NPR News Now: January 5, 2025, 5 PM EST

Host: Amy Held

1. Major Winter Storm Threatens Washington D.C. Amid Election Certification

A significant winter storm is set to impact a wide region from the central United States to Washington D.C., potentially depositing up to a foot of snow. This development coincides with a critical moment for the nation's democracy, as Congress is legally mandated to convene and formally certify the presidential election results tomorrow.

Key Points:

• Snow Emergency Declared: The D.C. government has proactively declared a snow emergency in anticipation of the storm's impact.
• Congressional Leaders Confirm Commitment: Despite the severe weather forecast, congressional leaders are resolute in their commitment to proceed with the certification process.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Johnson, House Speaker of Louisiana: “Mother Nature will not delay the certification of President-elect Donald Trump's victory” ([00:48]).
• Unnamed Congressional Leader: “The Electoral Count Act requires this on January 6th at 1:00pm so whether we're in a blizzard or not, we are going to be in that chamber making” ([00:55]).
• Mike Johnson: “Sure, this is done ahead of the expected snowstorm. Johnson's message to fellow House members is clear” ([01:04]).
• Unnamed Congressional Leader: “We encourage all of our colleagues, do not leave town, stay here” ([01:09]).
• Mike Johnson: “The House speaker says he hopes for full attendance despite the storm” ([01:12]).

Additional Details: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced that city resources will be allocated to assist in snow removal, ensuring that members of Congress can travel safely to the chambers for the certification process. NPR's Luke Garrett provided ongoing coverage from Washington.

2. Investigation into New Year's Day Attack in New Orleans

Authorities are delving deeper into the events leading up to the tragic New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, where a man drove his vehicle into pedestrians on Bourbon Street, resulting in 14 fatalities.

Key Points:

• Perpetrator Identified: Shamsud Dean Jabbar is the suspect behind the attack. Investigations reveal that he had visited New Orleans twice recently and had traveled abroad prior to the incident.
• International Movements: FBI Special Agent in Charge Lionel Merthal disclosed that Jabbar traveled to Cairo, Egypt, from June 22 to July 3, 2023.
• Terrorist Inspiration: The FBI attributes Jabbar's motives to inspiration from the terrorist group ISIS. However, there is no evidence of accomplices, either domestically or internationally.
• Unclear Motives: The specific reason for targeting New Orleans remains uncertain.

Notable Quotes:

• Lionel Merthal, FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge: “We have also tracked that Jabbar traveled to Cairo, Egypt, from June 22 until July 3 of 2023” ([01:44]).

NPR's Amy Held reported on the ongoing investigation, highlighting the complexities of motives and the absence of identified accomplices.

3. New York Implements Congestion Pricing in Manhattan

Starting today, congestion pricing measures are being enforced in parts of Manhattan, aiming to reduce traffic by charging drivers for access during peak hours.

Key Points:

• Financial Impact on Drivers: Most drivers can expect to pay up to $9 to enter the busiest areas of Manhattan during peak times.
• Objective: The initiative seeks to alleviate traffic congestion and promote more sustainable transportation options within the city.

4. Syria's Foreign Minister Urges U.S. to Lift Sanctions

Syria's Foreign Minister, Assad Hassan Al Shaybani, has appealed to the United States to lift sanctions imposed on the country, arguing that these measures are now harming the Syrian populace.

Key Points:

• Sanctions' Impact: The sanctions, initially intended to punish the former Assad regime, are now adversely affecting ordinary Syrians, exacerbating poverty and hindering reconstruction efforts.
• Call for Aid: The Syrian interim government, led by Ahmad Al Sharra, has expressed an urgent need for international aid to support its population and rebuild cities devastated by years of conflict.
• Diplomatic Efforts: Al Shaybani made these remarks during a visit to Qatar, a key supporter of the interim government.

Notable Quotes:

• Nikki Glaser, Golden Globes Host: “Going into the Golden Globes, people are just like, be savage. Just destroy them like people want blood” ([04:18]).

Dia Hadid of NPR News reported from Damascus, detailing the complexities of Syria's current political and humanitarian situation.

5. Legal Proceedings Against South Korea's Impeached President

A one-week warrant has been issued for the detention of South Korea's impeached president, Yoon Sung-yall. Authorities are preparing to renew attempts to detain him concerning his recent martial law decree.

Key Points:

• Legal Actions: Security forces intensified efforts to arrest Yoon Sung-yall on Friday amidst escalating protests outside his residence.
• Political Tensions: The situation underscores ongoing political unrest in South Korea, with significant public opposition to the impeached president's actions.

6. The Golden Globes: A Night of Humor and Honors

The Golden Globe Awards are set to take place in Hollywood tonight, celebrating the achievements of the past year in film, television, and streaming.

Key Points:

• Host: The New York Times has designated comedian Nikki Glaser as this year's host, renowned for her sharp wit and celebrity roasts.
• Host's Approach: Glaser has expressed mixed feelings about her role, balancing humor and the festive nature of the event.

Notable Quotes:

• Nikki Glaser: “You retired, then you came back and then you retired again. I mean, I get it. It's hard to walk away from something that's not your pregnant girlfriend. It's tough” ([04:04]).
• Nikki Glaser: “Going into the Golden Globes, people are just like, be savage. Just destroy them like people want blood” ([04:18]).
• Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News: “Glaser said that may not be her approach this time, but she will have to strike a balance between killing it in the room and being funny for audiences watching on CBS and Paramount” ([04:24]).

NPR's Mandalit Del Barco covered the event's anticipatory atmosphere, emphasizing Glaser's role in delivering both laughs and memorable moments.

7. Box Office Update: 2025 Strong Start

The 2025 film season is off to a robust beginning, outperforming the previous year by approximately 20% in box office earnings during the same weekend period.

Key Points:

• Top Grossing Films: Walt Disney's "Mufasa" secured the top position in North American theaters, grossing $23.8 million in its third weekend.
• Competitive Landscape: Paramount's "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," which dominated the preceding two weekends, remains a strong contender in the box office rankings.

Amy Held provided these insights, highlighting the positive trends in the entertainment industry's financial performance this year.

End of Summary

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