NPR News Now – January 10, 2025, 3 PM EST

Hosted by Lakshmi Singh

1. Devastating Wildfires in Southern California

[00:14] Lakshmi Singh opens the episode with a report on the severe wildfires ravaging Southern California. The wildfires have tragically resulted in at least 10 deaths, with President Joe Biden expressing concerns that the death toll may rise as the fires continue to spread.

• President Joe Biden describes the wildfires as "unbelievably destructive" ([00:33]).
• He likens the situation to "a battle scene" ([00:36]), highlighting the intensity and chaos of the fires.
• Committing to federal assistance, Biden promises that the federal government will help California "build back better" ([00:38]). However, he notes that he "won't be president when that happens", as President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office in ten days and will oversee the ongoing response and recovery efforts.

Tamara Keith adds context to Biden's statements:

• Tamara Keith ([00:54]) emphasizes the thoroughness of the current response efforts: "They know every single thing we're doing about the response. My hope is that they have at least acknowledged we have some significant experience in this. We've done really well on it. I'm praying that they continue to focus."
• President Biden underscores the necessity for Congress to approve additional disaster relief funding ([01:08]), ensuring sustained support for affected communities.

2. Donald Trump's Felony Conviction and Sentencing

Transitioning to national politics, Lakshmi Singh reports on the legal proceedings involving former President Donald Trump.

[01:15] Donald Trump faces sentencing for his felony conviction related to falsifying business records in New York. In a hearing today, overseen by Judge Juan Rashon, Trump received an unconditional discharge, meaning he will not be imprisoned, fined, or face other penalties. This decision comes just ten days before Trump is set to assume the presidency.

• Judge Juan Rashon explains the rationale behind the sentencing ([01:30]):

  "This court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching upon the highest office in the land is an unconditional discharge, which the New York State legislature has determined is a lawful and permissible sentence for the crime of falsifying business records in the first degree."

Despite the conviction, Trump's legal team is actively seeking to overturn the hush money payment conviction ([01:54]).

Donald Trump, appearing virtually at his sentencing ([02:17]), maintains his innocence:

• Donald Trump ([01:58]) asserts:

  "I'm totally innocent. I did nothing wrong. They talk about business records and the business records were extremely accurately counted. I had nothing to do with them. Any of that was done by an accountant or bookkeeper who I think gave very credible testimony and was corroborated by everybody that was asked."

Trump's unwavering stance suggests ongoing legal battles ahead, as his team challenges the conviction's validity.

3. Biden Administration Imposes New Sanctions on Russia's Energy Sector

Focusing on international relations, Lakshmi Singh discusses the latest actions by the Biden administration targeting Russia's energy industry.

[02:20] President Biden's administration has imposed sweeping sanctions aimed at crippling Russia's energy sector, which officials describe as the largest revenue source funding Russia's war against Ukraine.

• Donald Trump comments on the sanctions' impact:

  "Is the largest source of revenue for Russia's war against Ukraine." ([02:25])

Jackie Northam provides detailed insights:

• Jackie Northam ([02:32]) reports:

  "Administration officials say this latest round of sanctions targets some of Russia's largest oil companies, as well as traders, oil fields, service providers and liquefied natural gas projects. Administration officials say this new round of sanctions will cost Russia billions of dollars in energy reserves."

This strategic move by the Biden administration comes just days before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, despite Trump's historical skepticism towards imposing new sanctions on Russia. To date, the US has enacted over 5,000 sanctions and export controls against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.

4. Severe Winter Storm Disrupts the Deep South

Lakshmi Singh shifts focus to a severe winter storm affecting regions unaccustomed to such extreme weather.

[03:09] A powerful winter storm is delivering heavy snow and ice across parts of the Deep South, leading to widespread disruptions and safety warnings.

[03:14] Donald Trump reports on a specific incident at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:

• A Delta flight had to abort takeoff due to the severe weather, resulting in passengers being evacuated via an emergency slide and transported to a different concourse.
• Dharmaya Vance provides further details ([03:32]):

  "At least four of those passengers sustained minor injuries, according to a statement released by Hartsfield Jackson. They say only one person was transported off scene as of Friday morning. Flights to and from ATL are currently delayed at departure due to the incident and ongoing severe weather. Hartsfield Jackson officials say they are treating runways at the airport to ensure minimal impact on operations. They recommend following the Federal Aviation Administration for updates."

Despite the disruptions, Hartsfield-Jackson is actively treating runways to maintain operations and minimize further delays.

5. Community Resilience and Adaptation Amidst the Storm

Amid the challenging weather conditions, communities in the Deep South are demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

[04:14] Lakshmi Singh highlights the safety warnings across affected areas, emphasizing the unusual nature of the storm.

[04:19] Residents are finding creative ways to embrace the unexpected snow day:

• At [04:19], activities include sledding and building structures that can "slide" down snowy hills in the Atlanta area.
• At [04:29], Lakshmi Singh shares heartwarming stories of community engagement:
  • In Little Rock, Arkansas, Tisha Sanders and Terrell Bryant attempted to construct an igloo in their front yard ([04:32]).
  • In Nashville, Tennessee, 14-year-olds Sidney Lasher and Zoe Russell are transforming their snow day into a cash-making opportunity by offering driveway shoveling services on Facebook ([04:48]).

These examples underscore the community spirit and entrepreneurial mindset prevailing even in the face of adverse weather conditions.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of pressing issues ranging from natural disasters and political developments to international sanctions and community resilience. Through detailed reporting and direct quotes, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the events shaping the nation and the world.

For more updates, tune into NPR News Now.