NPR News: 01-05-2025 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – January 5, 2025, 7AM EST

Host: Jael Snyder

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1. Tributes and Services for Late President Jimmy Carter

Jael Snyder opens the episode by announcing that the late President Jimmy Carter is lying in repose in Atlanta, marking the beginning of six days of tributes and services to honor the 39th president of the United States.

Steve Futterman provides an in-depth report on the day's events:

• Flag-Draped Casket: Carter's casket, adorned with a flag, was ceremoniously carried by current and former members of his Secret Service entourage.
• Motorcade Highlights: The motorcade made an emotional stop at Carter's boyhood home in Plains, Georgia. A poignant moment occurred when the old bell in front of the home rang 39 times to signify Carter's presidential number. The journey continued to Atlanta, where the motorcade paused at the state Capitol for a moment of silence before proceeding to the Carter Center for a short service.

An Unnamed Witness shares the public's heartfelt response:

“[00:33] There was a lot of love on the side of the road. Every overpass had people on it.”

The Morehouse College Glee Club honored Carter by singing, emphasizing the community's respect and admiration. Carter's body will remain in repose at the Carter Center until Tuesday. Looking ahead, Jael Snyder outlines the upcoming events:

• Washington, D.C. Service: On Tuesday, Carter's casket will be transported to D.C. for a service at the U.S. Capitol.
• State Funeral: Scheduled for Thursday at Washington's National Cathedral on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

2. Candlelight Vigil for New Year's Truck Attack Victims

In a somber reflection, Jael Snyder reports on a candlelight vigil held last night to honor the 14 victims killed and 30 injured in the New Year's truck attack. Eric Dallas attends the vigil and shares his sentiments:

“[01:43] All these young people lost their lives, never going to get to go home again with their families. And it's just painful. Just thank God everybody's coming together and do the right thing and show their families that people do care even though they don't know them.”

Jael Snyder adds that President Biden plans to visit New Orleans the following day. Authorities continue to investigate the attacker's motives, noting that the assailant injured at least two police officers before being fatally shot during a gunfight.

3. Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules

A significant development in internet regulation is covered by Jael Snyder, introducing Emma Bowman's report on the federal appeals court ruling that dismantles the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) net neutrality rules. This decision potentially ends a two-decade-long effort to treat Internet service providers (ISPs) as public utilities.

Emma Bowman explains:

“[02:26] A U.S. court of Appeals on Thursday said that the FCC did not have the legal authority to reinstate the landmark net neutrality quality rules.”

The stance of the FCC under incoming Chair Brendan Carr is highlighted:

“[02:26] 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 elaborates on the implications:

• Regulatory Impact: Without net neutrality, ISPs can potentially block or prioritize certain content, affecting the accessibility and fairness of internet services.
• Political Divide: The issue remains largely partisan, with Democrats championing net neutrality to ensure accountability and reliability in internet services.

4. Venezuelan Opposition Leader Edmundo Gonzalez Embarks on International Tour

Jael Snyder updates listeners on the political tensions in Venezuela:

• Edmundo Gonzalez's Tour: As President Nicolas Maduro prepares for his third term, opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez has initiated an international tour to garner support. Recently in Argentina, Gonzalez met with President Xavier Milei and plans to travel to the United States after a brief stop in Uruguay.
• Legal Challenges: The U.S. recognizes Gonzalez as the winner of last year's presidential election. However, facing an arrest warrant issued by a Venezuelan judge, Gonzalez has been in exile in Spain since September.

5. California’s Dungeness Crab Season Launches Amidst New Sales Strategies

With the commencement of California's commercial Dungeness crab season, Jael Snyder introduces Billy Cruz's report from San Francisco:

• Direct-to-Consumer Sales: Responding to weeks of delays and restrictions caused by concerns over whale entanglement in commercial crabbing nets, the Port of San Francisco is initiating fresh off-the-boat (FOT) crab sales.
• ADA Accessible Float: This year's sales will feature a new float designed to be ADA accessible, aiming to support local fishers and enhance public access to fresh seafood.
• Economic Impact: The long-standing delays have financially strained crabbers. Since 2021, some have been permitted to sell crab directly from their boats at Fisherman's Wharf, a practice now being expanded.

Billy Cruz notes:

“[03:57] The Port of San Francisco says this year's off the boat sales will include a new ADA accessible float. The port says they hope this float supports local fishers and increases public access.”

6. East Coast Prepares for Impending Winter Storm

Concluding the episode, Jael Snyder alerts listeners to the approaching winter storm poised to impact the East Coast:

• Storm Details: The National Weather Service warns of significant snow and ice accumulations, posing dangers such as hazardous travel conditions, widespread tree damage, and potential power outages.
• Public Advisory: Residents are urged to prepare accordingly, anticipating disruptions in daily activities and emergency services.

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NPR News Now provides a comprehensive and engaging overview of the day’s most pressing news, ensuring listeners are well-informed on national tributes, tragic events, regulatory changes, international political movements, economic activities in California, and impending weather challenges.

Transcript

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[Jael Snyder]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jael Snyder. The late President Jimmy Carter is now lying in repose in Atlanta. The first of six days of tributes and services honoring the nation's 39th president got underway Saturday in Georgia. As Steve Futterman reports, the day started.

[Steve Futterman]

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 Witness]

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.

[Jael Snyder]

On Tuesday, Carter's casket will be brought to Washington, D.C. there will be a service at the U.S. capitol, and then Carter will lie in state in the rotunda ahead of Thursday's state funeral at Washington's National Cathedral on Bourbon street in New Orleans. Last night, people gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor the victims of the New Year's truck attack that killed 14 people and injured 30 others. Eric Dallas was there.

[Eric Dallas]

All these young people lost their lives, never going to get to go home again with their families. And it's just painful. Just thank God everybody's coming together and do the right thing and show their families that people do care even though they don't know them.

[Jael Snyder]

President Biden is planning to be in New Orleans tomorrow, but authorities are still still investigating the attacker's motives. He wounded at least two police officers before he was fatally shot by police in an exchange of gunfire. A federal appeals court has struck down the Federal Communications Commission's net neutrality rules. Imperis Emma Bowman reports that the ruling may bring an end to 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 quality 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.

[Jael Snyder]

This is NPR News. Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez has kicked off an international tour just days before President Nicolas Maduro is set to be sworn in for his third term as Venezuela's leader. Gonzalez was in Argentina yesterday, where he met with President Xavier Milei, saying last night that he plans to fly to the US After a brief stop in Uruguay. The US Recognizes Gonzalez as a winner of last year's presidential election. He fled into exile in Spain in September after a judge issued an arrest warrant. With California's commercial Dungeness crab season starting today, the Port of San Francisco is kicking off fresh off the boat crab sales. Billy Cruz of member station KQED has more.

[Billy Cruz]

The direct to consumer crab sales come after commercial crabbers faced weeks of delays and restrictions. That follows delays to the season's start for the past six years over concerns about whale entanglement, entanglements in commercial crabbing nets. The delays have financially hurt crabbers, so since 2021, some have been allowed to sell crab from their boats at Fisherman's Wharf. The Port of San Francisco says this year's off the boat sales will include a new ADA accessible float. The port says they hope this float supports local fishers and increases public access. For NPR News, I'm Billy Cruz in San Francisco.

[Jael Snyder]

The east coast is preparing for that winter storm that's already socked the central US with snow and dam ice accumulations. The National Weather Service warning of dangerous travel conditions, widespread tree damage and power outages. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.

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