Devastation at Camp Mystic
Camp Mystic and a deadly Texas flash flood
Authorities continue a desperate search to find missing people after historic flash floods swept across central Texas — including 10 children from Camp Mystic, an all-girls camp.
The death toll rises as forecasters warn of more rain: State and local authorities said at least 81 people have died in flooding triggered by unrelenting rain Thursday night into Friday.
🤝 Here's how to help in the aftermath of the Texas flooding.
Kentucky governor hits Medicaid cuts in Trump's megabill
~ Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear argued in a Sunday interview the Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump's sweeping tax policy bill will have a 'devastating' impact on rural communities.
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What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
A tariff deadline looms this week
The United States is close to clinching several trade deals ahead of a July 9 deadline when higher tariffs were due to kick in, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, predicting several big announcements in coming days. Bessent told CNN's "State of the Union" that President Donald Trump would also send out letters to 100 smaller countries with whom the U.S. doesn't have much trade, notifying them that they would face higher tariff rates first set on April 2 and then suspended until July 9 by the start of next month. See where trade agreements stand now.
Can you turn the AC off?
Roughly 12% of Americans don't use AC, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. While many can't afford it or don't need it because they live in cooler climates, others choose to forgo air conditioning to lower their carbon footprint. Residential energy use, which includes cooling, heating and powering homes, accounts for roughly 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., experts say, and many Americans are switching their AC "off" to do better for the planet. Here's how giving up AC could break the "vicious cycle" of climate change.
Today's talkers
Why wait for Prime Day?
The 2025 Prime Day sale officially begins on Tuesday, July 8, but the early deals are already alive and well. If you're eager to get a head start on summer savings, you don't have to wait. Seriously, you can find our favorite mini chainsaw for less than $40, get an incredibly popular Dell laptop for 73% off and even save a few bucks on a funky sun hat with built-in fans. From smart home gadgets and kitchen appliances to travel gear and tech upgrades, these early deals are packed with value.
Photo of the day: Americans at the All England Club
The United States entered Wimbledon 2025 with its largest combined contingent of singles players since 1999. There are four Americans remaining in the Wimbledon draw, and none of them have won a major. Emma Navarro and Ben Shelton are each set to play Monday.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.
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4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales record warmest day of the year in heatwave
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have all recorded their warmest day of the year so far, with the former two countries reaching temperatures they have not hit in years, as the third heatwave of the summer peaked. The Met Office said Aviemore hit 32.2C, adding that Scotland last exceeded 30C on June 13 2023, and that Saturday is only the seventh time since at least 1961 that the same high has been recorded in the country. Meanwhile, it was 30C in Magilligan, marking the first time the milestone had been reached in Northern Ireland since July 18 2022. It's been a widely hot day, with Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales all seeing their highest temperature of the year so far 🌡️ — Met Office (@metoffice) July 12, 2025 And temperatures in Wales soared to 33.1C in Cardiff's Bute Park, beating the 2025 record set on Friday of 32.4C at the same location. Although England has been hot, with maximum temperatures also hitting 33.1C in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, it did not break the country's current record for the year of 35.8C – recorded in Kent at the beginning of July. The average temperatures for this time of year across the UK range between 18C and 22C. Amber heat health alerts are in place for the Midlands and southern and eastern England until 9am on Monday, warning of the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Tennis fans have been struggling in the heat at Wimbledon for the past few days, with play experiencing brief disruptions as spectators needed medical assistance. When temperatures were forecast to rise on Saturday, the All England Club said it significantly increased the number of on-screen communications and push notifications to remind guests to stay hydrated and seek respite from the sun. The club also said service stewards on court have access to water for spectators in need, that on-site medical teams are ready to assist when required and that the grounds have more than 100 free water refill points as well as a pharmacy where guests can buy sunscreen. Fire chiefs urged people to stay safe as they warned of the increased risk of wildfires and drowning. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) asked people not to enter water to try to cool down and urged parents and carers to ensure children are supervised around water at all times. Phil Garrigan, NFCC chairman, said: 'We are urging people to take simple but vital safety precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones during this period of hot, dry weather. 'Our experience tells us that wildfires can start in an instant and escalate rapidly. That's why we're asking everyone to stay alert and act responsibly.' HM Coastguard also issued safety advice for people heading to the coast, as data from the water incident database shows most drownings happened in July over the last three years. As well as the amber alerts, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has yellow alerts in place until Monday for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber. Yorkshire Water brought in restrictions on using hosepipes for activities such as watering the garden, cleaning cars and filling paddling pools, on Friday, as part of efforts to protect supplies in the face of yet more dry weather forecast for the coming weeks. South East Water said demand for drinking water had reached 'record levels since May', adding: 'This situation has left us with no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers, so we can help our reservoirs and underground water storage recover.' It means customers in Kent and Sussex are banned from using a hosepipe to water gardens and plants, clean vehicles, fill swimming pools or ponds or clean paths, walls or windows from July 18. Those who ignore the bans could face fines of up to £1,000. The London Fire Brigade said it has responded to 24 wildfires this year, five of which occurred this week, including one in Manor Park, east London, on Friday, where 70 firefighters fought to tackle a grass fire on Wanstead Flats. The risk of wildfires in London is currently rated 'severe' by the Natural Hazards Partnership. Meanwhile, Scottish fire crews spent a second day tackling a wildfire in Perth near the M90 in the Craigend area, as an 'extreme' wildfire warning is in place for much of the nation. National Rail warned train passengers that the hot weather may cause disruption this weekend. 'Heat can cause overhead lines to expand and sag, rails to buckle, and also line-side fires,' it said on its website. Meanwhile, the RNLI warned beachgoers that, despite the heat, there is still a risk of cold water shock. Ross Macleod, the charity's water safety manager, said: 'Even in hot weather, the seas around our coasts are cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, while waves and rip currents can overpower even the most experienced water users.'
Yahoo
4 hours ago
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Trump Calls Reporter 'Evil Person' For Asking About Families Impacted By Texas Flood
President Donald Trump on Friday held a news conference in Kerrville, Texas, regarding the disastrous flash flooding that has ravaged the state since July 4, only to call a reporter 'evil' for asking if more timely federal emergency alerts could have saved additional lives. 'Several families we heard from are obviously upset because they say those warnings, those alerts didn't go out in time, and they also say that people could have been saved,' said a reporter from CBS News Texas. 'What do you say to those families?' 'I think everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances,' Trump replied. 'This was, I guess [Department of Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi [Noem] said a one-in-500, one-in-1,000 years [disaster]. I just have admiration for the job that everybody did.' The flooding has devastated Central Texas. Authorities have confirmed at least 120 deaths across six counties and that at least 170 people remain missing. Kerr County's Joint Information Center reportedly confirmed that 36 people who died there were children. The National Weather Service said it issued two flood warnings overnight before the disaster hit. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. told CNN he 'didn't even have a warning,' noting that around 8 p.m. on Friday he only saw a forecast for a 'chance of rain.' He added that he lost two friends to the floods. Trump nonetheless went on to tear into the reporter for asking him about impacted families. 'Only a bad person would ask a question like that, to be honest with you,' he continued during the exchange Friday. 'I don't know who you are, but only a very evil person would ask a question like that. I think this has been heroism. This has been incredible.' Reporter: Several families are upset because they're saying the alerts didn't go out in time. What do you say to those families?Trump: I think everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances… Only an evil person would ask a question like that — Acyn (@Acyn) July 11, 2025 The flooding was caused by heavy downpour that made the Guadalupe River rise some 26 feet in less than an hour. The New York Times reported Saturday that the National Weather Service in San Antonio and San Angelo had significant vacancies when the storm hit. Trump slashed roughly 600 positions at the government agency earlier this year. 'It's easy to ask, to sit back and ask, 'What could have happened here or there? Maybe we could have done something differently,'' Trump said Friday after scolding the CBS News reporter. 'This was a thing that's never happened before.' Trump was far more gracious after hearing from a reporter from conservative outlet Real America's Voice, who thanked the president and other representatives at the event for their response to the disaster, and said: 'Well, that's a nice reporter. That's a nice question.' Report: FEMA Repeatedly Loosened Oversight At Texas Camp Where 27 People Died In Flooding Trump Tours Texas Flood Sites And Defends Officials Amid Mounting Questions About Response Trump's Response To Disaster In A Red State Doesn't Bode Well For Others
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
Texas flooding death toll rises; Kerrville overwhelmed by generosity: Updates
Search crews continued the grueling task of recovering the missing as more potential flash flooding threatened Texas Hill Country. Over a week since an inundated Guadalupe River sent floodwaters tearing through homes and youth camps in Texas, optimism for rescuing any of the dozens of people still missing from Hill Country on Saturday has steadily faded as the death toll continued to rise. Hundreds of rescuers, many of them volunteers, have scoured miles of destruction for any sign of the missing. But they haven't rescued anyone alive since July 4, the day of the flood, officials in the hardest-hit Kerr County said. Some 160 people are missing from the county alone. As of the morning of July 12, the death toll had risen to at least 129, with authorities in Kerr and Travis counties reporting more bodies recovered. The toll in Kerr County rose to at least 103, including 67 adults and 36 children, according to the county's Joint Information Center. In Travis County, the toll rose to nine from eight, spokesperson Hector Nieto confirmed to USA TODAY. Officials previously said at least 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, the beloved all-girls Christian camp, were among the dead. "I've never seen anything like this, and I've seen a lot of bad ones," President Donald Trump said as he and first lady Melania Trump surveyed the damage on Friday. "It's hard to believe the devastation." In Kerrville, community's generosity has surpassed some needs The overwhelming response from community members near and far has become too generous, officials in Kerrville said on Saturday. The Kerrville Police Department said so many people have brought food for its staff, some has gone to waste. All its needs, including meals, are taken care of, the police department said. The police department also asked law enforcement officers in the region to stop showing up unannounced to help, as it is coordinating with agencies to assign officers to certain tasks. On Friday, the city of Kerrville asked volunteers to stop coming to help, as the most urgent needs are being handled by first responders and families within the community who were affected by the flooding. "Your generosity and support mean more than words can express," the city said. "Please don't lose heart – your help WILL be needed. As the days and weeks unfold, there will be many opportunities to step in and support our neighbors. We promise to share updates as specific volunteer needs arise." What happens if they aren't found? Grim reality sets in More than 10 months after Hurricane Helene spawned floods that ripped through western North Carolina last year, the bodies of Lysa Gindinova's 3-year-old cousin, Yevhenii Segen, and their grandmother, Tatiana Novitnia, have still not been found. The two were swept away by floodwaters, and the family wrestles with the fact they may never see them again. 'It doesn't feel real,' Gindinova told USA TODAY. Families in Texas are starting to face that same haunting realization after the deadly Hill Country flash floods as volunteers continue to scour the region for the missing. Much like last year's North Carolina floods, the Texas floods left behind mountains of debris: piles of crushed trailers and cars, stacks of downed cypress trees and walls of hardened mud that make recovery challenging. The amount of debris and destruction have made the grim task slow and taxing. Troy Tillman, 34, a sheriff's detective from just outside Lubbock, Texas, described uncovering a Ford F-250 pickup – completely submerged in mud and rock along the Guadalupe in Center Point, about 10 miles downriver from Kerrville. If a 3-ton truck like that is buried, Tillman thought, what else could be entombed at their feet? Read more. ‒ Rick Jervis and Christopher Cann Volunteers expected to help with recovery Saturday Kerr County said it is expecting a large number of "spontaneous volunteers" to help with recovery efforts on Saturday. Volunteers have been a key part of search and rescue in the days since the flood, with officials sometimes asking volunteers to stay away so qualified personnel can conduct some of the grueling work. Volunteers are asked to register with Texas Community Recovery and check in at Tivy Antler Stadium in Kerrville before attending a safety briefing. Officials continue to grapple with question of blame Officials in Texas have faced relentless questions about what could have been done to prevent the high death toll and short amount of warning time in the Hill Country flooding. In Kerr County, Sheriff Larry Leitha has said he's not dodging the questions, but is focusing on the top priority of locating each missing person and identifying each victim found. Trump on Friday rejected concerns about whether communities along the Guadalupe River were adequately prepared for the disaster. 'I think everybody did an incredible job under the circumstances,' Trump said. 'Only a very evil person would ask a question like that.' Gov. Greg Abbott earlier in the week said "blame" was the "word choice of losers." Is more flooding on the way? As cleanup and recovery continues in Texas Hill Country, a renewed threat of flash flooding is in store over the weekend, forecasters said. Scattered showers are expected to develop Saturday afternoon and evening in south-central Texas, including parts of areas that already flooded. Heavy rain can quickly run off already wet ground, forecasters said. In Kerrville, there is about a 35% chance of an inch of rain falling through Sunday morning, the weather service office serving Austin and San Antonio said. "The expected heavy rainfall totals along with already sensitive, wet antecedent conditions may lead to scattered to potentially numerous instances of flash flooding," the National Weather Service said. Abbott activated emergency response resources on Friday at the Texas Division of Emergency Management in response to the forecast: "Texas continues to stand ready to deploy all necessary resources to support Texans as severe storms move across our state,' he said. Over 13.5 million people were under flood watches from the National Weather Service across parts of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico on Saturday morning. How many died in Texas flooding? Here's a breakdown of the Texas flooding death toll, according to county officials: Contributing: Christopher Cann, Joey Garrison, Bart Jansen, Karissa Waddick and Michael Loria, USA TODAY
