NPR News: 01-05-2025 4AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 5, 2025, 4 AM EST

Hosted by Dale Willman

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Farewell to Former President Jimmy Carter

Timestamp: 00:17

NPR’s Dale Willman opens the episode with the solemn news of former President Jimmy Carter’s passing at the age of 100. Carter’s flag-draped casket arrived in Atlanta by motorcade, where military members paid their respects. Sophie Gradas of Georgia Public Broadcasting reports that Carter will lie in repose at the Carter Center until Monday morning, marking the start of a six-day series of observances.

Timestamp: 00:44 – 01:14

Sophie Gradas highlights the upcoming funeral procession, which will travel to Washington, D.C., before returning to Georgia for Carter’s burial on January 9th at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. Robyn Thomas, a National Park Service employee, shares her personal reflection:

“He's got a lot of people that work for him and care about him and care about this town and care about what he cared about. I really am just proud to be just a small part of it.” – Robyn Thomas (01:04)

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Enhanced Security at Joint Base San Antonio

Timestamp: 01:27

Dale Willman transitions to national security, reporting on increased measures at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), the largest joint military base in the United States. Following attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas on New Year’s Day, JBSA has suspended the Trusted Traveler program, enforcing 100% ID checks for all personnel and visitors.

Timestamp: 01:41 – 02:23

Jerry Clayton from Texas Public Radio provides detailed coverage:

“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.” – Jerry Clayton (01:41)

These changes affect multiple military bases nationwide and are a direct response to recent attacks carried out by individuals connected to the U.S. military.

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Severe Winter Storm Impacts the Central and Eastern US

Timestamp: 02:23

The National Weather Service warns of a major storm bringing heavy snow and ice across the central and eastern United States. Lead forecaster Bob Orvik elaborates on the storm’s severity.

Timestamp: 02:32 – 02:55

“We do expect an axis of Snowfall totals of 6 to 12 inches, stretching anywhere from eastern Kansas, northern Missouri, eastward across parts of southern Illinois, southern Indiana, northern Kentucky, southern Ohio, into the D.C. Baltimore area. And it's going to be pretty impactful.” – Bob Orvik (02:32)

Orvik emphasizes the storm's potential to disrupt travel and daily activities, with winter storm warnings already in effect in regions like Kansas City, which recently experienced freezing rain.

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Peace Talks in Qatar Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

Timestamp: 02:55

Dale Willman updates listeners on international affairs, noting that peace negotiations are underway in Qatar. The U.S., Egypt, and Qatar are mediating to establish a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry reports that at least 59 people have been killed in the past 24 hours due to ongoing conflicts.

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Reopening of Santa Cruz Wharf After Storm Damage

Timestamp: 03:50

Nick Alton from KQED shares a heartening story from Santa Cruz, California, where residents celebrate the reopening of their wharf two weeks after it suffered significant damage from record swells. A 150-foot section of the wooden pier was torn off by nearly 20-foot waves while workers were inspecting repair efforts.

Timestamp: 04:16 – 04:28

Norm Daly, one of the repair workers, comments on the challenges posed by climate change:

“I think the wharf is well suited to survive most impacts. It's hard to tell exactly what those impacts are going to be, but in the moment, the wharf is 100% safe.” – Norm Daly (04:16)

City officials are contemplating redesigning the wharf with climate resilience in mind to prevent future damages.

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President Biden Honors 19 Individuals with Presidential Medal of Freedom

Timestamp: 04:37

As President Joe Biden’s term approaches its end, he awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 distinguished individuals, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Notable recipients include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, actor Denzel Washington, and musician Bono.

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Conclusion

Dale Willman wraps up the episode by encapsulating the day’s key stories, from national security and severe weather to significant political honors and community resilience in Santa Cruz. This comprehensive summary ensures listeners stay informed on critical events shaping the nation and the world.

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This summary is based on the NPR News Now episode released on January 5, 2025. For the full podcast experience, listeners are encouraged to tune in directly to NPR.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

From NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Members of the military saluted as the flag draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter arrived by motorcade in Atlanta. The former president will lie in repose at the Carter center until Monday morning. As Sophie Gratis with Georgia Public Broadcasting reports, it marks the beginning of six days of observances for Carter, who died last week at the age of 100.

[Sophie Gradas]

Over the next week, the funeral procession for former President Carter will make stops in Washington, D.C. before Carter's remains are returned to Georgia. Robyn Thomas was one of several National Park Service employees dispatched to Plains on the first day of the funeral. She was directing traffic, a small role, but but something she says will stick with her for years to come.

[Robyn Thomas]

He's got a lot of people that work for him and care about him and care about this town and care about what he cared about. I really am just proud to be just a small part of it.

[Sophie Gradas]

Run by the Park Service, the Jimmy Carter National Historical park includes the former president's boyhood farm and longtime residence where Carter will be buried on January 9th. For NPR News, I'm Sophie Gradas.

[Dale Willman]

In Plains, Georgia, 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 on that story.

[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.

[Dale Willman]

The National Weather Service says a major storm is bringing heavy snow and ice to much of the central and eastern US Right now, the snow is going.

[Bob Orvik]

To be pretty impactful over the next several days. We do expect an axis of Snowfall totals of 6 to 12 inches, stretching anywhere from eastern Kansas, northern Missouri, eastward across parts of southern Illinois, southern Indiana, northern Kentucky, southern Ohio, into the D.C. baltimore area. And it's going to be pretty impactful. Travel will be very difficult. It's not impossible across those areas.

[Dale Willman]

That's Bob Orvik. He's a lead forecaster at the National Weather Service. The storm is already affecting portions of the central US with the winter storm warning now in effect in Kansas City and the surrounding areas. That whole region was hit by freezing rain on Saturday. You're listening to NPR News. Yet another round of peace talks are getting underway in Qatar. The U.S. egypt and Qatar are trying to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Gaza's health ministry, meanwhile, says at least 59 people have been killed in the past 24 hours in fighting in Gaza. Hospital staff in Gaza say Israel's latest attacks have killed 21 people. Residents of Santa Cruz are celebrating the reopening of their wharf two weeks after record swells battered the California coast and sheared off 150ft of the wooden pier. Nick Alton from member station KQED reports.

[Nick Alton]

The wharf was bustling with people just hours after reopening Saturday. The nearly half mile pier is important for the local economy and beloved by locals. The section that broke off was in the middle of repairs stemming from damage caused by last winter's storms. Norm Daly is one of three workers who were inspecting the repair work when nearly 20 foot waves picked up the end of the pier and tore it off. He says the effects of climate change present a challenge for the city.

[Norm Daly]

I think the wharf is well suited to survive most impacts. It's hard to tell exactly what those impacts are going to be, but in the moment, the wharf is 100% safe.

[Nick Alton]

City leaders say the wharf may need to be reimagined with climate change top of mind. For NPR News, I'm Nick Altenberg in Santa Cruz, California.

[Dale Willman]

As his term in office nears an end, President Joe Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of freedom to 19 people on Saturday. It's the nation's highest civilian honor. Among those receiving the award were former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, actor Denzel Washington and musician Bono. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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