NPR News: 01-13-2025 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 13, 2025 – Comprehensive Summary

NPR News Now delivered a range of critical updates in its January 13, 2025 episode, covering devastating wildfires in California, a severe winter storm affecting the central United States, developments in renewable energy amidst political shifts, setbacks in space exploration, geopolitical tensions involving North Korea, and the commencement of a massive religious gathering in India. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed:

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1. Devastating Wildfires in Los Angeles County

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporter: Adrian Florido and Elise Hu

California continues to grapple with severe wildfires, resulting in tragic loss of life and extensive property damage.

• Impact and Current Status:

  • At least 24 fatalities have been reported due to the wildfires.
  • The Eaton Fire in Northeast LA and the Palisades Fire on the west side have destroyed thousands of homes.
  • Firefighters are making progress in containing both fires, which are now mostly confined to unpopulated hills but remain a threat due to potential wind gusts reaching 70 mph.

• Human Tragedy:

  • The majority of deaths occurred in the Eaton Farm Fire in the Pasadena Altadena area.
  • Elise Hu reported on the heartbreaking loss of Anthony Mitchell Sr., a 67-year-old amputee, and his son Justin Mitchell, who had cerebral palsy. Both were unable to evacuate in time.
  • Timestamp [01:29]: Hajim White, daughter of Anthony Mitchell, shared her anguish:

    "I just, I started screaming, calling my husband. He was like, what's wrong? What's wrong? I said my daddy brother's gone."

• Recovery Efforts:

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

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2. Central U.S. Winter Storm and Renewable Energy Uncertainties

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporter: Jeff Brady

A significant winter storm has wreaked havoc across the central United States, compounded by uncertainties in renewable energy policies.

• Storm Impact:

  • States like Texas and Oklahoma have experienced up to 7 inches of snow, with Arkansas seeing an unprecedented year's worth of snow from a single storm.
  • The storm resulted in power outages for thousands and disrupted flights, notably in Atlanta.

• Renewable Energy Concerns:

  • The impending administration of President-Elect Donald Trump has raised fears of eliminating subsidies for solar energy.
  • Reporter Jeff Brady highlighted the urgency among homeowners to install solar panels before potential policy changes:
    • Jorge Solaris from the Boston suburbs expressed his concern:

      "We needed that. Otherwise, it's just too expensive."
      (Timestamp [02:30])
      Solaris accelerated his solar installation to take advantage of a 30% tax credit, which saved him $8,000. He fears that without these incentives, the financial burden would deter many from adopting solar energy.

• Industry Impact:

  • Solar installation companies report that some customers are reconsidering their investments due to the uncertainty surrounding federal subsidies, which could hinder the industry's rapid growth.

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3. Blue Origin’s Glenn Rocket Launch Scrubbed

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporter: Marion Summerall

A significant setback occurred in the realm of space exploration as Blue Origin's latest rocket launch faced delays.

• Launch Details:

  • The initial launch attempt of Blue Origin's new Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral was scrubbed due to a vehicle subsystem issue.
  • Conditions at sea, where the rocket's barge was scheduled to land, also contributed to the delay.

• Rocket Specifications:

  • The Glenn rocket boasts seven reusable engines and can carry 45 tons of payload into low Earth orbit, marking it as Blue Origin's largest rocket to date.
  • The company plans to land the first stage booster on a barge at sea, a complex operation that faced challenges during this attempt.

• Future Plans:

  • A new launch window has yet to be established as Blue Origin assesses the issues that led to the scrub.

(Timestamp [03:12] - [03:30])

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4. North Korean Troops in Ukraine and Potential Prisoner Exchange

Host: Korva Coleman

South Korean authorities have unveiled alarming estimates regarding North Korean military involvement in Ukraine, sparking international concern.

• Casualties and Captures:

  • Approximately 300 North Korean troops are believed to have been killed in combat in Ukraine.
  • An estimated 2,700 North Korean soldiers have been injured.
  • Ukrainian forces have captured at least two North Korean soldiers.

• Diplomatic Developments:

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to return the captured North Korean troops to their homeland on the condition that North Korea's leader assists in facilitating a prisoner exchange.
  • Notably, the captured soldiers have not expressed a desire to defect, indicating complex motivations behind their deployment.

(Timestamp [03:58])

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5. Mahakum Festival: The World’s Largest Religious Gathering in India

Host: Korva Coleman

India is set to host the largest religious gathering in the world, attracting nearly 400 million Hindus to Prayagraj for the Mahakum festival.

• Festival Details:

  • The Mahakum festival involves ritual bathing in the confluence of three sacred rivers, including the Ganges, signifying purification and spiritual renewal.
  • This grand event occurs approximately once every 12 years, drawing millions from across the Hindu diaspora.

• Cultural Significance:

  • The festival serves as a pivotal moment for communal unity, religious devotion, and cultural expression, reinforcing traditions that have been preserved for centuries.

(Timestamp [04:55])

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and comprehensive coverage of events shaping our world. Stay informed with NPR for the latest updates.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. California officials say at least 24 people have now been killed by the Los Angeles wildfires. NPR's Adrian Florido says the two major wildfires blazing are still out of control.

[Adrian Florido]

Firefighters are gradually control containing the Eaton fire in Northeast LA and the Palisades fire on the west side. Each of those fires destroyed thousands of homes. They are now burning mostly in the unpopulated hills, but they are still spreading. There were new evacuation orders over the weekend in neighborhoods that the fires were approaching. The big concern now is that winds are about to pick up again. There could be gusts as high as 70 miles per hour in some areas.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Adrian Florido reporting. Most of the deaths in the LA county wildfires have come in the Eaton Farm fire burning in the Pasadena Altadena area. Elise Hugh reports on two victims who perished in Altadena.

[Elise Hu]

Both family members who died in the Eaton fire faced disabilities. Anthony Mitchell sr. Was a 67 year old amputee. His son Justin Mitchell, who also died in the fire, had cerebral palsy. The family says the pair were waiting to be evacuated as flames reached their neighborhood. Hajim White is Anthony Mitchell's daughter.

[Korva Coleman]

I just, I started screaming, calling my husband. He was like, what's wrong? What's wrong? I said my daddy brother's gone.

[Elise Hu]

Crews have begun search and recovery operations using cadaver dogs to locate any additional victims. For NPR News, I'm Elise Hu in Los Angeles.

[Korva Coleman]

Areas in the central U.S. the south and parts of the Mid Atlantic are recovering from a winter storm. As much as 7 inches of snow fell on parts of Texas and Oklahoma over the past several days. Parts of Arkansas got up to a that's about a year's worth of snow in a single storm. This storm cut power to thousands of customers and delayed thousands of flights over the weekend, especially in Atlanta. Many homeowners are rushing to install solar panels before President Elect Trump takes office and possibly eliminates subsidies for the climate friendly energy source. NPR's Jeff Brady reports. Trump campaigned on rescinding parts of a 2022 climate law that includes the credits.

[Jeff Brady]

In the Boston suburbs. Jorge Solaris decided last summer to install solar on his house. Installation took a while and after the election he pushed to get the panels hooked up by the end of last year. Solaris worried a 30% tax credit that saved him $8,000 might end under Trump. Since we're spending so much money on this, the federal credit was just the way for us to get it. We needed that. Otherwise, it's just too expensive. Solar installation companies say some customers are deciding against SOL because of the uncertainty. They also worry ending federal subsidies could disrupt the fast growth solar has experienced in recent years. Jeff Brady, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to npr. The initial launch of Blue Origin's new Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida was scrubbed early this morning. Mission managers said it was due to what they called a vehicle subsystem issue. From Central Florida Public Media, Marion Summerall has more.

[Marion Summerall]

A new launch window has not been set yet. Teams attempted to launch the rocket last week, but conditions at sea where the rocket was set to land on a barge force the delays. With seven reusable engines and the ability to carry 45 tons of payloads into low Earth orbit, it is Blue Origin's largest rocket. Blue Origin will attempt to land the vehicle's first stage booster that has seven reusable engines on a barge at sea. For NPR News, I'm Marion Summerall in Orlando.

[Korva Coleman]

South Korean authorities say they believe about 300 troops from North Korea have been killed in combat in Ukraine. They say South Korea's spy agency estimates another 2,700 have been injured. At least two North Korean troops have been captured by Ukrainian forces, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's willing to return them to North Korea if North Korea's leader helps set up a prisoner exchange. The troops reportedly have not expressed a desire to defect to another country. The world's largest religious gathering has now opened in Prayagraj, India. Over the next Six weeks, nearly 400 million Hindus will join the Mahakum festival being held there. Many will conduct ritual bathing in the confluence of three rivers, including the Ganges. The Hindu festival is held about once every 12 years. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

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