NPR News Now: January 14, 2025, 7AM EST
Hosted by NPR, this episode of "NPR News Now" delivers the latest headlines from Washington to Los Angeles, covering significant political developments, environmental concerns, technological advancements, and more.
Justice Department Releases Partial Report on Election Interference
Korva Coleman opens the episode with breaking news from Washington, detailing the Justice Department's publication of the first part of special counsel Jack Smith's report. Investigations centered on allegations that President-elect Donald Trump attempted to undermine the 2020 election results.
Kerry Johnson elaborates:
"The report concludes there was enough evidence for a jury in Washington, D.C. to convict Trump for trying to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election." (00:32)
Prosecutors accuse Trump of orchestrating a "campaign of pervasive deceit" and positioning himself at the heart of a "criminal conspiracy." Despite emphasizing the importance of the rule of law, Jack Smith refrained from prosecuting Trump due to longstanding Justice Department policies that prevent such action against a sitting president. As Trump prepares to assume office next Monday, he has publicly criticized Smith, asserting,
"Voters in 2024 had spoken, returning me to the White House." (00:32)
Legal Setbacks for Jack Smith's Investigation
A federal judge has temporarily halted the release of the second volume of Smith's report, which addresses allegations of mishandling classified documents and obstruction of justice by Trump. This pause adds uncertainty to the ongoing legal battles as Trump transitions into his presidency.
Confirmation Hearings for Trump’s Cabinet Nominees Begin
Korva Coleman shifts focus to Capitol Hill, where the Senate is initiating confirmation hearings for several of President-elect Trump's cabinet appointees. The hearings commence with the Senate Armed Services Committee interviewing defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth.
Domenico Montanaro reports:
"It amounts to a test of the nominees' ability to show they can handle scrutiny." (01:51)
These sessions serve dual purposes: evaluating the qualifications of the nominees and assessing Trump's political influence amid narrow majorities in both the House and Senate.
Los Angeles Faces Renewed Fire Threats Amid Powerful Winds
The Los Angeles region is bracing for renewed fire threats as powerful winds return. Firefighters are on high alert to manage potential flare-ups, with the Palisades Fire west of Los Angeles currently only 14% contained.
President Joe Biden emphasizes the scale of recovery needed:
"It's going to cost tens of billions of dollars to get Los Angeles back to where it was." (02:42)
He urges Congress to allocate necessary funding, to which House Speaker Mike Johnson responds:
"I think there should probably be conditions on that aid." (02:59)
However, Johnson did not specify what conditions might be applied, indicating ongoing negotiations within the House leadership.
Potential Acquisition of U.S. Steel Sparks Industry Attention
The corporate landscape sees potential shifts as Cleveland Cliffs' CEO expresses interest in acquiring U.S. Steel, a historic American manufacturer. This comes after President Biden blocked a previous sale attempt to Japanese company Nippon Steel, citing national interest and security concerns.
Innovative Canadian Research Targets Plastic Degradation
In environmental news, Canadian scientists at the University of Waterloo are pioneering methods to combat plastic pollution. By engineering bacteria commonly found in wastewater plants, they aim to break down plastics more efficiently.
Lester Graham reports on the breakthrough:
"In one lab experiment, the bacteria degraded 40% of a plastic cup lid in four days." (03:50)
PhD candidate Aaron Yip hopes this technology could eventually address microplastics in various environments, including oceans and lakes:
"My hope is that this technology can be a platform to get rid of microplastics in different types of environments." (04:10)
Future research will focus on ensuring that the byproducts of this degradation process do not pose environmental risks.
Blue Origin Reschedules Glenn Space Rocket Launch
Aviation enthusiast updates reveal that Blue Origin's new Glenn space rocket launch has been postponed to Thursday at the earliest. The initial attempt was aborted due to ice accumulation on the launch pad. The mission aims to deploy a prototype satellite into orbit, marking another step forward for billionaire Jeff Bezos' space exploration endeavors.
Stay informed with NPR for the latest updates on these stories and more. This summary provides a comprehensive overview of today's top news, ensuring you stay connected even if you missed the live broadcast.