NPR News Now – January 1, 2025

Host: Dan Ronan

New Year Celebrations Across the United States

[00:17] Dan Ronan opens the episode by highlighting the nationwide transition into 2025. "49 of the 50 states have now welcomed in 2025," he reports, noting that Alaska was the most recent state to mark the new year, with Hawaii set to celebrate in just two hours. He vividly describes the New Year's Eve festivities in New York City's Times Square, where "more than 1 million people were in New York City's Times Square to watch the crystal ball drop," accompanied by the crowd chanting down the seconds to the tune of a Frank Sinatra classic. A recording of Sinatra's "I want to be a part of it" underscores the celebratory mood [00:55].

End of Russian Gas Supplies to the European Union

[01:00] Shifting to international news, Ronan discusses a significant development in European energy dynamics. "Russian gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine have ceased, marking an end to an era in the European Union," he announces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to halt gas transits is framed as a strategic move to stifle Russia's military efforts.

[01:29] BBC's Central European correspondent, Nick Thorpe, provides deeper insight: "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave the European Union a year to prepare for this unilateral move, the closing down of a major pipeline which has for decades funneled cheap Russian gas to the EU." Thorpe explains the broader implications, particularly for Slovakia, which faces both the loss of inexpensive gas and the forfeiture of lucrative transit fees. Additionally, gas supplies to Austria, Hungary, and Italy will be affected, potentially reshaping the EU's energy landscape.

New Texas Law Eliminates Mandatory Vehicle Inspections

[02:01] In domestic policy news, Ronan introduces a legislative change in Texas. "Beginning today, drivers will no longer need to get an annual vehicle inspection," he states. Pablo Arous Pena from KERA Dallas reports on the Texas legislature's decision to repeal mandatory safety inspections, shifting the responsibility of vehicle maintenance from the state to individual drivers [02:14].

[02:27] Sergeant Billy Ray from the Texas Department of Public Safety emphasizes safety despite the policy change: "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."

[02:38] Pena adds that emissions tests remain mandatory in Texas's most populous and rapidly growing counties to comply with federal EPA air quality standards. The new law officially takes effect on January 1st, as Pena concludes her report from Dallas.

Wall Street Closes for New Year's Day and Market Performance

[02:56] Turning to economic news, Ronan informs listeners that Wall Street will be closed on Wednesday for the New Year's Day holiday, following a shortened trading session on Tuesday. He highlights a strong market performance for the year, noting that "all three of the indexes finished the year with double-digit increases," with the Nasdaq leading with a 28% year-over-year rise.

Donald Trump Appoints Justin Carlwal to White House

Ronan reports on political developments, revealing that President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Justin Carlwal as the White House Executive Producer for major events and public appearances. Carlwal, previously part of Trump's campaign staff, is known for producing high-profile events such as Trump's Madison Square Garden rally and the Wisconsin photo op where Trump was seen riding in a garbage truck wearing a safety vest.

Despite his appointment, Carlwal has faced scrutiny. "Kopperwall was identified by NPR as one of the two staffers who got into an altercation with officials at Arlington National Cemetery in August when Trump laid a wreath for American service personnel killed in Afghanistan," Ronan explains, highlighting the controversy surrounding his past actions.

Surge in Gastrointestinal Illnesses on Cruise Ships

[04:08] Health concerns dominate the next segment as Yuki Noguchi reports a significant increase in gastrointestinal (GI) illness outbreaks on cruise ships during December. "December alone has seen an escalation in both the frequency and severity of outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease onboard cruise lines," Noguchi states, referencing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Noguchi details that nearly 800 people have fallen ill across five separate outbreaks this month, marking the highest number in twelve years. Specifically, "nearly 13% of passengers aboard the Queen Mary 2 were sickened by an unknown illness." In response, cruise lines like Cunard (parent company of the Queen Mary), Holland America, and others have ramped up cleaning and sanitation protocols and are isolating affected crew members to curb the spread of infections.

US Investigators Assist South Korea After Plane Crash

[04:47] In international aviation news, Ronan briefly updates that U.S. investigators have arrived in South Korea to assist the South Korean government in examining a plane crash that occurred on Sunday. This collaboration aims to determine the causes and improve future aviation safety measures.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a diverse array of stories, from national celebrations and legislative changes to international energy crises and health alerts. The hosts provide clear, concise reporting enhanced by on-the-ground insights and expert commentary, ensuring listeners are well-informed on the most pressing issues as the new year begins.