NPR News Now: January 13, 2025, 2 PM EST

Host: NPR
Release Date: January 13, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

1. Catastrophic Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles

Reporter: Lakshmi Singh

The Los Angeles area is currently grappling with severe wildfires, with multiple blazes threatening communities and claiming lives. According to the latest updates from Cal Fire, the Eaton Fire has achieved 33% containment, while the Palisades Fire stands at 14% containment. Notably, the Hearst Fire is nearing 95% containment. However, authorities warn that an impending round of fierce winds could hinder firefighting efforts, potentially allowing the flames to reignite and engulf additional neighborhoods.

Tragically, the wildfires have resulted in at least 24 fatalities, with 16 individuals still missing. While no minors are currently unaccounted for, the fires pose a significant threat to vulnerable populations, particularly senior citizens.

On the Ground: Kelly McEvers reports from a Red Cross shelter housing many elderly evacuees from the Palisades Fire.

• Sarah James, 76:
  "I close my eyes and think that I'll go to sleep. Instead, they pop open in 20 minutes and I'm wide awake." (01:29)

• Francoise Maira, 64:
  "My password book is Ashes at Home. I wrote it all down. My password book was like 2 inches thick." (01:49)

Volunteers at the shelter highlight that older adults, already battling physical and mental health challenges, are facing heightened struggles amid the chaos. The uncertainty of rebuilding lives and the trauma of loss are compounded by logistical hurdles, such as securing access to essential accounts and resources.

2. European Sanctions on Syria: Prospects for Easing

Reporter: Lakshmi Singh
Field Correspondent: Kerry Khan, Damascus

European officials are set to discuss the potential easing of sanctions on Syria within the month. However, the lifting of these sanctions is contingent upon the Syrian leadership demonstrating genuine progress towards an inclusive political transition that represents the country's diverse population.

Kerry Khan emphasizes the challenges ahead:

"Reconstructing Syria after more than a decade of international sanctions is going to be tough. Financial bans are still in place on everything from banking to oil purchases and trade in key sectors." (02:26)

The European Union’s top diplomat has announced that European foreign ministers will convene on January 27 to initiate discussions on removing sanctions. Nevertheless, any relaxation of these restrictions must be followed by tangible progress in Syria's political landscape. The United States has already taken steps to ease certain sanctions, including removing a $10 million bounty on the new Syrian leader, who was previously a senior al Qaeda militant. Additionally, the U.S. is permitting temporary transactions in critical sectors, notably the energy market, indicating a strategic approach to balancing diplomatic pressures with humanitarian and economic considerations.

3. U.S. Economic Update: Stock Market and Energy Prices

Reporter: Lakshmi Singh
Field Correspondent: Scott Horsley, Washington

The U.S. stock market saw a modest uptick today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing by 212 points, approximately 0.5%, closing at 42,000. This rise comes amidst fluctuating energy prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Crude Oil Prices:

Crude oil has surged to its highest level in five months, influenced primarily by recent policy decisions. Scott Horsley explains:

"Oil prices jumped sharply over the weekend after the Biden administration added new sanctions against Russia's energy sector." (03:32)

Despite the increase in crude prices, consumers have not yet felt the impact at the pump. According to AAA, regular gas prices remain relatively stable, averaging just over $3.06 per gallon, showing little change from the previous week.

U.S. Steel and National Security Concerns:

In a move highlighting national security priorities, President Biden has blocked a planned sale of U.S. steel to Japan's Nippon Steel. An interagency committee has agreed to delay the effective date of this order until mid-June, providing time for further deliberations. This decision underscores the administration's commitment to safeguarding critical industries amidst global uncertainties.

4. Texas Legislature Considers Banning THC in Cannabis

Reporter: Lakshmi Singh
Field Correspondent: John Burnett, Austin

The Texas Legislature is poised to address the controversial issue of banning THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, as it convenes tomorrow. This move targets a significant loophole in state law that has inadvertently fueled a burgeoning market for consumable cannabis products.

Background:

Six years prior, Texas enacted legislation to legalize hemp cultivation for industrial purposes, inadvertently creating a pathway for the production of THC-infused products. Resourceful chemists and retailers exploited this by extracting THC from non-intoxicating hemp, leading to the proliferation of consumables such as gummies and smokable flour. Today, Texas boasts over 7,000 cannabis dispensaries, surpassing even states like California in numbers.

Political Response:

The state's influential Lieutenant Governor, Republican Dan Patrick, has spearheaded the push to ban THC entirely, citing concerns over public health and regulatory oversight. John Burnett reports:

"Fans of good consumable cannabis, from gummies to smokeable flour, say it's too late to put the genie back in the bottle." (04:21)

Despite the widespread acceptance and established market, conservative lawmakers argue that removing THC is essential to curbing the unintended consequences of the initial hemp legislation. The proposed ban reflects ongoing tensions between economic opportunities and regulatory control within the evolving landscape of cannabis legalization.

Speaker Timestamps

• [01:29] Sarah James (76):
  "I close my eyes and think that I'll go to sleep. Instead, they pop open in 20 minutes and I'm wide awake."

• [01:49] Francoise Maira (64):
  "My password book is Ashes at Home. I wrote it all down. My password book was like 2 inches thick."

• [02:26] Kerry Khan (Damascus):
  "Reconstructing Syria after more than a decade of international sanctions is going to be tough. Financial bans are still in place on everything from banking to oil purchases and trade in key sectors."

• [03:32] Scott Horsley (Washington):
  "Oil prices jumped sharply over the weekend after the Biden administration added new sanctions against Russia's energy sector."

• [04:21] John Burnett (Austin):
  "Fans of good consumable cannabis, from gummies to smokeable flour, say it's too late to put the genie back in the bottle."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on January 13, 2025. From the heartbreaking wildfires in Los Angeles and the geopolitical nuances of Syria's sanctions to the intricate dynamics of the U.S. economy and the contentious debate over THC in Texas, this episode provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of pressing current events.