NPR News: 01-04-2025 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News: January 4, 2025, 9 PM EST Summary

Host: Windsor Johnston
Source: NPR News Now
Release Date: January 5, 2025

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President Jimmy Carter Honored in Atlanta

Windsor Johnston opens the episode with a heartfelt tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter, the nation's 39th president. Steve Futterman reports on the solemn ceremonies taking place in Georgia, marking the first of six days honoring Carter's legacy.

• Tribute Details:

  • Carter's flag-draped casket was escorted by current and former Secret Service members.
  • A motorcade made an emotional stop at Carter's childhood home in Plains, where the home's old bell rang 39 times to signify his presidency (00:37).
  • The procession continued to the state Capitol in Atlanta, featuring a moment of silence before concluding at the Carter Center with a short service.

• Personal Reflections:

  • Carter's son, Chip, delivered remarks, emphasizing the deep respect and love surrounding his father's legacy.
  • An unnamed reporter noted the immense public support: "There was a lot of love on the side of the road. Every overpass had people on it." (01:09).

• Musical Tribute:

  • The Morehouse College Glee Club performed, adding a poignant musical element to the proceedings.

Carter's body remains in repose at the Carter Center until Tuesday, allowing the public to pay their respects.

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Increased Security at Joint Base San Antonio Following Recent Attacks

Windsor Johnston transitions to national security concerns, highlighting heightened security measures at the nation's largest joint military base in response to recent attacks.

• Security Enhancements:

  • The Pentagon has suspended the Trusted Traveler Program, which previously allowed expedited entry for vetted individuals.
  • Jerry Clayton reports that Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) now enforces 100% ID checks for all personnel and visitors. All vehicle occupants must present identification (01:23).

• Context of the Suspensions:

  • The decision follows attacks on New Year's Day in New Orleans and Las Vegas, both perpetrated by individuals connected to the U.S. military.

• Impact:

  • The suspension affects multiple military bases nationwide, underscoring the federal response to internal security threats.
  • JBSA employs approximately 90,000 military and civilian personnel, making these changes significant for a large community.

Jerry Clayton concludes from San Antonio, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to prevent further incidents.

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Federal Appeals Court Rules Against FCC’s Net Neutrality Regulations

In a significant decision affecting internet governance, the federal appeals court has invalidated the FCC's net neutrality rules, concluding that the FCC lacked the legal authority to reinstate them.

• Details of the Ruling:

  • Emma Bowman explains that the decision dismantles a 20-year effort to regulate Internet Service Providers (ISPs) as public utilities.
  • The FCC had attempted to restore net neutrality rules initially introduced during the Obama administration last year.

• Implications:

  • Without these regulations, ISPs gain the ability to block or prioritize content, impacting how information is accessed and shared online.

• Political Divide:

  • Net neutrality remains a partisan issue. Democrats largely support the regulations to ensure ISPs provide a fast, safe, and reliable Internet for all users.

• FCC’s Response:

  • Incoming FCC Chair Brendan Carr welcomed the court's decision, signaling his intention to further dismantle the Biden administration's net neutrality policies (02:19).

Emma Bowman provides a comprehensive overview of the ruling's ramifications for consumers and the tech industry.

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Death of Filmmaker Jeff Baena

Tragedy strikes the film community as Jeff Baena, a renowned film director and screenwriter, is reported dead at his Los Angeles home.

• Background Information:

  • Chloe Veltman reports that Baena, 47, was best known for directing indie films such as The Little Hours and co-writing I Heart Huckabees.
  • He was married to actress Aubrey Plaza since 2021, with whom he frequently collaborated (03:15).

• Investigation Status:

  • The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is currently investigating the cause of death. A medical examiner's report lists a man matching Baena's name and birth date deceased at a Hollywood residence, but the cause and manner of death remain undetermined.

• Public Reaction:

  • As of now, Plaza has not made a public statement regarding her husband's passing, leaving the community in mourning.

Chloe Veltman emphasizes the impact of Baena's work and the ongoing investigation into his untimely death.

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Major Winter Storm Expected to Impact the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic

The episode concludes with a weather alert concerning an impending major winter storm set to affect large portions of the United States.

• Storm Forecast:

  • Windsor Johnston relays information from the National Weather Service indicating that the storm will move into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions on Sunday.
  • Areas from central Kansas to Ohio are bracing for heavy snowfall and ice, with warnings of blizzard conditions (04:21).

• Potential Impacts:

  • Travel is expected to become extremely difficult, particularly impacting air travel and road safety.

• Public Advisories:

  • Residents in the affected areas are urged to prepare for severe weather conditions, stay updated with local advisories, and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.

Windsor Johnston underscores the severity of the storm, advising listeners to monitor updates and plan accordingly.

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Note: This summary excludes sponsor messages, introductions, and outros to focus solely on the episode's content.

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Timestamps

• 00:37 Steve Futterman on President Carter's tribute
• 01:09 Reporter on public support during the tribute
• 01:23 Jerry Clayton on military base security
• 02:19 Emma Bowman on net neutrality court ruling
• 03:15 Chloe Veltman on Jeff Baena's death
• 04:21 Windsor Johnston on the winter storm warning

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The late President Jimmy Carter is lying in repose in Atlanta. Steve Futterman reports. The first of six days of tributes and services honoring the nation's 39th president got underway today in Georgia.

[Steve Futterman]

The day started with Carter's flag draped casket being carried to a hearse by current and former members of his Secret Service entourage. Then a motorcade with a very emotional stop in front of Carter's boyhood home in Plains. The old bell in front of the home rang 39 times to honor the 39th president. The motorcade later headed to Atlanta to stop in front of the state Capitol. There was a moment of silence, then finally to the Carter center, where a short service took place. Carter's son Chip spoke.

[Unnamed Reporter]

There was a lot of love on the side of the road. Every overpass had people on it.

[Steve Futterman]

The Morehouse College Glee Club then sang. Carter's body will lie in repose at the center until Tuesday. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Atlanta.

[Windsor Johnston]

The largest joint military base in the nation is increasing security in the wake of attacks that occurred on New Year's Day in New Orleans and Las Vegas. Texas Public Radio's Jerry Clayton has more.

[Jerry Clayton]

The Pentagon has suspended the Trusted Traveler program, which allowed some vehicles to pass through security gates at military installations without undergoing normal security screens. A social media post from Joint Base San Antonio states that 100% ID checks will be enforced for all personnel and visitors entering any JBSA location. All vehicle occupants must show id. The suspension of the Trusted Traveler program affects several military bases in the US and comes in the wake of two attacks, one in New Orleans and another in Las Vegas on New Year's Day. Both were carried out by persons connected to the US military. JBSA employs around 90,000 military and civilian personnel. I'm Jerry Clayton in San Antonio.

[Windsor Johnston]

The federal appeals court struck down the FCC's net neutrality rules. NPR's Emma Bowman reports. The ruling ends a 20 year push to regulate Internet service providers like a public utility.

[Emma Bowman]

A U S. Court of Appeals on Thursday said that the FCC did not have the legal authority to reinstate the landmark net neutrality rules. Last year, the FCC moved to restore the rules first introduced under the Obama administration. Without the regulations in place, phone and Internet companies have the power to block or favor some content over others. It's a largely partisan issue that has found Democrats on the side of net neutrality in an effort to hold Internet providers more accountable for offering fast, safe and reliable Internet for all. Incoming FCC Chair Brendan Carr celebrated the court's decision and said he would continue to work to unwind the Biden administration's regulations. Emma Bowman, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is npr. Jeff Baena has died. The film director, screenwriter and husband of actress Aubrey Plaza was found dead at his home in Los Angeles yesterday. He was 47 years old. NPR's Chloe Beltman reports. The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the cause of his death.

[Chloe Veltman]

Jeff Bayna's family has not confirmed the filmmaker's death, but a medical examiner's death certificate lists a man with Bayna's name and date of birth dying at a residence in Hollywood. According to a spokesperson for the county of Los Angeles medical examiner's office, the cause and manner of death have yet to be determined. Bainer is best known for directing indie films like the Little Hours and for co writing I Heart Huckabees. He frequently collaborated with actress and producer Aubrey Plaza. The longtime couple got married in 2021. Plaza has not yet publicly commented about the death. Boehner was born in Miami in 1977. He graduated from New York University and worked for filmmakers Robert Zemeckis and David O. Russell. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

A large part of the country is preparing for a major winter storm. The National Weather Service says the storm is expected to move into the Ohio Valley and the Mid Atlantic on Sunday after dumping heavy snow and ice today in the Central Plains. Heavy snowfall is expected from central Kansas to Ohio, and it's warning of blizzard conditions. The storm could make travel extremely difficult in some areas and could impact air travel. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

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