Flash floods in Texas have killed more than 100 people, and the toll continues to rise. The waters surged rapidly, and warnings came too late. Now, questions are being asked about who’s to blame.
Plus: pay up or face tariffs. President Donald Trump warns U.S. trade partners to fix the deficit or face steep tariffs.
Also, at the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stuns Trump, nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize during talks on the war in Gaza.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
More than 100 killed in Texas flooding, dozens still missing
The death toll from this weekend’s catastrophic flash flooding in Texas has now surpassed 100, as rescue crews continue searching for dozens still missing. The worst destruction occurred in Kerr County, where authorities confirmed 84 people dead, including 28 children.
One of the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River, which rose more than 25 feet in about 45 minutes early Friday, July 4. The camp reported that the floods killed at least 27 campers and counselors, with 10 campers and one counselor still unaccounted for.
Fatalities have also been reported in five other counties.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, R, told ABC News that crews have conducted more than 850 high-water rescues since the start of the flood. In San Antonio, a vigil was held Monday night to honor the victims, providing a moment of unity and mourning as the state grapples with the scale of the tragedy.
As the search continues, questions also surface about whether more could have been done to prevent lost lives and keep people safe. Some criticized the timing of the flood alerts, which went out in the middle of the night, and highlighted staffing cuts at the National Weather Service.
“We know the National Weather Service provided early and consistent warnings. They gave out timely flash flood alerts. There were record-breaking lead times in the lead-up to this catastrophe. There is ongoing flood monitoring, and these offices were well-staffed,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. “In fact, one of the offices was actually overstaffed; they had more people than they needed. So any claim to the contrary is completely false.”
Flood waters peaked Friday morning, July 4, just after 7 a.m. A series of alerts started around 1:15 a.m., with more urgent language to seek higher ground around 6:30 a.m. While forecasters say alerts were sent out properly, officials admit that if people are asleep, there is no guarantee they will receive the warning in time.
Trump says US will send more weapons to Ukraine after halting shipments
President Donald Trump now says the U.S. will send more weapons to Ukraine as Russia increases its attacks. The announcement marks a sudden reversal just days after the Pentagon paused shipments.
“We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard now. They’re getting hit very hard,” Trump said. “We’re going to have to send more weapons. Yeah, defensive weapons primarily. But they’re getting hit very, very hard.”
With Russia launching one of its most intense bombardments yet, the U.S. is again stepping in. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed the Kremlin has launched more than 1,200 drones, 39 missiles and nearly a thousand guided bombs in just the past week.
On Monday, July 7, the Pentagon confirmed it will resume weapons shipments to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves. Trump has advocated for a ceasefire; however, Russian President Vladimir Putin seems uninterested after a call between the two leaders last week.
Trump revives trade war with global tariff threat
Trump has officially revived his trade war threat, warning more than a dozen countries, including close allies, that they will face steep new tariffs unless they strike a deal with the U.S. by Aug.1.
On Monday, July 7, Trump posted nearly identical letters on social media to the leaders of South Korea and Japan, threatening a 25% tariff on their exports into the United States. Trump hit other countries, like Malaysia, South Africa and Indonesia, with similar warnings — some as high as 40%.
“Eighteen weeks ago, I stood at this podium and I told all of you that the president was going to create tailor-made trade plans for each and every country on this planet, and that’s what this administration continues to be focused on,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Markets fell on the news, and critics say the uncertainty makes it harder for businesses to plan. The White House claims deals are in the works with various countries, but for now, it’s to make a deal with the administration or pay the price.
Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House with a notable gift for Trump — a letter nominating the American president for a Nobel Peace Prize. The two leaders sat down for a working dinner Monday night, July 7, in the Blue Room, their third White House meeting since Trump’s return to office.
The two leaders discussed Gaza, Iran and the future of the Middle East. Plus, Netanyahu surprised Trump by nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
“Mr. President, the letter I sent to the prize committee,” Netanyahu said. “It’s nominating you for the peace prize, which is well deserved, and you should get it. Thank you very much.”
The Israeli leader praised Trump’s efforts to broker peace deals in the region, even as the war in Gaza drags on and hostage negotiations continue. Behind closed doors, the two discussed a potential ceasefire, rebuilding plans for Gaza and what a post-war future could look like.
However, as Netanyahu talked peace in Washington, the war back home raged on.
The Israeli military reported that five of its soldiers were killed on Tuesday, July 8, during fighting in northern Gaza. Details are limited: the IDF released their names but not the mission. Two other soldiers were seriously wounded. The deaths occur as ceasefire negotiations continue in Qatar.
Medical groups sue HHS over vaccine policy shakeup
Several major medical groups have sued the Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over what they call unlawful and unilateral changes to the nation’s vaccine policies. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians filed the lawsuit in federal court in Massachusetts.
It accuses HHS of dismantling vaccine protections, including eliminating the CDC vaccine advisory board and removing access to shots like the COVID-19 vaccine.
The groups argue that Kennedy has pushed a biased agenda and told ABC News he’s on the warpath. HHS said it stands by the reforms. Kennedy, who has long faced criticism from vaccine advocates, has not publicly commented on the suit.
Some airports doing away with shoe removal requirement
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may soon phase out the shoes-off requirement at several major airports, according to several reports. TSA has not yet publicly confirmed the change. However, an internal memo released on July 7 and reported by aviation insiders relayed the news.
However, in a statement to CBS News on Monday, July 7, TSA said it’s “always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture.”
The no-shoe rule at security has been in effect since 2006 after a failed plot to bomb a plane with explosives hidden in a shoe. The suspect, you might recall, became known as the “Shoe bomber.”
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Author: Craig Nigrelli
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