NPR News: 01-10-2025 5PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 10, 2025, 5PM EST

Hosted by NPR

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1. Escalating Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles

Timestamp: [00:24]

Jack Spear opens the episode with devastating news from the Los Angeles area, where two of the largest ongoing wildfires have expanded despite firefighters making progress on smaller blazes. The death toll has tragically risen to at least 10, with expectations that the number may increase as crews access the most affected regions.

Louisiana County Fire Chief Anthony Maroney provided a somber update:

“To our residents impacted by this devastating fire siege, please rest assured that we will not stop until the fires are fully contained and we will continue to be here for you as we plan for the repopulation, recovery and rebuilding that will be occurring.”
— Anthony Maroney, [00:35]

The fires have consumed an area equivalent to the size of San Francisco, destroying over 10,000 homes and structures since Tuesday.

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2. False Emergency Alert Sparks Unnecessary Panic

Timestamp: [01:30]

Greg Allen reports on a significant emergency alert mishap in Los Angeles. Nearly 10 million residents received an evacuation alert on their phones Thursday afternoon, intended for a smaller brush fire area. Minutes later, a corrective message was sent, urging residents to disregard the initial alert.

Los Angeles County Emergency Manager Kevin McGowan addressed the incident:

“This is extremely frustrating, painful and scary, but these alert tools have saved lives during this emergency.”
— Kevin McGowan, [01:45]

McGowan apologized for the error and emphasized the importance of maintaining these alert systems, which are crucial for public safety. Investigations are underway to determine the software malfunction that led to the false alert.

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3. Donald Trump Receives Unconditional Discharge

Timestamp: [02:09]

In a high-profile legal development, President Elect Donald Trump was granted an unconditional discharge of his sentence. Although the judge decided not to oppose any punishment, the felony charges remain on his record.

During his virtual sentencing hearing, Trump condemned the proceedings:

“This case against me is a despicable charade.”
— Donald Trump, [02:15]

Trump expressed his intention to appeal the decision. The charges stem from 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments intended to suppress allegations of an affair with an adult film star.

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4. Robust Job Growth in December

Timestamp: [02:38]

Scott Horsley delivers an optimistic employment report from the Labor Department. Employers added 256,000 jobs in December, and the unemployment rate edged down to 4.1%. Key sectors contributing to job growth include:

• Restaurants and retailers
• Health care
• Government construction

Conversely, the manufacturing sector saw a decline, shedding 13,000 jobs.

Horsley highlights wage trends:

“Average wages in December were up 3.9% from a year ago.”
— Scott Horsley, [02:50]

Although wage growth is slightly slower than the previous month, it remains strong enough to likely outpace inflation, indicating a resilient job market.

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5. Homeland Security Extends Legal Stay for 800,000 Immigrants

Timestamp: [03:20]

Jack Spear reports that the Department of Homeland Security has announced that approximately 800,000 Venezuelan, Salvadoran, and Ukrainian immigrants will be allowed to remain in the United States legally for an additional 18 months. This decision comes just a week before President Elect Donald Trump assumes office, who has pledged to implement hardline immigration policies.

This extension provides temporary relief for many amidst shifting political landscapes and impending policy changes.

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6. UK Treasury Chief to Engage in Delayed Economic Talks with China

Timestamp: [03:56]

Lauren Frayer discusses the UK's economic challenges and international relations. Britain's top treasury official, Rachel Reeves, is en route to China for long-awaited economic discussions, aiming to reset relations with Beijing. This visit is particularly crucial as the UK grapples with domestic economic issues, including:

• High inflation
• Low productivity
• Sluggish growth

Recent economic indicators show:

“The government's borrowing costs hit a 16-year high and the British currency, the pound, hit a one-year low against the US Dollar.”
— Lauren Frayer, [04:10]

The UK economy has been severely impacted by a global bond selloff and reactionary market movements following Reeves' fall budget and concerns over potential tariffs under the incoming Trump administration. The postponed talks since 2019 reflect ongoing instability, but Reeves remains committed despite opposition from local politicians.

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7. New Zealand's Albatross Live Stream Captivates Global Audience

Timestamp: [04:39]

In a heartwarming segment, Jack Spear highlights New Zealand's unique approach to wildlife engagement. The country hosts a 24-hour live stream tracking a pair of northern royal albatrosses as they breed and raise a chick each year on a rugged headland of the South Island. Since its inception in 2010, the live stream has attracted millions of viewers worldwide, turning the breeding season into a beloved reality show-like event, celebrating nature and conservation efforts.

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This summary captures the key points and discussions from the January 10, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For the full episode, please visit NPR News Now.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

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[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Two of the biggest fires continuing burn in the Los Angeles area have now grown slightly, even as firefighters gain control over some smaller blazes. The death toll as a result of the fires there has now risen to at least 10, though that could go higher as crews gain access to some of the hardest hit areas. Louisiana County Fire Chief Anthony Maroney said while the fires are not yet contained, his department's in it for the long haul. To our residents impacted by this devastating fire siege, please rest assured that we will not stop until the fires are fully contained and we will continue to be here for you as we plan for the repopulation, recovery and rebuilding that will be occurring. The fires have now consumed an area the size of San Francisco, destroying at least 10,000 homes and structures since Tuesday. Meanwhile, as the fires continue there, NPR's Greg Allen reports. Officials acknowledged an emergency evacuation alert sent yesterday by mistake created unnecessary panic.

[Greg Allen]

Nearly 10 million people throughout LA received an emergency alert on their phones Thursday afternoon, telling them to evacuate. The alert had been intended for a much smaller area where fire crews were battling a brush fire. Minutes later, a second message told people to disregard the first alert. Los Angeles County Emergency manager Kevin McGowan apologized for the mistake and pleaded with Angelenos not to disable their emergency alerts. This is extremely frustrating, painful and scary, but these alert tools have saved lives during this emergency. Officials are investigating the software mistake that they say led to the false alert. Greg Allen, NPR News, Los Angeles.

[Jack Spear]

President Elect Donald Trump today received an unconditional discharge of his sentence, with the judge in his case declining to oppose any punishment. Felony charges will stay on his record, though. During his sentencing hearing, Trump, who appeared virtually, called the case against him a despicable charade. He says he'll appeal. Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to bury allegations of an affair with an adult film star. US Employers added more than a quarter million jobs last month. More from NPR's Scott Horsley.

[Scott Horsley]

A new report card from the Labor Department shows employers added 256,000 jobs in December, while the unemployment rate inched down to 4.1%. Restaurants and retailers both added jobs last month, along with health care and government construction companies added 8,000 jobs, while manufacturers trim 13,000. The report shows the US job market is generally holding up well, although employers aren't having to work quite as hard to find new employees. Average wages in December were up 3.9% from a year ago. That's a smaller annual increase than the previous month, although still probably more than enough to outpace inflation. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

Stocks were down on Wall street. This is NPR. The Department of Homeland Security says about 800,000 Venezuelans, Salvadorans and Ukrainians who are in the US will be able to stay in the US legally for another 18 months. The announcement comes a week before President Elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump, for his part, has promised to put in place hardline immigration policies. Britain's top treasury official is on her way to China for long delayed economic talks as the UK Tries to reset relations with Beijing. Her trip comes amid signs of economic turmoil at home, though, as we from NPR's Lauren Frayer.

[NPR Announcer]

The UK has been struggling with high inflation, low productivity and sluggish growth for years. But this week, the government's borrowing costs hit a 16 year high and the British currency, the pound, hit a one year low against the US Dollar. The UK has been particularly hard hit by a global bond selloff, but this may also be delayed reaction to the UK treasury chief Rachel Reeves budget unveiled in the fall and jitters over any tariffs that might be imposed by the incoming Trump admin. Economic talks with China have been delayed since 2019. Opposition politicians demanded Reeves postpone again because of instability here, but she's gone ahead. Lauren Frayer, NPR News, London.

[Jack Spear]

It's New Zealand's version of a reality show, albeit featuring birds instead of people. It tracks a pair of northern royal albatrosses as they breed and raise a chick each year. Millions have tuned in to watch the 24 hour live stream of the birds breeding season, a rugged headland on New Zealand's South Island. The show began in 2010. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to npr news now +@ +npr.org that's +npr.org.