NPR News: 01-11-2025 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 11, 2025, 7AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
Source: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. Escalating Wildfires in Los Angeles County

Giles Snyder opens the episode with a dire report on the ongoing wildfire crisis in Los Angeles County. As of January 11, over 100,000 residents remain under evacuation orders due to the persistent threat of fires exacerbated by strong Santa Ana winds. The most significant blaze, the Palisades Fire, has engulfed more than 21,000 acres, surpassing the size of all of Manhattan.

Elyse Hu provides a detailed account of the situation:

“Just one of LA's many fires has destroyed an area larger than all of Manhattan.” ([00:42])

In Altadena, near the Eaton Fire, authorities are preventing residents from returning to their homes amidst active search and rescue operations. Despite a temporary lull in wind activity, forecasts warn of another Santa Ana wind event early next week with gusts exceeding 40 mph on Monday and Tuesday, potentially reigniting the fires.

The devastation has resulted in at least 11 fatalities. California Governor Gavin Newsom has responded by ordering an independent investigation into the firefighting efforts. Marisa Lagos elaborates on the challenges faced by firefighters:

“Crews... have been stymied by low water pressure and fire hydrants running dry.” ([01:34])

Governor Newsom emphasized the need for a thorough review to prevent future incidents:

“You always want to do better, get to the root cause of any challenges that you have so that they don't happen again and that you're better the next time.” ([01:59])

State Attorney General Rob Bonta supports this initiative, highlighting its importance for improving response strategies. Newsom has also requested that Los Angeles officials conduct their own reviews and collaborate with state authorities to enhance firefighting and evacuation protocols.

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2. Republican Strategy Meeting with President-Elect Donald Trump

In the political arena, Republicans are set to convene at Mar-a-Lago this weekend with President-elect Donald Trump. The meeting aims to discuss key topics such as cabinet nominations, an upcoming reconciliation package, and new policy initiatives. NPR's Deidre Walsh reports that Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman will be the highest-ranking Democrat in attendance:

“I'm the senator for all Pennsylvanians, not just Democrats, and will meet with and have a conversation with anyone, if it helps me deliver for Pennsylvania and the nation.” ([02:31])

House Budget Chairman Jody Arrington and other House GOP lawmakers will also participate, focusing on advancing Trump's legislative agenda through Congress. The Republicans are strategizing to address border security, implement tax cuts, and develop energy policies, all while navigating around potential Democratic filibusters to ensure the passage of their initiatives.

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3. Power Outages Easing in Georgia Amid Winter Storm Recovery

Shifting to weather-related news, the number of power outages in Georgia caused by a recent winter storm is decreasing. Initially, over 110,000 customers were left without electricity due to freezing rain and downed trees. This number has been reduced to approximately 80,000, primarily affecting the Atlanta area. State officials continue to advise residents to avoid travel until conditions improve, expecting road safety to enhance by midday.

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4. Robust December Jobs Report Impacts Stock Market

Economic news highlights a strong December jobs report that has influenced the stock market significantly. The Labor Department announced that employers added more than a quarter million jobs in December, far exceeding expectations. The unemployment rate also fell to 4.1%, signaling a healthy job market. However, this positive data led to a sharp sell-off in the stock market, as investors anticipate that the Federal Reserve may delay cutting interest rates.

Scott Horsley explains the market reaction:

“A healthy job market means the Federal Reserve will likely take its time in cutting interest rates.” ([03:55])

With inflation rates still above the Fed's 2% target, investors now expect that interest rates may remain elevated for a more extended period. This anticipation weighed on major stock indexes for the week:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Fell about 1.9%
• S&P 500 Index: Dropped approximately 1.9%
• Nasdaq Composite: Declined by 2.3%

The robust jobs data, while positive for workers, has introduced uncertainty into the financial markets regarding future monetary policy adjustments.

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5. College Football National Championship Advancing

In sports news, the college football national championship race is intensifying. Ohio State secured a victory against Texas in the Cotton Bowl 28-14, advancing to face Notre Dame on January 20th in Atlanta. This win marks Ohio State's first national championship appearance since 2014, setting the stage for a highly anticipated matchup that could determine the season's top team.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the major stories covered in the January 11, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with detailed insights into the day's most pressing issues.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

From NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. More than 100,000 Los Angeles county residents remain under evacuation orders, and the threat of fire there is not over there. There were fresh evacuations last night, and strong Santa Ana winds are expected to pick up again today. NPR's Elyse Hube reports that the Palisades fire, which is the region's largest, has now burned more than 21,000 acres.

[Elyse Hu]

That means just one of LA's many fires has destroyed an area larger than all of Manhattan. In Altadena, near the Eaton fire, law enforcement is keeping residents from returning to what's left of their homes. Residents are unable to survey damage there as search and rescue operations go on. Dangerous conditions continue to prevail, though winds have died down for now. Forecasters expect another Santa Ana wind event to blow in early next week. Gusts are expected at more than 40 miles an hour on Monday and Tuesday. For NPR News, I'm Elise Hu in Los Angeles.

[Giles Snyder]

The fires in the Los Angeles area are blamed for killing at least 11 people, and California Governor Gavin Newsom is now ordering an independent investigation into WI fi. Firefighters face to challenges getting water to fight the flames. Here's more from Marisa Lagos. From member station kqed, crews in the.

[Marisa Lagos]

Pacific Palisades and near Pasadena have repeatedly been stymied by low water pressure and fire hydrants running dry. In a letter to local officials, Newsom wrote that while water supplies from hydrants are not designed for widespread blazes, losing supplies likely impaired firefighting and evacuation efforts. He directed state water and fire officials to investigate. State Attorney General Rob Bonta says it's the right move.

[Advertiser]

You always want to do better, get to the root cause of any challenges that you have so that they don't happen again and that you're better the next time.

[Marisa Lagos]

Newsom asked LA officials to conduct their own review and share information with the state. For NPR News, I'm Marisa Lagos in San Francisco.

[Giles Snyder]

Republicans will be meeting at Mar a Lago this weekend with President Elect Donald Trump. They're expected to discuss cabinet nominees, an upcoming reconciliation package and new policies. NPR's Deidre Walsh reports that Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman will be the highest ranking Democrat to attend.

[John Fetterman]

John Fetterman says he's the senator for all Pennsylvanians, not just Democrats, and will meet with and have a conversation with anyone, quote, if it helps me deliver for Pennsylvania and the nation. House Budget Chairman Jody Arrington is also heading down, along with groups of House GOP lawmakers, to chart out how to move Trump's big list of agenda items through Congress. I think he said already he to whatever process we end up with and wherever we land one or two bills. What he cares about is the outcomes. Congressional Republicans are crafting legislation addressing border security, tax cuts and energy, using a process to get around a Democratic filibuster. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News, the Capitol.

[Giles Snyder]

This is npr. The number of power outages in Georgia from that winter storm that's been socking the south with snow and ice is easing. Georgia power said last night that more than 110,000 customers were without electricity due to freezing rain and downed trees. That number has now been cut to around 80,000, according to the tracking website Poweroutage US and they're mostly in the Atlanta area. State officials are urging people to stay off the roads until around midday. A better than expected jobs report on Friday triggered a sharp sell off in the stock market. NPR Scott Horsley reports at all of the major stock indexes ended the week in the red.

[Scott Horsley]

The Labor Department said Friday that employers added more than a quarter million jobs in December, far more than forecasters had expected. The unemployment rate dipped to just 4.1%. While that's good news for workers, some investors were disappointed, since a healthy job market means the Federal Reserve will likely take its time in cutting interest rates. The central bank was already expected to hold rates steady when policymakers meet later this month. And with inflation hovering above the Fed's 2% target, investors now think rates may stay higher for longer. Weighed on stock prices for the week, both the Dow and The S&P 500 index fell about 1.9%. The Nasdaq dropped 2.3%. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

The college football national championship is set. Ohio State beat Texas in the Cotton Bowl 2814 last night to advance to play Notre Dame on January 20th in Atlanta. Ohio State will be looking to win its first championship since 2014. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.

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