NPR News: 01-10-2025 4PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 10, 2025, 4 PM EST

Hosted by Lakshmi Singh

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Devastating Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles Area

At least ten fatalities have been linked to the relentless wildfires sweeping through the Los Angeles region. The Southern California fires have wreaked havoc, damaging or obliterating over 11,000 structures, including numerous homes. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) leader Dan Criswell emphasized the scale of destruction, stating, “Families will have to access rental resources given the scope of the destruction” (00:31).

NPR Reporter highlighted the long-term challenges ahead, noting, “Thousands of homes have been destroyed and we continue to hear the numbers change. But know that this is going to be a long-term recovery for all of these individuals that have been impacted” (00:56).

Drone Collision Grounds Firefighting Aircraft

A significant setback occurred when a firefighting plane was struck by a civilian drone while battling the Palisades fire. NPR’s Joel Rose reported that the Super Scooper plane, loaned from Quebec, sustained damage to one of its wings but managed to land safely. “The Super Scooper plane was struck by a civilian drone while it was operating over the Palisades fire on Thursday” (01:18). The Los Angeles County Fire Department warned that such incidents are a federal crime, as unauthorized drones can force emergency agencies to ground essential aircraft, exacerbating fire conditions. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident.

Community Efforts Amid Overwhelming Firepower

In the Altadena Navigation neighborhood, a remarkable display of community resilience emerged as approximately 20 men and women, predominantly Latino immigrants, took to the streets with buckets of water from a local swimming pool to protect homes. Despite their valiant efforts, the overwhelming power of the fires has led to thousands of structures being damaged or destroyed. Lakshmi Singh underscored the dire situation, stating, “But the power of the fires remains overwhelming, with thousands of structures having been damaged or destroyed” (01:50).

Biden Administration Extends Temporary Protected Status

The Biden administration has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 1 million migrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, and Ukraine. NPR’s Sergio Martinez Beltran reported that this extension allows these individuals to remain in the United States and renew their work permits. “Nearly 600,000 Venezuelans, 234,000 Salvadorans, and 100,000 Ukrainians will benefit from Biden's actions” (02:33). However, this progress faces potential reversal under President-Elect Donald Trump, whose incoming border czar, Tom Homan, has indicated that the program “could be ended” (02:33). TPS is designated based on humanitarian or security crises in applicants’ home countries, with currently 17 countries holding this status.

Stock Market Plunges Amid Economic Uncertainty

The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a significant drop, closing down nearly 700 points (1.6%) at 41,938. This decline reflects the broader economic uncertainties gripping the nation.

Supreme Court to Decide on TikTok Ban

The U.S. Supreme Court is deliberating a federal law that seeks to ban TikTok in the United States within nine days unless the company divests its Chinese ownership. Oral arguments were heard today, with U.S. officials expressing concerns over national security threats posed by the Chinese government through the widely popular short video platform, which boasts over 120 million U.S. users. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is contesting the law by invoking free speech rights. “TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is citing free speech rights and challenging the law” (03:17). The outcome of this case could have significant implications for digital privacy and international business relations.

Winter Storm Impacts Texas and Surrounding Regions

Winter storm warnings and advisories are currently active from southern Maryland to Texas. Katherine Hobbs of KERA provided an update from Dallas, highlighting the challenges posed by light snow and freezing drizzle, which are leading to the accumulation of black ice. “Dallas is seeing hourly crashes on the roads, doubling the number on any other given day” (04:13). Vulnerable populations, particularly the homeless, are being supported through newly opened temporary shelters. Unlike the severe statewide power crisis in 2021, the Texas grid remains largely operational, with only short-term regional outages reported. State officials remain optimistic about maintaining grid functionality throughout the storm. Educational disruptions include the closure of most school districts across North Texas and numerous flight cancellations. Notably, the Cotton Bowl is scheduled to proceed in Texas tonight (04:13).

New York Considers Universal Free School Meals

Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a groundbreaking initiative to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student in New York, regardless of their family's income level. “Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that free breakfast and lunch may be available to every student in New York, no matter their family's income” (04:52). Hochul cited research linking accessible school meals to improved learning outcomes. This move aligns New York with eight other states that have implemented similar programs, aiming to enhance educational performance and address child hunger (04:52).

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Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi singh. At least 10 deaths are now linked to wildfires burning across the Los Angeles area. The Southern California fires have damaged or destroyed more than 11,000 structures, including homes. Dan Criswell, who leads the Federal Emergency Management Agencies, families will have to access rental resources given the scope of the destruction.

[NPR Reporter]

Thousands of homes have been destroyed and we continue to hear the numbers change. But know that this is going to be a long term recovery for all of these individuals that have been impacted.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A firefighting plane is out of commission after colliding with a civilian drone. NPR's Joel Rose reports the plane was damaged but managed to land safely.

[Joel Rose]

The Los Angeles County Fire Department says the firefighting plane was struck by a civilian drone while it was operating over the Palisades fire on Thursday. The Super Scooper plane, which is on loan from Quebec, was able to land safely, but fire officials say it sustained damage to one of its wings and remains grounded. Flying a drone near a wildfire is a federal crime. Unauthorized drones can force fire response agencies to ground their own aircraft to avoid collisions, allowing fires to grow larger. The Federal Aviation Administration says it is investigating. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's all hands on deck in the massive firefighting effort. In one Altadena Navigation neighborhood, people filled buckets with water from a swimming pool. About 20 men and women, nearly all Latino immigrants, showed up to try to save homes in one neighborhood today. But the power of the fires remains overwhelming, with thousands of structures having been damaged or destroyed. The Biden administration has extended temporary protected status for nearly 1 million migrants from Venezuela, El Salvador and Ukraine. NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran reports a TPS extension would allow them to remain in the country and renew their work permits.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Nearly 600,000 Venezuelans, 234,000 Salvadorans and 100,000 Ukrainians will benefit from Biden's actions. But President Elect Donald Trump could undo it. He tried during his first term to end TPS for six countries, including El Salvador, but was blocked by a court. The Trump band's transition team didn't respond to a request for comment. But Tom Homan, Trump's incoming border czar, has said the program could be ended. Seventeen countries currently have TPS designation, a temporary status that can be granted on the basis of a humanitarian or security crisis in the home country. Sergio Martinez Beltran, NPR News, Austin.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Dow Jones industrial average closed down nearly 700 points, or 1.6%, to end the day at 41,938. This is NPR News. The U.S. supreme Court is weighing a federal law that would ban TikTok in the US starting in nine days unless it divests itself of Chinese ownership. The justice has heard oral arguments today. U.S. officials have raised concerns about national security threats from the Chinese government through TikTok. The popular short video sharing app has more than 120 million users in the United States alone. TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is citing free speech rights and challenging the law. Winter storm warnings and advisories are in effect from southern Maryland to Texas. Katherine Hobbs of member station KERA reports on conditions in Dallas.

[Katherine Hobbs]

Light snow and a freezing drizzle are the primary threats as black ice accumulates across the region. Dallas is seeing hourly crashes on the roads, doubling the number on any other given day. Among the most vulnerable populations are people who are homeless. The city has opened several temporary shelters. Unlike the 2021 statewide power crisis, the Texas grid has remained operational with only short term regional power outages. State officials remain optimistic that the grid will function throughout the remainder of the storm. The majority of school districts across North Texas are closed today, and many flights have been canceled. College football's Cotton bowl is scheduled to be played in Texas tonight. I'm Kathryn Hobbs in Dallas.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Free breakfast and lunch may be available to every student in New York, no matter their family's income, under proposal Governor Kathy Hochul announced today. Hochul cites research that links available school meals to better learning. Eight states have similar programs. This is npr.

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