NPR News: 01-07-2025 12AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 7, 2025

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments in its January 7, 2025 episode. Hosted by Giles Snyder, the episode covered significant political events, severe weather impacts, notable judicial decisions, and important appointments within the Catholic Church. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed.

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1. Certification of the Presidential Election

Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the nation regarding the peaceful certification of President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the November election. Speaking at [00:33], Harris emphasized the resilience of American democracy:

“I do believe very strongly that America's democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it.” [00:33]

Giles Snyder highlighted the smooth execution of the formal certification process, noting the enhanced security measures implemented to prevent a repeat of the January 6th Capitol riot.

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2. Severe Winter Storm Impact

A major winter storm caused widespread disruptions across multiple states. Over 200,000 customers experienced power outages from Missouri to North Carolina and Virginia. The storm also led to several fatal traffic accidents and broke a precipitation record in St. Louis.

Kate Grumpke from St. Louis Public Radio provided detailed coverage at [01:13]:

"Reports St. Louisans are digging out from under eight and a half inches of snow. But this didn't break the record for snowfall. Instead, the mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain broke Sunday's record for overall precipitation." [01:13]

Meteorologist Marshall Faler explained that the increased sleet reduced total snowfall figures and warned of sustained cold weather through Friday, exacerbating the icy conditions.

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3. President Biden's Response to New Year's Truck Attack

President Joe Biden visited New Orleans to console victims of the New Year's truck attack that claimed 14 lives. Speaking at a cathedral in the French Quarter at [01:52], Biden assured the community:

“It is not alone.” [01:52]

He participated in a prayer service, met with victims and their families, and laid flowers at a memorial on Bourbon Street alongside First Lady Jill Biden. The administration's message underscored solidarity and resilience in the face of tragedy.

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4. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Resignation

The Biden administration publicly commended Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau amidst his recent resignation, recognizing his longstanding friendship with the United States. Dan Carpentuk reported at [02:35] on Trudeau’s political challenges:

“Trudeau says he will stay on as prime minister until a new leader is chosen.” [02:35]

Trudeau announced his intent to resign after enduring internal party conflicts and declining popularity. Kamala Harris provided further details:

“That will give the party time to hold a leadership convention to choose someone to lead the fight in the next election.” [02:48]

His resignation paves the way for a possible federal election as early as spring.

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5. Rudy Giuliani Found in Contempt of Court

In a significant legal development, a federal judge in New York City ruled that former Rudy Giuliani is in contempt of court. At [03:15], Giles Snyder reported:

“Giuliani had failed to comply with information requests and a $148 million defamation judgment against him.” [03:15]

The contempt charge stems from Giuliani's failure to adhere to court orders in a case involving two Georgia election workers, whom he had accused of attempting to undermine the 2020 presidential election results.

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6. Appointment of Cardinal Robert McElroy as Archbishop of Washington, D.C.

Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego as the new Archbishop of Washington, D.C., as reported by Jason DeRose at [04:00]. Cardinal McElroy is recognized for his outspoken stance against President-elect Donald Trump's immigration policies and his advocacy for LGBTQ inclusion.

“McElroy called the Muslim ban religious prejudice and mass deportations gravely evil. He says Catholics should oppose such deportations with the same energy they give to abortion.” [04:00]

His appointment marks a significant leadership change within the Catholic Church, highlighting a commitment to social justice and inclusive policies.

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7. Financial Market Update

In the financial sector, Asian stock markets showed positive trends following a strong performance on Wall Street the previous day. At [04:41], Giles Snyder reported:

“Japan's benchmark Nikkei jumped more than 2% in morning trading.” [04:41]

This uptick reflects investor optimism and potential global economic stabilization efforts.

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and in-depth coverage of the most pressing issues affecting communities locally and around the world. For those unable to listen to the episode, this summary encapsulates the essential information and key insights shared on January 7, 2025.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Vice President Kamala Harris says Monday was a good day for democracy. She she spoke after overseeing Congress peaceful certification of President elect Donald Trump's victory in the November election.

[Kamala Harris]

I do believe very strongly that America's democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it.

[Giles Snyder]

The formal process went off without a hitch. It was conducted under tight security because of what happened four years ago when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the capitol. More than 200,000 customers remain without power tonight thanks to that winter storm that's been dumped. Snow and icy outages stretched from Missouri to North Carolina and Virginia, and that storm led to several fatal traffic accidents. In St. Louis, a storm also broke a weather record, but not the one you'd expect. From St. Louis Public Radio, Kate Grumpke.

[Kate Grumpke]

Reports St. Louisans are digging out from under eight and a half inches of snow. But this didn't break the record for snowfall. Instead, the mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain broke Sunday's record for overall precipitation. Marshall Faler is a meteorologist with the national weather service in St. Louis. There's a greater amount of sleet that fell, and so that really lowers your snowfall totals. This icy snow won't melt anytime soon. Faler says cold air is moving in and will stay through Friday. For NPR News, I'm Kate Grumpke in St. Louis.

[Giles Snyder]

President Biden has told New Orleans that it is not alone. Biden spoke Monday evening at a cathedral in the city's historic French Quarter, paying tribute to the victims of the New Year's truck attack that killed 14 people. Biden spoke at the prayer service after meeting with victims, family members and after he and First Lady Jill Biden laid a bouquet of flowers in front of a makeshift memorial on Bourbon Street. The Biden administration calling Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a stalwart friend of the United States. White House praise Trudeau came after he announced his resignation on Monday. Dan Carpentuk reports that Trudeau has faced a tide of unpopularity over the last year, even within his own Liberal Party.

[Kamala Harris]

Trudeau says he will stay on as prime minister until a new leader is chosen. He says early this morning he told the governor general that a new session of Parliament is needed, which he has granted and the House will now be.

[Giles Snyder]

Prorogued until March 24th.

[Kamala Harris]

That will give the party time to hold a leadership convention to choose someone to lead the fight in the next election. Trudeau said in mid December that he would take the Christmas break to consider his future as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party. He said he talked with his family before coming to his decision, adding that he's always been a fighter but can't continue with internal party battles as well. His decision sets up the country for an election as early as this spring. For NPR News, I'm Dan Karpenschuk in Toronto.

[Giles Snyder]

This is npr. A federal judge in New York City has found Rudy Giuliani in contempt of court in a case brought by two Georgia election workers. The judge in Manhattan said Monday that Giuliani had failed to comply with information requests and a $148 million defamation judgment against him. Giuliani had repeatedly accused the two election workers of trying to help steal the 2020 presidential election for Democrat Joe Biden. Pope Francis has selected a vocal critic of President elect Donald Trump as the new Archbishop of Washington, D.C. nPR's Jason DeRose reports on the pope's choice of San Diego Cardinal Robert McElroy to the post.

[Jason DeRose]

Cardinal Robert McElroy has led the Archdiocese of San Diego for nearly a decade. During that time, he became known as a critic of the first Trump administration's immigration policies and has continued to speak out against Trump's intentions during his upcoming term. Specifically, McElroy called the Muslim ban religious prejudice and mass deportations gravely evil. He says Catholics should oppose such deportations with the same energy they give to abortion. Shortly after Trump's first inauguration, he called on Catholics to become disruptors in San Diego. Robert McElroy is also known for his work toward inclusion of the LGBTQ community. Jason DeRose, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Quick check of the financial market. Stocks in Asia rising in Tuesday trading following Wall Street's rally on Monday, Japan's benchmark Nikkei jumped more than 2% in morning trading. Hi, I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.

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