NPR News: 01-01-2025 11PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – January 2, 2025

Release Date: January 2, 2025

1. National Tragedy in New Orleans

Timestamp: 00:17 – 01:12

The episode opens with President Biden addressing the nation in the wake of a devastating truck attack in New Orleans during New Year's celebrations. Speaking from Camp David, President Biden expressed profound sorrow for the victims and their families. He stated:

“I directed my team to make sure every resource, every resource is made available to federal, state and local law enforcement to complete the investigation in New Orleans quickly and to make sure there is no remaining threat to the American people.” (00:44)

The attacker had released videos claiming inspiration from ISIS shortly before the assault. President Biden also mentioned a separate cyber attack incident near a Trump hotel in Las Vegas, assuring that investigations are ongoing to determine any connections, though none have been found so far.

2. Sugar Bowl Postponed Due to Attack

Timestamp: 01:12 – 02:02

In response to the tragic events, the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans has been postponed to the following day at 3 PM. Jeff Hundley, CEO of the Sugar Bowl, explained the decision:

“Officials from both universities say they are praying for those affected by the attack.” (01:48)

The University of Georgia confirmed that a student was critically injured and is currently receiving medical treatment. Metsports officials, including Chandelyse Duster from NPR, emphasized that postponing the game was in the best interest of public safety.

3. U.S. Population Growth Reaches Over 341 Million

Timestamp: 02:02 – 02:52

Cheryl Corley reports on the latest population estimates from the Census Bureau, revealing that the United States now has approximately 341.1 million residents, making it the third most populous country globally, following India and China. Lauren Bowers, chief of the bureau's population estimates branch, detailed the growth dynamics:

“One birth every nine seconds and one death every 9.4 seconds and add another person every 23 seconds through international migration.” (02:10)

These figures underscore the demographic shifts and the factors contributing to the steady increase in the U.S. population.

4. New York State Implements Paid Prenatal Leave

Timestamp: 02:52 – 03:25

A significant legislative development in New York state introduces a new law granting pregnant women at least 20 hours of paid leave for prenatal medical appointments. Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the state's pioneering move:

“The law makes New York the first state in the country to offer paid leave for prenatal care.” (02:52)

This measure aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, reflecting a commitment to enhancing public health and supporting expectant mothers.

5. Lunar Trailblazer Mission Set to Launch

Timestamp: 03:25 – 04:10

Joe Palka provides an update on the upcoming Lunar Trailblazer probe, scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral as early as next month. The mission's primary objective is to map the presence of water on the moon. Palka explains:

“It's definitely not liquid water, but it could be ice, water vapor or individual water molecules bound to rocks.” (03:25)

The probe, aboard a SpaceX rocket, aims to answer critical questions about the quantity, location, and state of lunar water, potentially informing future astronaut activities and lunar exploration strategies. The launch, initially slated for late February, has experienced several scheduling changes but remains a significant step in space research.

6. Geopolitical and Sports Update

Timestamp: 04:10 – 04:57

Dale Wilman delivers a brief overview of international and sports news. Notably, Ukraine has ceased the natural gas flow from Russia through a pipeline crucial for Western Europe, accounting for about 8% of Europe's gas usage. This halt follows the expiration of a pre-war deal between the two nations.

In the realm of sports, the College Football Playoff quarterfinals in New Orleans were postponed due to the recent attack. Additionally, the Ohio State Buckeyes secured a commanding victory over the number one-ranked Oregon with a score of 41-21. Texas also triumphed over Arizona State in a thrilling double-overtime match, avoiding a major playoff upset.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a spectrum of pressing national and international issues, from tragic events and legislative progress to scientific advancements and sports highlights. By providing detailed reporting and direct quotes, the summary offers a comprehensive overview for listeners seeking to stay informed on current affairs.

Transcript

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[Dale Wilman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. President Biden says the nation is grieving with the victims and families of the truck attack in New Orleans during a New year's celebration. As NPR's Franco Ordonez reports, Biden also called the investigation flu.

[President Biden]

Speaking from Camp David, President Biden said the attacker posted videos saying he was inspired by ISIS to kill just hours before the attack and that investigators were looking into whether he acted alone.

I directed my team to make sure every resource, every resource is made available to federal, state and local law enforcement to complete the investigation in New Orleans quickly and to make sure there is no remaining threat to the American people.

Biden was also briefed on the cyber attack explosion outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas. Biden said officials are investigating whether there may be any connection, but have found none yet. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.

[Dale Wilman]

The college football Sugar bowl in New Orleans has been postponed until tomorrow at 3pm because of that deadly attack in the city. NPR's Chandelyse Duster has more.

[Jeff Hundley]

Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley told reporters that the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs would move to Thursday.

[Chandelyse Duster]

We have been in consultation with ESPN with the College Football Playoff, with the Southeastern Conference, with the University of Georgia, with Notre Dame. All parties and all agree that it's in the best interest of everybody in public safety that we postpone the game.

[Jeff Hundley]

Officials from both universities say they are praying for those affected by the attack. The University of Georgia says a student was critically injured in the attack and is receiving medical treatment. Chandelyse Duster, NPR News.

[Dale Wilman]

There are a few million more residents of the U.S. this New Year's Day than there were on January 1st of last year. NPR's Cheryl Corley reports.

[Cheryl Corley]

The Census Bureau's population estimate is based on births, deaths and international migration, and it's extremely precise. Lauren Bowers, chief of the bureau's population estimates branch, says the projected number of people living in the US today is 341,145,670 people. And here's what we can expect throughout January, says Bowers, one birth every nine seconds and one death every 9.4 seconds and add another person every 23 seconds through international migration. It makes the US the third most populous nation in the world following India and China. Cheryl Corley, NPR News, Chicago.

[Dale Wilman]

A new law took effect in New York state today that entitles pregnant women in the state to at least 20 hours of paid leave to attend prenatal medical appointments. Governor Kathy Hochul says the law makes New York the first state in the country to offer paid leave for prenatal care. The measure was passed to help reduce maternal and infant deaths in the state. You're listening to NPR News. A probe called Lunar Trailblazer could launch from Cape Canaveral as early as next month. Joe Palka reports that its mission is to map the water on the moon.

[Joe Palka]

Scientists have evidence there's water on the moon, but they don't know how much is there. They don't know exactly where it is, and they don't know what form it's in. It's definitely not liquid water, but it could be ice, water vapor or individual water molecules bound to rocks. Lunar Trailblazer has instruments that should help answer those questions. The answers could determine whether astronauts could use that water when they get there to get to the moon. The probe is catching a ride aboard a SpaceX rocket. The rocket's main mission is to deliver a lander made by the company Intuitive Machines to the lunar surface. Right now that launch is scheduled for the end of February, but the launch date has changed several times in the past year, and it could change again. For NPR News, I'm Joe Palka.

[Dale Wilman]

Ukraine stopped the flow of natural gas from Russia today. The gas, which passes through a pipeline in Ukraine, was destined for Western Europe. The gas had been moving under a deal struck between the two countries before the war began. That deal ended on New Year's Eve. The pipeline was giving Europe about 8% of the natural gas it uses. The College Football playoff quarterfinal in New Orleans has been postponed today after a man drove his truck onto Bourbon street in the French Quarter and killed at least 15 people. The Ohio State Buckeyes, meanwhile, dominated number one Oregon for the first half and won 41 to 21. And Texas avoided the first big upset of the playoffs after they beat Arizona State 39, 31 in double overtime. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.

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