NPR News: 01-09-2025 9AM EST

Summary

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

Southern California Wildfires Rampage

Host Korva Coleman opens the episode with a dire report on the ongoing wildfires in Southern California. “The three major wildfires burning in Southern California remain out of control,” Coleman states at 00:15, detailing the destructive impact of the Eaton, Palisades, and Hearst fires. These conflagrations have devastated approximately 2,000 buildings and resulted in the tragic loss of five lives. With 130,000 residents ordered to evacuate, the situation has overwhelmed local fire authorities.

Firefighter Mark McMillan provides firsthand insight at 00:51, saying, “They also don't have water in their trucks. And so they have been setting up pumps that go from the pools in the neighbors on either side of this house.” McMillan describes the resource shortages and the immense challenge of combating fires that are “too big for two engines to be able to stop.”

The National Weather Service has issued a cautionary update at 01:05, noting that while winds fueling the fires have calmed, there is potential for them to intensify again later in the day, posing ongoing threats to firefighting efforts and affected communities.

President Carter’s State Funeral

Transitioning to national news, Korva Coleman announces at 01:05 that President Carter’s state funeral is underway, with a memorial service scheduled at the Washington National Cathedral. NPR’s Tamara Keith provides comprehensive coverage at 01:28, highlighting that all living U.S. presidents are expected to attend.

Keith emphasizes President Biden’s unique role, noting, “President Biden, who has known Carter since the 1970s, is the only one with a speaking role.” She relays the White House’s sentiments: “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.”

Additionally, Keith shares poignant moments to be part of the service, including eulogies by the sons of Gerald Ford and Walter Mondale, both of whom had written eulogies for Carter before their untimely passings. The musical tribute will feature country stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performing John Lennon’s “Imagine,” Carter’s favorite song.

President-Elect Trump’s Legislative Strategy

At 02:08, Coleman shifts focus to Washington politics, reporting that President-elect Trump has met with Senate Republicans in a closed-door session to discuss his top legislative priorities. NPR’s Barbara Sprunt elaborates at 02:24, explaining the internal GOP dynamics: “Trump has previously said he wanted one bill on big components of his agenda, border security and tax cuts,” aligning with House Speaker Mike Johnson’s stance. However, the Senate shows a preference for a two-bill approach.

Trump’s response, captured at 02:40, reflects flexibility: “We had a great meeting. There's great unity. Whether it's one bill or two bill. It's going to get done one way or the other. I think there's a lot of talk about two and there's a lot of talk about one, but it doesn't matter. The end result is the same.”

Sprunt comments at 02:53 on the ambiguity of Trump’s position, noting, “This doesn't provide the clear marching orders that many in the party were hoping for.” She anticipates that post-inauguration, with unified Republican control, the initial legislative actions will set the tone for the administration’s agenda.

International and Additional News

Continuing the news cycle, Coleman reports at 03:10 that Lebanon’s parliament has elected Joseph Aoun, the Lebanese army commander, as the new president after a prolonged two-year political deadlock. Lebanon faces multifaceted crises, including Israel’s offensives against Hezbollah and severe economic turmoil.

In trade news, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has released a critical report at 03:10 addressing the rampant issue of counterfeit and illegal online pharmacies. Tai warns, “Nearly all 35,000 online pharmacies around the world are being run illegally,” with many operating without proper licenses and selling medications without necessary prescriptions or safety information.

Billboard Charts Shake-Up

Music enthusiasts are treated to fresh chart news as Stephen Thompson reports at 04:07 on the latest Billboard rankings. The previous week’s dominance by holiday-themed hits has given way to a resurgence of popular tracks from the fall. Notably, the new number one spot is claimed by “Die With a Smile,” a collaboration between Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. Thompson highlights the track’s persistent climb: “Even though it debuted in the top 10 last August, it didn't hit the top spot until its 20th week on the chart.”

Tamara Keith echoes this excitement at 04:34, confirming, “And Die with a Smile.”

Closing Remarks

Coleman wraps up the news segment at 04:49, ensuring listeners are up-to-date with the day’s most pressing issues before the program concludes.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a spectrum of urgent topics, from environmental crises and significant national events to political maneuvering and cultural milestones. With detailed reporting and firsthand accounts, listeners gain a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, enriched by insightful quotes and expert analysis.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The three major wildfires burning in Southern California remain out of control. The Eaton, the Palisades and the Hearst fires have destroyed about 2,000 buildings and killed five people. Some 130,000 people have been ordered to evacuate. The wildfires have been so overwhelming, LA fire authorities don't have enough crews to cope. West of Los Angeles, the fire hydrants went dry early yesterday morning as fire crews battled the Palisades fire. Mark McMillan was in one neighborhood and says there were only two fire trucks available.

[Mark McMillan]

They also don't have water in their trucks. And so they have been setting up pumps that go from the pools in the neighbors on either side of this house. And they've just been trying to keep it down. The fire is too big for two engines to be able to stop.

[Korva Coleman]

The National Weather Service warns that powerful winds that have fueled the wildfires are calmer this morning, but they could gain strength again today. 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 are expected to attend.

[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]

President elect Trump met with Senate Republicans yesterday behind closed doors. They discussed his top legislative priorities. NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports. There's still disagreement among GOP lawmakers in the House and the Senate on the best way forward.

[Barbara Sprunt]

Trump has previously said he wanted one bill on big components of his agenda, border security and tax cuts. That's in line with what House speake Mike Johnson once but there's interest on the Senate side in a two bill strategy. Trump left the meeting and said he doesn't have a strong preference.

[Donald Trump]

We had a great meeting. There's great unity. Whether it's one bill or two bill. It's going to get done one way or the other. I think there's a lot of talk about two and there's a lot of talk about one, but it doesn't matter. The end result is the same.

[Barbara Sprunt]

This doesn't provide the clear marching orders that many in the party were hoping for. Once Trump is Inaugurated on the 20th, Republicans will have unified government, and how they act on priority legislation out of the gate may set the tone for their agenda going forward. Barbara Sprunt, NPR News, the Capitol.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Lebanon's parliament has chosen a new president for the country. It's Lebanese army commander Joseph Aoun. Lebanon has been without a president for more than two years because of political deadlock. The country is also facing several crises. These include Israel's attack on the militant group Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, and the country's dire economic situation. U.S. trade Representative Katherine Tai has released a report about counterfeiting and online pharmacies. Tai says that nearly all 35,000 online pharmacies around the world are being run illegally. She says many are operating without a license and selling medicines without prescriptions or safety warnings. This week's Billboard charts are out and the usual holiday hits have been cleared away. NPR Stephen Thompson reports they've made room for a new number one song.

[Stephen Thompson]

Last week, the top 16 songs in the country were all about, well, Christmas. This week, every one of those songs has dropped off the charts, freeing up spots for most of the tracks that were popular last fall. But it's not an exact return to the pre holiday status quo. In fact, the country's new number one song is hitting the top of the charts for the very first time. It's Die With a Smile, a duet by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.

[Tamara Keith]

And Die with a Smile.

[Stephen Thompson]

The song followed a long road to number one. Even though it debuted in the top 10 last August, it didn't hit the top spot until its 20th week on the chart. Stephen Thompson, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

And I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.

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