Some Democrats have suggested that staffing cuts in the National Weather Service (NWS) under the Trump administration might have affected the ability to predict the recent Texas floods. However, experts stated that the staffing was adequate and the forecasts and warnings were normal. While heavy rainfall can be challenging to predict exactly, some experts noted that local communication might have been less effective due to vacancies in local NWS offices.
Key Facts
Democrats claimed federal staffing cuts might have hindered accurate weather forecasting for Texas floods.
The Trump administration proposed a future budget cut to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) but staffing cuts had already occurred.
Voluntary redundancies and early retirements led to 600 staff reductions at the NWS.
As of April 2025, many NWS offices had a 20% vacancy rate, higher than ten years ago.
Experts said the forecasts and warnings for the Texas floods were as good as expected under the circumstances.
Local NWS offices in Texas reportedly had staff vacancies, which some experts believe may have impacted coordination with emergency services.
The San Antonio NWS office listed several open positions, including meteorologists, on its website.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump defended ex-Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on social media, saying his legal troubles are politically driven. Bolsonaro is accused of planning a coup in Brazil after losing the 2022 election, while Trump draws parallels with his own legal issues following the 2020 U.S. election.
Key Facts
Donald Trump used his social media platform to support Jair Bolsonaro amid criminal charges against him.
Bolsonaro is alleged to have plotted a coup after losing Brazil's 2022 election.
Trump's comments suggested both he and Bolsonaro face politically motivated legal challenges.
Trump has been accused of trying to overturn the 2020 U.S. election results.
Bolsonaro's charges involve claims of spreading falsehoods about Brazil’s voting machines and resisting election outcomes.
Trump's supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in 2021 to interrupt the election certification.
Bolsonaro has been barred from running for office in Brazil until 2030.
Both leaders have denied the accusations against them.
Volunteers in Texas, including Ilda Mendoza who is soon to give birth, are helping with recovery efforts after severe flooding. They have found three bodies, and the search continues for a missing woman. The flooding has caused more deaths as these volunteers work through the damaged areas.
Key Facts
Severe flooding hit a Texas neighborhood.
Ilda Mendoza, who is pregnant, helps lead the search and recovery efforts.
Volunteers discovered the bodies of José Olvera and two children.
They are still searching for Alicia Olvera, the missing mother of the children.
The flooding has resulted in an increasing death toll.
Volunteers are navigating through debris in their search efforts.
**Summary:** Scientists discovered a new species of pterosaur, a flying reptile, from a jawbone found in Arizona in 2011. They named it Eotephradactylus mcintireae, which lived over 200 million years ago, and this is now considered the oldest pterosaur found in North America.
**Key Facts:**
- Scientists identified the new pterosaur from a jawbone found in Arizona in 2011.
- The species is named Eotephradactylus mcintireae, meaning "ash-winged dawn goddess."
- This pterosaur lived about 209 million years ago.
- It is the earliest pterosaur discovered in North America.
- The bones were preserved in volcanic ash in an ancient riverbed in Petrified Forest National Park.
- The site also contained other fossils, like fish scales and fossilized dung (coprolites).
- The pterosaur likely ate primitive fish with hard, bony scales.
- The area shows a mix of ancient and more modern animal life, giving insight into evolutionary changes 200 million years ago.
Hopes of finding more survivors from the severe floods in central Texas are fading. At least 95 people have died, including 28 children, and many others are still missing.
Key Facts
Flash floods hit central Texas, causing significant damage.
The number of measles cases in the United States has reached its highest level in 33 years, with nearly 1,300 cases reported. Most people with measles were either not vaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown. Texas is the most affected state, and as cases rise, more people are getting vaccinated.
Key Facts
The US has reported nearly 1,300 measles cases, the most in 33 years.
Measles cases have been found in 38 states and Washington, D.C.
At least three people have died, and 155 were hospitalized due to measles.
92% of cases are in people who were not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
Texas has the highest number of cases, with over 700 reported.
Vaccination rates are increasing as a response to the outbreak.
The MMR vaccine is 97% effective and protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Other countries, like the UK and Canada, are also seeing measles outbreaks.
On Monday, federal officers and members of the California National Guard were sent to MacArthur Park in Los Angeles for about an hour. The operation aimed to assist immigration officers and involved military vehicles. Officials did not confirm any arrests, while local leaders criticized the deployment.
Key Facts
Federal officers and about 90 California National Guard members were deployed to MacArthur Park.
The operation included over a dozen military vehicles.
The park is in a neighborhood with many immigrants and businesses with signs in multiple languages.
Mayor Karen Bass criticized the deployment, calling it a "political stunt."
An 8-year-old boy expressed fear of immigration officers, known as ICE.
Health care workers were told to leave the park by armed troops.
The deployment follows President Trump's increased focus on deporting immigrants illegally in the U.S.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Bass criticized the operation as unnecessary and damaging.
Torrential rain caused severe flooding in Kerr County, Texas, resulting in the highest number of deaths in the area. NPR's Juana Summers reported from the scene to provide updates on the situation.
Key Facts
Kerr County, Texas, suffered the worst flooding from heavy rains.
The flooding led to the highest death toll in the region.
NPR journalist Juana Summers provided a report from Kerr County.
The report was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered."
The flooding in Kerr County was covered on July 7, 2025.
President Trump's tax law includes a rule that requires people to work to receive Medicaid and food stamps. The Congressional Budget Office says millions might lose these benefits because of the new rule.
Key Facts
The tax law was introduced by President Trump.
It includes work requirements for Medicaid and food stamp recipients.
Medicaid is a program that helps people with low incomes get medical care.
SNAP, or food stamps, helps people buy groceries.
The Congressional Budget Office, a group that studies economic issues, estimates that 11.8 million people might lose Medicaid in the next ten years.
More than 3 million people could lose their SNAP benefits.
Laura Barrón-López discussed these changes with Pamela Herd.
A new book by journalists Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf explores the events of the 2024 presidential election. It uses many interviews to explain how Donald Trump returned to the presidency and the Democratic Party's challenges.
Key Facts
Three journalists wrote a book about the 2024 presidential election.
The book explains how Donald Trump returned to the presidency.
It includes information from hundreds of interviews with people involved in the election.
The book looks at the difficulties faced by the Democratic Party during the election.
The title of the book is “2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America.”
Over the July Fourth weekend, more than 100 people have died due to severe flooding in Texas. In Kerr County, search teams have found 84 bodies, including 28 children.
Key Facts
The flooding in Texas occurred over the July Fourth weekend.
More than 100 people have died because of the flooding.
Kerr County, Texas, is one of the worst-hit areas.
Search teams have found 84 bodies in Kerr County.
Among the bodies found in Kerr County, 28 are children.
The search for missing people in the area is ongoing.
Families in the U.S. and other parts of the world are having fewer babies, leading to shrinking and aging populations. This trend is affecting politics in the United States and contributing to the growth of populism around the world.
Key Facts
Many countries, including the U.S., are seeing a decline in birth rates.
As fewer babies are born, populations are getting older.
This demographic shift can lead to smaller national populations over time.
The change in population dynamics is influencing political landscapes.
Populism, a political approach that seeks to represent the common people, is becoming more popular globally due to these changes.
Six months after fires destroyed thousands of homes and buildings in Los Angeles, the city is working on recovery. People share personal stories that highlight the difficulties they are experiencing.
Key Facts
Fires in Los Angeles destroyed thousands of homes and buildings.
The city is focused on recovery efforts.
It's been six months since the fires occurred.
Personal stories from residents show they are facing many challenges.
The recovery process is a major topic for the community.
Elon Musk announced on social media that he has created a new political party called the America Party. However, it is unclear what actual steps he has taken to establish this party, and some filings related to it appear suspicious or false.
Key Facts
Elon Musk announced the formation of a new political party called the America Party on social media.
Musk suggested the party is in response to a proposed government spending bill he opposes.
The party is meant to engage in the 2026 midterm elections, according to Musk's posts.
There are multiple filings in the Federal Election Commission database referencing Musk and new political entities, but their authenticity is questionable.
Some of these filings use unprofessional or untraceable contact information, raising doubts about their legitimacy.
Musk has denied the authenticity of at least one filing, calling it false and reported it to the FEC (Federal Election Commission).
Musk's businesses, like Tesla, rely on government contracts, potentially affecting his political moves.
There is tension between Musk and former President Trump due to Musk's stance on Trump's tax policies.
Rescue teams in Texas are searching for victims of flash flooding in the Hill Country area. The flooding caused the deaths of many people, and several are still missing.
Key Facts
Rescue teams are working in the Texas Hill Country.
They are looking for people affected by last week's flash flooding.
Dozens of people have died because of the flooding.
Many people are still missing.
The search and rescue work is challenging and takes a lot of effort.
Some Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are reaching out to help students affected by the closure of Job Corps centers due to budget cuts. These colleges are stepping in to support students who no longer have access to Job Corps programs.
Key Facts
Job Corps centers are closing because of cuts in federal funding.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are offering help to affected students.
Job Corps is a program that provides education and job training to young people.
The closures leave many students without access to education and training programs.
HBCUs are stepping in to provide support and opportunities for these students.
The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI determined there is no "client list" linked to Jeffrey Epstein that would implicate high-profile people. They also confirmed that Epstein died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019, countering conspiracy theories suggesting otherwise.
Key Facts
The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI found no client list related to Epstein's activities.
Investigators found no credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed well-known individuals.
Epstein died by suicide while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges in 2019.
Conspiracy theories had suggested Epstein was murdered to protect others involved in his crimes.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Dan Bongino, both part of the Trump administration, confirmed Epstein's death was by suicide.
Some Trump supporters expressed frustration over the lack of new disclosures in the Epstein case.
Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed federal investigators held back documents, while the FBI continues reviewing videos linked to Epstein.
Accusations about Trump's involvement in Epstein-related files were made without evidence and later retracted.
A man named Ryan Louis Mosqueda fired multiple shots at federal agents and a U.S. Border Patrol facility in Texas, injuring a police officer, before the authorities shot and killed him. The incident is under investigation, and the FBI is leading the probe. Mosqueda was reportedly missing from Weslaco, Texas, and had psychological issues according to his father.
Key Facts
Ryan Louis Mosqueda, a 27-year-old man, used an assault rifle in the attack.
He shot at federal agents near the U.S.-Mexico border in McAllen, Texas.
A police officer was injured in the knee, though it's unclear if by bullet or shrapnel.
Mosqueda had additional weapons and many rounds of ammunition in his car.
His father had reported him missing earlier that day, citing his psychological issues.
The FBI is investigating the shooting, but the motive is still unknown.
Mosqueda's car had letters painted on the side, possibly in Latin.
There is no ongoing threat to the public according to police.
President Donald Trump plans to visit the area affected by severe flooding later this week. The White House press secretary stated that the flooding is a rare national disaster and urged people to stay alert and follow warnings.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to visit the flooded area later this week, possibly on Friday.
The flooding has been described as a "once in a generation" disaster by the White House press secretary.
People in the affected area are advised to stay vigilant and listen to warnings.
The White House press secretary dismissed claims that cuts by the Trump administration affected the response to the flooding.
She stated that the National Weather Service appropriately warned people about potential catastrophic flooding.
No final decision has been made yet on the exact day of the President's visit.
The White House stated that local and federal weather services gave enough warning before floods in Kerr County, Texas. The National Weather Service issued several flood alerts starting July 3.
Key Facts
The press secretary said the weather services warned Kerr County before the floods.
The National Weather Service in Austin-San Antonio briefed local officials on July 3.
A flood watch was issued in the early afternoon of July 3.
Additional flood warnings were given on the night of July 3 and early morning of July 4.
There was a three-hour lead time from the first warning to the flash flood.
Questions were raised about issuing warnings when people were likely asleep.
The authorities said the offices were fully staffed during this time.
