NPR News: 01-02-2025 8AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 2, 2025, 8AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: January 2, 2025

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Tragic Truck Attack in New Orleans

At the outset of today's broadcast, Korva Coleman reports on the devastating attack in New Orleans where Shamsuit Dean Jabbar drove a truck into a crowd, resulting in the deaths of 15 people and injuries to 35 more. Jabbar, who was ultimately shot and killed by police, had a background that included over a decade of service in the U.S. military.

Lauren McGaughey from the Texas Newsroom provides further insight into Jabbar's history. "State records show Jabbar dabbled in real estate, starting a couple of businesses in Texas" (00:47). A deleted YouTube video revealed Jabbar's extremist views, where he stated, "take everything seriously, dotting I's and crossing t's to make sure that things go off without a hitch" (00:47). After his military service, Jabbar earned a degree in computer information systems from Georgia State University and worked at Deloitte. President Joe Biden commented, "Jabbar posted videos to social media in the hours before the attack, expressing a desire to kill on behalf of ISIS" (01:24).

FBI Investigates Explosive Devices in New Orleans and Las Vegas

The FBI has uncovered additional weapons and what appear to be explosive devices in Jabbar's truck in Austin, Texas, and in other locations across New Orleans. These devices have been rendered safe, and authorities are meticulously searching the Superdome, where the Sugar Bowl was scheduled to occur but has been postponed until the afternoon (01:24).

In a related incident, a Cybertruck exploded in front of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, resulting in the death of the driver. The vehicle contained gasoline canisters and mortar-style fireworks. Jeremy Schwartz, the FBI agent in charge, stated, "Our number one goal is to ensure that we have the proper identification of the subject involved in this incident. Following that, our second objective is to determine whether this was an act of terrorism or not. I know everybody's interested in that word and trying to see if we can say, hey, this is a terrorist attack. That is our goal and that's what we're trying to do" (02:05). Currently, there is no identified link between the Las Vegas explosion and the New Orleans attack.

President Elect Trump's Homelessness Policy Overhaul

In Washington, President Elect Donald Trump has announced plans to revamp the United States' approach to managing homelessness, emphasizing the banning of homeless encampments. Jennifer Ludden from NPR reports that Trump believes these bans will "help push people into treatment for drug addiction or mental problems" (02:42). This stance contrasts with existing federal efforts, which prioritize housing first before addressing underlying issues. Devin Kurtz of the conservative Cicero Institute criticizes this approach, stating, "It's housing, housing, housing, housing, housing. They don't want anything else. We just find that to be sort of foolish given the scale of unsheltered homelessness right now" (03:02). Advocates argue that the housing-first model has been effective, and coercing treatment has proven ineffective (03:11).

Mass Shooting in Queens, New York

New York City police are investigating a mass shooting that occurred last night outside a nightclub in Queens. Korva Coleman reports that 10 individuals, aged between 16 and 20, were injured when several men opened fire before fleeing the scene. Authorities have confirmed that the incident is not related to terrorism.

Historic Resignation of Dr. Rachel Levine

In a landmark moment, Dr. Rachel Levine, the first transgender U.S. official confirmed by the Senate and serving as Assistant Secretary for Health, announced her resignation effective On Inauguration Day. During an interview with Selena Simmons Duffin, Dr. Levine expressed pride in her office's accomplishments, including advancements in nutrition, climate change initiatives, and combating the HIV epidemic. She addressed the misuse of her image by the Trump campaign's anti-trans advertisements, stating, "It was very challenging, you know, but I'm a resilient person and I'm fine" (04:16). Dr. Levine also reflected on her personal journey: "For anyone, having a secret is not a healthy thing to do. And so transitioning and coming out and, you know, being my true authentic self has been liberating to me" (04:24). She concluded, "serving for nearly four years as a top health official in the Biden administration has been, quote, truly an honor" (04:34).

Severe Winter Storms Hit the Great Lakes and Beyond

The National Weather Service has issued warnings about significant snowfall expected in the Great Lakes region over the next few days. Parts of northern New York State could receive over two feet of snow. Additionally, winter storm watches and warnings are in effect from Washington state to Montana, with central Iowa also experiencing heavy snowfall this morning. Korva Coleman emphasizes the breadth of the storm system: "A winter storm is also pummeling central Iowa this morning" (04:44).

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Stay informed with NPR News Now for comprehensive coverage of the latest events.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Authorities are learning more about the man believed to have killed 15 people yesterday and wounded 35 more when he drove a truck into New Orleans crowds. Shamsuit Dean Jabbar was shot and killed by police. The Texas Newsroom's Lauren McGaughey reports. Jabbar spent more than a decade in the U.S. military.

[Lauren McGaughey]

State records show Jabbar dabbled in real estate, starting a couple of businesses in Texas. And in a now deleted video posted to YouTube, Jabbar said his time in the US army and reserves taught him to, quote, take everything seriously, dotting I's and crossing t's to make sure that things go off without a hitch. After the military, Jabbar attended Georgia State University and got a degree in computer information systems and more recently worked at Deloitte. Addressing the tragedy yesterday, President Joe Biden said Jabbar posted videos to social media in the hours before the attack, expressing a desire to kill on behalf of ISIS. Hi, I'm Lauren McGahey.

[Korva Coleman]

In Austin, Texas, the FBI says agents found more weapons and what seemed to be an explosive device in Jabbar's truck. Then authorities found more such devices in other parts of New Orleans. These have been rendered safe. Officers are also carefully searching the Superdome. That's where the Sugar bowl was supposed to be played yesterday. That game has been postponed until this afternoon. Separately, authorities in Las Vegas are trying to learn more about a cybertruck that exploded yesterday in front of the Trump Hotel. The driver was killed when gasoline canisters and mortar style fireworks exploded in the vehicle. Jeremy Schwartz is the FBI agent in charge and says officials have not identified the driver.

[Jeremy Schwartz]

Our number one goal is to ensure that we have the proper identification of the subject involved in this incident. Following that, our second objective is to determine whether this was an act of terrorism or not. I know everybody's interested in that word and trying to see if we can say, hey, this is a terrorist attack. That is our goal and that's what we're trying to do.

[Korva Coleman]

They also don't know if there is any evidence linking the incident in Las Vegas with the attack in New Orleans. President Elect Trump wants to overhaul how the United States manages record high homelessness. As NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports, Trump says he'll work with states to ban homeless encampments wherever possible.

[Jennifer Ludden]

Trump has said camping bans would help push people into treatment for drug addiction or mental problems. Billions in federal homelessness spending aims to get people into housing first, then help them deal with any other problems. But Devin Kurtz with the conservative Cicero Institute says that's led to a shortage of addiction and mental health programs.

[Devin Kurtz]

It's housing, housing, housing, housing, housing. They don't want anything else. We just find that to be sort of foolish given the scale of unsheltered homelessness right now.

[Jennifer Ludden]

Advocates for those who do not have a home of their own say the housing first approach has a proven track record and that forcing treatment does not work. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. New York City police are investigating a mass shooting that happened last night outside a nightclub in queens. Authorities say 10 people were injured by several men who opened fire on them and fled. The victims range in age between 16 and 20. There were no fatalities. Police say the shooting is not related to terrorism. The first transgender US Official to be confirmed by the Senate will resign on Inauguration Day. In an interview with NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin, Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine reflected on representing public health, the federal government and the transgender community.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

Levine says she's proud of the work her office has done on nutrition, climate change and the HIV epidemic. She also reacted to the fact that the Trump campaign's anti trans advertisements used her image.

[Dr. Rachel Levine]

It was very challenging, you know, but I'm a resilient person and I'm fine.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

And she reflected on what it has meant to live and work as a transgender woman.

[Dr. Rachel Levine]

For anyone, having a secret is not a healthy thing to do. And so transitioning and coming out and, you know, being my true authentic self has been liberating to me.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

She says serving for nearly four years as a top health official in the Biden administration has been, quote, truly an honor. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

The National Weather Service says lots of snow is coming to the Great Lakes region over the next few days. Parts of northern New York state could get more than two feet of snow. There are also winter storm watches and warnings posted from Washington state to Montana. A winter storm is also pummeling central Iowa this morning. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

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