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Today’s top stories
Flash floods have claimed the lives of at least 82 people in central Texas. Search and rescue operations continue, particularly in Kerr County, where the local sheriff reported 68 deaths, including 28 children, primarily from youth camps along the Guadalupe River. The tragedy has prompted questions about the lack of evacuation warnings for residents along the river. For a detailed account, see this timeline of events.
KERRVILLE, TEXAS – JULY 04: Trees emerge from flood waters along the Guadalupe River on July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas with multiple fatalities reported. (Photo by Eric Vryn/Getty Images)
Eric Vryn/Getty Images
- 🎧 NPR’s Greg Allen reports from the Guadalupe River: Witnessing the aftermath, Allen observed cars lodged in trees and debris scattered everywhere. Wendy Barker, a resident of Hunt, expressed frustration over the lack of alerts, despite heavy rain warnings from the National Weather Service, which highlighted the potential for flooding days before the event.
- ➡️ Texas communities face the daunting task of recovery. For a visual perspective, view photos of the impact and a timelapse video of the Llano River flooding.
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting at the White House today may include discussions on a ceasefire in Gaza. This visit follows recent joint military actions against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Ceasefire talks with Hamas began yesterday in Qatar.
- 🎧 NPR’s Daniel Estrin reports on the negotiations in Qatar: The discussions are taking place with mediators shuttling between Israeli and Hamas representatives in the same hotel. The initial draft suggests a 60-day ceasefire, with Hamas releasing hostages and Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners.
New U.S. tariff rates will be enacted on August 1, President Trump announced. Initially set for earlier this week, these tariffs were delayed to facilitate trade negotiations. Despite a temporary market stabilization, the administration warns of higher tariffs for countries not reaching agreements.
- 🎧 NPR’s Deepa Shivaram reports on the tariff situation: Countries will be notified of their new rates today. The administration hopes this will expedite trade deals, as the pause has seen limited progress.
Deep dive
Buy now, pay later loans that let shoppers split payments into installments have become increasingly popular. Soon, that data will be incorporated into people’s FICO credit scores.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
FICO, the credit scoring company, announced plans to include buy-now, pay-later loan data in credit scoring. Such loans allow consumers to pay for purchases in installments and have gained popularity, especially among younger and lower-income demographics. Learn more about the potential impact on your credit score:
- ➡️ This autumn, two of FICO’s 15 scoring models will start factoring in buy-now, pay-later loans.
- ➡️ Timely payments can boost credit scores, whereas late payments might lower them.
- ➡️ A FICO study found minimal credit score impacts — within 10 points — for over 85% of users.
Living better
A continuous glucose monitor helps people track their blood sugar spikes and dips.
filadendron/E+/Getty Images
Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.
Continuous glucose monitors, previously reserved for diabetes management, have recently been approved for use by non-diabetic individuals by the FDA. These devices provide insights into blood sugar fluctuations, which can impact weight management and fatigue. For those interested in stabilizing blood sugar levels, here are some tips:
- 🩸 Balance meals by including protein and fiber to slow digestion and prevent blood sugar spikes.
- 🩸 Distribute carbohydrate intake throughout the day instead of consuming them all at once.
- 🩸 Consider the order of food consumption: eat proteins, fibers, and fats before carbohydrates.
3 things to know before you go
This photo provided on July 2, 2025, by the North Korean government shows a beach resort in the Wonsan-Kalma eastern coastal tourist zone on July 1, 2025.
Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP
- North Korea has unveiled the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a resort featuring nearly 400 buildings, on its eastern coast. Learn more about the project.
- An Australian jury convicted Erin Patterson for murder and attempted murder after three guests died from eating a meal she prepared with poisonous mushrooms. Read about the trial.
- After her sister’s passing, Maureen Futtner found solace in a chance encounter with a stranger on the subway, aiding her healing process. Discover her journey.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
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