NPR News: 01-08-2025 10AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 8, 2025, 10 AM EST

Hosted by NPR's Korva Coleman

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1. Southern California Wildfires Escalate Amid Powerful Santa Ana Winds

Korva Coleman reports from Washington: Several wildfires are ravaging Southern California, with the Eaton Fire in Pasadena and the Palisades Fire northwest of Los Angeles being the largest. A new Woodley Fire has emerged near the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County just over three hours ago. Authorities attribute the rapid spread to the fierce Santa Ana winds.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pasqua emphasized the severity of the conditions:

"[00:53] I've seen a lot of Santa Ana fires, you know, get up to 40, 50 mile an hour. But last night I saw light poles being blown over, utility poles being blown over just from the wind, not even from the fires."

Wind gusts have surged close to 100 miles per hour, prompting thousands to evacuate, including personnel from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory near Pasadena. Both Los Angeles and Ventura counties are under states of emergency as efforts to contain the flames continue.

2. Winter Storm Warnings Issued for the Southern United States

The National Weather Service has issued powerful winter storm warnings for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Residents in these areas brace for several inches of snow and ice, anticipating significant disruptions to daily life and infrastructure.

3. Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion Linked to AI-Assisted Planning

A tragic incident unfolded in Las Vegas as authorities released details about the man who detonated a Tesla Cybertruck, resulting in his death. NPR's Kirk Siegler reports that the perpetrator, Matthew Livelsberger, utilized the AI service ChatGPT to orchestrate the attack.

Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated:

"[01:48] The Cybertruck driver Matthew Livelsberger used artificial intelligence to learn how much explosives he'd need and where to buy them."

Surveillance footage revealed Livelsberger pouring racing fuel onto the vehicle, containing approximately 60 pounds of explosives that ignited after he took his own life. McMahill added:

"[02:01] Do we consider this a terrorist attack or an attempted terrorist attack? And I would just simply say that we haven't closed any doors on where our investigation is going to lead us."

Authorities are still investigating the motive behind choosing Las Vegas, noting that Livelsberger was a decorated 37-year-old active-duty Green Beret with no prior criminal record or known threats.

4. Federal Reserve Projects Continued Decline in Inflation

NPR's Scott Horsley covers the financial markets: Stocks opened mixed this morning following remarks from Fed Governor Chris Waller, who anticipates that inflation will continue to decrease throughout 2025, potentially paving the way for further interest rate reductions.

Chris Waller commented:

"[02:39] Although progress on inflation has largely stalled in recent months, I expect price pressures to continue to ease in 2025, clearing the way for additional interest rate cuts."

Waller also noted potential risks from geopolitical conflicts or tariffs but remained optimistic given the current low unemployment rates. The Labor Department is scheduled to release job gain figures for December on Friday, while new unemployment benefits applications have plummeted to their lowest in 11 months.

5. New Congress Advances Immigration Legislation

Korva Coleman introduces the latest on immigration: Just days after being sworn in, the new Congress is taking steps on immigration reform. NPR's Ximena Bustillo reports that the House passed the Lake and Riley Act with bipartisan support—48 Democrats alongside 216 Republicans.

Ximena Bustillo explained:

"[03:35] The Lake and Riley Act would require the detention of any unauthorized migrant charged with theft or burglary. The bill is named after a Georgia nursing student who was killed last year by a Venezuelan man who had entered the US illegally."

The act has gained momentum as a response to Blake and Riley's tragic death, which has become a focal point for Republicans critiquing the Biden administration's border policies. With the Senate now under Republican control, the legislation could reach the president's desk as soon as Friday, contingent on receiving Democratic support.

6. Former President Jimmy Carter's State Funeral and ACA Enrollment Milestone

Korva Coleman updates on national events: Former President Jimmy Carter is currently lying in state at the U.S. Capitol, with mourners paying their respects. His state funeral will proceed tomorrow at the Washington National Cathedral, where President Biden is expected to deliver the eulogy. Carter will then be laid to rest in Plains, Georgia, beside his late wife, Rosalynn Carter.

In healthcare news, the Biden administration announced a significant increase in enrollments for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, reaching a record 24 million participants. This marks a substantial rise from the approximately 12 million enrolled at the end of the Trump administration, highlighting the administration's successful efforts to expand healthcare coverage.

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This summary captures the key discussions and insights from NPR News Now's January 8, 2025, episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.

Transcript

[Korva Coleman]

Okay.

[NPR Host]

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. There are several wildfires burning out of control in Southern California. The two largest are the Eaton fire burning in Pasadena and the Palisades fire burning northwest of Los Angeles. California fire officials now say a new fire, the Woodley Fire, broke out a little more than three hours ago. It's near the Palisades fire in Los Angeles County. Cal. Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pasqua says the powerful Santa Ana winds are fueling all of them.

[Brent Pasqua]

I've seen a lot of Santa Ana fires, you know, get up to 40, 50 mile an hour. But last night I saw light poles being blown over, utility poles being blown over just from the wind, not even from the fires.

[Korva Coleman]

Some wind gusts have been close to 100 miles per hour. Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate. That includes NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory near Pasadena. Los Angeles and Ventura counties are under states of emergency. The National Weather Service says a powerful winter storm is coming to the southern U.S. parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas are under winter storm warnings. They could get several inches of snow and ice. Authorities in Las Vegas have released more information on the man who blew up a Tesla cybertruck and killed himself in front of the Trump Hotel on New Year's Day. NPR's Kirk Siegler reports he used the AI service ChatGPT to plan the attack.

[Kevin McMahill]

Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill says the Cybertruck driver Matthew Livelsberger, used artificial intelligence to learn how much explosives he'd need and where to buy them. McMahill says it's still unclear why he chose Las Vegas.

[Brent Pasqua]

Do we consider this a terrorist attack or an attempted terrorist attack? And I would just simply say that we haven't closed any doors on where our investigation is going to lead us.

[Kevin McMahill]

Authorities also released surveillance footage showing Livelsburger pouring racing fuel on the truck, which they say contained 60 pounds of explosives that ignited after he shot himself. Police say the decorated 37 year old active duty Green Beret had no prior record and hadn't been considered a threat. Kirk Sigler, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Stocks opened mix this morning as a Federal Reserve official said he expects inflation to fall further in the coming year. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow fell about 120 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

Fed Governor Chris Waller says even though progress on inflation has largely stalled in recent months, he expects price pressures to continue to ease in 2025, clearing the way for additional interest rate cuts. Speaking in Paris, Waller said geopolitical conflicts or tariffs could rekindle. But he added he does not think tariffs will have a significant or persistent effect with low unemployment. Waller also said he sees no sign the job market will dramatically weaken in the coming months. The Labor Department is set to report Friday on job gains for December. New applications for unemployment benefits fell last week to their lowest level in 11 months. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News. The new Congress is moving ahead on immigration issues just days after members have been sworn into office. NPR's Jimenez Bustilla reports on new legislation in the House.

[Ximena Bustillo]

48 Democrats joined 216 Republicans in the House in passing the Lake and Riley act, which would require the detention of any unauthorized migrant charged with theft or burglary. The bill is named after a Georgia nursing student who was killed last year. A Venezuelan man who had entered the US Illegally was convicted of her murder. Blake and Riley's death became a rallying cry for Republicans criticizing the Biden administration's approach to border security. With the Senate now in Republican control, the bill could be voted on as soon as Friday, but Republicans will need Democratic support to send the measure to the president. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The body of former President Jimmy Carter continues to lie in state in the U.S. capitol. Mourners are passing by his casket in the rotunda. Carter's body will be taken to the Washington National Cathedral tomorrow for his state funeral. President Biden is expected to deliver the eulogy. Former President Carter will then be taken to his hometown, Plains, Georgia, for burial tomorrow. He will be laid to rest next to his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter. She died in 2023. The Biden administration says more people have enrolled in health plans covered by the Affordable care Act. About 24 million people are participating. The number is a record. At the end of the Trump administration, about half that number, or about 12 million people were enrolled in the ACA plans. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[NPR Announcer]

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