NPR News: 01-07-2025 9AM EST

Summary

NPR News: January 7, 2025 – Comprehensive Summary

Episode Title: NPR News: 01-07-2025 9AM EST
Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: January 7, 2025

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on significant national and international events in today’s episode. Hosted by Korva Coleman, the five-minute broadcast covered a range of topics from the ceremonial preparations for former President Jimmy Carter, security measures in New Orleans following a tragic attack, devastating earthquakes in Tibet, the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris, to severe winter storms impacting the Central and East Coasts of the United States.

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1. Farewell to Former President Jimmy Carter

Timestamp: [00:13 - 00:55]

Korva Coleman opened the episode with news about the solemn process underway for former President Jimmy Carter. As reported by Steve Futterman, Carter's body is being relocated from the Carter Center in Georgia to Washington, D.C., marking the final journey before his state funeral.

Key Details:

• Transportation: Carter’s flag-draped casket will travel on one of the presidential jets, designated as Special Air Mission 39, departing from Atlanta to Dobbins Air Reserve Base.
• Public Procession: Upon arrival in Washington, the casket will be transported via a horse-drawn caisson along Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue to the Capitol, where it will lie in state in the rotunda.
• State Funeral: The official funeral service is scheduled for Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral.

Notable Quote: Steve Futterman detailed the proceedings, stating, “The flag draped casket will be placed on one of the presidential jets for this flight. The plane will be referred to as Special Air Mission 39” ([00:24]).

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2. Enhanced Security Measures for Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Timestamp: [00:55 - 02:16]

In the wake of a tragic attack on Bourbon Street that resulted in fourteen fatalities and numerous injuries, President Joe Biden has taken active steps to address security vulnerabilities. Korva Coleman reported on Biden’s compassionate visit to New Orleans, where he joined families mourning the victims.

Key Developments:

• Security Upgrade: The Biden administration has elevated the security threat level for Mardi Gras, responding to New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell’s request.
• Federal Support: Mayor Cantrell emphasized the need for “extensive federal interagency support” for events of national importance ([01:31]).
• Investigation and Accountability: Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrell has initiated a state investigation to assess and improve security measures, focusing on the incomplete repairs to safety barriers that were identified after the New Year's attack.

Notable Quote: Debbie Elliott from NPR highlighted Mayor Cantrell’s urgency: “She’s also asking the White House to provide a tactical expert to review the city's security plans” ([01:31]).

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3. Devastating Earthquake Strikes Tibet

Timestamp: [02:16 - 03:06]

NPR’s John Ruich brought attention to a powerful earthquake that struck Tibet, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude of 7.1, with the epicenter located in a remote area of the Himalayas.

Impact Overview:

• Casualties and Damage: At least 95 people have been killed, and rescuers are actively searching for survivors amidst collapsed structures and overturned vehicles.
• Affected Areas: Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, experienced severe shaking. The region is culturally significant, housing a major Buddhist monastery and serving as a spiritual center for Tibetan Buddhism.
• Aftershocks: Multiple substantial aftershocks have been recorded, complicating rescue efforts and increasing the risk of further collapses.

Notable Quote: John Ruich described the scene: “Photos and videos online showed collapsed walls, rubble in streets and overturned vehicles” ([02:33]).

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4. Commemorating the Charlie Hebdo Attack and New Archbishop Appointment

Timestamp: [03:06 - 04:26]

Marking a decade since the tragic attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris, NPR reflected on the enduring impact of the event. The station also covered Pope Francis’s significant appointment of Cardinal Robert McElroy as the new Archbishop of Washington, D.C.

Key Points:

• Charlie Hebdo Memorial: French President Emmanuel Macron led a memorial service honoring the twelve victims, including renowned cartoonists targeted during the attack, which was carried out by Al Qaeda supporters.
• Archbishop Appointment: Pope Francis appointed San Diego Cardinal Robert McElroy, a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, to lead the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

Cardinal McElroy’s Stance:

• Immigration Policies: McElroy has been a staunch opponent of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, labeling the Muslim ban as “religious prejudice and mass deportations [that are] gravely evil.”
• Advocacy for Catholics: He has urged Catholics to vigorously oppose such policies with the same fervor as they fight abortion rights.
• LGBTQ Inclusion: McElroy is also recognized for his efforts to foster inclusion within the LGBTQ community.

Notable Quote: Jason DeRose reported on McElroy’s influential position: “Robert McElroy is also known for his work toward inclusion of the LGBTQ community” ([03:45]).

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5. Severe Winter Storms Affecting the Central and East Coasts

Timestamp: [04:26 - 04:52]

The episode concluded with an update on the harsh winter storm currently impacting large swaths of the Central and East Coasts. The storm has resulted in widespread snow and ice accumulation, leading to significant power outages and hazardous conditions.

Current Situation:

• Power Outages: Hundreds of thousands of customers, stretching from Missouri to New Jersey, are experiencing electricity loss due to the storm’s severity.
• Upcoming Weather Alerts: The National Weather Service has issued warnings for the Los Angeles area, anticipating strong winds that may reach hurricane strength, posing life-threatening risks.

Preparedness Measures: Residents in the affected regions are advised to stay informed about weather updates and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during the ongoing storm events.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a succinct yet thorough overview of pressing issues both domestically and internationally. From honoring a beloved former president and enhancing security in the vibrant city of New Orleans, to addressing natural disasters and reflecting on historical tragedies, the broadcast ensured that audiences remained informed and engaged with critical developments shaping our world.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Korva Coleman. The body of former President Jimmy Carter will be moved to Washington, D.C. today. Steve Futterman says Carter has been lying in repose at the Carter center in Georgia.

[Steve Futterman]

The body will be removed this morning from the Carter center here in Atlanta and taken to Dobbins Air Reserve Base. The flag draped casket will be placed on one of the presidential jets for this flight. The plane will be referred to as Special Air Mission 39. Once in Washington, the body will be placed on a horse drawn caisson and travel along Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue to the Capitol. Military body bearers will take the casket up the Capitol steps to the rotunda where Jimmy Carter's body will lie in state.

[Korva Coleman]

Steve Futterman reporting. Carter's state funeral is set for Thursday at Washington National Cathedral. President Bide Biden visited New Orleans yesterday to grieve with families of the victims from last week's attack. On Bourbon Street. Biden lit a candle at a prayer service. It was just blocks away from where a driver had plowed into a crowd of people celebrating New Year's Day. Fourteen people were killed and dozens of others were hurt. The Biden administration is now granting a higher security threat rating for Mardi Gras. In New Orleans, NPR's Debbie Elliot reports. The city requested the security upgrade.

[Debbie Elliott]

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell sought the highest potential threat designation. It's used for events with national or international importance that require extensive federal interagency support. She's also asking the White House to provide a tactical expert to review the city's security plans. Mardi Gras season is underway, and the super bowl comes to New Orleans next month. City leaders are facing scrutiny for not completing repairs to safety barriers in the French before New Year's. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrell is ordering a state investigation into security plans to determine what was done and not done and what needs to change. Debbie Elliott, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Chinese media say at least 95 people have been killed by a powerful earthquake today in Tibet. The U.S. geological Survey says the quake's magnitude was 7.1. NPR's John Ruich reports. Rescuers are trying to pull out people trapped in the rubble.

[John Ruich]

The quake struck a little after 9:00am local time, and USGS registered several substantial aftershocks. The epicenter was high in the Himalayas, some 50 miles north of Mount Everest. The earthquake rattled Tibet's second biggest city, Shigatse, the center of which is over 100 miles to the northeast. Photos and videos online showed collapsed walls, rubble in streets and overturned vehicles. Shigatse is the site of a major Buddhist monastery that's the traditional home of the Panz, the second most important spiritual figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. John Ruich, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The quake was also felt in northern India. You're listening to NPR. It's been 10 years since Armed men attacked the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris. Twelve people were killed, including some of France's most popular cartoonists. The attackers who were killed said they supported Al Qaeda. French President Emmanuel Macron helped lead a memorial service today. Pope Francis has selected a vocal critic of President Elect 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.

[Korva Coleman]

Parts of the Central and East Coasts are recovering after a huge winter storm piled snow, snow and ice on the region. Hundreds of thousands of customers from Missouri to New Jersey lost power. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service is warning people in the Los Angeles area of powerful winds today. Forecasters say these could reach hurricane strength and be life threatening. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

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