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

Hosted by Lakshmi Singh

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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