Texas Storm Toll, Trump's Foreign Policy, Supreme Court Allows Federal Layoffs

Rescue and recovery efforts trudged on for a fifth day after devastating floods hit central Texas, President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House as they worked to make a Gaza deal, and the Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to move forward with plans to lay off hundreds of thousands of federal employees.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Alfredo Carbajal, Dana Farrington, Krishnadev Calamur, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Crews continue their search and rescue efforts in Central Texas, the Dow tumbled on Monday after President Trump threatened stiff new import taxes, and prominent health organizations filed a lawsuit against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Alfredo Carbajal, Rafael Nam, Jane Greenhalgh, Janaya Williams and Lisa Thomson. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zo van Ginhoven.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In central Texas, crews are continuing the search for victims of last week's flash flooding, and local officials have been fielding questions about why residents were not warned to evacuate. Also, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with President Trump to advance a cease-fire deal for Gaza and see Hamas release some hostages, and the President says his administration is on the verge of many new deals with countries regarding tariff rates.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Russell Lewis, Miguel Macias, Dana Farrington, Janaya Williams and Lisa Thomson. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Claire Murashima and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Just a few decades ago most people used — and trusted — the same news sources. Now, Americans are siloed in separate ecosystems, consuming conflicting depictions of reality. Misinformation runs rampant. Conspiracy theories flourish. And extremism grows. Today on The Sunday Story from Up First, reporter Ben Bradford brings us back to the moment when the first crack formed in America's news media. And how that crack widened and widened, until we split into separate worlds. To hear more check out "Engines of Outrage", a mini-series from the Landslide podcast, distributed by NPR.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Several months' worth of rain fell in Texas in just a few hours, leading to flash floods that killed at least two dozen people. With his "big, beautiful bill" now law, what's next on President Trump's agenda? And FICO will start considering Buy Now, Pay Later loans in credit scores.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump is having an Independence Day ceremony to celebrate the signing of his domestic policy bill, the U.S. has decided to withhold some weapons from Ukraine, and a new forecast predicts a net loss of immigrants to the U.S., a shift that is likely to take a toll on the economy. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Rafael Nam, Ryland Barton, Janaya Williams and Lisa Thomson. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott. And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

House Republicans are racing to pass President Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill and have it to his desk by July 4th. Budget analysts say it would add trillions of dollars to the government's debt. And, Sean Combs was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but on the more serious charges, the jury found him not guilty. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Kelsey Snell, Kevin Drew, Rafael Nam, Jacob Ganz, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Zohran Mamdani about his vision for New York City and his surprise win in the Democratic primary for mayor. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Arezou Rezvani and produced by Mansee Khurana and Lilly Quiroz. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Senate approved President Trump's megabill, which includes tax cuts and boosts border security and defense programs. Cuts to Medicaid in the bill are unpopular with some Senators and the general public. Also, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is planning to loosen or eliminate some gun regulations. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Kelsey Snell, Carrie Fiebel, Gigi Douban, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Republican leaders must find a fragile balance in the reconciliation bill between making deep cuts and protecting programs for the vulnerable. Also, an overwhelming majority of Americans say democracy is under serious threat, and USAID officially ends today.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Dana Farrington, Rebecca Davis, Janaya Williams and Lisa Thomson. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Claire Murashima and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy