NPR News: 01-01-2025 10AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 1, 2025, 10AM EST

1. Deadly Incident on Bourbon Street, New Orleans

FBI Confirms Suspect's Death

In a tragic incident early this morning, a white pickup truck was driven at high speed through a crowded area on Bourbon Street during New Year's celebrations in New Orleans. The FBI has confirmed that the suspect responsible for this deadly attack is now deceased. According to Police Commissioner, the act was deliberate: “the driver was hell bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did” [00:24].

Eyewitness Accounts and Immediate Aftermath

Drew Hawkins of the Coff State Newsroom reports that eyewitnesses saw the truck accelerate intentionally through the crowd before engaging in a gunfight with police and fleeing the scene [00:55]. Jim Maurer, who was visiting the city for the celebrations, shared his harrowing experience: “We were hoping to provide some first aid to the bodies we came across, but were very clearly deceased, and then we moved out of the area” [01:20]. The violent act resulted in at least 10 deaths and 35 injuries, marking one of the deadliest New Year's celebrations in recent history.

2. Funeral Services for Former President Jimmy Carter

Celebrating a Legacy of Inclusivity

Former President Jimmy Carter passed away on Sunday at the age of 100. Funeral services are scheduled to take place in Georgia and Washington beginning this weekend [01:37]. Among his notable legacies, Carter is remembered for his efforts to enhance diversity within cabinet-level positions. Molly Samuel from WABE highlights Carter's groundbreaking appointments, including Patricia Roberts Harris, who became “the nation's first black woman to serve as a White House Cabinet secretary” [01:59].

Patricia Roberts Harris: A Trailblazer

Under Carter’s administration, Patricia Roberts Harris was appointed as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in 1977. She later led the department that evolved into Health and Human Services, further cementing her role as a pivotal figure in government. Harris’s achievements include serving as the first African American woman U.S. ambassador and the first woman dean of Howard University’s law school, showcasing Carter's commitment to fostering an inclusive government [01:59].

3. Escalation in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Drone Attack Targets Kyiv

On New Year's Day, Russia launched a drone attack targeting a crane in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, which also hit an apartment building, resulting in at least one civilian fatality [02:37]. NPR's Brian Mann provides an update from Kyiv, emphasizing the ongoing intensity of the conflict [02:51].

Heavy Losses and Strategic Strikes

The Russian military continues to face significant losses, with reports indicating over 30,000 soldiers killed or wounded each month. Despite Ukraine's strategic defensive measures, including the recent assassination of a top Russian general in Moscow and frequent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian industrial and military targets, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Ukraine’s resilience and tactical advancements underscore the protracted nature of this geopolitical struggle [02:51].

4. Continuing Conflict in the Middle East and Health Alerts in California

Israel-Hamas Tensions Persist

The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza shows no immediate resolution. Recent Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen individuals, including children, in southern Israel [03:20]. In response, Hamas fired two rockets across the border at midnight, triggering air raid sirens. Fortunately, these rockets did not cause injuries or damage [03:20].

Surge in Valley Fever Cases in California

California is experiencing a significant increase in Valley Fever cases, rising by 20% compared to last year. Valley Fever, caused by inhaling spores of a specific fungus found in disturbed soil, can be fatal in severe cases and is often misdiagnosed [03:20]. Alejandra Barunda explains that the fungus’s expanding range is likely due to climate change, which has created favorable conditions through extreme weather patterns, including wet winters following prolonged droughts [04:00]. State health data indicates that cases have multiplied sixfold since the early 2000s, highlighting the growing public health challenge [04:00].

5. Passing of Pearl Harbor Survivor Harry Chandler

A Life of Service and Resilience

Harry Chandler, one of the last surviving veterans of the Pearl Harbor attack, passed away in Florida on Monday at the age of 103 [04:35]. A Navy medic during the historic attack, Chandler played a crucial role in tending to the wounded amidst the chaos. Reflecting on his experiences, Chandler shared, “it got so busy you weren't scared. It was after you got scared” [04:35]. His contributions during one of America's most pivotal moments in history are remembered with honor and respect.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key events and discussions from NPR News Now’s episode released on January 1, 2025. From the tragic events in New Orleans and the passing of a presidential legacy to international conflicts and public health concerns, the episode covers a broad spectrum of news, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of current affairs.

Transcript

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[Nora Rahm]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. The FBI says the suspect in a deadly incident in New Orleans is now dead. The man drove a pickup truck at high speed through a crowd on Bourbon street during a New Year's celebration early this morning. Police say at least 10 people were killed and at least 35 injured. The police commissioner said it was intentional, that the driver was hell bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did. Coff State Newsroom's Drew Hawkins has more.

[Drew Hawkins]

Eyewitnesses report seeing a white pickup truck accelerate and intentionally drive through the crowd before exchanging gunfire with police and speeding away.

[Jim Maurer]

I think we alone probably saw five, six, seven bodies.

[Drew Hawkins]

Jim Maurer and his wife were in town visiting for the celebrations. He says Bourbon street was packed with revelers for New Year's Eve. They heard crashing sounds and turned to see the truck plowing through the crowd.

[Jim Maurer]

We were hoping to provide some first aid to the bodies we came across, but were very clearly deceased, and then we moved out of the area.

[Drew Hawkins]

Police have not released information about suspects or motives at this time. For NPR News, I'm Drew Hawkins in New Orleans.

[Nora Rahm]

Funeral services for Jimmy Carter will be held in Georgia and in Washington beginning this weekend. He died Sunday at the age of 100. One of his legacies is bringing more women into cabinet level positions. That includes the nation's first black woman to serve as a White House Cabinet secretary. Molly Samuel from member station WABE reports.

[Molly Samuel]

In 1977, President Carter appointed Patricia Roberts Harris, secretary of Housing and Urban Development. In that role, she reorganized the department to focus more on neighborhood rehabilitation. She went on to another Cabinet position when Carter later appointed her to lead the department that became Health and Human Services. Prior to Carter's appointment, Harris was the first African American woman to serve as U.S. ambassador. President Lyndon Johnson appointed her as top diplomat to Luxembourg. Harris attended Howard University, where she later became the first woman dean of the law school. She earned a law degree from George Washington University. For NPR News, I'm Molly Samuel in Atlanta.

[Nora Rahm]

Russia launched a drone attack on a crane this New Year's Day, firing on the capital, Kyiv. Officials say an apartment building was hit and at least one civilian was killed. NPR's Brian Mann reports from Kyiv, Ukraine.

[Brian Mann]

Is finding ways to punch back. And let me describe some of that Russian army, and this is important, appears to be losing more than 30,000 soldiers killed and wounded every month. Last summer, of course, Ukraine invaded Russia in a surprise move. They still occupy a chunk of the Kursk region. Last month, Ukraine's spy agency claimed credit for assassinating a top Russian general in Moscow. And Ukraine is launching frequent drone attacks of its own, striking industrial and military targets deep inside Russia.

[Nora Rahm]

This is NPR News in Washington. There's no end in sight to Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. Health officials there say Israeli strikes today killed more than a dozen people, including children, in southern Israel. Air raid sirens sounded at the stroke of midnight last night when Hamas fired two rockets across the border. There were no reports of injuries or damage. Valley Fever cases are up 20% above last year's numbers in California. That is, this disease can be fatal in the worst cases and is still rare enough that it's often misdiagnosed. NPR's Alejandra Barunda has more.

[Alejandra Barunda]

Valley fever is caused by inhaling spores of a particular fungus that lives in dirt and soil. When the dirt gets disturbed, the fungus can fly into the air where people can breathe it in. The disease was Rare in California 20 years ago, but the fungus has spread and multiplied over that time. Along with the number of cases, they've increased by a factor of six since the early 2000s, according to state health data. Scientists think the fungus range is expanding because of climate change. It thrives in conditions like those the state has gone through in recent years, with extremely wet winters coming on the heels of extreme drought. Alejandra Barunda, NPR News.

[Nora Rahm]

One of the last remaining survivors of the attack on Pearl harbor has died. His family says. Harry Chandler died in Florida Monday. He was a Navy medic when waves of Japanese fighter planes dropped bombs and fired torpedoes at battleships in the harbor. Chandler helped the wounded in the Pacific. His historic parks interview, he said, it got so busy you weren't scared. It was after you got scared. Harry Chandler was 103. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News.

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