NPR News: 01-03-2025 5AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 3, 2025, 5 AM EST

Hosted by NPR, this edition of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments shaping our world. From tragic events and political shifts to cultural milestones and notable passings, here are the key stories covered in today’s episode.

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1. Reopening of Bourbon Street After Deadly Truck Attack

Timestamp: [00:17]

Kristen Wright reports from New Orleans on the reopening of Bourbon Street following a tragic truck attack on New Year’s Day. The incident, perpetrated by a Texas man who drove his pickup truck into crowds, resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals and numerous injuries. The suspect, a U.S. Army veteran, was ultimately killed by police.

Key Developments:

• Security Enhancements: In response to the attack, authorities have stationed additional police throughout the historic French Quarter to ensure heightened security.
• Community Response: Despite the somber circumstances, local bars and clubs have resumed live music performances, and tourism is beginning to rebound.

Notable Quote:

Melvin Jackson Jr.: "Still devastating. It's like it's still surreal to have terrorism happen here in little old New Orleans." [01:04]

Jackson, a New Orleans native, expressed his profound sorrow, highlighting the community's ongoing struggle to cope with the tragedy.

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2. Congressional Shift to Republican Control and House Speaker Race

Timestamp: [01:20]

As Congress enters a new term, power officially shifts to the Republican Party. Kristen Wright outlines the immediate focus: the House's upcoming vote to elect a new Speaker. NPR's Claudia Grisales delves into the dynamics of this crucial election.

Key Points:

• Senate Leadership: South Dakota Republican John Thune is set to assume the role of Senate Majority Leader, signaling a smooth transition on that front.
• House Speaker Challenge: In contrast, the House faces uncertainty. Speaker Mike Johnson holds the endorsement of President-elect Donald Trump but requires near-unanimous support from his party to secure the position.
• Potential Impasse: With Democrats expected to oppose the Speaker, Johnson's leadership is precarious. Any defections within the Republican ranks could prolong the vote, reminiscent of Kevin McCarthy's 15-ballot ordeal.

Notable Insight:

Claudia Grisales: "Even a few defections could cost him the gavel." [01:39]

Grisales emphasizes the fragility of Johnson's position, highlighting the internal divisions that could impact the Speaker election process.

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3. Blocked Arrest Warrant for South Korean Former President Yoon Sung Yeol

Timestamp: [02:25]

In South Korea, authorities attempted to execute an arrest warrant for the impeached former president Yoon Sung Yeol. However, Yoon's security detail intervened, leading to a six-hour standoff that prevented the arrest.

Context:

• Martial Law Efforts: Last month, Yoon attempted to impose martial law, raising suspicions and prompting the legal actions leading to the arrest warrant.
• Ongoing Investigations: Authorities are probing the motives behind a recent plane crash into a warehouse in Southern California, which resulted in two fatalities.

Notable Quote:

Fullerton Fire Sergeant Ryan O'Neill: "There was an active fire. When the Fullerton Police Department and fire department arrived on scene, there were people inside of that building." [02:54]

Sergeant O'Neill provides a firsthand account of the chaotic scene following the plane crash, underscoring the severity of the incident.

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4. Southern California Plane Crash Investigation

Timestamp: [02:25 - 03:06]

Investigators are examining the cause behind a small plane's crash into a warehouse in Fullerton, Southern California, which resulted in two deaths and injuries to approximately 20 individuals.

Details:

• Crash Dynamics: According to Fire Sergeant Ryan O'Neill, the plane crashed just minutes after taking off from a municipal airport, striking a commercial building and igniting a fire.
• Emergency Response: Rapid response from the Fullerton Police Department and fire services was crucial in managing the aftermath and assisting those affected.

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5. Broadway’s "Wicked" Breaks Attendance Records

Timestamp: [03:06 - 04:11]

NPR’s Bob Mondello reports on the phenomenal success of the Broadway musical "Wicked." Now in its 21st year, the show has surpassed previous attendance milestones, buoyed by the popularity of its recent cinematic release.

Highlights:

• Revenue Milestones: "Wicked" has joined an elite group of Broadway shows by earning over $4 million in a single week, alongside "Hamilton" and "The Lion King."
• Record-Breaking Week: This year, the musical made history by becoming the first Broadway show to generate $5 million in a single week, thanks to a nine-performance schedule and dynamic pricing strategies.
• Ticket Pricing: Premium seating and adaptive pricing have driven the average ticket price to an impressive $290.

Notable Quote:

Bob Mondello: "I am defying gravity with premium seating and dynamic pricing." [03:28]

Mondello underscores the innovative strategies that have propelled "Wicked" to new financial heights.

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6. Passing of Wayne Osmond of the Osmond Brothers

Timestamp: [04:11 - 04:56]

Kristen Wright announces the passing of Wayne Osmond, a foundational member of the beloved Osmond family musical group, who died at the age of 73 due to a stroke.

Career Highlights:

• Pioneering Family Music: Wayne Osmond was instrumental in establishing the Osmonds' success during the 1970s with hits like "One," "Bad Apple," and "Love Me for a Reason."
• Early Beginnings: As a singer and guitarist, Wayne performed alongside his brothers in a barbershop quartet before achieving mainstream fame.
• Legacy: The Osmonds were trailblazers in the family music genre, often compared to the Jackson 5 for their harmonious performances and widespread appeal.

Notable Moment:

Wayne Osmond: "Yeah, yeah." [04:16]

This brief exchange captures Wayne's enduring presence and affirms his significant role within the Osmond family legacy.

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For more updates and in-depth coverage, stay tuned to NPR News Now.

Transcript

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[Kristen Wright]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. Bourbon street in New Orleans has reopened as the investigation into the deadly truck attack on New Year's Day continues. The FBI now says they believe a Texas man who plowed the pickup into crowds. People acted alone. The attack killed 14 people and injured many more. The driver, who was a U.S. army veteran, was killed by police. Hallie Parker from member station WWNO reports.

[Hallie Parker]

Less than two days after the attack, live music sounded from local bars and clubs, and tourists quickly started to return. More police are stationed throughout the city's historic French Quarter after officials promised to heighten security. For some, the reopening was more somber. New Orleans native Melvin Jackson Jr. Knew one of the 14 victims.

[Melvin Jackson Jr.]

Still devastating. It's like it's still surreal to have terrorism happen here in little old New Orleans.

[Hallie Parker]

He walked onto Bourbon street to pay his respects. For NPR News, I'm Hallie Parker in New Orleans.

[Kristen Wright]

Congress begins a new term today, the first step in shifting full control in Washington to the gop. In the coming hours, the House is scheduled to vote to elect a House speaker. NPR's Claudia Grisales reports. Congressional Republicans face their first test after President elect Trump called on his party to stay on the same page.

[Claudia Grisales]

On the Senate side, South Dakota Republican John Thune is poised to take over as majority leader. In the House, however, Speaker Mike Johnson faces a razor thin margin in plenty of party infighting that could derail plans for a smooth reelection. Even as he carries President elect Donald Trump's endorsement to win, Johnson needs nearly all of his fellow Republicans to vote for him. Even a few defections could cost him the gavel. With Democrats all expected to vote no, it could be a replay of his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, who saw 15 chaotic rounds of ballots before winning the speakership. Claudia Grizales, NPR News.

[Kristen Wright]

In South Korea, investigators tried to execute an arrest warrant for the impeached president Yoon Sung Yeol. They were blocked by Yoon's security detail and left after a six hour standoff. Yoon tried to impose martial law last month. Investigators are looking into why a small plane crashed into a warehouse in Southern California, killing two people. Fullerton Fire Sergeant Ryan O'Neill says the plane crashed a couple of minutes after taking off from a municipal airport.

[Ryan O'Neill]

It was a commercial building that the plane crashed into. There were people working at the time. There was an active fire. When the Fullerton Police Department and fire department arrived on scene, there were people.

[Kristen Wright]

Inside of that building. About 20 of them were hurt. This is NPR News from Washington. The musical Wicked hasn't just been popular in cinemas over the holidays. NPR's Bob Mondello reports that attendance at the 21 year old Broadway show is breaking records.

[Bob Mondello]

Just over a year ago, Wicked joined a very exclusive Broadway club, shows that had earned $4 million in a single week. There are only two other members, Hamilton and the Lion King. This year, pumped up by its popular movie version, Popular and aided by a nine performance week rather than the usual eight, the two decade old musical became the first Broadway show ever to earn $5 million in a Sing. I am defying gravity with premium seating and dynamic pricing. In effect, the average Broadway ticket for Wicked last week cost a gravity defying $290. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Kristen Wright]

Wayne Osmond of the Osmond brothers has died.

[Wayne Osmond]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kristen Wright]

Osmond helped pioneer the group of family musicians with a string of hits in the 1970s like One, Bad Apple and Love Me for a Reason. Osmond was a singer and guitarist and an original member of the Osmonds, performing early on with his brothers in a barbershop quartet. The Osmonds went on to great success and often drew comparisons to the Jackson 5. Osmond died from a stroke. He was 73 years old. I'm Kristen Wright and this is NPR News in Washington.

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