NPR News: 01-15-2025 11AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 15, 2025, 11 AM EST

**1. National Politics: Trump’s Cabinet Confirmation Hearings

Korva Coleman opens the episode by reporting on the ongoing confirmation hearings in several Senate committees for President Elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees. A key focus is on Pam Bondi, Trump's selection for the next U.S. Attorney General.

Pam Bondi emphasized her commitment to depoliticizing the Justice Department:

“[00:37] As the next attorney general of the United States, my overriding objective will be to return the Department of Justice to its core mission of keeping Americans safe and vigorously prosecuting criminals.”

Trump aims to end what he describes as the "weaponization of the Justice Department," a sentiment Bondi echoes, promising to reduce partisanship within the agency if confirmed.

In addition to Bondi, Trump’s nominees undergoing scrutiny include:

• Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State
• Former Congressman Sean Duffy for the Transportation Department
• Chris Wright, a former fossil fuel executive, for the Energy Department

2. National Security: Focus on the Southern Border

The confirmation hearings also spotlight Trump's incoming National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, who identifies the southern border as the United States' most pressing national security issue.

Mike Waltz stated:

“[01:38] The open nature of the southern border is unacceptable and the incoming Trump administration intends to tackle that.”

An unnamed Trump Administration official further elaborated on their approach:

“[01:46] You're going to see a lot of action to close the border, to go back to the policies that we believe were working.”

Waltz highlighted strategies such as the "remain in Mexico" policy and collaboration with the Mexican government to strengthen border security. He also noted ongoing communications with Biden’s national security team to negotiate a hostage release and potential ceasefire in Gaza.

3. Local Impact: Los Angeles Firestorm Devastates Communities

A significant segment covers the severe wildfires in Los Angeles, resulting in at least 25 fatalities and extensive property damage since the previous week.

NPR’s Martin Acosti reports:

“[02:15] The two big fires, Palisades and Eaton, have destroyed thousands of homes, putting a huge strain on the Los Angeles housing market.”

Mayor Karen Bass has responded by issuing an emergency order aimed at freeing up approximately 1,200 housing units in the coming week. She appeals to landlords to maintain rent prices during this crisis:

“[02:51] The rents are too expensive to begin with, and the idea that somebody would gouge folks at this point in time, I think is shameful.”

Despite state laws limiting rent increases to no more than 10% during emergencies, Acosti notes that bidding wars persist for available housing:

“[02:59] State law prohibits increases of more than 10% during declared emergencies such as this, but that has not stopped bidding wars over some available housing.”

4. International Affairs: NATO Protects Undersea Cables

Korva Coleman details NATO’s initiative to safeguard vital undersea cables in the Baltic Sea region. The alliance is deploying ships, planes, and drones to patrol these critical waterways following damage to several power, gas, and telecommunications lines connecting Europe.

5. Healthcare: Last Day for Open Enrollment on Healthcare.gov

Selena Simmons Duffin highlights the urgency for eligible Americans to enroll in health plans as the open enrollment period on Healthcare.gov concludes at midnight.

Key points include:

• Increased availability of Obamacare plan options compared to previous years.
• Extra subsidies reducing monthly premiums, with some as low as $10, contingent on Congressional action to extend these benefits beyond the current year.

Simmons Duffin advises individuals to use their zip codes on Healthcare.gov to find suitable plans, emphasizing the deadline's significance:

“[03:43] The deadline to enroll in a plan on healthcare.gov is midnight.”

6. Legal Developments: Texas Sues Allstate Over Data Privacy Issues

The state of Texas has initiated a lawsuit against a subsidiary of insurance giant Allstate, alleging unauthorized tracking of motorists via cell phones and the subsequent sale of personal data to insurance companies without consent.

Allstate has responded by denying any illicit activities:

"[04:25] Allstate has released a statement and denied taking any illegal actions."

This case underscores growing concerns over data privacy and the legal ramifications for companies handling personal information.

---

This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on January 15, 2025. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

[Carvana]

This message comes from Carvana. Finance your next car the convenient way, with customizable, transparent terms, all online. Make your budget work for you and swap hassle for convenience with Carvana.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Confirmation hearings are underway in some Senate committees this morning for some of President Elect Trump's cabinet choices. That includes Pam Bondi, Trump's pick for the next US Attorney general. Trump has said that he wants to end the, quote, weaponization of the Justice Department. Bondi agrees, saying she would bring an end to partisanship at the agency if confirmed.

[Pam Bondi]

As the next attorney general of the United States, my overriding objective will be to return the Department of Justice to its core mission of keeping Americans safe and vigorously prosecuting criminals.

[Korva Coleman]

Federal charges against Trump of election interference, mishandling classified documents and obstructing justice were dropped after he won the election. Trump denies the charges. Other Trump nominees in confirmation hearings today include Florida Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of State, former Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy to run the Transportation Department, and former fossil fuel executive Chris Wright to head the Energy Department. Trump's incoming national security adviser, Mike Waltz says the southern border is the most immediate national security challenge for the US nps. Asma Khalid reports his comments came during a symbolic event to pass the baton from Biden's national security advisor to Trump's.

[Mike Waltz]

Walt said the open nature of the southern border is unacceptable and the incoming Trump administration intends to tackle that.

[Unnamed Trump Administration Official]

You're going to see a lot of action to close the border, to go back to the policies that we believe were working.

[Mike Waltz]

He pointed to ideas like remain in Mexico or working with the Mexican government to fortify their southern border. Walt and Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, have routinely been in communication throughout this transition period. The two teams working to try to get a hostage deal that would lead to a ceasefire in Gaza. Asma Khalid, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Weather forecasters are warning of high winds in Los Angeles later this morning. At least 25 people have been killed by the LA firestorm since last week. NPR's Martin Acosti reports from LA. Fire crews and regional officials are struggling to cope.

[Martin Acosti]

The two big fires, Palisades and Eaton, have destroyed damage thousands of homes, putting a huge strain on the Los Angeles housing market. Mayor Karen Bass has issued an emergency order which she says she hopes will free up 1200 housing units in the next week or so. But she and other local leaders are also calling on landlords not to jack up prices.

[Karen Bass]

The rents are too expensive to begin with, and the idea that somebody would gouge folks at this point in time, I think is shameful.

[Martin Acosti]

State law prohibits increases of more than 10% during declared emergencies such as this, but that has not stopped bidding wars over some available housing. Martin Kosti, NPR News, Los Angeles.

[Korva Coleman]

This is npr. NATO says it's launching a new effort to protect undersea cables in the Baltic Sea region. Officials from the Western military alliance will deploy ships, planes and drones to patrol the waters. That comes after several lines carrying power, gas and telecommunications have been damaged to and from Europe. This is the final day of Open enrollment on healthcare.gov NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin reports. Eligible Americans have hours remaining to sign up for a health plan if they don't already have one.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

For people who don't get health insurance through their jobs, this is an important deadline. This year. There are more so called Obamacare plan options than in the past. And there are extra subsidies that make monthly premiums more affordable, some as low as $10 per month. Those extra subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress intervenes. So this might be the last year for very low premiums. Many states run their own insurance marketplaces like California and Kentucky. But no matter what state you live in, you can put in your zip code at healthcare.gov to find the place to sign up. The deadline to enroll in a plan on healthcare.gov is midnight. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The state of Texas is suing a subsidiary of insurance company Allstate. Texas officials allege the subsidiary firm illegally tracked motorists using their cell phones. Texas claims that the subsidiary firm then sold the personal data of millions of Americans to insurance companies without their consent. All state has released a statement and denied taking any illegal actions. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

[Carvana]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to npr news now +@ +npr.org that's +npr.org.