NPR News: 07-20-2025 10PM EDT
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Why is the federal government canceling $2 billion in funding for Harvard and what are the legal implications?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst. Lawyers for Harvard and the Trump administration will be in court in Boston tomorrow over the government's cancellation of more than two billion dollars in federal funding for the school. Emily Piper Vallillo of Member Station WBUR has more.
Over nine hundred Harvard University studies now hang in the balance, after the White House yanked funding earlier this year saying Harvard permitted anti Semitism on campus. Harvard says the administration's actions unlawfully retaliate against the university for rejecting the White House's demands over what it can teach as well as who it can admit and hire. Harvard Law Professor Noah Feldman says the stakes extend far beyond Harvard.
If a university with a multi-billion dollar endowment can be cowed and pushed around by the government so that it loses its free speech rights, it's a lot easier to stop you personally from exercising your free speech rights.
The hearing is expected to last one day. For NPR News, I'm Emily Piper Volillo in Boston.
How are Ukraine’s new peace proposals and President Trump’s stance affecting the Russia‑Ukraine conflict?
Ukraine is proposing a new round of peace talks with Russia as President Trump seems to be shifting his approach to the war, threatening to put pressure on Moscow.
And
Pierce Mara
Lysen has more. Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have not made any progress. Russia is sticking to its demands that Ukraine effectively demilitarize and give up more territory. Russia also is continuing its aerial attacks on civilian targets. Meanwhile, President Trump says if Russia doesn't agree to a peace deal with Ukraine in fifty days, he'll put more sanctions on Russia and secondary sanctions on countries that do business with Russia, like China. Trump also agreed to send more defensive weapons to Ukraine, paid for by the NATO allies. It's not clear if Trump will carry through his threat. He's blown through almost every other deadline he's announced this year.
What challenges are firefighters facing with the Dragon Bravo wildfire on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim?
Mara Lyason NPR News.
Crews fighting a more than twelve thousand acre wildfire on the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park are facing renewed hot and dry conditions and an uptick in fire activity. From Member Station KNAU, Ryan Heinches has more.
Officials say gusty winds have started numerous spot fires, in some cases several miles away from the main Dragon Bravo fire. Hundreds of personnel are working to suppress the lightning-caused blaze that's been burning on the park's more remote north rim since July 4th. Crews have contained a small part of the wildfire near the canyon's rim and close to water infrastructure that serves the national park. Many trails like the North and South Kyback. And Lower Bright Angel, along with Phantom Ranch, remain closed to the public. So far the fire has burned dozens of North Rim structures, including employee housing and the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
Why did Texas call a 30‑day special session and how could the disaster‑relief and redistricting plans impact the 2026 midterms?
For NPR News, I'm Ryan Heinches in Flagstaff.
And you're listening to NPR News in Washington. Texas Republicans are holding a thirty day special session starting tomorrow over disaster relief after July fourth's deadly flooding and redrawing the state's congressional map. President Trump urged the move as a way to help the GOP retain control of the US House in next year's midterm elections. The mid-cycle redrawing of political lines complicates Democrats' plans, though, to begin regaining power in Washington, and they have few avenues to push back. But the move also has risks for Republicans as some districts considered safe for the GOP will have to add more Democratic voters. New studies of Lake Powell show that water levels could drop too low to generate hydropower as soon as next year.
The lake sits on the Colorado River and is the country's second largest reservoir. From Member Station KUNC, Alex Hager reports policymakers will need to act quickly to protect the lake.
How is the dropping water level in Lake Powell threatening hydropower and what actions are policymakers urged to take?
Lake Powell is about 30% full after more than two decades of a mega drought. If the water level drops much lower, it will be below the hydropower turbines inside Glen Canyon Dam. They generate electricity for about five million people across seven western states.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
Why is the federal government canceling $2 billion in funding for Harvard and what are the legal implications?
0:01–1:05
2
How are Ukraine’s new peace proposals and President Trump’s stance affecting the Russia‑Ukraine conflict?
1:05–1:55
3
What challenges are firefighters facing with the Dragon Bravo wildfire on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim?
1:55–2:50
4
Why did Texas call a 30‑day special session and how could the disaster‑relief and redistricting plans impact the 2026 midterms?
2:50–3:54
5
How is the dropping water level in Lake Powell threatening hydropower and what actions are policymakers urged to take?
3:54–4:38