NPR News: 01-03-2025 10PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now Summary

Episode: NPR News: 01-03-2025 10PM EST
Release Date: January 4, 2025
Host: Jack Spear
Reporter: Claudio Grosales
Source: NPR

---

1. Republican Senate Elects New Majority Leader

The Republican-controlled Senate has appointed its first new party leader in nearly two decades. Senator John Thune of South Dakota received overwhelming support from his GOP colleagues, marking a significant shift in Senate leadership.

• Jack Spear reported from Washington, highlighting that "Congress began a new term today, the first step in shifting full control in Washington to the GOP in the Senate."

• Claudio Grosales added, "John Thune is the GOP's first new leader in the upper chamber since 2007." Thune, formerly the Senate Republican whip, is viewed as a moderating voice within the party. Despite previous disagreements with President-elect Donald Trump, Thune endorsed Trump towards the end of the presidential race and is now emerging as a key ally to the incoming administration.

  "Thune is considered a moderating voice in the party and has been on the other side of debates from President elect Donald Trump numerous times."
  — Claudio Grosales [00:34]

---

2. Tragic Incident in Las Vegas Involving Decorated Soldier

A tragic event unfolded in Las Vegas as Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old decorated soldier, took his own life inside a heavily modified Tesla Cybertruck loaded with fireworks and fuel outside the Trump Las Vegas Hotel.

• Jack Spear reported, "Authorities are learning more about the highly decorated soldier who shot himself in the head inside a fireworks and fuel packed Tesla Cybertruck."

• Claudio Grosales noted, "Livelsberger was apparently trying to send a message." The suspect left writings indicating his motives:

  "This was not a terrorist attack. It was a wake up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives."
  — Matthew Livelsberger [01:39]

• Las Vegas Assistant Sheriff Dorie Corn provided additional insights:

  "Authorities say Livelsberger shot himself shortly before the vehicle exploded, bursting into flames, causing seven people in the immediate area to suffer minor injuries."
  — Las Vegas Assistant Sheriff Dorie Corn [01:52]

---

3. Booz Allen Hamilton Settles Fraud Allegations for $16 Million

Defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton has agreed to pay the federal government nearly $16 million to settle fraud allegations. The company is accused of illegally obtaining information to secure Defense Department contracts.

• Jack Spear introduced the story, stating, "Defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton will pay the federal government nearly $16 million to settle fraud allegations."

• Claudio Grosales detailed the case with insights from Paul Flav of Texas Public Radio:

  "Prosecutors said Booz Allen used civilian government contractors to obtain confidential bidding and competitor proposal information to rig the bid in their favor for a flight simulator contract in 2023."
  — Paul Flav [02:10]

  Additionally, Kevin Seguin, a San Antonio-based Air Force contractor, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for taking bribes to influence $100 million in contracts over a decade. At least three others, including two Booz Allen Engineering Services program managers, have been held criminally responsible.

  "The mega defense contractor admitted no legal liability in this settlement. It's at least the second settlement over False Claims Act's violations for the company that agreed to pay nearly $400 million to the government in 2023."
  — Paul Flav [02:37]

---

4. Severe Icy Winter Forecast for Northeast and Mid Atlantic

Meteorologists are forecasting a significant snow and ice storm, accompanied by frigid temperatures, set to impact the Northeast and Mid Atlantic regions over the weekend into early next week. The storm may extend as far south as Florida, with snow beginning to fall in some areas by tomorrow.

• Jack Spear reported, "The Northeast and Mid Atlantic regions are bracing for what's expected to be an icy winter blast over the weekend into early next week."

• Claudio Grosales added details on the potential geographic spread:

  "Meteorologists are forecasting a snow and ice storm to be followed by frigid temperatures, potentially reaching as far south as Florida. Snow could begin falling in some spots tomorrow."
  — Claudio Grosales [02:58]

• On economic news, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a significant increase, rising 339 points amidst the weather concerns.

  "On Wall Street, the dow is up 339 points."
  — Jack Spear [03:02]

---

5. Surgeon General Issues Warning on Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risks

The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a new warning highlighting alcohol consumption as a leading preventable cause of cancer, linking it to approximately 20,000 cancer deaths annually.

• Jack Spear introduced the topic: "Alcohol consumption is a leading preventable cause of cancer, linked to about 20,000 cancer deaths per year."

• Claudio Grosales reported on the Surgeon General's insights:

  "That's according to a new warning from the U.S. Surgeon General."
  — Claudio Grosales [03:24]

• Alison Aubrey elaborated on the findings:

  "More than two-thirds of adults in the US report having at least one drink or more per week. But Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says what many don't realize is that alcohol can increase the risk of breast and colorectal cancer, as well as cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and liver."
  — Alison Aubrey [03:28]

• Surgeon General Vivek Murthy emphasized the growing certainty in scientific research:

  "The science has been building for years, creating greater and greater certainty about more and more types of cancer."
  — Vivek Murthy [03:47]

• Current U.S. guidelines recommend no more than one drink a day for women and two for men, though ongoing reviews may lead to stricter guidelines.

  "The precise amount of alcohol that may increase a person's risk is not clear. It's linked to a range of factors, including genetics and family history. Current US Guidelines recommend no more than one drink a day for women, two for men."
  — Alison Aubrey [03:53]

---

6. President Biden Blocks Nippon Steel’s Acquisition of U.S. Steel

President Joe Biden has blocked Nippon Steel's nearly $15 billion acquisition of the historic American steelmaker, U.S. Steel. This decision underscores the administration's commitment to maintaining national control over significant industries.

• Jack Spear reported, "President Biden has blocked Nippon Steel's nearly $15 billion acquisition of storied U.S. Steel."

  "Biden in a statement today saying, 'We need major US Companies representing the major share of US steelmaking capacity to keep leading the fight on behalf of America's national interests.'"
  — Jack Spear [04:15]

• Claudio Grosales added context regarding the regulatory process:

  "Biden's decision comes after the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US spent months reviewing potential security risks but could not reach consensus on the deal."
  — Claudio Grosales [04:25]

• Nippon Steel, the world's fourth-largest steelmaker, has longstanding ties with U.S. Steel, a company with roots dating back to the late 19th century. U.S. Steel's materials have been integral to constructing infrastructure such as bridges, skyscrapers, tanks, and battleships.

  "US Steel traces its origins to the late 19th century, and its materials have been used in everything from bridges and skyscrapers to tanks and battleships."
  — Claudio Grosales [04:39]

---

This comprehensive update from NPR News Now provides listeners with the latest developments in U.S. politics, significant national incidents, corporate legal matters, weather forecasts, public health warnings, and major economic decisions.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from Noom. Using psychology and biology to build personal meal plans to fit your lifestyle, taking into account dietary restrictions, medical issues and other personal needs. Sign up for your trial [e-mail] live from NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The newly Republican controlled Senate has elected its first new party leader in nearly 20 years.

[Claudio Grosales]

NPR's Claudio Grosales reports that South Dakota.

[Jack Spear]

GOP Senator John Thune was overwhelmingly supported by his colleagues.

[NPR Reporter]

Congress began a new term today, the first step in shifting full control in Washington to the GOP in the Senate. Newly elected Majority Leader John Thune is the GOP's first new leader in the upper chamber since 2007. That year, his predecessor, Mitch McConnell, took over as Republican leader, stepping down from that role this year. Thune, the former longtime Senate Republican whip, is considered a moderating voice in the party and has been on the other side of debates from President elect Donald Trump numerous times. However, Thune endorsed Trump late in the presidential race last year and has become a growing ally to the incoming president. Claude Grizales, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Authorities are learning more about the highly decorated soldier who shot himself in the head inside a fireworks and fuel packed Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Las Vegas Hotel.

[Claudio Grosales]

37 year old Matthew Livelsberger was apparently trying to send a message. Las Vegas Assistant Sheriff Dorie Corn reading.

[Jack Spear]

Some of the writings left behind by the suspects.

[Matthew Livelsberger]

This was not a terrorist attack. It was a wake up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives.

[Claudio Grosales]

Authorities say Livelsberger shot himself shortly before.

[Jack Spear]

The vehicle exploded, bursting into flames.

[Claudio Grosales]

Seven people in the immediate area suffered minor injuries.

[Jack Spear]

Defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton will pay the federal government nearly $16 million to.

[Claudio Grosales]

Settle fraud allegations the company allegedly used.

[Jack Spear]

Illegally obtained information to secure Defense Department contracts.

[Claudio Grosales]

Texas Public Radio's Paul Flav reports.

[Paul Flav]

Prosecutors said Booz Allen used civilian government contractors to obtain confidential bidding and competitor proposal information to rig the bid in their favor for a flight simulator contract in 2023. A San Antonio based Air Force contractor, Kevin Seguin, was sentenced to 15 years in prison over the scheme. He took bribes to influence $100 million in contracts over 10 years, said investigators. At least three others have been found criminally responsible for the fraud, including two Booz Allen Engineering Services program managers. The mega defense contractor admitted no legal liability in this settlement. It's at least the second settlement over False Claims Act's violations for the company that agreed to pay nearly $400 million to the government in 2023. I'm Paul Flav in San Antonio.

[Jack Spear]

The Northeast and Mid Atlantic regions are bracing for what's expected to be an icy winter blast over the weekend into early next week.

[Claudio Grosales]

Meteorologists forecasting a snow and ice storm to be followed by frigid temperatures.

[Jack Spear]

This hacked at the two thirds of.

[Claudio Grosales]

The country, perhaps reaching as far south as Florida. Snow could begin falling in some spots tomorrow. On Wall street, the dow is up 339 points.

[Jack Spear]

This is NPR. Alcohol consumption is a leading preventable cause of cancer, linked to about 20,000 cancer deaths per year.

[Claudio Grosales]

That's according to a new warning from the U.S. surgeon General. NPR's Alison Arby reports.

[Jack Spear]

The warning comes as scientists weigh changes to current guidelines.

[Alison Aubrey]

More than two thirds of adults in the US Report having at least one drink or more per week. But Surgeon General Vivek Moorthy says what many don't realize is that alcohol can increase the risk of breast and colorectal cancer, as well as cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus and liver.

[Vivek Murthy]

The science has been building for years, creating greater and greater certainty about more and more types of cancer.

[Alison Aubrey]

The precise amount of alcohol that may increase a person's risk is not clear. It's linked to a range of factors, including genetics and family history. Current US Guidelines recommend no more than one drink a day for women, two for men. A review of the evidence underway now could lead to revisions later this year. Alison Aubrey, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

President Biden has blocked Nippon Steel's nearly $15 billion acquisition of storied U.S. steel. Biden in a statement today saying, quote, we need major US Companies representing the.

[Claudio Grosales]

Major share of US Steelmaking capacity to.

[Jack Spear]

Keep leading the fight on behalf of America's national interests.

[Claudio Grosales]

Biden's decision comes after the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US Spent months reviewing potential security risks but could not.

[Jack Spear]

Reach consensus on the deal.

[Claudio Grosales]

Nippon is the world's fourth largest steelmaker. US Steel traces its origins to the late 19th century, and its materials have been used in everything from bridges and.

[Jack Spear]

Skyscrapers to tanks and battleships. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

[Mint Mobile Sponsor]

This message comes from Mint Mobile. From the gas pump to the grocery store, inflation is everywhere. So Mint Mobile is offering premium wireless starting at just $15 a month. To get your new phone plan for just $15, go to mintmobile.com switch.