NPR News Now: January 12, 2025, 9 PM EST

NPR's "News Now" delivers the latest updates in just five minutes. In this episode released on January 13, 2025, host Luis Schiavone and reporters Emma Bowman, Andrew Limbong, and Aaron Moselle cover a range of pressing news topics, including the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, updates from the education sector, changes in the Hollywood award season, and significant developments in the sports world.

1. California Wildfires: Increasing Toll and Community Resilience

Impact and Investigation

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office is actively investigating 24 deaths resulting from the recent wildfires, an increase from 16 the previous day. State officials report that at least 12,000 structures have been destroyed across the affected areas. The Eaton and Palisade fires have particularly ravaged communities, leaving many residents in despair.

Personal Stories from Altadena

Emma Bowman brings a poignant human element to the story through the experiences of Yoel Carter Martinez and her son, Pedro, who lost their home and the Pasadena school where Yoel taught Spanish.

• Yoel Carter Martinez (00:49): “We have lost the house. We haven't lost the home. We lost our school, the building, but we haven't lost the school community.”

• Pedro Martinez (01:13): “All the streets that were being shown on TV of Altaderina burning and all that were like, that is where we walk. That is where every day I go to Aldi and get my groceries or to the hardware store to do whatever my tinkering things, it's like it can't be real.”

Despite the losses, the Martinez family emphasizes the strength of their community and expresses uncertainty about the future but plans to stay with friends as they navigate the aftermath.

Ukrainian Assistance Offered

In a remarkable international response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on the ex-social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that Ukraine is prepared to assist California in combating the wildfires. He stated that “150 Ukrainian firefighters are prepared to assist,” highlighting a coordinated effort to support the affected regions.

2. Education Sector Update: LA Unified School District Reopens

Amid the ongoing wildfire crisis, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has announced plans to reopen most schools on Monday. Initially, all buildings were closed late Wednesday as fire conditions deteriorated. In a recently released robo-call to parents, the district conveyed that conditions have improved, and it is now safe for students and employees to return to campuses. However, some schools in the most severely impacted areas will remain closed to ensure safety.

3. Hollywood Award Season Delayed by Wildfires

The wildfire situation in Los Angeles has significantly impacted the entertainment industry, particularly the Academy Awards season.

Oscar Nominations and Voting Extended

Andrew Limbong reports that Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has extended the voting window for Oscar nominations by two days, now closing on Tuesday, January 14. This adjustment acknowledges the challenges faced by Academy members living in wildfire-affected areas.

Limbong adds, “Award season in Hollywood usually means a calendar chock full of events and everything is being affected by the fires.” As a result, other award shows have also been disrupted:

• Screen Actors Guild Awards have canceled their live nominee announcements.
• Writers Guild of America has postponed their nominee announcements.
• The 97th Academy Awards remains scheduled for March 2, with Conan O'Brien set to host.

Kramer emphasized empathy for those in the LA area, stating, “So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area and we are thinking of you.”

4. Sports: NBA Activities Amid Wildfires and Buffalo Bills Advance

NBA Teams Resume Play

Despite the ongoing wildfires, NBA teams in the Los Angeles area are pushing forward with their schedules:

• LA Clippers are set to resume play on Tuesday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, located south of the Palisades fire.
• Los Angeles Lakers will also play, hosting the San Antonio Spurs at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

These events signify the league's efforts to maintain normalcy and provide relief through sports entertainment amidst the crisis.

Philadelphia 76ers Abandon New Arena Plans

In other sports news, the Philadelphia 76ers have canceled their plans to build a new basketball arena in downtown Philadelphia. According to Aaron Moselle from member station WHYY, the team has reached an agreement with Comcast Spectacor to remain at the South Philadelphia sports complex.

• Moselle explains, “The deal with Comcast Spectacor will keep the Sixers at the sports complex in South Philly.”

This decision comes after more than two years of deliberation and follows the passage of local legislation authorizing the new facility. While specific details remain scarce, Comcast Spectacor intends to transform the stadium district into a year-round destination by redeveloping existing parking lots, leaving the possibility open for a new arena in the future.

Buffalo Bills Advance in NFL Playoffs

In the NFL, the Buffalo Bills secured a decisive 31-7 win over the Denver Broncos in a wild card playoff game. This victory propels them to the divisional round for the fifth consecutive postseason, where they will face the Baltimore Ravens.

NPR continues to provide timely and comprehensive news coverage, ensuring listeners stay informed on critical developments around the globe.