NPR News Now: January 14, 2025, 9AM EST

Hosted by Korva Coleman

Justice Department Publishes Report on Election Interference Charges Against Donald Trump

Korva Coleman opens the episode by announcing the release of a comprehensive report by the Justice Department (JD) concerning election interference charges against President-elect Donald Trump. Special Counsel Jack Smith has decided to withdraw these charges. Despite this withdrawal, Smith asserts his commitment to prosecuting Trump, even though the case is unlikely to proceed to trial.

Carrie Johnson provides an in-depth analysis of the 150-page report, highlighting Trump’s alleged attempts to cling to power. Smith explains, “[...] I stand behind my decision to prosecute Trump even though the case will never go to trial” (00:33). The report indicates that the JD refrained from indicting Trump while he remains a sitting president, based on the belief that a sitting president cannot be tried. Nevertheless, Smith believes the evidence is sufficient for a potential jury conviction and emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law despite facing relentless personal attacks.

In response, Trump has taken to social media declaring, “the voters have spoken and returned him to power” (00:33). Additionally, his allies have vowed to investigate those who pursued the charges against him, signaling ongoing political tensions.

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Release of Additional Report Sections

Korva Coleman reports that a federal judge has temporarily blocked the release of another segment of the Justice Department’s report, which details Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified information. This development adds another layer to the legal challenges surrounding the former president.

Santa Ana Winds Threaten Los Angeles as Wildfires Persist

Korva Coleman transitions to environmental news, informing listeners about the forecast of dangerous Santa Ana winds across the Los Angeles area. These powerful winds, with gusts potentially reaching 70 miles per hour, are reminiscent of those that fueled last week’s devastating wildfires.

Steve Futterman provides on-the-ground reporting from Los Angeles, stating, “Fire officials say they pretty much have done all they can do to be prepared for these increased winds” (01:41). He details the proactive measures taken by the LA County and LA City fire chiefs, including pre-positioning fire crews in high-risk areas that were previously affected by wildfires. Despite these preparations, Futterman warns, “These winds can be surprising. They can go in much different directions than anticipated. Right now, everyone is on guard” (01:41). The community remains vigilant as authorities brace for the impact of the impending winds.

Progress Nears in Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Negotiations

Korva Coleman updates listeners on the near resolution of ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The potential agreement includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees.

Kat Lonsdorf reports from Tel Aviv, highlighting the intensive negotiations that have spanned weeks in Doha. These talks have seen involvement from mediators representing both the incoming and outgoing U.S. administrations. She conveys insights from an anonymous Israeli official: “They have, quote, never been in such detailed negotiations” (02:28). Additionally, a spokesperson for the Qatari Prime Minister noted that both parties have recently overcome significant obstacles, bringing the talks closer to fruition.

However, Lonsdorf cautions that even if an agreement is reached, it will require approval from the Israeli cabinet and may be subject to review by the Israeli Supreme Court before implementation.

South Korea’s Impeachment Hearing Suspended Amid President Yoon’s Absence

Korva Coleman turns to international politics, reporting that South Korea’s Constitutional Court has commenced impeachment hearings against the suspended President Yoon Sang Yol. The proceedings were abruptly halted after Yoon failed to appear.

This suspension follows Yoon's unsuccessful attempt last month to declare martial law, which has led to increased legal pressures. Currently, South Korean police are endeavoring to arrest Yoon, though previous attempts have been unsuccessful. Authorities are expected to make further efforts to apprehend him in the coming days.

New York Publishers Brace for Landmark Lawsuit Against OpenAI

In a significant development for the tech and publishing industries, Korva Coleman announces that major publishers, including The New York Times and the New York Daily News, are set to appear in federal court in New York for a high-profile copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI.

Bobby Allen elaborates on the case, stating that the plaintiffs accuse OpenAI of “allegedly copying millions of articles without payment or permission” (03:49). The newspapers are seeking potentially billions of dollars in damages and are also demanding the destruction of ChatGPT’s entire data set. OpenAI’s legal team has countered these claims by asserting that the training of their AI models falls under the fair use doctrine, which permits the use of copyrighted material for purposes such as education, research, and commentary.

The upcoming Manhattan court hearing will determine whether the publishers can proceed to trial or if the case will be dismissed.

Stowaway Incident Involving Russian National Indicted

Korva Coleman covers a notable legal incident involving a Russian national, Svetlana Dali, who was indicted by a federal grand jury in New York for attempting to stow away on a flight from New York to Paris. Dali was discovered aboard a Delta flight in November and subsequently returned and arrested. Additionally, another stowaway was found in December on a Delta flight scheduled to depart from Seattle to Honolulu, highlighting ongoing concerns about airline security and passenger vetting.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key news topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode from January 14, 2025. For full details and further updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into the NPR News Now broadcast.

Timestamps:

• 00:13 Korva Coleman introduces DOJ report on Trump.
• 00:33 Carrie Johnson discusses the DOJ report details.
• 01:17 Federal judge blocks part of the DOJ report.
• 01:41 Steve Futterman reports on Santa Ana winds and wildfires.
• 02:28 Kat Lonsdorf covers Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks.
• 03:49 Bobby Allen explains the lawsuit against OpenAI.