Catastrophic flooding hit central Texas on Friday, resulting in 20 to 26 feet surges on the Guadalupe River near Kerrville. By Sunday evening, the death toll had reached 79 across six counties, with Kerr County reporting 68 fatalities, including 28 children. Eleven children remain missing from Camp Mystic. The National Weather Service has extended the flood watch for much of south-central Texas amid continued rainfall.
In response to the disaster, President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, aiding first responders in search and recovery efforts. Critics questioned whether flood warnings were adequate, attributing the failures to recent cuts in federal resources. A White House spokesperson dismissed these claims as political attacks.
Meanwhile, on July 4, President Trump signed a significant tax cut and spending bill, referred to as the “big, beautiful bill,” during a ceremony attended by military personnel and Republican lawmakers, reinforcing his influence over his party.
In political news, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced backlash for halting military aid to Ukraine without consulting other branches of government. Additionally, GOP Senator Thom Tillis announced his retirement, shaking the Senate race landscape ahead of upcoming midterm elections, while centrist Rep. Don Bacon expressed reluctance to run for another term.
Ozzy Osbourne and the iconic band Black Sabbath held a final concert, showcasing resilience despite Osbourne’s health challenges. Other British bands, like Oasis, also made notable returns.
Finally, rising costs in construction due to tariffs are projected to add over $4,000 to home-building expenses, creating uncertainty for builders. Amid fluctuating economic conditions, travel costs to Europe are declining, yet expenses on the ground are surging due to a weaker dollar.
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