Search for missing grows as rain returns to flooded Texas: Unbiased Updates, July 7, 2025
A wall of water struck during a summer camp filled with kids. Dozens of people have died, and more are missing. The search for survivors is ongoing in the heart of Texas.
Also, President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet face-to-face at the White House on Monday, July 7. The visit could have significant implications for Gaza.
Plus, Elon Musk once supported Trump and ran a federal agency, but now he says he’s done with both political parties.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, July 7, 2025.
Texas braces for more rain as death toll from flash floods tops 80
More rain is expected Monday morning, July 7, in Central Texas, with a Flash Flood Watch still in effect as search efforts continue for missing campers. Families struggle with the unthinkable loss of their children.
So far, at least 80 people have died, and officials claimed that number will most likely rise. The worst damage — in Kerr County, northwest of San Antonio — has resulted in 68 confirmed deaths, including 28 children. That area, part of the Texas Hill Country, is known as “Flash Flood Alley.”
The flooding swept through a girls-only summer camp along the Guadalupe River. According to Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, the river rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes. As of the latest update from the Kerr County sheriff, at least 10 campers and a counselor remain unaccounted for.
In the hours after the flooding, some Texas officials and lawmakers across the country began criticizing recent cuts to the National Weather Service, saying forecasters underestimated the rainfall. But independent meteorologists have disputed that, insisting the warnings were as fast and accurate as possible. They say the real problem was not the forecast, but getting the warning out quickly enough to those in harm’s way.
President Donald Trump came to their defense Sunday night, July 6, saying no one saw it coming.
“This was the thing that happened in seconds. Nobody expected it. Nobody saw it,” Trump said. “Very talented people are there, and they didn’t see it. I guess they said once in 100 years, they’ve never seen anything like this.”
The president said he will likely visit Texas on Friday, July 11, saying he’d “just be in their way” by going sooner. He has already signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, giving first responders access to more federal resources as they search for survivors and begin cleanup.
Netanyahu heads to White House as ceasefire talks gain momentum
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads to the White House on Monday, July 7. It’s his first visit since the U.S. and Israel jointly struck Iran’s nuclear sites. But this time, the focus is on Gaza. Netanyahu and Trump might announce a long-awaited ceasefire deal. A 60-day ceasefire deal would see Hamas release around 50 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas has shown early interest, but talks in Qatar remain ongoing, with key disagreements such as whether the deal will result in a permanent end to the war. Pressure continues to mount on both sides.
Israel has lost 20 soldiers in Gaza in the past month, and protests grow, driven by families of hostages and critics of the war’s rising toll. More than 56,000 Palestinians have died since Hamas launched its October 2023 attack.
Russia, Ukraine trade strikes amid deal with allies to ramp up drone production
Russia and Ukraine launched hundreds of drones at each other on Sunday, July 6, hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy unveiled new deals to ramp up drone production, including with a major defense company. The attacks wreaked havoc at Russian airports, delaying and canceling hundreds of flights, according to Russia’s transport ministry.
Russia claims its air defenses shot down 120 Ukrainian drones in less than 24 hours. Ukraine reported that Russia launched 101 drones overnight, primarily Iranian-made Shahed. These drones targeted civilian areas, resulting in 27 injuries, including children, and at least one death.
This comes as the U.S. pauses military aid to Ukraine, a move Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said was necessary as American stockpiles run low.
Trump threatens new tariffs on pro-BRICS nations ahead of deadline
Trump is ramping up his trade war rhetoric, now threatening new tariffs on any country he claims supports BRICS, the economic bloc made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and others.
In a Truth Social post early Monday morning, July 7, Trump warned, “Any country aligning themselves with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an additional 10% tariff. No exceptions.”
This comes as the administration prepares to send out dozens of tariff letters to global trading partners, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent setting the deadline on CNN on Sunday, July 6.
“If you don’t move things along, then on August 1, you will boomerang back to your April 2 tariff level. So I think we’re gonna see a lot of deals very quickly,” Bessent said.
The move adds new uncertainty just days before Trump’s 90-day tariff pause ends. The White House said nearly 100 countries will be contacted, and some could face tariffs as high as 70%.
Trump calls the campaign “Reciprocal.” He has already struck truck deals with China, Vietnam and Great Britain. However, critics say this is a high-stakes gamble with possible global economic fallout. As a result, Wall Street futures fell Monday morning.
Trump calls Musk’s ‘America Party’ ridiculous amid escalating feud
Trump has responded to Elon Musk’s plan to start a new political party, criticizing the tech mogul’s plan as “ridiculous” and a threat to America’s two-party system. Musk announced the creation of what he’s calling the “American Party” over the weekend.
“Today, the American Party is formed to give you back your freedom,” Musk wrote on X.
That happened just days after Trump signed his massive tax-and-spending bill, which Musk called an “insane” $5 trillion mistake.
On Truth Social, Trump called Musk a “train wreck” who’s “gone off the rails.”
The president accused Musk of being bitter over the rollback of EV mandates and a failed NASA appointment tied to one of the tech mogul’s allies. Musk, once the head of Trump’s government efficiency office and his biggest campaign donor, now says his new party will focus on flipping House and Senate seats in next year’s midterms.
Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne performs final concert with Black Sabbath
The end of an era: rock legend Ozzy Osbourne takes his final bow with Black Sabbath. The 76-year-old “Prince of Darkness” reunited with bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward in his hometown of Birmingham, England, capping off his career at the “Back to Beginning” farewell show.
He performed from a throne, nodding to the health battles he’s openly shared, including Parkinson’s disease and losing the ability to walk. The 10-hour show was hosted by actor Jason Momoa and featured rock royalty, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Steven Tyler.
Osbourne concluded on a high note. The sold-out concert raised funds for “Cure Parkinson’s,” Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
