NPR News: 01-05-2025 6PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 5, 2025, 6 PM EST

Host: Amy Held
Produced by: NPR
Release Date: January 5, 2025

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Tragic New Year’s Day Attack in New Orleans

Timestamp [00:19]

The episode opens with grim news from New Orleans, where a devastating attack on New Year's Day resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals and left dozens injured. President Biden is scheduled to visit New Orleans the following day to honor the victims.

Key Details:

• Attacker: Shamsadine Jabbar
• Affiliation: Pledged allegiance to ISIS
• Activity: Indicates premeditation with at least two visits to New Orleans in October and November, suggesting reconnaissance of targets.

Notable Quote:

"Jabbar, using meta glasses, recorded a video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle."
— Lionel Merthal, New Orleans Special Agent in Charge [00:56]

Special Agent Lionel Merthal provided insights into Jabbar's activities, highlighting the use of advanced technology, such as meta glasses, which resemble regular eyewear but are capable of recording videos and photos discreetly.

Despite thorough investigations, authorities believe Jabbar acted alone, and the motive behind targeting New Orleans remains unclear.

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Major Winter Storm Impacts Millions Across the U.S.

Timestamp [01:23]

A significant winter storm is sweeping through the United States, affecting millions with snow, ice, and freezing rain. The storm has already caused hazardous travel conditions, leading to over 200 calls for assistance on highways since Saturday morning, including at least one fatal crash.

Key Details:

• Affected Areas: Great Plains states, Washington D.C. starting Sunday evening.
• Response: Kansas Highway Patrol has been actively responding to emergencies. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is working to clear and treat roadways.

Notable Quote:

"We have first responders actively helping and responding to calls today. And KDOT's out here trying to get the roadways cleared, salting and blading the roadways, and we will continue to do so as the storm moves through our state."
— Lionel Merthal [01:52]

Officials are urging residents to heed weather alerts and remain indoors to stay safe during the storm's passage.

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Congressional Proceedings Amid Snow Emergency

Timestamp [02:11]

Despite the severe winter weather and a snow emergency in Washington D.C., Congress plans to convene to certify President-Elect Donald Trump’s victory. Additionally, the Senate will hold confirmation hearings for Trump’s Cabinet nominees, including the contentious Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary designate, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Key Details:

• Confirmation Hearings: Health and Human Services Secretary designation for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
• Senatorial Stance: Mixed opinions among senators, with skepticism surrounding Kennedy's positions.

Notable Quote:

"I agree with him on some things and disagree on others. Food safety I think the ultra-processed food is a problem. Vaccinations he's wrong on."
— Senator Bill Cassidy [02:44]

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana expressed his conflicted views on Kennedy Jr., acknowledging agreement on issues like food safety while dissenting on vaccination policies. Cassidy, a medical doctor, has a history of supporting immunization programs, contrasting sharply with Kennedy Jr.'s stance against vaccine mandates.

Additional Context: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously campaigned against vaccine use during his independent presidential run but has recently stated, "we are not going to take vaccines away from anybody." [02:53]

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National Tribute to Former President Jimmy Carter

Timestamp [03:15]

The nation prepares to honor the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on December 29. The tribute will commence in Washington D.C. following initial ceremonies in Georgia. On Tuesday, Carter will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, leading up to a national funeral service on Thursday. His final resting place will be in Plains, Georgia.

Key Highlights:

• Carter’s Legacy: Spanning from his upbringing during the Depression to his tenure as president.
• Public Sentiment: Nationwide respect and reflection on Carter’s contributions and legacy.

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Santa Cruz Wharf Reopens Amid Climate Concerns

Timestamp [04:07]

Residents of Santa Cruz, California, are celebrating the reopening of their iconic wharf two weeks after it sustained significant damage from record-breaking waves. Approximately 150 feet of the wooden pier was lost during a severe storm, raising concerns about the structure's vulnerability to future climate-induced events.

Key Details:

• Damage: The middle section of the nearly half-mile pier was damaged while repairs were underway.
• Climate Impact: Workers observed firsthand the challenges posed by increasingly severe weather patterns attributed to climate change.

Notable Quote:

"The effects of climate change present a challenge for the city. 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, Worker [04:07]

City leaders acknowledge the need to potentially redesign the wharf with climate resilience in mind to safeguard against future environmental threats.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided comprehensive coverage of significant national events, including a tragic attack in New Orleans, a major winter storm impacting millions, pivotal congressional activities amid a snow emergency, the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, and local climate change challenges in Santa Cruz. Through detailed reports and authoritative quotes, listeners are kept informed about pressing issues shaping the nation.

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Note: This summary excludes sponsor messages, non-content segments, and standard podcast introductions and conclusions to focus solely on the substantive news reported during the episode.

Transcript

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[Amy Held]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Amy Held. President Biden will be in New Orleans tomorrow to pay tribute to the 14 people killed and dozens injured in a New year's Day attack. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports. The FB says the man who rammed a truck into revelers on Bourbon street after pledging his allegiance to ISIS had recently visited the city at least twice.

[Debbie Elliott]

The FBI is giving a more detailed timeline of Shamsadine Jabbar's activities ahead of the deadly attack. New Orleans Special Agent in charge Lionel Merthal says Jabbar made trips to the city in October and November, seemingly scouting his target during that time.

[Lionel Merthal]

Jabbar, using meta glasses, recorded a video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle. Meta glasses appear to look like regular glasses, but they allow a user to record videos and photos.

[Debbie Elliott]

Hand free agents say the evidence still indicates that Jabbar acted alone, but they're unsure why he targeted New Orleans. Debbie Elliot, NPR News.

[Amy Held]

Millions are in the path of a major U.S. winter storm. NPR's Chandelyse Duster has more.

[Chandelyse Duster]

Winter storm warnings are in effect, with snow, ice and freezing rain already falling in Great plains states. Washington, D.C. will see snow starting Sunday evening. Wintry weather is causing dangerous travel conditions. Kansas Highway Patrol Officer Trooper Ben Gardner says they have responded to more than 200 calls for help on highways since Saturday morning. At least one was a fatal crash.

[Lionel Merthal]

We have first responders actively helping and responding to calls today. And KDOT's out here trying to get the roadways cleared, salting and blading the roadways, and we will continue to do so as the storm moves through our state.

[Chandelyse Duster]

Officials are warning those in the path of the storm to stay home and follow weather alerts. Chondelyse Duster, NPR news.

[Amy Held]

Despite a D.C. snow emergency, Congress is set to meet to certify President Elect Donald Trump's election win tomorrow. Later, the Senate is also set to hold confirmation hearings for Trump's Cabinet picks. And Health and Human Services Secretary designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is still meeting with skeptical senators. NPR's Luke Garrett has this report.

[Luke Garrett]

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana says he hasn't made up his mind on RFK Jr. As HHS Secretary Cassidy, who is a medical doctor, tells FOX News Sunday he plans to interview Kennedy this week.

[Lionel Merthal]

I agree with him on some things and disagree on others. Food safety I think the ultra processed food is a problem. Vaccinations he's wrong on.

[Luke Garrett]

Before entering politics, Cassidy created a free immunization program in the Baton Rouge area that vaccinated tens of thousands of children and adults against hepatitis B. RFK Jr. Ran for president as an independent and campaigned against vaccine use. But after the election, Kennedy told NPR, we are not going to take vaccines away from anybody, end quote. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Amy Held]

This is NPR News. The national tribute for the late president Jimmy Carter moves to Washington this week after ceremonies in his home state of Georgia began this weekend. Tuesday, he will lie in state at the U.S. capitol ahead of a national funeral service Thursday before Carter is brought to his final resting place in Plains, Georgia. The extended farewell traces Carter's journey from the Depression era south all the way to the White House. The 39th president died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Residents of Santa Cruz, California, are celebrating the reopening of their wharf, two weeks after record swells battered the coast and sheared off 150ft of the wooden pier. But Nick Altenberg from member station KQED reports climate change means the wharf may still be vulnerable.

[Lionel Merthal]

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. 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. 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.

[Amy Held]

I'm Amy Held and this is NPR News.

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