NPR News: 01-15-2025 4AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 15, 2025

Host: Shea Stevens | Released: January 15, 2025

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1. Los Angeles Fire Crisis Intensifies

[00:17] Shea Stevens opens the episode with a report on the escalating fire danger in the Los Angeles area. Firefighters are preparing for high winds expected to persist until the weekend, exacerbating the threat of blazes that have been raging since the previous week.

[00:39] Martin Cohen delves deeper into the situation, highlighting the devastation caused by the two major fires, Palisades and Eaton. These fires have destroyed or damaged thousands of homes, severely straining the Los Angeles housing market. In response, Mayor Karen Bass has issued an emergency order aimed at releasing 1,200 housing units within the next week to alleviate the shortage.

[00:59] Mayor Bass emphasizes the critical state of the housing market, stating, "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" ([00:59]). This plea comes as local leaders urge landlords to refrain from increasing rental prices despite the emergency. Although state law limits rent hikes to a maximum of 10% during declared emergencies, bidding wars for available housing units continue unabated.

2. President Biden Eases Sanctions on Cuba

[01:19] Turning to international affairs, Shea Stevens reports on President Biden's recent actions to ease sanctions on Cuba. This strategic move aims to influence the Catholic Church's negotiations to secure the release of hundreds of political prisoners detained since 2021.

[01:32] Michelle Keller provides detailed coverage, explaining that Biden has removed Cuba from the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism. Additionally, he is rescinding a sanctions list from the Trump era and suspending parts of a decade-old law that allowed U.S. nationals to file claims in U.S. courts for properties expropriated by Cuba's communist government.

Officials expect that these measures will prompt a significant number of prisoner releases before Biden's term concludes. However, there remains uncertainty as the incoming administration could potentially reverse these decisions. Notably, officials have been in communication with the Trump transition team to ensure a smooth transition of policies ([01:32]).

3. Confirmation Hearing for Defense Secretary Nominee

[02:15] Shea Stevens shifts focus to domestic politics, highlighting Florida Senator Marco Rubio's confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Rubio, President Elect Trump's nominee for U.S. Secretary of State, is under scrutiny, especially following last night's hearing.

[02:35] Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth faced a contentious session, where Democrats questioned him on serious allegations of sexual abuse and excessive drinking. Despite the heated exchanges, Hegseth affirmed his commitment to addressing these issues, stating, "As secretary of Defense, will you appoint a senior level official dedicated to sexual assault prevention and response? Senator, as we have discussed, yes, I will" ([02:52]).

Following the hearing, Iowa Republican Joni Ernst expressed her support for Hegseth, announcing her intention to vote yes for his confirmation. The hearing underscores the polarized political climate and the rigorous vetting process for high-level defense positions.

4. DOJ Decision on Rodney Greene Case, Aldi’s Taquito Recall, and SEC’s Suit Against Elon Musk

a. DOJ Declines Charges in Rodney Greene Case

[03:04] In criminal justice news, the Justice Department has opted not to press charges against the Louisiana state troopers involved in the tragic death of motorist Rodney Greene in 2019. Footage shows the officers punching Greene while he was handcuffed on the ground. While one trooper has been placed on administrative leave following a subsequent car crash, the DOJ cited "insufficient evidence" to pursue criminal charges against the other officers involved ([03:04]).

b. Aldi Recalls Frozen Taquitos Due to Contamination Concerns

[03:53] Giles Snyder reports that the Aldi grocery store chain is initiating a recall of its popular Casa Mamita chicken and cheese taquitos, available across 31 states and the District of Columbia. The recall affects approximately £25,000 worth of product, specifically the 20-ounce cartons produced between July 3 and September 25 by Bestway Sandwiches.

The Agriculture Department issued the recall after a consumer discovered a piece of metal in the taquitos, followed by another report of a dental injury. Consumers are advised to either dispose of the affected taquitos or return them to stores for a full refund ([03:53]).

c. SEC Sues Elon Musk Over Twitter Stock Disclosure

[04:30] The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, alleging that he failed to disclose his stock purchases in Twitter (now rebranded as X) prior to acquiring the social media company in 2022. In response, Musk's attorney criticized the SEC's actions, labeling the demand for payment as part of a "multi-year campaign of harassment against [his] client."

This legal battle adds to the ongoing tensions between Musk and regulatory bodies, highlighting the complexities of accountability for high-profile business leaders ([04:30]).

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Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been excluded to focus solely on the newsworthy topics discussed in this episode.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington. I'm Shea Stevens. Firefighters in the Los Angeles area are bracing for high winds this morning with an extreme fire danger, conditions expected to last until the weekend. As NPR's Martin Cohen. The latest threat comes as the city struggles to cope with the lingering effects of blazes that have been burning since last week.

[Martin Cohen]

The two big fires, Palisades and Eaton, have destroyed or damaged 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 1,200 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 Cohen]

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.

[Shea Stevens]

President Biden is easing sanctions on Cuba. It's a move that's meant to change the Catholic Church's negotiation strategy to release hundreds of political prisoners detained since 2021. NPR's Michelle Keller.

[Michelle Keller]

President Biden is telling Congress that he's removing Cuba from the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism. He's also rescinding a Trump era sanctions list and suspending parts of a decade old law that allowed US Nationals to bring claims in US Courts for property expropriated by Cuba's communist government. Biden administration officials who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity say they anticipate that Cuba will now release a significant number of prisoners before President Biden Biden leaves office. The incoming administration could still reverse these moves, though officials say they have been in touch with the Trump transition team. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News. The State Department.

[Shea Stevens]

Florida Senator Marco Rubio faces a confirmation hearing today before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Rubio is President Elect Trump's choice to become the next US Secretary of state. At his confirmation hearing yesterday, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the US Is about to become more secure.

[Pete Hegseth]

The Department of Defense under Donald Trump will achieve peace through strength.

[Shea Stevens]

Haggish faced a contentious confirmation hearing as Democrats grilled him on accusations of sexual abuse and excessive drinking. Iowa Republican Joni Ernst also expressed concern.

[Pete Hegseth]

As secretary of Defense, will you appoint a senior level official dedicated to sexual assault prevention and response? Senator, as we have discussed, yes, I will.

[Shea Stevens]

After the hearing, Ernst said that she will vote yes to confirm Hegseth's nomination. U.S. futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is NPR News. The Justice Department has declined to bring charges against the Louisiana state troopers involved in the 2019 death of motorist Rodney Greene. A video shows the officers punching Green as he lay handcuffed on the ground. One trooper was placed on administrative leave and d in a car crash. DOJ says there's insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against the other troopers involved in Greene's death. The Aldi grocery store chain is recalling a popular brand of frozen taquitos. The recall stretches across 31 states and the District of Columbia. As NPR's Giles Snyder reports, federal food.

[Giles Snyder]

Safety officials are advising consumers to either throw out the recalled taquitos or return them to the store for a full refund. The recall is due to possible metal contamination and it involves involves some £25,000 of Casa Mamita chicken and cheese taquitos made by Bestway Sandwiches. The affected product comes in 20 ounce cartons and was produced this past July 3 and September 25, according to a notice posted online by the Agriculture Department. The problem was discovered by a consumer who found a piece of metal in the product. Another consumer reported a dental injury. Giles Snyder, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

The securities and Exchange Commission is suing Elon Musk. The SEC alleges the billionaire did not disclose his purchase of stock in Twitter, now called X, before buying the social media company in 2022. In a post on the platform, an attorney for Musk calls the SEC's demand for payment part of a multi year campaign of harassment against his client. This is NPR News Support for npr.

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