NPR News: 01-01-2025 3PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 1, 2025, 3 PM EST

Host: Louise Schiavone
Release Date: January 1, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

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1. Deadly Truck Attack in New Orleans' French Quarter Declared Terrorism

Reporter: Louise Schiavone

The FBI has classified the recent deadly truck attack in New Orleans' French Quarter as an act of terrorism. The incident occurred around 3:00 AM when 42-year-old Shamsu Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, drove his Ford pickup into pedestrians at high speed, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 individuals and injuries to 35 others. Jabbar died in a shootout with police shortly after the attack.

FBI Response:
Aletha Duncan, FBI Special Agent in Charge [01:01]:
"We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible. We are aggressively running down every lead, including those of his known associates. That's why we need the public's help."

The FBI is urging the public to assist in the investigation, seeking information, videos, or pictures related to Jabbar’s activities in the 72 hours preceding the attack. Evidence recovered from the truck includes an ISIS flag, weapons, and a potential explosive device, indicating possible extremist affiliations. Additionally, other improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were discovered in the French Quarter. In response to the attack, authorities have postponed the Sugar Bowl college football game between the University of Georgia and Notre Dame, which was scheduled to take place at the nearby Superdome.

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2. Minimum Wage Increases Implemented in 21 States

Reporter: Andrea Hsu

On January 1, minimum wage hikes took effect in 21 U.S. states, including Delaware, Illinois, and Rhode Island, aiming to elevate the living standards of millions of workers. According to the Economic Policy Institute, these increases are projected to benefit over 9 million workers nationwide. Notably, women constitute nearly 60% of those receiving wage hikes, and Hispanic workers represent more than one-third of full-time minimum wage earners. The adjustments are expected to provide an average annual increase of approximately $400 for these workers, helping them keep pace with rising living costs.

However, in states adhering to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, workers do not receive these protections, potentially leaving them vulnerable to economic pressures.

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3. Texas Eliminates Annual Vehicle Safety Inspections

Reporter: Pablo Aroz Pena, KERA

Effective today, Texas drivers are no longer required to undergo annual vehicle safety inspections. This change stems from new legislation signed into law by the governor. Instead of state-mandated inspections, the responsibility of maintaining vehicle safety now falls on individual drivers.

Public Safety Advisory:
Sergeant Billy Ray, Texas Department of Public Safety [02:56]:
"We urge people to still take care of their vehicles, still check your tires, make sure your brakes are working. Headlights, tail lights and mirrors are still safe before you drive."

While safety inspections are no longer mandatory statewide, emissions tests remain required in Texas's most populous and rapidly growing counties. This measure ensures that air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continue to be met in these regions.

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4. Russian Drone Attack Targets Kyiv Amid Ongoing Conflict

Reporter: Brian Mann, NPR News

Early today, Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, was struck by a Russian drone attack that resulted in one fatality and six injuries. An apartment building was set ablaze during the assault, as Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses engaged the incoming drones just before dawn.

Impact on Civilians:
Yaroslav Meshkov, Kyiv Resident [03:57]:
"I think I don't have a lot of hopes maybe that Ukraine will be existing next year and that will be great and that my friends will be alive."

The attack underscores the persistent threat faced by Ukrainian civilians amidst nearly three years of ongoing conflict. In response to dwindling military personnel, Ukraine is increasingly recruiting young citizens to bolster its defense capabilities. Concurrently, Russian forces continue to make strategic advances along the eastern front, intensifying the strain on Ukraine's infrastructure and populace.

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5. Poland Assumes Presidency of the European Union; U.S. Congress Dynamics

Reporter: Louise Schiavone

Poland has assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) for a six-month term, prioritizing security issues. The Polish leadership is advocating for the imposition of additional sanctions aimed at heightening economic pressure on Russia to compel an end to its war against Ukraine.

U.S. Political Landscape:
The newly convened U.S. Congress witnesses a closely contested race for the position of Speaker of the House. Incumbent Speaker Mike Johnson is seeking re-election for another term amidst a narrow GOP majority that requires cohesion to secure his position. President Elect Donald Trump has endorsed Johnson for the speakership in the 119th Congress. One of the Congress's initial responsibilities will be to certify the results of the 2024 presidential election, setting the stage for significant legislative and political developments in the coming months.

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on January 1, 2025. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

[NPR Host]

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[Louise Schiavone]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. The FBI is calling the deadly truck attack in New Orleans FR Quarter an act of terrorism and now says the driver of that truck likely did not act alone. 42 year old Shamsu Din Jabbar, a US citizen from Texas, has been identified by the FBI as the suspect. He died in a shootout with police after authorities say he killed at least 10 people and injured 35 more by plowing his Ford pickup into pedestrians at high speed at around 3 o'clock in the morning. Here's FBI Special Agent in Charge Aletha Duncan.

[Aletha Duncan]

We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible. We are aggressively running down every lead, including those of his known associates. That's why we need the public's help. We are asking if anybody has any interactions with Samsud Dem Jabbar in the last 72 hours that you contact us. The FBI is asking the public's help. We're asking anyone who has information, video or pictures to provide it to the FBI.

[Louise Schiavone]

Agents say they found an ISIS flag attached to the truck hitch along with weapons and a potential explosive device. Additionally. Additionally, they say other IEDs were found in the French Quarter. Officials have now postponed college football's Sugar bowl game between the University of Georgia and Notre Dame, which was to be played at the Superdome just a few blocks away. Minimum wage hikes take effect in 21 states today. NPR's Andrea Hsu has the latest on wages in the U.S. the latest states.

[Andrea Hsu]

To hit a $15 minimum wage are Delaware, Illinois and Rhode Island. The new wage floors there and elsewhere are expected to raise the wages of more than 9 million. According to the Economic Policy Institute. Women make up almost 60% of workers getting raises on January 1st. Hispanic workers make up more than a third most full time minimum wage earners are expected to earn about $400 more per year. Researchers say the additional earnings are meant to ensure workers don't lose ground as prices rise. But in many states, including those that follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, workers don't have that protection.

[Louise Schiavone]

Andrea Hsu, NPR News, Texas drivers no longer need to get an annual vehicle safety inspection. Pablo Aroz Pena with member station Kera reports. It's part of new legislation the governor signed into law.

[Pablo Aroz Pena]

Now it's up to the driver, not the state, to keep up with maintenance. Sergeant Billy Ray is with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

[Sergeant Billy Ray]

We urge people to still take care of their vehicles, still check your tires, make sure your brakes are working. Headlights, tail lights and mirrors are still safe before you drive.

[Pablo Aroz Pena]

Emissions tests are still required in the most populous and fastest growing Texas counties. That's because the air quality in those counties doesn't meet the federal standards set by the epa. I'm Pablo Arroz Bena in Dallas.

[Louise Schiavone]

This is NPR News. Russia hit Ukraine's capital Kyiv early today with a drone attack that killed one person and injured six others while setting an apartment building on fire. This as Ukrainians brace for the new year. NPR's Brian Mann reports.

[Brian Mann]

Kyiv's anti aircraft weapons began to fire just before dawn as the buzz abrupt Russian drones could be heard overhead. Russian attacks like this one have been part of daily life for Ukrainian civilians for nearly three years. 24 year old Yaroslav Meshkov says he's not hopeful for peace in 2025.

[Yaroslav Meshkov]

I think I don't have a lot of hopes maybe that Ukraine will be existing next year and that will be great and that my friends will be alive.

[Brian Mann]

More young Ukrainians are being recruited to fight in the war as the tries to remedy a desperate shortage of soldiers. Russia's army is making gains along the eastern front. Brian Mann, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Louise Schiavone]

Poland today assumes the presidency of the European Union for the next six months. Security is a top priority. Poland is seeking to add new sanctions to increase European economic pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine. The new Congress convenes. This week's speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, is bidding for another term as speaker, but the margin is tight and he'll need his GOP majority to stick together. Earlier this week, President Elect Trump endorsed Johnson for the speakership in the 119th Congress. One of the first tasks of the new Congress will be to certify the results of the 2024 presidential election. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

[NPR Host]

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