Today's News: 07/07/2025
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Headlines:
Texas Flood Death toll Now at 81:
Death toll in devastating central Texas flash floods climbs to 81, more than 40 remain missing (CBS News)
At least 81 people are dead and at least 41 more are missing after devastating flash floods slammed Texas Hill Country, with water rescues taking place along the Guadalupe River, which rose rapidly early Friday morning to the height of a two-story building. Almost a dozen are still missing from Camp Mystic in Kerr County, a children's summer camp, officials said Sunday.
NWS Says It Accurately Predicted Texas Flood Risk:
Meteorologists Say the National Weather Service Did Its Job in Texas (Wired)
DOGE cut hundreds of jobs at the NWS, but experts who spoke to WIRED say the agency accurately predicted the state's weekend flood risk.
But… Coordination Likely Suffered Due to Shortages:
As Floods Hit, Key Roles Were Vacant at Weather Service Offices in Texas (NYTimes)
Some experts say staff shortages might have complicated forecasters’ ability to coordinate responses with local emergency management officials.
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U.S. Dollar Nears Record Low:
Dollar pinned near multi-year lows as Trump tariff deadline looms (Reuters)
The U.S. dollar hovered near its lowest since 2021 against the euro and the weakest since 2015 versus the Swiss franc on Monday, with traders alert for any trade-related headlines in the countdown to President Donald Trump's tariff deadline.
Trump’s Big Ugly Bill Will Cut Healthcare for Millions:
How Healthcare Cuts in the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Affect Americans (Wall St. Journal)
The passage of President Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill” has left some hospitals, doctors and patient-advocacy groups reeling. Millions of people will lose health-insurance coverage, and struggling hospitals across the country may have to close, lay off staff or shut down some services, they say. States will also face difficult budget choices as federal funds are reduced.
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Big Ugly Bill Could Chip Away at the Recent Job Gains:
How Trump's megabill could slam the job market (Politico)
The solid monthly job gains that the White House is touting as the “Trump effect” are in danger of fading as the president’s hardline immigration policies chip away at the supply of foreign-born workers.
Millionaire NEC Director: Need Healthcare? Get a Job!
Hassett on healthcare coverage cuts: ‘Best way to get insurance is to get a job’ (The Hill)
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said the best way for people to get health insurance is to get a job while discussing the massive tax cut legislation, which dramatically upends health care, signed into law by President Trump.
Trump’s Trade Self-Imposed Deadline Approaches:
U.S. seeks limited trade deal with E.U. as Trump’s deadline approaches (Wash. Post)
With only three days remaining before President Donald Trump’s self-imposed July 9 deadline, U.S. and European negotiators continue to haggle over a skeletal trade deal that would defer a resolution of their toughest commercial disputes.
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And Yet, Trump Moves Effective Tariff Date to Aug. 1:
Trump and US commerce secretary say tariffs are delayed until 1 August, sparking confusion (The Guardian)
Tariffs will revert back to their April 2 rates on Aug. 1 for countries that fail to nail down new trade deals with the United States, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday, just three days before the Trump administration’s initial July 9 deadline for tariffs to return.
Musk to Form New Party After BBB Criticism:
Musk says he is forming new political party after fallout with Trump (CNN)
Billionaire Elon Musk said Saturday he is forming a third political party, after a dramatic falling out with Donald Trump, indicating he will make good on threats he made if the president’s domestic policy bill became law.
DOJ, FBI Say Epstein Committed Suicide, No Client List:
Exclusive: DOJ, FBI conclude Epstein had no "client list," committed suicide (Axios)
President Trump's Justice Department and FBI have concluded they have no evidence that convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed powerful figures, kept a "client list" or was murdered, according to a memo detailing the findings obtained by Axios.
Ukraine-Russia Drone Attacks Escalate:
Russia and Ukraine trade drone strikes as Kyiv signs deals to boost drone production (AP News)
Russia and Ukraine struck each other with hundreds of drones on Sunday, throwing Russian air travel in disarray, shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced deals with Western partners that would allow Kyiv to scale up drone production.
Details of Proposed Gaza Ceasefire Released:
New details emerge on Gaza ceasefire proposal as Netanyahu heads to White House (ABC News)
The document outlines plans for a 60-day ceasefire during which Hamas would hand over 10 living and 18 dead hostages, Israeli forces would withdraw to a buffer zone along Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt, and significant amounts of aid would be brought in. The document says the aid would be distributed by United Nations agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Ozzy Osbourne Sings His Last Concert:
Ozzy Osbourne's last stand (NBC News)
On Saturday night, in his hometown of Birmingham, Osbourne forced his battered body through the final concert of his band, Black Sabbath, the godfathers of heavy metal formed in 1968.
Dalai Lama Turns 90:
Dalai Lama, a global symbol of Tibetan culture and resistance, turns 90 (NPR)
The Dalai Lama turned 90 on Sunday surrounded by thousands of followers, who thronged the Himalayan town of Dharamshala, where the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has been living in exile since fleeing Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959.
3,500-year-old city in Peru Discovered:
Archaeologists unveil 3,500-year-old city in Peru (BBC)
Archaeologists have announced the discovery of an ancient city in Peru's northern Barranca province.
Today’s ‘Pop My Media Bubble’ Article:
Bessent: Dems Who Oppose Medicaid Work Requirements Believe ‘Poor People Are Stupid’ (Breibart)
Today’s featured opinion article:
Jeff Flake: In Today’s G.O.P., Voting Your Conscience Is Disqualifying (NYTimes)