NPR News: 01-09-2025 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary (January 9, 2025, 7 AM EST)

Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: January 9, 2025
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. Devastating Wildfires Continue to Raze Los Angeles

Timestamp: [00:15] – [01:46]

NPR's Korva Coleman reports on the ongoing wildfire crisis in the Los Angeles area, where three major fires—the Palisades, Eaton, and Hearst—are still burning uncontrollably. These blazes have consumed tens of thousands of acres and destroyed approximately 2,000 structures. The situation is exacerbated by the powerful Santa Ana winds, which have intensified the fires' spread.

Key Points:

• Firefighting Efforts: LA Fire Captain Eric Scott noted a slight improvement in fire containment overnight.

  "We've had a little help from Mother Nature, especially in comparison to yesterday's significant winds. They've died down a little bit. So our aircraft is making some strategic water drops." [00:38]

• Weather Concerns: The National Weather Service warns of potential wind gusts up to 70 mph, which could reignite the fires. In response, California authorities have ordered the evacuation of 130,000 residents in Southern California.

• Evacuation Stories: In Santa Monica, residents like Lisa France, who is on crutches following surgery, rushed to evacuate as the Palisades fire rapidly approached her home.

  "I'm scared because I just... I've seen what they do. There's just not enough resources and they just can't fight everything. So if it catches here, if something an ember or something catches here, that's it." [01:34]

France expressed relief at finding an affordable motel room along the 405 Freeway, though she lacks renters insurance.

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2. Nation Mourns Former President Jimmy Carter

Timestamp: [01:57] – [02:49]

The United States enters a national day of mourning following the passing of former President Jimmy Carter. A state funeral is underway at the Washington National Cathedral, with all living U.S. presidents in attendance.

Key Points:

• Memorial Service: NPR's Tamara Keith highlights that President Joe Biden, Carter's contemporary since the 1970s, will be the sole speaker.

  "The White House says he will remember Carter as a man of great character, decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong." [02:09]

• Eulogies and Tributes: Due to Carter's longevity, eulogies by former President Gerald Ford and former Vice President Walter Mondale will be delivered posthumously by their sons. Additionally, country stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will perform Carter's favorite song, "Imagine" by John Lennon.

• National Impact: In honor of Carter, all federal government offices and the U.S. Postal Service are closed. The U.S. Stock Market also observes a closure, a tradition dating back to the 1865 assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

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3. Severe Winter Storm Brings Harsh Conditions to the South

Timestamp: [02:49] – [03:46]

A potent winter storm is settling over much of the Southern United States, prompting numerous weather advisories.

Key Points:

• Affected Areas: States from New Mexico to the Carolinas are under winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories. Northern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana can expect significant snowfall, while Tennessee and Kentucky face potential ice accumulation.

• Impact: The storm poses challenges for transportation, power supply, and daily activities across the affected regions.

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4. Girl Scouts Announces Retirement of Two Cookie Flavors

Timestamp: [03:46] – [04:27]

Girl Scouts USA revealed the retirement of two cookie flavors, much to the disappointment of cookie enthusiasts.

Key Points:

• Retired Flavors:

  • Toast Yays: A French toast-flavored cookie.
  • Scout's S'mores: Inspired by the classic campfire treat.
    These flavors, introduced in 2021 and 2017 respectively, will no longer be available after this season.

• Fan Favorites Remain: Popular varieties like Thin Mints and Peanut Butter Patties will continue to be sold, ensuring fans still have their beloved choices.

  "Do not worry, your Thin Mints and your peanut butter patties are safe." [03:46]

• Cultural Impact: Alexis Gibson reminisced about the Toast Yays on TikTok in 2023, highlighting the emotional connection fans have with the Girl Scouts' cookie lineup.

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5. Japanese Crime Leader Admits to Nuclear Material Trafficking

Timestamp: [04:27] – [04:55]

In a significant legal development, a Japanese national alleged to be a leader of an organized crime ring has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court in Manhattan.

Key Points:

• Charges: Takeshi Ibisawa admitted conspiring to traffic nuclear materials to various countries, notably Iran.

• Modus Operandi: Authorities revealed that Ibisawa was unaware he was communicating with a confidential source, who was impersonating an Iranian general.

• Legal Implications: This case underscores the complexities of international trafficking operations and the challenges in dismantling covert networks.

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Additional Notes

• Advertisements Skipped: This summary excludes promotional content, advertisements, and non-informative segments such as intros and outros to focus solely on the core news.

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on January 9, 2025. For detailed coverage and additional stories, please listen to the full episode or visit NPR's official website.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. There are three major wildfires still burning out of control in the Los Angeles area. The Palisades, the Eaton and the Hearst fires have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed about 2,000 structures. The blazes are being fainte by the powerful Santa Ana winds. LA Fire Captain Eric Scott says there's been a little improvement overnight.

[Eric Scott]

We've had a little help from Mother Nature, especially in comparison to yesterday's significant winds. They've died down a little bit. So our aircraft is making some strategic water drops.

[Korva Coleman]

But the National Weather Service says winds could gust strongly again today in LA. Some could gust up to 70 miles per hour. California authorities have ordered 130,000 people to evacuate in Southern California. NPR's Kirk Siegler was in the Pacific coast community of Santa Monica as people fled the fast moving Palisades fire.

[Evacuation Official]

Evacuation orders are in place for this area. Please leave immediately.

[Lisa France]

Lisa France had her bags packed and when an alert came on her cell phone, she got ready to leave as fast as she could.

[Concerned Resident]

You know, I'm scared because I just.

[Lisa France]

She'S on crutches after a surgery and struggling down the stairs of her 70 year old apartment building. She says she's not taking any chances.

[Concerned Resident]

I've seen what they do. There's just not enough resources and they just can't fight everything. So if it catches here, if something an ember or something catches here, that's it.

[Lisa France]

France, who doesn't have renters insurance, says she's grateful to have found a motel room for at least one night by the 405 Freeway for under $300. Kirk Sigler, NPR News, Los Angeles.

[Korva Coleman]

President Carter's state funeral continues today. A memorial service will be held at Washington National Cathedral. As NPR's Tamara Keith reports, all the living U.S. presidents will be there.

[Tamara Keith]

All the presidents will be there. But President Biden, who has known Carter since the 1970s, is the only one with a speaking role. The White House says he will remember Carter as a man of great character, decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong. Thanks to Carter's incredible longevity, two other eulogies will be read by the sons of the men who wrote them. Both former President Gerald Ford and former Vice President Walter Mondale, wrote eulogies for Carter, but Carter outlived them. Both country stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are set to sing Carter's favorite song, imagine, by John Lennon. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

This is a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter. That means all federal government offices will be closed, there won't be any regular US Postal Service deliveries, and the US Stock markets will be closed. That is a stock market tradition dating Back to the 1865 assassination of former President Abraham Lincoln. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Forecasters say a powerful winter storm is settling over much of the southern U.S. there are winter storm watches, warnings and advisories from New Mexico to the Carolinas. Quite a lot of snow is expected in northern Texas, Oklahoma, parts of Arkansas and Louisiana. Other areas that could get ice include Tennessee and Kentucky. Girl Scouts USA says it is retiring two cookie flavors, but NPR's Netta Ulaby reports the Girl Scouts beloved top selling cookies are still available.

[Netta Ulaby]

Do not worry, your Thin Mints and your peanut butter patties are safe. The two flavors being discontinued are ones you may not even have heard of. Toast Yays have a French toast flavor, and Scout s'mores are based on the classic campfire treat. They were introduced in 2021 and 2017, respectively. They will disappear from the Girl Scout lineup after this season.

[Evacuation Official]

Oh, my God, this tastes like childhood.

[Netta Ulaby]

Alexis Gibson loved the toastier cookies when she reviewed them on TikTok in 2023. Dozens of girl Scout cookie varieties have been introduced and retired since the Scouts first started selling them nationally in the 1920s. Neta Ulabi, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

A Japanese citizen reputed to be the leader of an organized crime ring has pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court in Manhattan. The Justice Department says Takeshi Ibisawa conspired to traffic nuclear materials to other countries, notably Iran. Authorities say Ibisawa did not realize he was communicating with a confidential source, one of whom posed as an Iranian general. This is npr.

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