NPR News: 01-05-2025 11AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 5, 2025, 11 AM EST

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest developments across national and international spheres. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed in the episode released on January 5, 2025.

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1. Honoring Former President Jimmy Carter

Timestamp: [00:01]

Nora Ramm opened the broadcast by announcing that the public was paying their respects to the late former President Jimmy Carter. Carter's lying in repose is set to continue at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta until Tuesday morning.

Timestamp: [00:17]

Stephen Fowler provided an overview of Carter’s first funeral service, which took place in front of staff members at his presidential library and nonprofit Carter Center. Carter dedicated over four decades post-White House to promoting democracy and public health initiatives.

Notable Quote:

Jason Carter [00:33]: "We will spend this week celebrating this incredible life and a life that I think we can all agree is as full and powerful as any life can be. As someone said, it's amazing what you can cram into 100 years."

Fowler concluded by mentioning that Carter’s remains would travel to Washington, D.C., for further services at the U.S. Capitol and Washington National Cathedral.

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2. January 6th Electoral Vote Certification Expected to Be Peaceful

Timestamp: [00:59]

Nora Ramm shifted focus to the upcoming January 6th event, where Congress is set to count the electoral votes and certify the presidential election results. Reflecting on the turmoil four years prior, when supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, NPR's Mara Liasson provided insights into why a repeat of such events is unlikely.

Notable Points:

• The Capitol has been significantly fortified since 2021, making unauthorized entry difficult.
• There's a prevailing belief among Democrats that the election was fair, reducing the likelihood of unrest.
• Vice President Kamala Harris will preside over the joint session, having conceded defeat without promoting unfounded claims of election rigging.

Liasson emphasized that the combination of enhanced security measures and the absence of claims of a stolen election contributes to a peaceful expectation for the upcoming proceedings.

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3. Senator Richard Blumenthal to Reintroduce Kids Online Safety Act

Timestamp: [01:44]

Continuing with legislative updates, Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut announced his intention to reintroduce the Kids Online Safety Act during the current session. Molly Ingram from WSHU elaborated on the bill's journey and objectives.

Details:

• Origin: First introduced in 2022 alongside Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn.
• Senate Progress: The bill passed the Senate overwhelmingly last summer.
• House Challenges: House Speaker Mike Johnson blocked a vote, citing concerns over free speech.

Senator Blumenthal’s Vision:

Richard Blumenthal [02:24]: "We need to pass the Kids Online Safety act to give parents tools and young people controls so that addictive, destructive content on bullying, eating disorders, self-harm can be stopped."

Bill Provisions:

• Imposing a duty of care on social media companies.
• Allowing users to opt out of algorithms.
• Enhancing privacy settings to protect young users.

Blumenthal underscored the necessity of the legislation to safeguard children from harmful online content.

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4. Major Winter Storm Impacts Central U.S.

Timestamp: [02:41]

Nora Ramm reported on a significant winter storm sweeping through the central United States, bringing snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Blizzard warnings have been issued for Kansas and Missouri, with forecasts indicating that the storm will extend its reach to the Mid-Atlantic states later in the day.

Impact Highlights:

• Affected Areas: Central U.S. including Kansas and Missouri.
• Weather Conditions: Heavy snowfall, ice accumulation, and plummeting temperatures.
• Forecast: Extension to Mid-Atlantic regions by the following day.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to take necessary precautions against the severe weather conditions.

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5. Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni's Visit to Florida

Timestamp: [02:41]

In international news, the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgio Meloni, made an unannounced visit to Florida to meet with President-Elect Donald Trump ahead of her return to the White House. Sasha Schlichter from the BBC provided further details on this unexpected diplomatic engagement.

Key Points:

• Relationship: Meloni is described as having a favorable rapport with Trump, with US media highlighting their dinner and movie outing.
• Significance: Such amicable relations are uncommon among major European leaders with incoming U.S. presidents.
• Implications: Other European leaders hope Meloni's positive relationship with Trump can help prevent a potential trade war between Europe and America.

Schlichter pointed out the strategic importance of maintaining strong transatlantic ties and how Meloni's personal connection with Trump could facilitate smoother negotiations on economic matters.

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6. 'Emilia Perez' Leading Golden Globes Nominations

Timestamp: [03:38]

The episode concluded with entertainment news, highlighting the film Emilia Perez as a frontrunner in this year's Golden Globes nominations. Mandalit del Barco of NPR provided an in-depth look into the film's accolades and its significance in LGBTQ+ representation.

Film Overview:

• Genre: Spanish-language musical and drama.
• Plot: Chronicles the life of Emilia Perez, a Mexican drug cartel leader undergoing gender transition.
• Nominations: Ten Golden Globes, including:
  • Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy.
  • Best Director for Jacques Gaudard.
  • Best Original Score.

Notable Aspiration:

Mandalit del Barco [03:50]: "Emilia Perez could also make transgender history at the ceremony tonight."

Cast Highlights:

• Carla Sofia Gascon: Portrays Emilia Perez, potentially becoming the first openly transgender actress to win a Golden Globe in the film category.
• Supporting Roles: Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez are nominees for Best Supporting Actress, with Gomez also performing a nominated song from the film.

The Golden Globes, broadcasted on CBS and Paramount, are expected to honor significant strides in diversity and representation within the film industry.

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NPR News Now provided listeners with a concise yet comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing news, ensuring that the audience remains informed on vital national and global events.

Transcript

[Nora Ramm]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. Members of the public are paying their respects to the late former President Jimmy Carter. Carter will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential center in Atlanta through Tuesday morning. NPR's Stephen Fowler reports.

[Stephen Fowler]

Carter's first funeral service Saturday was held in front of staff members who worked at his presidential library and his nonprofit Carter center, where he spent more than 40 years after the White House fighting to advance democracy and advance public health goals. His grandson, Jason Carter, said their work honors his legacy.

[Jason Carter]

We will spend this week celebrating this incredible life and a life that I think we can all agree is as full and powerful as any life can be. As someone said, it's amazing what you can cram into 100 years.

[Stephen Fowler]

Carter will lie in repose until Tuesday before traveling to Washington, D.C. for services at the U.S. capitol and Washington National Cathedral. Stephen Fowler, NPR News, Atlanta.

[Nora Ramm]

Tomorrow is January 6th, the day Congress counts the electoral votes and certifies the winner of the presidential election. Four years ago, supporters of Donald Trump disrupted the proceedings by storming the Capitol. NPR's Mara Liasson says no one expects trouble this time.

[Mara Liasson]

Well, for one thing, the Capitol has been fortified like it wasn't in 2021, and it's going to be very hard for any large numbers of people to make their way into the building. But the other, bigger reason is that there's no belief among Democrats that the election was stolen. Vice President Kamala Harris will be presiding over the joint session of Congress tomorrow. And instead of spreading false rumors or lies about a rigged election or stolen election as Trump did four years ago, she has conceded that she was defeated.

[Nora Ramm]

NPR's Mara Liasson, Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut says he plans to reintroduce legislation to protect children's on social media this session. Molly Ingram from member station WSHU has more.

[Molly Ingram]

Blumenthal first introduced the Kids Online Safety act with Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn in 2022. It overwhelmingly passed the Senate last summer, but House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to call a vote in the House, citing free speech concerns. Blumenthal says the bill would impose a duty of care on social media companies, as well as force them to let users opt out of algorithms and strengthen their privacy settings.

[Richard Blumenthal]

We need to pass the Kids Online Safety act to give parents tools and young people controls so that addictive, destructive content on bullying, eating disorders, self harm can be stopped.

[Molly Ingram]

Molly Ingraham, NPR News, Fairfield, Connecticut.

[Nora Ramm]

A major winter storm is sweeping across the central U.S. with snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Blizzard warnings are posted in Kansas and Missouri Forecasters expect the storm will reach the Mid Atlantic states today into tomorrow. This is NPR News. The Italian prime minister made an unannounced visit to Florida last night to meet with President Elect Donald Trump ahead of his return to the White House. The BBC Sasha Schlichter has more.

[Sasha Schlichter]

Giorgio Meloni is clearly a lady after Donald Trump's heart. He described her as a fantastic woman who had taken Europe by storm. According to US Media, the two had dinner and watched a film. Such naturally good relations with Donald Trump is rare for a major European leader. So many of Ms. Meloni's fellow prime ministers will be hoping she could help avert a trade war with America.

[Nora Ramm]

The film Amelia Perez leads nominations for this year's Golden Globes awards. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports. It could also make transgender history at the ceremony tonight.

[Mandalit del Barco]

The Spanish language musical and drama Emilia Perez is the story of a Mexican Mexican drug cartel leader transitioning as a woman. It's up for 10 Golden Globes, including best motion picture, musical or comedy, best director for Jacques Gaudard and best original score. Carla Sofia Gascon plays the title role and could become the first openly transgender actress to win a Golden Globe in the film category. Co stars Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez are contenders for the supporting actress award. Gomez also performed one of the film's nominated songs, songs. The Golden Globes will be shown on CBS and Paramount. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

[Nora Ramm]

And I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.