Breaking News Today

Breaking News Today

A House panel today voted to subpoena Pam Bondi and DOJ over the Epstein files. This action stands as a defiance to Trump, sparking another GOP revolt against her.

NPR marks World Photography Day by exploring some of our favorite photographs and learning the stories behind them, while taking note of a heat wave gripping much of America.

1. NBC News Correspondent Morgan Chesky Covers July 4th Floods

Hill Country in Texas was hit hard by flash floods on July Fourth holiday, including some young girls from Camp Mystic who remain missing and their parents who responded quickly with texts, phone calls, emails and social media posts in response. At least 94 people died as a result. At least five girls remain missing; their parents have shown their horror through texts, phone calls, emails and social media posts – many reacting by seeking answers as to where their loved ones might have gone after the tragedy occurred.

Morgan Chesky of NBC News spent two days in Kerr County to witness how this tragedy played out, using firsthand accounts, official alerts and news reports as sources for his narrative of grief-stricken communities.

Lorena Guillen, who owns an RV park and restaurant in Kerrville, reported closing her business around 12:45 a.m. Thursday before checking river levels – they appeared normal.

2. NPR’s Far-Flung Postcards

NPR’s international correspondents share glimpses into their work and lives abroad.

Time-lapse video captures how a river rose and inundated Kingsland, Texas during recent flooding. Kingsland has been one of the hardest hit by this recent calamity; scientists are still uncovering all of Earth’s vast oceans but are nearer understanding their gradual change over time.

Taiwan voters are voting in an election that could shift the balance of power in their legislature, choosing between China-friendly liberals and nationalists parties. A new tool aims to check citizenship status of everyone living within Taiwan’s borders; age did not kill an Indian centenarian marathon runner but speeding cars did – all these stories and more can be found this week on NPR’s Far-Flung Postcards program.

3. The Manhattan Gunman Believed He Had CTE

On Monday, the 27-year-old shooter who shot four people at a Manhattan skyscraper claimed to have CTE, the degenerative brain disease linked with repeated head trauma in contact sports such as football. NPR health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee discusses what that means and whether he might have self-diagnosed with CTE himself.

Shane Tamura emerged from his double-parked BMW at 6:30pm Monday with an assault rifle, marching through a plaza before entering 345 Park Avenue – home of NFL’s headquarters – where he fired multiple bullets through its lobby, killing off-duty officer Didarul Islam and wounding a woman hiding behind a pillar before taking an elevator up to 33rd floor and killing himself.

4. Tariffs Cost the Auto Industry Billion Dollars

Tariff disputes impacting cars and parts are in part caused by manufacturers needing to pay higher raw material costs; that cost then ultimately makes its way through to consumers, often at alarmingly higher costs than expected.

Recently, Jeep and Ram owner Stellantis reported that its tariff costs have totaled nearly $5 billion for 2018. General Motors recently confirmed this trend by noting how tariff costs had cut into its second-quarter profits significantly.

Anderson Economic Group has conducted an in-depth examination of how auto industry tariffs will impact US consumer prices. Their new analysis estimates that total costs to US consumers during their first full year of tariffs will likely amount to $30 billion.

5. The Manhattan Gunman Believed He Had CTE

On Monday afternoon, a gunman who shot several people before turning his gun on himself and killing himself — including an off-duty police officer — left a note suggesting they believed they suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition often caused by repeated head blows such as those sustained during contact sports or military combat, yet can only be officially diagnosed after death.

Authorities claim 27-year-old Shane Tamura, who attracted attention at the building, carried with him a three-page note in his wallet that referenced CTE. New York City Mayor Eric Adams noted that Tamura believed NFL to be responsible for this condition that he claimed he suffered from in his note. Tamura played high school football in California before discontinuing further participation.