NPR News: 01-02-2025 3PM EST

Summary

Podcast Summary: NPR News Now – January 2, 2025

Release Date: January 2, 2025
Host: Louise Schiavone (NPR)

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1. Tragic Truck Attack in New Orleans and Cybertruck Explosion in Las Vegas

Louise Schiavone opens the episode with breaking news from Washington:

"Bourbon Street in New Orleans is now open, and the FBI today is saying they now believe that the driver in the truck attack that left 14 people dead early New Year's morning acted alone."
(00:25)

The FBI has identified the perpetrator as 42-year-old American Bor Shamshuddin Jabbar from Houston, who was killed in a shootout with police. In a separate incident hours later, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded in front of a Trump hotel in Las Vegas. The driver, 37-year-old Matthew Allen Leibelsberger, was severely burned and could not be positively identified:

"Police still don't have 100% confirmation because he was burned beyond recognition in that blast."
(01:27)

Further complicating matters, authorities found:

"One of the handguns was found at his feet inside of the vehicle."
(01:28)
And: "We also discovered through the coroner's office that the individual had sustained a gunshot wound to the head prior to the detonation of the vehicle."
(01:11)

At this time, the FBI asserts there is no definitive link between the two incidents.

2. Sugar Bowl Security Measures Amidst Recent Attacks

As New Orleans prepares to host the Sugar Bowl, security concerns are paramount:

"Officials said they'd postpone the game to beef up security."
(01:33)

Kat Stromquist from the Gulf States Newsroom reports that the playoff quarterfinal between Georgia and Notre Dame has attracted thousands of college football fans to the city. Gary Thigpen, a passionate Georgia fan, shares his determination:

"Nobody's promised tomorrow, but when it's your time, it's your time. So I'm not going to hide, you know, because it's happened. I'll still go to the game."
(01:59)

Looking ahead, New Orleans is also set to host the Super Bowl next month, highlighting the city's significant role in major sporting events.

3. President Biden Honors Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson with Presidential Citizens Medal

Louise Schiavone transitions to national honors:

"President Biden awards the Presidential Citizens Medal today to former Congresswoman Liz Cheney and Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson."
(02:17)

Tamara Keith provides context on this prestigious award:

"The Presidential Citizens Medal honors Americans who've performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens."
(02:34)

Cheney and Thompson are recognized for:

• Leading the congressional committee that investigated the January 6th attack on the US Capitol.

Despite President Elect Trump's criticism and accusations against them, Biden's decision underscores their significant contributions. Additionally, Biden will honor several civil rights leaders and advocates, totaling 20 recipients of the medal.

4. Wall Street Sees Significant Declines

Economic updates show a downturn in the stock market:

"On Wall Street, at last check, the Dow is off 217 points, the NASDAQ off 95."
(03:15)

5. Arrest Made at New York City Mayor's Residence

In New York City, a security incident occurred at the mayor's official residence:

"A 20-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of New Year's Day at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams."
(03:15)

The detainee was charged with attempted burglary, though the Mayor was not present during the incident.

6. Introduction of the Danish Swedish Farm Dog to the AKC

Eva Pukac reports on a new addition to the American Kennel Club's recognized breeds:

"The Danish Swedish farm dog is a small, compact, lively, smooth-coated working dog initially known for hunting rodents and herding livestock."
(03:52)

Key points about the breed:

• Recognized by Denmark and Sweden in 1987.
• Eligible to compete for best in show at the National Dog Show and the AKC National Championship this year.
• Will compete at the Westminster Dog Show next year.

The American Kennel Club now recognizes 202 dog breeds.

7. Severe Cold Weather Forecasted for the Eastern United States

Looking ahead to the weather, Louise Schiavone warns of impending cold fronts:

"Dangerously cold weather is moving into the eastern United States over the coming days, creating lake effect precipitation in the northeastern states."
(04:35)

Forecast highlights:

• Up to a couple of feet of heavy snow could fall in upstate New York by the weekend.
• A wave of arctic air will bring freezing or sub-freezing temperatures from the Plains states to the Midwest and the East Coast.
• Both northern and southern states will experience significant temperature drops.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and updates from the January 2, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a detailed overview of the day's most pressing news.

Transcript

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[Louise Schiavone]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. Bourbon street in New Orleans is now open and the FBI today is saying they now believe that the driver in the truck attack that left 14 people dead early New Year's morning acted alone. 42 year old American board Shamshuddin Jabbar of Houston was killed in a shootout with police. The FBI is saying there appears to be no definitive link between yesterday's attack in New Orleans and the Tesla cybertruck that exploded in front of a Trump hotel in Las Vegas hours later. Authorities say the driver of The Cybertruck was 37 year old Matthew Allen Leibelsberger. In a news briefing in Las Vegas this afternoon, Sheriff Kevin McMahill said that police still don't have 100% confirmation because he was burned beyond recognition in that blast.

[Unknown Speaker 3]

Now, further complicating this identification of this individual, we also discovered through the coroner's office that the individual had sustained a gunshot wound to the head prior to the detonation of the vehicle.

[Louise Schiavone]

And now New Orleans.

[Unknown Speaker 3]

One of the handguns was found at his feet inside of the vehicle.

[Louise Schiavone]

And now New Orleans is gearing up to host the Sugar bowl today. The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist has details.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

Officials said they'd postpone the game to beef up security. And while police investigated the attack, the playoff quarterfinal between Georgia and Notre Dame had drawn thousands of college football fans to the city. Gary Thigpen, a Georgia fan, says he's long worried about something like this happening at the games he loves. But he says the New Orleans attack won't stop him from attending the Bowl.

[Gary Thigpen]

Nobody's promised tomorrow, but when it's your time, it's your time. So I'm not going to hide, you know, because it's happened. I'll still go to the game.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

In addition to the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans is set to host the super bowl next month. For NPR News, I'm Kat Stromquist in New Orleans.

[Louise Schiavone]

President Biden awards the Presidential Citizens Medal today to former Congresswoman Liz Cheney and Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson. NPR's Tamara Keith reports. They led the congressional committee that investigated the January 6th attack on the US Capitol.

[Tamara Keith]

The presidential Citizens Medal honors Americans who've performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens. It is among the highest civilian honors a president can bestow, and awarding it to Cheney and Thompson sends a signal. President Elect Trump has criticized the pair, repeatedly, falsely accusing them of breaking the law with their investigation into his actions. On and around January 6, Biden is also set to award the medal to several civil rights leaders and advocates who worked on issues he championed in his career, among others. In all, he will award the citizens medal to 20 people. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Louise Schiavone]

On Wall street, at last check, the dow is off 217 points, the NASDAQ off 95. This is NPR News. In New York City, officials say a 20 year old man was arrested in the early hours of New Year's Day at Gracie Mans, the official residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The mayor was not there at the time. Adams security detail arrested the man who was charged with attempted burglary. There's a new dog breed joining the official lineup recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Danish Swedish farm dog. NPR's Eva Pukac reports.

[Eva Pukac]

The Danish Swedish farm dog is a small, compact, lively, smooth coated working dog initially known for hunting rodents and herding livestock. The American Kennel Club says it also sometimes appeared in circuses as the clown's playmate. Denmark and Sweden recognized the breed in 1987. This year, the Danish Swedish farm dog will be eligible to compete for best in show trophies at the National Dog show and the American Kennel Club National Championship. And next year, it'll be eligible to compete at the most well known show of them all, the Westminster Dog Show. The American Kennel Club now recognizes 202 breeds. Eva Pukac, NPR News.

[Louise Schiavone]

Dangerously cold weather is moving into the eastern United States over the coming days, creating lake effect precipitation in the northeastern states. A couple of feet of heavy snow could fall in upstate New York by the weekend. A wave of arctic air is expected to put much of the US in freezing or sub freezing temperatures from the Plains states to the Midwest to the east coast and in both northern and southern states. I'm Luis Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

[Unknown Speaker 4]

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