NPR News: 01-09-2025 6AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 9, 2025, 6AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: January 9, 2025

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Major Wildfires Rage in Los Angeles

Timestamp: [00:15]

Korva Coleman opens the episode with a grim update on the ongoing wildfires engulfing the Los Angeles region. Currently, three significant wildfires remain uncontrolled, resulting in the tragic loss of at least five lives and forcing over 130,000 residents to evacuate their homes.

Community Efforts and Firefighting Challenges

Despite evacuation orders, some residents are choosing to stay behind to protect their properties. Involvement has included using garden hoses to combat the flames, a decision that is raising concerns among authorities.

Quote:
Kristen Crowley, Louisiana City Fire Chief, warns, “Our firefighters need every single ounce of water that's out there to help supply our fire hoses. So with that, we need the community to understand that when they're using water or overuse of water during active incident, that could hamper our ability to utilize the water resource that we need to put the fire out.”
[00:43]

The situation has led to critical shortages in water supply for firefighting efforts. For instance, in Pacific Palisades, fire hydrants ran dry early yesterday, severely limiting the firefighters' ability to combat the wildfires effectively.

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Nation Mourns the Passing of Former President Jimmy Carter

Timestamp: [01:03]

Today marks a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, coinciding with his state funeral in Washington, D.C. In honor of this solemn occasion, all federal government offices are closed, and the U.S. Postal Service has suspended regular mail delivery services. Additionally, the U.S. stock markets are not trading as part of the nationwide tribute.

Public Memorials and Personal Tributes

Over the past several days, numerous public memorials have been held to celebrate Carter's life and legacy. NPR's Elena Moore provides a heartfelt report from the U.S. Capitol, where Carter's body has lain in state.

Quote:
Susan Perlman, a young mourner from New Hampshire, reflects on her personal connection to Carter, saying, “Jimmy Carter came and stayed at my house, his campaign instead of staying at hotels, they stayed at people's houses.”
[01:53]

Susan, who was just 11 years old during Carter's 1976 presidential campaign, shares her cherished memories of his kindness. She even retains the original sign she made for him nearly five decades ago.

Conclusion of Memorials:
Elena Moore notes that today's service at the Capitol serves as the final public tribute to President Carter before his remains are transported back to Georgia, marking the end of a significant chapter in American history.

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Tentative Six-Year Contract Agreement between Dock Workers and Ocean Carriers

Timestamp: [02:17]

In economic news, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), representing tens of thousands of dock workers, has reached a tentative six-year contract agreement with major ocean carriers and port operators. This development appears to avert a potential strike slated for next week on both the East and Gulf coasts.

Details of the Agreement

Andrea Hsu from NPR details that this agreement follows a threatened strike that could have significantly disrupted shipping and logistics. Last fall, a three-day strike was averted when both parties agreed to substantial wage increases totaling 62% over six years for dockworkers.

The current negotiations had focused primarily on the contentious issue of automation. Initially, the union had demanded a complete ban on automation within port operations. While the specific terms of the latest agreement remain undisclosed, both sides have indicated that the deal will:

• Protect Existing Jobs: Ensuring current positions are maintained despite technological advancements.
• Introduce Technology Safely: Establishing guidelines for integrating new technologies that enhance port safety and efficiency, and increase cargo handling capacity.

Upcoming Votes:
Dock workers will soon vote to ratify the agreement, a decision that will determine the final outcome and implementation of the contract.

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Severe Winter Storm Warnings Across the United States

Timestamp: [03:13]

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings, watches, and advisories stretching from New Mexico to the Carolinas. Significant snowfall, particularly in Oklahoma, is expected to reach up to 8 inches, accompanied by dangerous ice conditions in the Southern Plains and the Mississippi Valley. Nearly all of Kentucky is under some form of winter caution.

Addressing Homelessness Amid Extreme Cold

Karen Zarr of member station WUKY reports on a compassionate response to the impending storm in Lexington, Kentucky. As temperatures are expected to plummet, efforts are underway to provide shelter for the homeless population.

Report Highlights:

• Compassionate Caravan Initiative: Brother Thomas Caudle leads a group equipped with a van bearing the "Compassionate Caravan" decal. On Tuesday night, he canvassed the city, seeking individuals without shelter amid the harsh weather.

  Quote:
  Brother Thomas Caudle urges, “There's over probably 70 people out here or more. And go find whoever you find. Bring them in.”
  [03:55]

• Hotel Accommodations: Caudle successfully identified and transported people to safety, offering rides to hotels funded by the Catholic Action Center. The city, along with private organizations, has rented over 150 hotel rooms to house Lexington's homeless residents for the week.

Conclusion:
Karen Zarr emphasizes the community's proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations during the severe winter conditions.

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Increase in Untraceable Ghosts at Crime Scenes and Grizzly Bear Conservation Status

Timestamp: [04:24]

In other national news, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has released a new study revealing a staggering 1,600% increase in the number of untraceable ghosts recovered at crime scenes between 2017 and 2023. While the specifics of these "ghosts" were not detailed in the report, the significant rise highlights potential challenges in forensic investigations and law enforcement procedures.

Grizzly Bears: A Contested Conservation Status

The federal government continues to classify grizzly bears in the Rocky Mountains as a threatened species, ensuring ongoing protection and conservation efforts. However, this designation has met with opposition from some Western state officials who argue that grizzly bear populations are rebounding and no longer warrant the threatened status. The debate centers around balancing wildlife conservation with economic and environmental considerations in state policies.

Closing:
Korva Coleman wraps up the segment, underscoring the diverse and pressing issues covered in today's news.

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End of Summary

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Three major wildfires in the Los Angeles region are still burning out of control. At least five people have been killed. More than 130,000 people have evacuated. Authorities say some people are staying behind, even using garden hose to try to save their homes. Louisiana City Fire Chief Kristen Crowley warns when people do that, they drain badly needed water away from firefighters who are trying to stop the blazes.

[Kristen Crowley]

Our firefighters need every single ounce of water that's out there to help supply our fire hoses. So with that, we need the community to understand that when they're using water or overuse of water during active incident, that could hamper our ability to utilize the water resource that we need to put the fire out.

[Korva Coleman]

Fire hydrants ran dry in Pacific Palisades early yesterday. It made it almost impossible for firefighters to battle the blazes. Today is a national day of mourning to honor the life of former President Jimmy Carter on the day of his state funeral in Washington. This means federal government offices are closed. The U.S. postal Service is suspending regular mail delivery. U.S. stock markets will also not trade. There have been several days of public memorials for the 39th president. And NPR's Elena Moore reports Carter's body has lain in state at the U.S. capitol.

[Elena Moore]

At the Capitol this week, mourners waited in line in the cold for a chance to say goodbye to the late president. That included Susan Perlman, who was just 11 years old living in New Hampshire when Carter ran for president. And during the 1976 primary, her family got a visitor.

[Susan Perlman]

Jimmy Carter came and stayed at my house, his campaign instead of staying at hotels, they stayed at people's houses.

[Elena Moore]

Still carrying the original sign she made for him nearly 50 years ago, Perelman remembered Carter as a kind man. Today's service marks the final public tribute to the former president before the procession heads back to Georgia. Elena Moore, NPR News, the Capitol.

[Korva Coleman]

The union representing U.S. dock workers has reached a tentative six year contract agreement with ocean carriers and port operators. NPR's Andrea Hsu reports. It appears to avert a potential strike next week on the east and Gulf coasts.

[Andrea Hsu]

The International Longshore association, representing tens of thousands of dock workers, had threatened to strike again next week if they couldn't reach a deal. A three day strike last fall ended when the two sides agreed to raises for dockworkers totaling 62% over six years. The outstanding issue was automation. Earlier, the union had demanded a complete ban on automation on that front. The terms have not been released, but the two sides said the agreement protects current jobs and establishes a framework for bringing in technology that will make the port safer and more efficient and capable of handling more cargo. In coming days, dock workers will vote on whether to ratify the agreement.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Andrea Hsu. It's NPR. The National Weather Service says winter storm warnings, watches and advisories stretch from New Mexico to the Carolinas. Parts of Oklahoma could get up to 8 inches of snow. People in the Southern Plains to the Mississippi Valley could get dangerous ice. Nearly all of Kentucky is under some kind of winter caution. From member station wuky, Karen Zarr reports on a group in Lexington working to put people who are homeless in hotels when temperatures fall.

[Karen Zarr]

Brother Thomas Caudle hops in a large van with the decal Compassionate Caravan. On Tuesday night, he cased the city looking for anyone with nowhere to go.

[Brother Thomas Caudle]

There's over probably 70 people out here or more. And go find whoever you find. Bring them in.

[Karen Zarr]

One by one, Caudle found people walking the streets or huddled near buildings. He offered rides to a hotel paid for by the Catholic Action Center.

[Brother Thomas Caudle]

Okay, get your stuff.

[Karen Zarr]

More than 150 hotel rooms are being rented by the city and private organizations to house Lexington's homeless this week. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in Lexington.

[Korva Coleman]

Reuters News Service says the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has a new study on the number of untraceable ghost recovered at crime scenes. That number has increased 1,600% between 2017 and 2023. The federal government says it will still consider grizzly bears in the Rocky Mountains a threatened species. Some Western state officials say they consider grizzlies to be recovering in numbers. This is NPR News.

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