NPR News: 11-18-2024 4PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of November 18, 2024 Episode

Release Date: November 18, 2024

The latest episode of NPR News Now, hosted by Lakshmi Singh, delivers a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues. This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for clarity.

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1. President Elect Trump's Immigration Plans and DACA Concerns

Timestamp: 00:18 - 01:32

In a significant development, President Elect Donald Trump has announced plans to initiate mass deportations upon taking office in January. Confirming these intentions through a retweet of his November 8 post, Trump declared his intent to declare a national emergency concerning immigration, leveraging military assets to deport large numbers of individuals.

Sergio Martinez Beltran of NPR reports on the anxiety this causes among immigrants protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Beltran highlights the case of Karina Serrato Sot Soto, a DACA recipient brought to the U.S. as an infant in 1990. She expressed her fears, stating, “We have to be ready. We do not know what's our future now,” emphasizing the uncertainty faced by over 530,000 DACA beneficiaries. Stephen Miller, Trump's incoming deputy chief of staff for policy, has reaffirmed the administration's commitment to challenging DACA, mirroring Trump's first-term efforts thwarted by the Supreme Court.

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2. Surge in Americans Relying on Social Media Influencers for News

Timestamp: 01:32 - 02:17

A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals a growing trend where one in five Americans, particularly younger demographics aged 18 to 29, obtains their news from social media influencers. NPR’s Bobby Allen explains that nearly 40% of this age group turns to personalities on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to stay informed.

Allen notes that these influencers, despite lacking formal journalism training, have built audiences comparable to major news outlets. The survey also uncovers an ideological skew, with a higher number of right-leaning influencers on platforms such as Facebook and YouTube compared to their left-leaning counterparts. Additionally, the research points out a gender disparity, with male influencers predominantly leading news dissemination. Despite these biases, there is a rising demand across political affiliations and genders for influencers to deliver and explain news content effectively.

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3. Spirit Airlines Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Timestamp: 02:17 - 02:57

Spirit Airlines has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, as reported by NPR’s Joel Rose. The Florida-based carrier has secured an agreement with its bondholders to restructure its debts, allowing it to continue operations during the bankruptcy process. Spirit maintains that it will keep flying normally, despite being the seventh-largest airline in North America and undergoing operational reductions to minimize costs.

Joel Rose highlights that Spirit is the first major U.S. airline to file for Chapter 11 in 13 years. The airline has not recorded a full-year profit since 2019 and previously attempted a merger with JetBlue Airways, which was blocked by a federal judge in January. Spirit anticipates emerging from bankruptcy by early next year, signaling potential stabilization ahead.

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4. Rebuilding Asheville After Hurricane Helene and Broader Disaster Responses

Timestamp: 02:57 - 04:01

In Asheville, North Carolina, residents are celebrating the restoration of clean drinking water after enduring over 50 days without it due to Hurricane Helene. The storm severely damaged the city's water infrastructure, contaminating the reservoir and leaving residents without safe water sources.

President Joe Biden is appealing to Congress for nearly $100 billion in disaster funding to aid victims of this fall's consecutive hurricanes in Florida and other Southeastern regions. Additionally, food aid flights to Haiti are set to resume in two days, following previous suspensions after gangs attacked three commercial planes last week. The U.S. has imposed a 30-day ban on its carriers flying to Haiti in response.

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5. Addressing National Divisions Through Compassion and the Golden Rule

Timestamp: 04:01 - 04:38

Amidst America's deep political divides, Pastor Chris Morgan of Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is championing a message of kindness and understanding. As reported by NPR’s Frank Langfitt, Pastor Morgan encourages his congregants to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” advocating for respectful and calm dialogues even with those holding opposing views.

Joel Rose adds to this narrative by highlighting the potential societal benefits if such principles were widely adopted: “If we hold to that, then we can actually hopefully become an example for society instead of mirroring society.” While many parishioners have found these sermons instrumental in bridging communication gaps, some, like one parishioner, feel that integrating election politics into the sanctuary disrupts its intended sanctity.

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6. U.S. Stock Market Closes Mixed

Timestamp: 04:38 - 04:57

The U.S. stock market concluded the day with mixed results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 55 points, settling at 43,389. In contrast, the Nasdaq saw an increase of 111 points, rising by more than half a percent. The S&P 500 also experienced a slight uplift, closing up by 23 points. Realtor Lakshmi Singh provided this financial update, indicating a day of varied performances across major indices.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a wide array of topics, from significant political developments and economic news to societal issues and personal stories of resilience. Through in-depth reporting and firsthand accounts, the program offers listeners a nuanced understanding of current events shaping the national and global landscape.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Elect Trump's pledging to order mass deportations once he returns to office in January. In his retweet of a Nov. 8 post, Trump confirmed plans to declare a national emergency over immigration. He also confirmed he intends to use military assets to deport large numbers of people. As NPR Sergio Martinez Beltran reports, that's worrying some immigrants currently protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

During his first term, Trump attempted to end daca, but the US Supreme Court blocked him. However, Stephen Miller, Trump's incoming deputy chief of staff for policy, has said the new administration will try again. This has DACA recipients like Karina Serrato Sot Soto on edge. She was brought to the country when she was nine months old in 1990. We have to be ready. We do not know what's our future now. Serrato Soto and her husband are preparing for the possibility of being deported if the program that has shielded her from removal goes away. But Serato Soto says she and the more than 530,000 active DACA recipients who were brought illegally when they were kids are ready to fight for the program. Sergio Martinez Beltran, NPR News, Dallas.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A new survey from Pew Research center finds that one in five Americans gets their news from social media influencers. Here's NPR's Bobby Allen.

[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.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Spirit Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Here's NPR's Joel Rose.

[Joel Rose]

Spirit Airlines says it's reached a deal with its bondholders to restructure its debts and continue operating during bankruptcy. The Florida based carrier says it expects to continue flying as normal. Spirit is the seventh largest airline in North America, though it has been shrinking its operations in an effort to cut costs. It's the first major US airline to file for Chapter 11 in 13 years. The company hasn't posted a full year profit since 2019. It tried to merge with JetBlue Airways, but a federal judge blocked that deal in January. Spirit says it hopes to emerge from bankruptcy early next year. Joel Rose, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

They're rejoicing in Asheville, North Carolina today. After going more than 50 days without safe drinking water, the taps are flowing with clean again. When Hurricane Helene struck, the storm took out the city's water system and muddied the reservoir. From Washington, this is NPR News. President Biden is asking Congress to approve nearly $100 billion in disaster funding. Recipients would include victims of this fall's back to back hurricanes in Florida and other parts of the Southeast. Food aid flights to Haiti resume in two days that today from the UN World Food Program. Last week, deliveries were PA after gangs attacked three commercial planes. Washington's barred US based carriers from flying to Haiti for 30 days. Many Americans are struggling with how to speak to each other in these bitterly divided times. One pastor has answered that question by preaching the golden rule, do unto others. NPR's Frank Langfid has more from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

[Frank Langfitt]

Pastor Chris Morgan leads Christ United Methodist Church, a politically divided congregation. Leading up to Election Day, he preached kindness, encouraging his flock to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

[Joel Rose]

If we hold to that, then we can actually hopefully become an example for society instead of mirroring society.

[Frank Langfitt]

Some parishioners said the sermon series helped them talk to people they disagree with and remain calm doing so. Another parishioner, though, thought it brought election politics into the church, which he sees as a sanctuary from all that. Frank Langfitt, NPR News, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks end the day mix the Dow Jones industrial average closed down 55 points to settle at 43,389. The Nasdaq closed up 111 points, or more than half a percent. The S and P was up 23 points. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.

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