NPR News: 01-06-2025 12AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 6, 2025

Host: Dale Willman | Release Date: January 6, 2025

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New Year's Day Attack in New Orleans

Details of the Incident

On New Year's Day, a tragic attack occurred in New Orleans, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals and injuring dozens more. The attacker, Shamsuddin Jabbar, rammed a truck into revelers on Bourbon Street, an event that has shaken the city. President Biden is scheduled to visit New Orleans on January 7 to honor the victims and support the community.

Attacker's Background

The FBI has provided more insights into Jabbar's activities leading up to the attack. Shamsuddin Jabbar had previously visited New Orleans in October and November 2024, suggesting he may have been scouting his target during these trips.

"Jabbar made trips to the city in October and November, seemingly scouting his target during that time." — Lionel Merthal, FBI Special Agent in Charge (00:36)

Further investigation revealed that Jabbar used Meta glasses to record his activities while preparing for the attack. These high-tech glasses allowed him to capture videos and photos hands-free as he navigated the French Quarter on a bicycle.

"Using Meta glasses, recorded a video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle." — Debbie Elliott, NPR News (00:53)

Despite detailed investigations, authorities believe Jabbar acted alone and remain uncertain about his specific motives for targeting New Orleans.

"Agents say the evidence still indicates that Jabbar acted alone, but they're unsure why he targeted New Orleans." — Lionel Merthal, FBI Special Agent in Charge (01:10)

Mayor Cantrell Requests Enhanced Security Ahead of Major Events

In the wake of the attack, New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell has appealed to the White House for increased federal security measures to safeguard the city during the upcoming Super Bowl and Mardi Gras season.

Federal Assistance and Security Measures

Mayor Cantrell is seeking federal expertise to map out vulnerable security areas and address concerns related to the proposed street barrier system, which has faced public scrutiny.

"What we're wanting to do is to ensure that that boots are on the ground with that expert advice to determine whether or not these ballards that you're talking about are sufficient." — Latoya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans (01:47)

Additionally, Cantrell is advocating for permanent federal protection during Mardi Gras to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors. Anticipating the need for ongoing security, federal ATF officials are expected to remain in New Orleans through major events, including Mardi Gras Day on March 4th.

"She also wants permanent federal protection for Mardi Gras." — Aidan McCahill, NPR News (01:30)

President Biden is scheduled to meet with Mayor Cantrell and Governor on Monday to discuss these security enhancements.

Winter Weather Impacting Election Certification and National Activities

Election Certification Assurance

House Speaker Mike Johnson, recently reelected, has assured that the severe winter weather sweeping through the central United States will not impede the certification of the November presidential election results.

"Winter weather will not delay the certification of the November presidential election results this week." — Mike Johnson, House Speaker (02:11)

National Guard Activation in Indiana

In Indiana, heavy snowfall, ice, wind, and cold have created hazardous conditions, prompting the activation of the National Guard to assist stranded motorists amid various legal challenges exacerbated by the weather.

New York City's Congestion Pricing System Launch

New York City has officially implemented its congestion pricing program, which imposes a $9 charge on most vehicles entering Manhattan's busiest areas. The initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion and generate funds for the city's mass transit system.

"This is a toll system like has never been tried before in terms of complexity." — Jano Lieber, NYC Transportation Official (02:57)

Lieber emphasized the program's complexity compared to traditional toll systems, highlighting the comprehensive process of identifying entry times, vehicle types, and applicable exemptions.

"We've got to go through a whole process where we identify when you came in, what type of vehicle do you have an exemption." — Jano Lieber (03:13)

Winter Weather Disruptions Across Europe

Europe is experiencing significant weather-related disruptions, including heavy snow and freezing rain that have led to widespread transportation challenges. In the UK, several airports were closed on Saturday night, and numerous roads remain impassable. Similarly, Germany's Frankfurt Airport canceled 120 flights on Sunday, leaving only one runway operational at Munich Airport.

Senator Blumenthal Pushes for Kids Online Safety Act

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut announced plans to reintroduce the Kids Online Safety Act this legislative session. The bill aims to protect children on social media by imposing stricter regulations on platforms.

Legislative Background and Provisions

Initially introduced in 2022 alongside Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn, the Kids Online Safety Act gained significant support, passing the Senate in the previous summer. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson previously stalled the bill over free speech concerns.

"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." — Jano Lieber (04:14)

Senator Blumenthal's reintroduced legislation seeks to:

• Impose a Duty of Care: Social media companies would be required to take proactive measures to protect children from harmful content.
• Opt-Out of Algorithms: Users would have the ability to opt out of algorithm-driven content feeds.
• Enhance Privacy Settings: Strengthening privacy controls to safeguard user data.

Biden Signs Social Security Fairness Act

President Joe Biden has signed the Social Security Fairness Act, a significant legislative move aimed at increasing Social Security retirement benefits for retirees who also receive public pensions. This marks the first expansion of such benefits in two decades.

Impact and Benefits

The act repeals existing provisions that previously reduced Social Security benefits for individuals receiving pensions from public service roles, including police officers, postal workers, and firefighters. The White House emphasizes that this legislation enhances financial security for dedicated public servants.

"The Social Security Fairness act repeals provisions that can reduce benefits for people who also receive a pension, including police officers, postal workers and firefighters." — Dale Willman, NPR News (04:31)

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For more updates, stay tuned to NPR News Now.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News. I'm Dale Willman. 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. And as NPR's Debbie Elliott reports, the FBI says the man who rammed a truck into revelers on Bourbon street after pledging allegiance to ISIS had earlier visited the city.

[Lionel Merthal]

The FBI is giving a more detailed timeline of Shamsuddin 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.

[Intuit TurboTax]

Jab.

[Debbie Elliott]

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. Hand free.

[Lionel Merthal]

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

[Dale Willman]

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell, meanwhile, has asked the White House to increase protections ahead of the upcoming super bowl and Mardi gras season. Aidan McCahill from Member Station WWNO has more.

[Aidan McCahill]

Just days after a man drove through the French quarter, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more, Mayor Cantrell requested federal help. She wants the government to provide a tactical expert to map vulnerable security areas in the city and address concerns about a proposed street barrier system that has faced scrutiny.

[Latoya Cantrell]

What we're wanting to do is to ensure that that boot's on the ground with that expert advice to determine whether or not these ballards that you're talking about are sufficient.

[Aidan McCahill]

She also wants permanent federal protection for Mardi Gras. Federal ATF officials are expected to remain in New Orleans through the super bowl in Mardi Gras Day on March 4th. President Biden will meet with the mayor and governor on Monday. For NPR news, I'm Aidan McCahill.

[Dale Willman]

In New Orleans, newly reelected House Speaker Mike Johnson says winter weather will not delay the certification of the November presidential election election results this week. A blast of snow, ice, wind and cold has been hitting the central US this weekend, and it's now moving into the Mid Atlantic states as well as the nation's capital. In Indiana, the National Guard has been activated to help stranded motorists following a number of legal challenges. New York City finally launched its congestion pricing system today. The program charges most drivers entering the busiest section of Manhattan $9. It's meant to reduce traffic as well as raise money for improvements to the city's mass transit system. Jano Lieber heads the city's transportation system. He says the pricing will take a lot of time to get used to.

[Jano Lieber]

This is a toll system like has never been tried before in terms of complexity. It's not like when you just roll under one set of cameras on a highway. We've got to go through a whole process where we identify when you came in, what type of vehicle do you have an exemption.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. Heavy snow and freezing rain has caused widespread disruptions across Europe. Several airports in the UK Were shut down Saturday night, and many roads across the region have been closed. A number of UK train services were also cancelled. In Germany, Frankfurt's airport cancelled 120 flights on Sunday, while only one Runway was open at Munich Airport. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut says he plans to reintroduce legislation this session to protect children on social media. Molly Ingraham from member station WSHU has more.

[Molly Ingraham]

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.

[Jano Lieber]

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 Ingraham]

Molly Ingraham, NPR News, Fairfield, Connecticut President.

[Dale Willman]

Joe Biden has signed a bill that will boost Social Security retirement payments for some retirees who draw public pensions. The White House calls the bill the first expansion of such benefits in 20 years. The Social Security Fairness act repeals provisions that can reduce benefits for people who also receive a pension, including police officers, postal workers and firefighters. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

[Intuit TurboTax]

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