NPR News Now – January 13, 2025 Morning Summary

Release Date: January 13, 2025 | Host: NPR

1. Wildfire Warnings and Ongoing Fires in Los Angeles

Red Flag Warnings Issued: The National Weather Service has declared new red flag warnings for the Los Angeles area, signaling a "particularly dangerous situation" due to high winds. These winds are expected to gust up to 70 miles per hour, posing a significant threat of explosive fire growth.

Expert Analysis: Robert Clark, a fire behavior analyst for Cal Fire, highlighted the potential for rapid fire development despite current low activity levels. At [00:41], he stated:

“Even though you might not see activity on our fire currently or very isolated pockets, the possibility and the ability for fires to become active or new fire starts is high probability.”

Current Fire Status:

• Palisades Fire: Now 14% contained.
• Eaton Fire (Pasadena Altadena area): Approximately 33% contained.

Casualties and Recovery Efforts: At least 24 fatalities have been reported across California wildfires, predominantly in the Eaton Fire. Elise Hu reported on the tragic loss of two disabled individuals in Altadena:

"[…] both family members who died in the Eaton fire faced disabilities. Anthony Mitchell Sr., a 67-year-old amputee, and his son, Justin Mitchell, who had cerebral palsy, were waiting to be evacuated as flames approached their neighborhood." ([01:17])

Hajime White, Anthony Mitchell's daughter, shared her devastation:

“I just lost it. I started screaming, hollering my husband. He was like, what's wrong? What's wrong? I said, my dad and brother's gone.” ([01:35])

Search and recovery operations are underway, utilizing cadaver dogs to locate additional victims.

2. Senate Confirmation Hearings for President Trump's Cabinet Nominees

The Senate has commenced confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees, focusing initially on key departments such as Justice, Defense, CIA, and State.

Defense Secretary Nominee – Pete Hegseth: Scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. Hegseth, a former Fox News host and combat veteran, faces allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Despite controversies, Republican Senator Roger Marshall expressed confidence in the confirmations:

“All of Trump's picks, including Hegseth, will get confirmed. Yes, some of them are outside the box, but I do think we have…” ([02:10]–[02:35])

Other Nominees:

• Attorney General: Pam Bondi
• Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
• CIA Director: John Radcliffe

All nominees are expected to undergo committee hearings, after which the full Senate will vote, requiring a simple majority for confirmation.

3. President Biden’s Upcoming Foreign Policy Speech

President Biden is slated to deliver a significant foreign policy address at the State Department this afternoon. The speech is anticipated to cover:

• Strengthening U.S. Alliances: Emphasizing reinforced ties with traditional allies.
• Enhancing U.S. Leadership: Outlining strategies to bolster American influence globally.

Details from Korva Coleman’s report:

“He's expected to discuss the work he's done to strengthen US ties with its allies and boost US leadership around the world.” ([02:53])

4. North Korean Troop Involvement in Ukraine Conflict

South Korean authorities have reported significant North Korean military casualties in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Casualty Estimates:

• Killed: Approximately 300 North Korean troops.
• Injured: Around 2,700 troops.

Captures and Negotiations: At least two North Korean soldiers have been captured by Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to return these troops to North Korea, contingent upon assistance from North Korea's leadership in facilitating a prisoner exchange.

5. Revising Alcohol Consumption Guidelines

In response to the U.S. Surgeon General's latest report on alcohol, there is a growing consensus among health experts to reevaluate current alcohol consumption guidelines.

Current vs. Proposed Guidelines:

• Traditional Advice: Up to one drink per day for women and two for men.
• New Recommendations:
  • Less than seven drinks per week ([04:09]).
  • Canadian Guidelines: No more than two drinks per week to minimize alcohol-related harms ([04:14]).

Health Risks: Dr. Ashish Dadwania of Northwestern University pointed out that even moderate drinking levels may increase the risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer, with as few as three to six drinks per week.

6. Blue Origin’s Launch Scrub of New Rocket, New Glenn

Private space company Blue Origin has postponed its overnight launch attempt of the New Glenn rocket due to technical issues. Mission managers cited repeated technical resets of the launch clock before ultimately deciding to scrub the mission.

Current Status:

• Next Launch Date: Not yet scheduled.

Korva Coleman provided the update:

“Mission managers said they're checking a technical issue. The managers kept resetting the launch clock before finally deciding to scrub the attempt. No new launch date has been set.” ([04:31])

Notable Quotes and Attributions

• Robert Clark (Cal Fire):

  “Even though you might not see activity on our fire currently or very isolated pockets, the possibility and the ability for fires to become active or new fire starts is high probability.” ([00:41])

• Hajime White (Victim's Daughter):

  “I just lost it. I started screaming, hollering my husband. He was like, what's wrong? What's wrong? I said, my dad and brother's gone.” ([01:35])

• Dr. Ashish Dadwania (Northwestern University):

  “Some research points to an increased risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer, with as little as three to six drinks per week.” ([04:14])

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and updates from the NPR News Now episode aired on January 13, 2025. For detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full podcast episode.