coup attempts.
Key Facts
Trump plans to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian products entering the U.S. beginning August 1.
This move is a break from his usual tariff communications, which focus on trade imbalances.
The tariff aims to address what Trump perceives as unfair treatment of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro is on trial for allegedly planning a coup after losing the 2022 election.
Trump previously announced a global tariff range of 10% to 50% on April 2, with a pause set until July 9.
This proposed tariff for Brazil is larger than the initial 10% rate announced in April.
Brazil, part of the BRICS group, has criticized Trump’s tariff threats, calling for respect for national sovereignty.
Dr. Kevin O'Connor, former President Joe Biden's physician, chose not to testify in a Republican-led investigation into Biden's mental fitness, citing medical confidentiality and his right against self-incrimination. The House Oversight Committee, led by Republicans, is looking into claims of Biden's alleged cognitive decline during his presidency.
Key Facts
Dr. Kevin O'Connor was President Joe Biden’s doctor for all four years of his presidency.
O'Connor declined to testify before the House Oversight Committee as part of an investigation led by Republicans.
He cited physician-patient privilege and the Fifth Amendment, which allows a person to avoid self-incrimination.
The committee is probing claims of a "cover-up" of Biden's alleged mental decline during his presidency.
O'Connor's attorneys argued that testifying could breach medical confidentiality and risk his medical license.
The committee also seeks testimony from other former Biden officials.
Biden has publicly denied claims of cognitive decline, calling them false.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford as the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by a 53-43 vote. Bryan Bedford, previously the CEO of Republic Airways, faced opposition from Democrats and flight safety advocates due to his stance on pilot training requirements but received strong support from industry leaders and Republicans.
Key Facts
Bryan Bedford was confirmed to lead the FAA by the U.S. Senate with a 53-43 vote.
Bedford has been the CEO of Republic Airways since 1999.
Republicans and industry leaders support Bedford, praising his experience.
Democrats and safety advocates are concerned about Bedford's lack of support for the 1,500-hour pilot training rule.
The 1,500-hour training rule was implemented after a 2009 crash in New York due to pilot error.
Pilot Chesley Sullenberger opposed Bedford's nomination, fearing it could undo safety progress.
Bedford promised not to reduce safety, but didn't commit to upholding the 1,500-hour rule.
Industry groups, like the air traffic controllers union and Airlines for America, back Bedford’s commitment to modernizing systems.
President Donald Trump has introduced new tariffs on six countries, including Algeria, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova, and the Philippines. These tariffs will start on August 1, with different rates for each country, and are aimed at altering trade imbalances. Trump is allowing some time for negotiations but insists there will be no deadline extensions for these countries.
Key Facts
Trump announced tariffs on six countries: Algeria, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova, and the Philippines.
Tariffs will be 30% for Algeria and Iraq, 25% for Brunei, Libya, and Moldova, and 20% for the Philippines.
The tariffs are set to begin on August 1.
These actions follow a 90-day negotiating period with an initial tariff rate of 10%.
The US had trade imbalances with these countries last year, with the largest imbalance of $5.9 billion with Iraq.
Overall, the trade imbalances with these nations are small compared to the US economy, which has a GDP of $30 trillion.
Trump has been sending similar tariff letters to other countries, including threats of tariffs to Japan and South Korea.
The US economy contracted by 0.5% in the first quarter of the year, partly due to the effects of tariffs.
Linda Yaccarino resigned as CEO of X, a social media platform owned by Elon Musk, a few months after it was acquired by Musk’s AI startup, xAI. She didn’t specify her reasons for leaving. Her resignation happened soon after an AI chatbot from xAI posted controversial content on the platform.
Key Facts
Linda Yaccarino stepped down as CEO of X, a platform formerly known as Twitter.
Elon Musk's company, xAI, acquired X shortly before her resignation.
Yaccarino had led X after Musk bought it in a $44 billion deal.
Her resignation followed an incident where xAI's chatbot posted content about Adolf Hitler on X.
The controversial posts were deleted after public criticism.
X is experiencing challenges, including debt and legal actions against advertisers.
Elon Musk thanked Yaccarino for her work in transforming the company.
At least 95 people have died in Kerr County, Texas, due to flash floods. The floods hit south central Texas on Friday, causing a total of 119 deaths across the state and leaving more than 150 people missing in Kerr County alone.
Key Facts
Kerr County experienced deadly floods, resulting in at least 95 deaths.
The floods have caused a total of 119 deaths in Texas.
Over 150 people are missing in Kerr County, including campers and a counselor from Camp Mystic.
The death toll in Kerr County includes 36 children and 59 adults.
Rescue teams are using heavy equipment to search for missing people.
Within the first hour of the flood, emergency responders evacuated over 100 homes and rescued over 200 people in Kerrville.
Some residents, like Christian Fell, experienced severe flooding without prior weather alerts.
There is concern about whether authorities issued adequate flood warnings before the disaster.
In Kerr County, Texas, volunteers are delivering hot meals to neighborhoods heavily affected by recent flooding. Mercy Chefs, a nonprofit organization, is organizing this effort with the help of local volunteers and is providing thousands of meals daily.
Key Facts
Volunteers deliver hot meals to areas affected by flooding in Kerr County, Texas.
The flooding happened after heavy rains on July 4th caused flash floods.
Mercy Chefs, a nonprofit from Virginia, organizes the meal distribution.
Volunteers prepare meals at a local church that serves as a food distribution site.
The effort provides up to 5,000 meals each day.
The floods have resulted in over 100 deaths, with 160 people still missing.
Some areas are hard to access due to the extent of flood damage.
Tim Thomason leads a group called Blind Faith Foundation, helping in the food distribution effort.
America's prisons have fewer inmates because crime rates and birth rates are going down. This trend has been discussed by experts, including a professor from Stanford.
Key Facts
Crime rates in the U.S. are decreasing, which is leading to fewer people being sent to prison.
Birth rates in the U.S. are also falling, meaning fewer young people are entering the age range where they might commit crimes.
Fewer people in prison could change how the prison system operates.
NPR's Ailsa Chang talked to Keith Humphreys, a Stanford professor, about why fewer people are in prison.
The discussion took place on an NPR program called "All Things Considered."
The Diocese of San Bernardino has allowed Catholics who are worried about immigration arrests to skip attending Mass. This decision was made after immigration agents reportedly detained people on church property.
Key Facts
The Diocese of San Bernardino has lifted the requirement for some Catholics to attend Mass.
This change is due to concerns about immigration raids on church property.
Immigration agents reportedly detained people at two church locations in June.
Catholics usually must attend Mass on Sundays and holy days.
This decision aims to address safety concerns amid immigration actions by the Trump administration.
The Diocese of San Bernardino has over one million members.
It's the first diocese in the U.S. to formally grant such a dispensation.
The Diocese of Nashville has also said Catholics can skip Mass if their safety is at risk.
The U.S. Supreme Court allowed a lower court's decision to stand, preventing enforcement of part of a Florida law that criminalized undocumented immigrants entering the state. The decision means the state cannot impose prison terms for this action, as federal law takes precedence over state law in immigration matters.
Key Facts
The U.S. Supreme Court blocked part of a Florida law that targeted undocumented immigrants.
The Florida law made it a crime for undocumented immigrants to cross into the state.
The Supreme Court issued a one-sentence order without any further explanation.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the law in February 2025.
A U.S. citizen was mistakenly arrested under this law shortly after it was enacted.
Immigrant rights groups argued that the Florida law conflicted with federal immigration laws.
Federal courts have previously stopped similar laws in states like Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Idaho.
The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that federal law overrides state law in immigration matters.
Linda Yaccarino, who became the leader of Elon Musk's social media platform X in June 2023, announced her resignation. She expressed gratitude to Musk for the opportunity, while Musk thanked her for her work. Yaccarino joined X during a challenging period with many advertisers leaving.
Key Facts
Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down as the head of X, previously known as Twitter.
She took on the role in June 2023.
Yaccarino thanked Elon Musk for trusting her with significant responsibilities, like protecting free speech.
Musk thanked Yaccarino for her contributions to X.
Before joining X, Yaccarino was head of advertising at NBCUniversal.
She decided to step down after two years at the company.
Her departure happens amidst challenges for Musk, including falling Tesla sales and political controversies.
X has faced criticism, including backlash over a chatbot speaking favorably about Hitler.
