NPR News: 01-02-2025 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – Episode Summary: January 2, 2025, 9 PM EST

Released on January 3, 2025

In this episode of NPR News Now, listeners are briefed on a series of significant events unfolding across the United States. From tragic incidents involving veterans to pivotal political maneuvers ahead of critical elections, the episode offers a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing news.

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Tragic Incidents Involving Veterans

Las Vegas Explosion Tied to Decorated Green Beret

The episode opens with a somber report on a deadly explosion in Las Vegas. Jack Spear informs listeners that law enforcement officials have identified the suspect as Matthew Allen Livelsberger, a highly decorated Green Beret soldier. Livelsberger, who had recently been on leave from his Special Forces unit in Germany, reportedly shot himself before the truck explosion occurred.

Jay Price provides further details, stating, "Police say guns were found in the truck and that the driver... had a bullet wound to the head" ([00:37]). Livelsberger's military accolades are notable, including the Bronze Star for valor, and he had deployed to Afghanistan five times. Despite similarities to another recent attack, authorities have found no link between Livelsberger's actions and the incident in New Orleans.

New Orleans Rampage Linked to ISIS Inspiration

In a related and equally tragic report, Jack Spear covers the deadly rampage on New Year's Day in New Orleans. FBI Assistant Director Christopher Rea confirmed that Shamsuddin Jabbar, a 42-year-old former soldier, acted alone in the attack. Captured on video planting explosives, Jabbar drove a pickup truck into a crowd in the French Quarter, resulting in 14 fatalities before being fatally shot by police. Rea described the act as "100% inspired by ISIS" ([01:24]), underscoring the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism influenced by international extremist groups.

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Political Developments Ahead of House Elections

House Speaker Mike Johnson Seeks Stability Amidst Tensions

Shifting focus to the political landscape, Jack Spear reports on House Speaker Mike Johnson's efforts to secure the necessary votes to maintain his position amidst a tumultuous House environment. Despite facing skepticism from the far-right Freedom Caucus and criticism from prominent figures like President-Elect Donald Trump over a bipartisan government funding deal, Johnson remains optimistic. Quoting Johnson, "People are talking through process changes they want and those kinds of things, and I'm open to that. And I think tomorrow's going to go well" ([02:05]).

As the House election looms, Johnson's ability to navigate internal party dynamics will be crucial in determining his tenure as Speaker.

Donald Trump's Inauguration Rally Plans

Looking ahead to the inauguration, Danielle Kurtzleben details Donald Trump's plans for a victory rally scheduled for January 19th at Washington, DC's Capital One Arena. This event mirrors historical precedents set by previous presidents-elect, such as Barack Obama's 2008 Mall concert and Trump's own 2016 rally featuring artists like 3 Doors Down and Toby Keith. Scheduled on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the rally signifies Trump's intent to energize his base ahead of his inauguration on January 20th ([02:35]).

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Legal and Environmental News

Gracie Mansion Break-In Case

In New York, a peculiar incident occurred when a 20-year-old individual broke into Gracie Mansion, allegedly to steal a Christmas ornament. Jack Spear reports that the individual was apprehended by Mayor Eric Adams' security team early in the morning after being discovered in an upstairs bath, with a spokesperson confirming that the mayor was not present during the incident ([03:16]).

Controversy Over Barred Owls in the Pacific Northwest

Environmental tensions rise as animal rights groups initiate lawsuits against a federal plan aimed at exterminating up to 450,000 invasive barred owls in the Pacific Northwest. Nate Hedgey explains that this measure is intended to protect the northern spotted owl, a threatened species. Joe Liebezeit of the Bird Alliance of Oregon supports the plan, stating, "You got this bigger rough and tumble owl coming in and easily evicts the northern spotted owl from its territory" ([04:01]). Conversely, Wayne Pacelli from Animal Wellness Action criticizes the approach, labeling it "an unprecedented assault on a North American native owl" ([04:21]). The government is anticipated to respond to these lawsuits later in the month ([04:29]).

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Cultural Updates

Danish Swedish Farm Dog Gains Recognition

In lighter news, Jack Spear announces that the American Kennel Club (AKC) has officially added the Danish Swedish farm dog to its roster of recognized breeds. This inclusion allows the spirited and agile dogs to compete for various AKC trophies, though enthusiasts hope to maintain the breed's popularity at a controlled pace ([04:34]). This development highlights the evolving landscape of dog competitions and breed recognition within the United States.

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Closing Notes

The episode concludes with a brief promotional segment from Mint Mobile, offering premium wireless services starting at $15 a month. However, as per the guidelines, this and other non-content segments were excluded from the summary.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a range of critical news stories, from national security concerns and political strategies to environmental conservation efforts and cultural recognitions. Through detailed reporting and insightful commentary, the episode provides listeners with a thorough understanding of the day's most impactful events.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Law enforcement officials say the decorated Green Beret soldier suspected in the Las Vegas Tesla truck explos shot himself to death just before the blast. Jay Price of member station WNC has more.

[Jay Price]

Police say guns were found in the truck and that the driver, believed to be Matthew Allen Livelsberger, had a bullet wound to the head. According to the U.S. army, Livelsberger was on leave from his special Forces unit in Germany. He'd been awarded more than a dozen medals, including the Bronze Star for valor. And a Pentagon official says he had deployed to Afghanistan five times. Livelsberger did at least some training at Fort Liberty in North Carolina called Fort Bragg. The explosion in Las Vegas came just hours after a former soldier plowed a pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans, killing 14 people. He also had been a soldier on the base in North Carolina, but authorities say so far they've found no link between the two men. For NPR News, I'm Jay Price in Durham.

[Jack Spear]

FBI officials now say it appears the man responsible for that deadly rampage on New Year's Day and New Orleans was acting alone. FBI Counterterrorism Division Assistant Director Christopher Rea sent a 42 year old. Shamsuddin Jabbar was captured on video planting explosives in coolers. He then drove the pickup truck into the crowd in the French quarter, killing 14 people before being shot and killed by police. Rea called it an act of terrorism, quote, 100% inspired by ISIS. House Speaker Mike Johnson spent part of today meeting with Republicans on Capitol Hill looking to lock down the votes he needs to hold onto the speaker's gavel. That's. As the House election looms, however, Johnson appears upbeat.

[Mike Johnson]

People are talking through process changes they want and those kinds of things, and I'm open to that. And I think tomorrow's going to go well.

[Jack Spear]

Some members of the far right Freedom Caucus have been expressing doubts about supporting the Louisiana Republican. In recent weeks, Johnson angered some Republicans, including President Elect Donald Trump, over a bipartisan deal to keep the government operating in a failure to raise the debt ceiling. President Elect Trump's inauguration plans are taking shape, will include what's being called a victory rally on January 19th. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports on what to expect.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

The rally will be held in the afternoon the day before inauguration at Washington, DC's Capital One Arena. The arena is home to the NHL's Washington Capitals and the NBA's Washington Wizards. It's now typical for presidents elect to hold special events ahead of Inauguration Day. Obama held a massive concert and rally on the Mall in 2008. In 2016, Trump also held a concert on the Mall featuring rock band 3 Doors down and country singer Toby Keith. In 2020, amid Covid, Joe Biden held a shorter, more somber event on the Mall billed as a Covid remembrance ceremony. Inauguration Day will be Monday, January 20th, which is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

This is NPR. A 20 year old who broke into Gracie Mansion in New York and allegedly stole a Christmas ornament was due to be arraigned today. Police say the man was apprehended by the mayor's security detail in the early morning hours after being found in an upstairs bath. A spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams says the mayor was not home at the time of the pre dawn incident. Animal rights groups are suing to stop the killing of up to 40 or 450,000 invasive barred owls in the Pacific Northwest. As Nate Hedgey of New Hampshire Public Radio explains, it's part of a federal plan to save their smaller, threatened cousin, the northern spotted owl.

[Nate Hedgey]

Barred owls are originally from the eastern woodlands of the US but climate change and other factors have allowed them to expand their range across the country.

[Joe Liebezeit]

You got this bigger rough and tumble owl coming in and easily evicts the northern spotted owl from its territory.

[Nate Hedgey]

Joe Liebezeit is with a nonprofit conservation group, Bird alliance of Oregon. His group has lent support to the plan, but others sued this past fall to stop it. Wayne Pacelli is with a nonprofit, Animal Wellness Action.

[Wayne Pacelli]

We're going to unleash an unprecedented assault on a North American native owl, and we shouldn't do it.

[Nate Hedgey]

The government is expected to issue a response to the lawsuits this month. For NPR News, I'm Nate Hedgey.

[Jack Spear]

Add a new name to the list of dogs eligible for Best in Show, the American Kennel Club announcing today it will add the Danish Swedish farm dog to its list of recognized breeds. That means the small, sprightly dogs will also be able to compete for a variety of AKC trophies. Fans of the breed say they're happy, though they don't want the breed's popularity to grow too quickly. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

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