NPR News Now - NPR News: 07-29-2026 2AM EDT

Episode Date: July 29, 2026

NPR News: 07-29-2026 2AM EDTSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR news, I'm Jail Snyder. President Trump posted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House Tuesday, the latest meeting, and what appears to be an improving relationship. But there's no sign that Trump is prepared to send more weapons to Ukraine. Here's NPR's Greg Myrie. President's Trump and Zelensky have been steadily rebuilding ties since a televised shouting match in the Oval Office last year. The Ukrainian leader said he had a good meeting and thanked the U.S. for its first. firm support. However, there's no indication Ukraine will be getting more U.S. Patriot Air Defense missiles, by far the best protection against the nightly onslaught of Russian missiles. Trump has offered Ukraine a license to build its own patriots, but it's a complex process that could take years. Still, Ukraine has gained momentum in the war with its frequent long-distance strikes

against Russian oil facilities and other industrial sites. Greg Myrie, NPR News, Keeve. President Trump also spoke Tuesday at the funeral service at Washington National Cathedral for the late South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, and he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. More details are emerging about Sunday shooting during a food festival near Seattle's Space Needle. Police Chief Sean Barnes said Tuesday that the 15-year-old arrested after the shootout was armed with what's called a ghost gun and that it had an extended A ghost gun is an untraceable weapon that lacks a serial number. There are typically homemade and they are illegal.

This was the firearm that was recovered from the 15-year-old suspect who was in court yesterday for assault and weapons violations. Warren said investigators have also recovered two other weapons and 14 shell casings fired by weapons of two different calibers. Authorities say they believe the shootout was gang-related. firefighters in Oregon racing to contain wildfires that have burned roughly one and a half million acres so far, more than four times last year's total. Oregon Public Broadcasting's Monica Carrillo-Cassas reports. For communities in Oregon, this wildfire season is bringing a new level of challenges and uncertainty as 32 large fires remain uncontained. Oregon Department of Forestry's public information officer Jessica New Year says more than 12,000 personnel are working to contain fire. across the state. This season definitely does not compare it to last year. Last year, we had a fairly

mild season comparatively. It's really rare to see this many acres burn this early, and we still have August and September left. At least 32,000 people in Oregon are under evacuation orders. Forecasters expect another round of lightning storms later this week in the northeastern part of the state. For NPR news, I'm Monica Carrillo-Cas and the Grand Oregon. This is NPR. News. The Senate has confirmed Jay Clayton as President Trump's Director of National Intelligence. The 51-47 vote fell along strict party lines, with Democrats accusing Clayton of prioritizing loyalty to President Trump over other responsibilities. Oregon's Senator Ron Wyden. He has repeated baseless conspiracy theories about American elections, refused to acknowledge who won the 2020 election, and participated in an abusive investigation of American journalists while providing false testimony to Congress about that investigation.

Clayton takes over from Bill Pulte, a Trump ally who President Trump installed in an acting capacity following the departure of Tulsi Gabbard. Pulte oversaw sharp staff cuts in the short time he was in charge. There's growing concern about a blood supply shortage in the U.S., a U.S. Surgeon General, The Surgeon's office encouraging Americans to donate, as NPR's Willstone reports. The Surgeon General says the blood supply is significantly lower than it should be after weeks of declining donations. The country is currently in yellow status, meaning there is less than a two-day supply for O-positive blood. The Red Cross is declaring it a crisis and attributes the shortfall to extreme heat, poor air quality,

and widespread foodborne illnesses. Willstone and PR News. Asian stocks are sinking emitted on. ongoing sell-off and chip-making shares. South Korea's benchmark down 7% after dropping more than 10% on Tuesday. I'm Trial Snyder, NPR News.