NPR News: 01-03-2025 8AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 3, 2025, 8AM EST

Hosted by NPR

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Terror Attack in New Orleans: FBI Confirms Lone Perpetrator

[00:24] Korva Coleman opened the episode with breaking news from New Orleans, where a tragic incident unfolded on New Year's Eve. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed that the individual responsible for driving his truck into a crowd of revelers acted alone. The attacker had pledged allegiance to ISIS and was subsequently killed in a shootout with police authorities. The attack resulted in the deaths of fourteen people, with dozens more injured.

[00:47] Debbie Elliott provided further details from the scene, Bourbon Street, which has reopened under heightened security measures. The area now features new barricades and a significant police presence, including the Louisiana National Guard. Amidst the heightened tension, local business owners remain resilient. Praline vendor Kinsey Falk shared his experience:

Kinsey Falk [01:06]: "You know, everybody's, like, up in arms and, like, on their toes and trying to figure out what's next."

[01:14] Debbie Elliott emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating:

"The FBI is calling the mass murder in New Orleans an act of terrorism and a premeditated and evil act."

The New Orleans community continues to grapple with the aftermath, ensuring that public spaces remain secure while honoring the victims of this heinous act.

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Congressional Leadership: GOP Faces Speaker Showdown

As the new Congress convenes, the House of Representatives faces its first critical task: electing a Speaker. [01:26] Korva Coleman led the discussion on the unfolding political drama surrounding Speaker Mike Johnson's bid.

Mike Johnson, backed by President-elect Donald Trump, is vying to retain his position. However, the narrow Republican majority means Johnson requires near-universal support within the GOP to secure the speakership. Notably, Johnson has already lost at least one Republican vote, putting his leadership under scrutiny.

Mike Johnson [01:55]: "We need to stay unified so we can save the country. And I think that's an important message."

Johnson's plea for unity highlights the precarious balance within the party. Korva Coleman referenced the tumultuous experience of GOP leader Kevin McCarthy, who took 14 days and 15 rounds of voting to win the speakership two years prior before being ousted less than a year later.

The pivotal vote carries significant weight, as the House must elect a Speaker before addressing any other legislative business. Failure to elect a Speaker by the following Monday could impede the House's ability to certify the 2024 presidential election results, a constitutional requirement.

[02:40] Jason DeRose provided an analysis of the religious composition of the incoming Congress:

Christians constitute approximately 87% of both the House and the Senate, a stark contrast to the 62% of Americans who identify as Christian according to Pew Research. Additionally, Jews represent 6% of Congress versus 2% of the general population, while Muslims and Hindus each account for less than 1%. In comparison, nearly 30% of Americans identify as atheist, agnostic, or having no religious affiliation, yet less than 1% of Congress members share this viewpoint.

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Honoring Heroes: President Biden to Award Medals of Honor

In a solemn ceremony today, President Biden will bestow Medals of Honor upon seven Army soldiers who served valiantly during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Tragically, six of these honors are posthumous, recognizing the ultimate sacrifices made by these brave individuals in defense of their country.

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Tensions Escalate in Syria's Golan Heights

Korva Coleman reported on the escalating tensions in the Golan Heights, where residents allege that Israeli troops are conducting raids on their homes and villages. This has ignited fears of a potential land grab amidst broader regional instability.

[03:20] Hadil Al Shalchi provided on-the-ground insights from the region:

"Israel says its move into the buffer zone that's monitored by the United Nations is aimed at keeping their borders secure. The military operation started just hours after the overthrow of the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad by the rebel group Hay et Tahri Rashem, or HTS."

Locals like Mohammad Faroukh, living near an Israeli checkpoint, expressed deep anxiety:

"Israeli tanks roll into his village regularly. Farooq said his small daughter now wakes up at night shouting, a tank, a tank. Out of fear. He says Syrians are worried there will be more annexation and more Israeli settlements in the area."

The situation remains volatile, with international observers closely monitoring developments to prevent further escalation.

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Farewell to Doreen McAllister: A Pillar of NPR

In a heartfelt segment, Korva Coleman took a moment to honor Doreen McAllister, a cherished member of the NPR family. After 34 years of dedicated service, including 15 years overnight, Doreen is departing from her role. Celebrated for her intrepid spirit and insatiable curiosity, Doreen has been instrumental in shaping NPR's newsroom. Beyond her editorial prowess, she was affectionately known as the "zany cake master," delighting colleagues with creative and unexpected culinary creations.

"Doreen McAllister is deeply admired for her sense of fun and for her dedicated passion for the news. You'll be missed, Doreen, thank you."

Her departure marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and camaraderie.

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Stay Informed with NPR News

For those seeking comprehensive and timely news updates, NPR continues to deliver high-quality journalism. To support NPR's mission of fostering an informed public, consider subscribing to the NPR bundle at plus.npr.org.

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This summary is based on the transcript of the NPR News Now episode released on January 3, 2025, at 8AM EST.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The FBI now says the man who rammed his truck into a crowd of New Year's revelers in New Orleans acted alone. Officials say he had pledged his allegiance to isis. The driver was killed in a shootout with police. Fourteen people were killed in the attack and dozens of others were hurt. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports. New Orleans remains under heightened security.

[Debbie Elliott]

The site of the attack, Bourbon street, is back open with new barricades and a heavy police presence in the French Quarter, including the Louisiana National Guard. Praline vendor Kinsey Falk, pushing his cart along Canal street, says he's trying to keep going despite the tragedy.

[Kinsey Falk]

You know, everybody's, like, up in arms and, like, on their toes and trying to figure out what's next.

[Debbie Elliott]

The FBI is calling the mass murder in New Orleans an act of terrorism and a premeditated and evil act. Debbie Elliott, NPR News, New Orleans.

[Korva Coleman]

The new Congress convenes later today. The first task of the House of Representatives is to vote for a speaker. Current Speaker Mike Johnson is running for the job again, and he has President Elect Trump's endorsement. The GOP's majority in the House is so slim that Johnson needs almost every Republican lawmaker's support to win. But he's already lost at least one GOP vote. If he loses any more, he'll lose the speakership. Johnson says Republicans need to stick together.

[Mike Johnson]

We need to stay unified so we can save the country. And I think that's an important message.

[Korva Coleman]

Two years ago, it took 14 days and 15 rounds of voting before Republican Kennedy Kevin McCarthy won the speakership, and the Republicans ended up booting him out of the job in less than a year. Today's vote is important. The House cannot take up any other business until a speaker is chosen. If there's no speaker selected by next Monday, the House could not certify the results of the 2024 presidential election. That day, as required by the Constitution, this incoming Congress will have fewer Christian representatives than in the past. But as NPR's Jason DeRose reports, they still make up an overwhelming majority of both the House and the Senate.

[Jason DeRose]

Christians comprise about 87% of this Congress, a higher portion than the U.S. population. Pew Research says about 62% of Americans overall identify as Christian. Members of Congress are far more likely than the population in general to identify as religious. Nearly 3 in 10Americans say they're either atheist, agnostic or nothing in particular, While less than 1% of the house and Senate identify that way. Other data points, Jews will make up 6% of Congress while being only about 2% of the US population. Muslims and Hindus, meanwhile, will each account for less than 1% of the incoming Congress. Jason DeRose, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR. President Biden will award Medals of Honor to seven army soldiers today who served during Korea and Vietnam. Six are receiving this posthumously. Residents of Syria's Golan Heights say Israeli troops are raiding their homes and villages. They say they're worried this is the start of a land grab. Israel says it's trying to protect its security. NPR's Hadil Al Shalchi visited the region.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

Israel says its move into the buffer zone that's monitored by the United nations is aimed at keeping their borders secure. The military operation started just hours after the overthrow of the Syrian leader Bashar al Assad by the rebel group Hay et Tahri Rashem, or HTS. Mohammad Faroukh lives about 300 yards from an Israeli checkpoint in. He says Israeli tanks roll into his village regularly. Farooq said his small daughter now wakes up at night shouting, a tank, a tank. Out of fear. He says Syrians are worried there will be more annexation and more Israeli settlements in the area. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, in the Golan Heights.

[Korva Coleman]

We want to take a moment today to thank one of our long standing colleagues, Doreen McAllister, who is departing. She's an intrepid and insatiably curious editor who has been on the front lines of NPR's newsroom for 34 years, the past 15 of them overnight. She's also our zany cake master for every occasion and tempts us with surprise ingredients, from sauerkraut to tomato soup. Doreen McAllister is deeply admired for her sense of fun and for her dedicated passion for the news. You'll be missed, Doreen, thank you. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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