NPR News: 11-19-2024 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of November 19, 2024 Episode

Release Date: November 19, 2024
Host: Korva Coleman

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1. Former Congressman Matt Gaetz Under Scrutiny for Attorney General Nomination

[00:18]
NPR host Korva Coleman opens the episode by addressing the controversy surrounding former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, who is being considered for the position of U.S. Attorney General.

[00:32]
Ryan Lucas reports on the House Ethics Committee's ongoing investigation into Gaetz, highlighting serious allegations that include sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. According to Joel Leopard, Gaetz's attorney, two women testified before the committee with claims that Gaetz engaged in sexual activities with a minor in July 2017 and paid them for sex. Leopard is urging the committee to release its findings publicly. Gaetz has consistently denied all allegations. A spokesperson for the Trump transition labeled these accusations as "baseless" and suggested they are part of an effort to derail the second Trump administration, affirming that Gaetz is the "right man for the job" and will serve as the next Attorney General.

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2. Russia Alters Nuclear Doctrine Amidst Ukraine Conflict

[01:18]
Korva Coleman shifts focus to international affairs, reporting that the Kremlin has announced a significant change in Russia's nuclear doctrine. According to the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin's amendment allows Russia to consider the use of nuclear weapons if subjected to a massive air attack. This policy shift coincides with President Biden's authorization for Ukraine to utilize U.S.-made long-range conventional missiles targeting areas in Western Russia.

[01:50]
Linda Thomas Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, marks the 1,000-day anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She stated, "For 1,000 days, the people of Ukraine have not broken or bent. But while today is an important marker, there's nothing special about this summer occasion." Greenfield emphasizes the ongoing resilience of Ukraine amid persistent Russian attacks on its infrastructure, especially as winter approaches.

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3. U.S. Seeks $100 Billion in Emergency Disaster Aid

[02:02]
President Biden is requesting nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid from Congress. This substantial funding aims to support individuals and communities facing various crises, including the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

[02:02]
Laura Hackett of Blue Ridge Public Radio reports on the recovery efforts in Asheville, North Carolina. The city struggled for over 50 days to restore clean drinking water after Hurricane Helene severely damaged its water system and polluted the reservoir. Innovative solutions, such as using chemicals and industrial curtains, were employed to cleanse the water supply.

[02:57]
Dina Larson, an Asheville resident, shares her relief: "There are definitely tears of happiness much sooner than anyone expected." Larson expresses hope that the return of clean water will propel Asheville into its next phase of recovery and economic revitalization.

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4. Impending Strong Storm Targets West Coast

[03:13]
The National Weather Service warns of a powerful storm heading toward the U.S. West Coast, expected to make landfall by tonight. This atmospheric river is projected to bring wind gusts approaching hurricane strength to Northern California, Oregon, and Washington State. Residents can anticipate heavy rainfall, potential storm damage, and widespread power outages as weather forecasters brace for the impact.

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5. Rise of Social Media Influencers as News Sources

[03:13]
Bobby Allen reports on a recent Pew Research Center survey revealing that 1 in 5 Americans now obtain their news from social media influencers. This trend is particularly significant among adults aged 18 to 29, with nearly 40% relying on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to stay informed.

Influencers, who typically lack formal journalism training, have amassed audiences rivaling traditional news outlets. The survey indicates a noticeable ideological tilt, with more right-leaning influencers present on platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. Additionally, news influencers are predominantly male. Despite these biases, there is a growing demand across all parties and genders for influencers to deliver and explain news content effectively.

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6. Lizzie Borden Trademark Dispute Resolved in Favor of Coffee Shop

[04:28]
Korva Coleman reports on a trademark case involving the infamous figure Lizzie Borden, known for her acquittal in the 19th-century axe murders of her father and stepmother. A ghost tour group that operates a bed and breakfast and museum at the Lizzie Borden house filed a lawsuit against Ms. Lizzie's Coffee, alleging trademark infringement. However, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the coffee shop, allowing them to retain the "Ms. Lizzie" name.

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics discussed in the November 19, 2024 episode of NPR News Now, offering listeners who missed the broadcast a detailed and organized account of the day's major news stories.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz is facing scrutiny over his fitness for the job as the next U.S. attorney General. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports there are renewed allegations against him central to a House Ethics Committee investigation.

[Ryan Lucas]

The House Ethics Committee was investigating Gaetz over allegations including sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Joel Leopard, an attorney who represents two women who testified before the committee, says one of his clients told the panel that she saw Gates have sex with a minor at a party in July 2017. He also says his clients told the committee that Gates paid them for sex. Leopard is calling on the committee to release its report on the investigation. Gates has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and a spokesman for the Trump transition called the allegations baseless and said they are intended to derail the second Trump administration. The spokesman said Gates is the right man for the job and that he will be the next attorney general. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a change in the country's nuclear doctrine. It will allow Russia to consider using nuclear weapons if it's hit with a massive air attack. The change comes as President Biden approved Ukraine's use of U S made long range conventional missiles to hit parts of Western Russia. The White House has not officially announced this change in policy. Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas Greenfield, notes that today marks 1,000 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.

[Linda Thomas Greenfield]

For 1,000 days, the people of Ukraine have not broken or bent. But while today is an important marker, there's nothing special about this summer occasion.

[Korva Coleman]

She notes that Russia continues to attack Ukrainian infrastructure as winter approaches. President Biden is asking Congress for nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid. It's for people facing crises such as Hurricane Helene, which hit in late September. Residents of Asheville, North Carolina, can get clean water out of their taps again after the storm damaged their water system. Laura Hackett of Blue Ridge Public Radio has more.

[Laura Hackett]

It's been over 50 days since Asheville residents have had clean drinking water. After Helene caused severe damage to its water system and completely muddied the reservoir, the city struggled to put the pieces back together. They've used everything from chemicals to industrial curtains to clean up the water. And now, finally, the wait is over. Dina Larson is one of the many Asheville residents who is rejoicing over the news that clean water has returned.

[Dina Larson]

There are definitely tears of happiness much sooner than anyone expected.

[Laura Hackett]

Larson says she hopes that water will help Asheville enter its next chapter of recovery and lead to the city's economy bouncing back. For NPR News, I'm Laura Hackett in Asheville, North Carolina.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The National Weather Service says a powerful storm is aiming for the west coast and should arrive by tonight. The atmospheric river could bring wind gusts to Northern California, Oregon and Washington state that are close to hurricane strength. Heavy rain is forecast, and weather forecasters are warning of storm damage and power outages. A new survey from Pew Research center finds that 1 in 5Americans get their news from social media influencers. As NPR's Bobby Allen reports, the researchers say influencers have become a key alternative to traditional news outlets.

[Bobby Allen]

Pew found that among young people, the trend was especially pronounced for adults between 18 and 29. Nearly 40% turned to personalities on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram to understand the world. These influencers tend not to have journalism training, but many have amassed audiences that rival leading news outlets. Pew also found a clear ideological bent. On platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, the number of right leaning influencers exceeds left leaning ones. And the authors note that news influencers are more likely to be men than women. But across parties and gender, the survey found surging demand for influencers to deliver and explain the news. Bobby Allen, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Lizzie Borden is at the center of a trademark case in Fall River, Massachusetts. Borden was famously acquitted of the ax murders of her father and stepmother in the 1800s. A ghost tour group that owns a bed, breakfast and museum at the Lizzie Borden house sued its neighbor Ms. Lizzie's coffee for trademark infringement. A federal appeals court sided with a coffee shop and says the name can stay. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[Dina Larson]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify, the global commerce platform that helps you sell and show up exactly the way you want to customize your online store to your style. Sign up for a $1 per month trial [e-mail] NPR.