The R&R Daily Brief: July 7, 2025
Yesterday's News in Five Minutes or Less Because Even We Can't Talk About Everything
Hey friends!
Welcome back from the Fourth of July weekend! We hope you had a wonderful time celebrating America's independence with friends and family, enjoying barbecues, fireworks, and quality time together.
As we return to the news cycle, our hearts are heavy with the tragic flooding that devastated Central Texas over the holiday weekend. At least 82 people have lost their lives, including 28 children, in what officials are calling a "once-in-a-century" flood event. I shared this prayer on my stories over the weekend and wanted to include it here:
Please consider supporting the relief efforts. Samaritan's Purse is on the ground providing immediate assistance and has established a dedicated fund for Texas flood relief. You can donate below.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Catastrophic Texas Floods Kill 82, Raise Questions About Weather Service Cuts - Deadliest flooding in Texas history strikes "Flash Flood Alley" as debate erupts over NOAA staff reductions and forecasting capabilities
Netanyahu Visits White House as Trump Pushes Gaza Ceasefire - Israeli Prime Minister's third visit to Trump White House focuses on Iran response and hostage negotiations
Trump Signs Historic "One Big Beautiful Bill" in July 4th Ceremony - President achieves signature legislative victory with $4.5 trillion tax cut and spending package amid patriotic White House celebration
Elon Musk Launches "America Party" in Trump Feud Escalation - Billionaire follows through on threat to create third party after clash over spending bill, as Trump calls him "off the rails"
MORNING RUNDOWN: MONDAY (ET)
WHITE HOUSE EVENTS TODAY:
9:00 AM: In-Town Pool Call Time with press pool present
4:00 PM: President Trump signs Executive Orders at the Oval Office (closed to press)
6:30 PM: President greets Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at South Portico (closed to press)
6:35 PM: Dinner with Prime Minister Netanyahu at the Blue Room (closed to press)
PRESIDENTIAL ACTIVITIES: President Trump remains at the White House with no travel scheduled. The focus today centers on his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for discussions on Iran, Gaza ceasefire negotiations, and regional security.
VICE PRESIDENTIAL ACTIVITIES: Vice President JD Vance is in San Diego, CA, attending Republican Party fundraising events as finance chair. Events are likely private with limited press access.
CAPITOL HILL:
Senate: 5:30 PM - Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland holds closed business meeting on National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026 (no press access)
House: 10:00 AM - Pro Forma session with no legislative business; 4:00 PM - Rules Committee meets to discuss Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 - H.R. 261, National Coal Council Reestablishment Act - H.R. 3015, PERMIT Act - H.R. 3898 and Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act - H.R. 3062 (open to public and press)
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July 7, 2025
TOP STORY
CATASTROPHIC TEXAS FLOODS KILL 82, RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT WEATHER SERVICE CUTS
The deadliest flooding disaster in Texas history has claimed at least 82 lives, including 28 children, after torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes during the early morning hours of July 4th. The tragedy struck in the Texas Hill Country, grimly nicknamed "Flash Flood Alley" for being among the most flash flood-prone areas in the United States, and has sparked intense debate over whether Trump administration cuts to the National Weather Service may have impaired forecasting capabilities.
Key Facts Leading to the Disaster:
Weather Setup: Remnants of Tropical Storm Barry stalled over Central Texas, dumping 10-15 inches of rain in just hours - equivalent to four months of normal precipitation
River Surge: The Guadalupe River at Hunt rose from 1 foot to 34 feet between 2-7 AM, reaching its second-highest level on record
Warning Timeline: National Weather Service issued flood watch Thursday 1:18 PM, flash flood warning Friday 1:14 AM, and flash flood emergency Friday 4:03 AM
Holiday Timing: Many victims were asleep in riverside campsites and RV parks during the peak July 4th weekend tourism period
The Staff Cut Controversy:
NOAA Reductions: The National Weather Service lost approximately 600 workers earlier this year as part of DOGE efficiency cuts
Key Vacancy: The Austin-San Antonio weather office is missing a Warning Coordination Meteorologist - a crucial link between forecasters and emergency managers
Extra Staffing During Event: The NWS office in New Braunfels had up to five forecasters on duty during the storm, more than double their typical two-person clear weather staffing, according to meteorologist Jason Runyen
Officials Blame Forecast: Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said NWS predictions of "3-6 inches in Concho Valley and 4-8 inches in Hill Country" did not predict the actual rainfall amounts
Defense of NWS: Independent meteorologists and union officials say the weather service issued timely warnings and that predicting exact rainfall amounts remains "one of the hardest things meteorologists have to do"
Camp Mystic Tragedy:
The Christian girls' summer camp bore the brunt of the disaster, with 11 campers and one counselor still missing from the 700 children in residence. "We had no reason to believe that this was going to be anything like what's happened here. None whatsoever," said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly.
Historical Context - "Flash Flood Alley":
The Texas Hill Country's deadly flood history underscores why this region earned its ominous nickname. Texas leads the nation in flood-related deaths, with 1,069 fatalities from 1959-2019. Previous major Guadalupe River disasters include:
July 1987: 15 inches of rain killed 10 teenagers at a Baptist youth camp as buses tried to evacuate across a low-water crossing
July 2002: Kerrville recorded 19 inches of rain with 40-50 inches reported between Kerrville, Center Point and Comfort
July 1978: Tropical Storm Amelia killed 33 people across Kerr, Kendall and Bandera counties
The region's steep hills and rugged valleys create perfect conditions for deadly flash flooding, making the current disaster tragically predictable for an area long haunted by such catastrophes.
President Trump signed a major disaster declaration and plans to visit Texas on Friday. Pope Leo offered prayers during Sunday mass, saying "I express my sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters who were at summer camp."
Further Reading:
Right: Weather Service Staffing 'Clearly a Concern' Ahead of Deadly Texas Floods - Newsweek
Right: Texas flooding search and rescue: July 6, 2025 - Fox News
Center: Death toll from Texas floods reaches 78; Trump plans visit - Reuters
Center: Flash floods have long haunted the Texas Hill Country - KVUE
Left: National Weather Service defends its flood warnings amid fresh scrutiny of Trump staff cuts - NBC News
Left: Beleaguered Weather Service defends its forecasts as Texas officials point fingers over flood warnings - CNN
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POLITICS
NETANYAHU VISITS WHITE HOUSE AS TRUMP PUSHES GAZA CEASEFIRE
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the White House today for his third meeting with President Trump since January, marking the highest frequency of visits by any foreign leader. The meeting comes as Trump intensifies pressure for a ceasefire deal in Gaza and following successful U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The two leaders will discuss "victory over Hamas, achieving the release of all our hostages and dealing with the Iranian terror axis," Netanyahu said before departure. Trump has signaled growing impatience with the war, recently predicting a hostage-ceasefire deal could be reached within a week.
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer's preliminary visit to Washington this week laid groundwork for today's discussions, which will also cover Syria's potential inclusion in the Abraham Accords and broader Middle East normalization efforts.
Further Reading
Right: Netanyahu set to visit White House July 7 as US pushes for end to Gaza war - The Times of Israel
Center: Trump to host Netanyahu at the White House on July 7, US official says - Reuters
Left: Netanyahu will visit the White House next Monday as Trump presses for a ceasefire in Gaza - Associated Press
ELON MUSK LAUNCHES "AMERICA PARTY" IN TRUMP FEUD ESCALATION
Billionaire Elon Musk officially announced the formation of the "America Party" on Saturday, following through on threats to create a third political party after Trump signed his controversial "One Big, Beautiful Bill" into law. The move represents the dramatic culmination of the former allies' public falling out over fiscal policy.
"By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it! When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy," Musk declared on X after polling his followers.
Musk, who donated $277 million to Trump's 2024 campaign and briefly led the Department of Government Efficiency, has strategically suggested targeting "just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts" to serve as the deciding vote on contentious legislation.
Trump responded Sunday on Truth Social, calling Musk "off the rails" and warning that third parties only create "total disruption and chaos." Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon went further, suggesting Musk should be deported for the effort.
Further Reading:
Right: Elon Musk announces formation of 'America Party' after Trump signs bill - Fox News
Center: Musk announces formation of 'America Party' - The Hill
Center: Musk announces forming of 'America Party' in further break from Trump - Reuters
Left: Musk says he is forming new political party after fallout with Trump - CNN Politics
TRUMP SIGNS HISTORIC "ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL" IN JULY 4TH CEREMONY
President Trump achieved his signature legislative victory of his second term on Friday, signing the $4.5 trillion "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" into law during a patriotic White House ceremony complete with military flyovers and fireworks. The sweeping domestic policy package makes Trump's 2017 tax cuts permanent while funding massive border security and defense initiatives.
"We have officially made the Trump tax cuts permanent. That's the largest tax cut in the history of our country," Trump declared at the South Lawn ceremony attended by jubilant Republican lawmakers and military families.
What's in the Bill:
Tax Relief: Eliminates taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits; raises child tax credit to $2,200; increases SALT deduction cap to $40,000
Border Security: $46 billion for immigration enforcement, hiring 10,000 new ICE officers with $10,000 signing bonuses, funding to deport 1 million people annually
Defense Spending: Billions for shipbuilding and munitions, $25 billion for "Golden Dome" missile defense system
Program Cuts: Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults 18-64, cuts to SNAP and other safety net programs
The legislation passed the House 218-214 after a dramatic arm-twisting campaign, with Vice President Vance casting the tie-breaking Senate vote. The Congressional Budget Office projects the bill will add $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade, though Republicans dispute this analysis using alternative accounting methods.
House Speaker Mike Johnson presented Trump with a commemorative gavel, saying "This is the gavel used to enact the big, beautiful bill." The ceremony's B-2 bomber flyover symbolically highlighted the recent successful strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Further Reading:
Right: HISTORY MADE: The One Big Beautiful Bill Is on Its Way to President Trump's Desk - White House
Right: What Trump's 'one big beautiful bill' means for your money - CNBC
Center: In July 4 ceremony, Trump signs tax and spending bill into law - Reuters
Left: What's in the big bill that Trump has signed into law - Associated Press
Left: Trump signs agenda bill into law with July 4 celebration - CNN Politics
That's all for today's morning update. Our prayers remain with the Texas flood victims and their families. Stay informed and have a blessed Monday!
Help Us Grow: Like the mainstream media, algorithms are trash! The best way to help us grow is to share the newsletter with a friend. If you found our discussion valuable, please take a moment to forward it to someone who might enjoy it, too. Word of mouth is our most powerful tool!