NPR News: 01-01-2025 8AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of January 1, 2025, Episode at 8 AM EST

Hosted by Nora Rahm, NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines with in-depth coverage of significant events shaping our world. This summary encapsulates the key stories discussed in the January 1, 2025, 8 AM EST episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who missed the live broadcast.

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1. Deadly Incident on Bourbon Street, New Orleans

Nora Rahm opens the episode with a tragic report from New Orleans, where a deadly incident on Bourbon Street has left at least 10 people dead and over 30 injured. The FBI is actively investigating the events of early morning as authorities piece together the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Eyewitness Account: Drew Hawkins of the Gulf States Newsroom details the harrowing scene: "Eyewitnesses report seeing a white pickup truck accelerate and intentionally drive through the crowd before exchanging gunfire with police and speeding away" (00:32).

Victim Impact: Local resident Jim Maurer shares his experience: "I think we alone probably saw five, six, seven bodies" (00:41). He and his wife, visiting for New Year's celebrations, found themselves amidst chaos as the truck plunged through the revelers. Maurer adds, "We were hoping to provide some first aid to the bodies we came across, but we're very clearly deceased. And then we moved out of the area" (00:57).

As of now, police have not released information regarding potential suspects or the motives behind this tragic event, with Drew Hawkins concluding the segment at 01:07.

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2. Uncertainty Looms Over New House Speaker in 119th Congress

With the 119th Congress convening, the episode highlights a pivotal moment in U.S. politics: the potential change in the House Speaker's position.

Nora Rahm reports the uncertainty surrounding Speaker Mike Johnson's bid to retain his position, noting that he may not garner the necessary support among House Republicans.

Internal GOP Concerns: NPR's Windsor Johnson provides insights into the internal dynamics: "Many House Republicans are concerned about keeping the majority for the second half of Donald Trump's term in office, and some have said that Speaker Johnson is not up for that task" (01:26).

Call for Unity: Republican Congressman Chip Roy emphasizes the need for cohesion: "We need to have the conference get together so we can get united. There are a lot of great members of Congress. Mike's a friend and maybe he can answer the call and he can deliver an agenda and a plan" (01:45). He also praises Byron Donald (likely referring to a fellow Republican), stating, "Byron, Donald is a good man and a good friend. I nominated him two years ago" (01:45).

Presidential Endorsement: With President Elect Donald Trump fully endorsing Mike Johnson, the Louisiana Republican faces the challenge of securing 218 votes to maintain the speakership, as reported by Windsor Johnson (01:58).

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3. Escalating Tensions: Russian Gas Cuts and Kyiv Drone Attack

The episode delves into the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting two critical developments.

Termination of Gas Supply: Nora Rahm explains that the flow of Russian gas to Europe via pipelines through Ukraine has ceased as of early morning. Ukraine’s refusal to renew the agreement is rooted in Russia's full-scale invasion nearly three years ago (02:11).

Drone Assault on Kyiv: NPR's Brian Mann reports a New Year's Day drone attack on Kyiv, resulting in significant civilian casualties. The assault involved drones loaded with explosives, leading to the death of one civilian and injuries to six others. An apartment building was set ablaze during the attack (02:35).

Aftermath: As the situation unfolds, Brian Mann adds, "Military officials say Russia targeted the city with drones packed with explosives" (02:35), while Nora Rahm continues to cover related developments, including the cessation of Russian gas supplies (02:54).

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4. South Korea Plane Crash: Sole Survivors and National Mourning

In a somber update, NPR covers the aftermath of a devastating plane crash in South Korea. Authorities have identified all 179 victims, with only two survivors emerging from the tragedy. The nation prepares for funerals and mourns the immense loss of life.

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5. Power Outage in Puerto Rico Affects Over 1.3 Million

Nora Rahm reports a significant power outage in Puerto Rico, where more than 1.3 million homes and businesses are without electricity. Utility officials attribute the outage to a failure in an underground power line and estimate that full restoration may take up to two days.

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6. Conservation Victory: Wyoming Parcel Sold to Grand Teton National Park

Environmental conservation takes center stage as a parcel of land in Wyoming is sold to Grand Teton National Park, effectively halting its potential development.

Details of the Sale: Chris Clements from Wyoming Public Radio details the transaction: "Wyoming's Republican governor Mark Gordon, certified the sale of the Kelly parcel in northwest Wyoming just before a critical fundraising deadline" (03:50). The $100 million sale aims to prevent the land's subdivision, a prospect that had previously sparked bipartisan outrage.

Ecological Impact: Jared Becker of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition underscores the environmental significance: "One square mile of land has significant implications on the ecology, particularly for big game species migrating through this area" (04:19).

Funding for Education: The proceeds from the sale will be allocated to fund Wyoming public schools, ensuring that the financial benefit extends to the community (04:29).

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7. Presidential Gesture: Donald Trump to Attend Jimmy Carter's Funeral

Concluding the episode, Nora Rahm shares that President Elect Donald Trump plans to attend the funeral of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who passed away at the age of 100. The service is scheduled for January 9th at the National Cathedral in Washington.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of significant events ranging from local tragedies and political shifts to international conflicts and conservation efforts. By incorporating firsthand accounts, expert analyses, and notable quotes, the summary offers a clear understanding of the day's crucial developments.

Transcript

[Carvana Representative]

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[Nora Rahm]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. The FBI is investigating a deadly incident in New Orleans early this morning. Police say at least 10 people were killed and more than 30 injured after a pickup truck drove through a crowd on Bourbon Street. The Gulf States 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 we're 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]

The 119th Congress convenes Friday and the new year could see a new House Speaker. Mike Johnson is running to keep his position, but NPR's Windsor Johnson reports he may not have enough support.

[Windsor Johnson]

Many House Republicans are concerned about keeping the majority for the second half of Donald Trump's term in office, and some have said that Speaker Johnson is not up for that task. Republican Congressman Chip Roy says Johnson doesn't have enough support in the lead up to Friday's vote.

[Chip Roy]

We need to have the conference get together so we can get united. There are a lot of great members of Congress. Mike's a friend and maybe he can answer the call and he can deliver an agenda and a plan. Byron, Donald is a good man and a good friend. I nominated him two years ago.

[Windsor Johnson]

President Elect Donald Trump says John has his complete and total endorsement. The Louisiana Republican needs 218 votes to retain the speakership. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Rahm]

The flow of Russian gas to Europe via pipelines running through Ukraine ended early this morning. Ukraine refused to renew its agreement to allow the shipments because of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. Russia launched a New Year's Day drone attack on Ukraine today, striking a residential area of the capital, Kyiv. NPR's Brian Mann reports.

[Brian Mann]

Well, this is what it sounded like just before dawn as air defenses began to fire here in Kyiv. Military officials say Russia targeted the city with drones packed with explosives. One civilian was killed, six others injured, and the attack set an apartment Building on Fire.

[Nora Rahm]

NPR's Brian Mann in Kyiv. In South Korea, funerals are being planned now that Authorities identified all 179 people who died in a plane crash Sunday. Only two people survived the crash. This is NPR News in Washington. Utility officials in Puerto Rico say it may take two days before electricity is restored to everyone on the island. More than 1.3 million homes and businesses lost power early yesterday. Officials say it appears the outage was caused by a failure in an underground power line. A parcel of land in Wyoming has been sold to Grand Teton National Park. This caps months of negotiations between state and federal officials to merge the land with the park to stop it from being developed. Wyoming Public Radio's Chris Clements reports.

[Chris Clements]

Wyoming's Republican governor Mark Gordon, certified the sale of the Kelly parcel in northwest Wyoming just before a critical fundraising deadline. Lawmakers approved the $100 million sale to keep it from being subdivid, a prospect that had sparked outrage across political lines. The land is surrounded by sawtooth mountain ranges and speckled by sagebrush. This past summer, Jared Becker with the nonprofit Greater Yellowstone Coalition talked about the significance of the sale.

[Jared Becker]

One square mile of land has significant implications on the ecology, particularly for big game species migrating through this area.

[Chris Clements]

The proceeds will be used to fund Wyoming public schools. For NPR News, I'm Chris Clements.

[Nora Rahm]

And Laramie President elect Donald Trump says he plans to attend next week's funeral for Jimmy Carter. The 39th president died Sunday at the age of 100. The funeral is scheduled for January 9th at the National Cathedral in Washington. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News.

[Carvana Representative]

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