NPR News: 01-17-2025 8PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 18, 2025, 8 PM EST

Host: Jack Spear

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1. Imminent Mass Deportations Under President-Elect Donald Trump

Timestamp: [00:17]

In the lead story, Jack Spear reports from Washington on President-elect Donald Trump's aggressive stance on immigration. Trump has vowed to initiate mass deportations of individuals residing in the United States without legal status as early as next week following his inauguration.

Sergio Martinez Beltran from NPR reports:

“Immigrant rights groups are bracing for Trump's actions, anticipating a range of scenarios.”

Felicia Gomez, Senior Policy Advocate at the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, emphasizes the preparedness of immigrant organizations:

“We are prepared to meet the impending Trump administration head-on.” (00:40)

The AcLU has been proactive, conducting "Know Your Rights" training for migrants in multiple languages and establishing rapid response teams to address potential home and workplace raids. A recent NPR/PBS News-Marist Poll indicates that 49% of Americans approve of mass deportations, highlighting the contentious nature of this policy change. (00:40)

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2. President Biden Declares the Equal Rights Amendment as Constitutional Law

Timestamp: [01:21]

Shifting to national policy, Jack Spear introduces President Biden’s symbolic declaration regarding the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). While President Biden asserts that the ERA is part of the Constitution, the National Archives clarifies that certification requires further congressional or judicial action.

Danielle Kurtzleben from NPR elaborates:

“In a statement, Biden declared the 28th Amendment is the law of the land, guaranteeing all Americans equal rights and protections under the law regardless of their sex.” (01:36)

The ERA, originally passed by Congress in 1972, had a deadline for ratification by 1982. Although the required 38 states had not ratified it by then, the ratification process continued, culminating in Virginia's ratification in 2020, completing the necessary threshold. Senior administration officials indicate that while Biden seeks the archivist to publish the amendment, he is not mandating immediate action. (01:36)

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3. Polar Vortex Brings Record Cold to Much of the United States

Timestamp: [02:11]

A severe polar vortex is set to blanket large portions of the United States with frigid temperatures this weekend. Jack Spear reports that millions from the Rockies eastward will face wind chills plunging as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Jacqueline Diaz from NPR warns:

“There will be relatively few areas in the US free from bone-chilling cold in the coming days.” (02:24)

The National Weather Service forecasts that even regions unaccustomed to extreme cold, such as the South and Mid-Atlantic, will experience freezing or below-freezing temperatures. This sustained cold spell is expected to last several days, impacting three out of four NFL playoff games and necessitating the relocation of President-elect Trump's inauguration indoors due to life-threatening cold conditions. (02:24)

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4. Wall Street Experiences Significant Rally Led by Tech Stocks

Timestamp: [03:02]

Economically, Wall Street enjoyed a robust rally, achieving its best week in two months, predominantly driven by gains in the technology sector. Jack Spear details:

“The Dow rose 334 points. The Nasdaq was up 291 points today.” (03:02)

This surge reflects investor confidence and the tech sector's resilience amidst volatile market conditions.

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5. Wildfires in Los Angeles Disrupt School Operations

Timestamp: [03:02]

In California, ongoing wildfires around Los Angeles have escalated to the point of destroying infrastructure and displacing thousands. Jack Spear reports:

“Two elementary schools were destroyed in the Palisades fire. Seven schools in the LA Unified School District are in evacuation zones and remain closed.” (03:02)

Students affected by the fires are being relocated to alternative campuses, with Palisades Turner High School seeking temporary classrooms for up to 3,000 students. The situation poses significant logistical challenges for the school district as they navigate the aftermath of the Palisades fire.

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6. Tribute to the Late Actress Joan Plowright

Timestamp: [03:02]

NPR pays homage to the passing of British actress Joan Plowright, aged 95, renowned for her roles in classics such as A Taste of Honey and Enchanted April.

An Unknown Speaker provides a heartfelt remembrance:

“Dignified in her later years... Plowright became closely associated with Olivier's stage work. After his death, she came into her own in such films as Tea with Mussolini and her Oscar-nominated performance in Enchanted April.” (03:59)

Bob Mondello from NPR adds depth to her legacy, noting her transition from stage to screen and her enduring impact on the acting community.

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7. Crude Oil Prices Dip Amid Market Fluctuations

Timestamp: [04:44]

In energy markets, crude oil futures closed lower, with oil prices decreasing by 80 cents per barrel, settling at $77.88 in New York. Jack Spear summarizes:

“Crude oil futures prices closed lower today. Oil was down 80 cents a barrel to end the session at $77.88 a barrel.” (04:44)

This decline may reflect shifting market dynamics and investor responses to recent economic and geopolitical developments.

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Advertisements and Additional Content

Throughout the episode, NPR includes brief advertisements relevant to the audience. Notably, messages from Home Instead, offering aging care services, and Warby Parker, promoting their eyewear options, are included but are not part of the news content and have been omitted from this summary.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, including potential mass deportations under the new administration, significant legislative developments with the Equal Rights Amendment, extreme weather impacts, economic trends on Wall Street, environmental challenges in Los Angeles, a tribute to a beloved actress, and fluctuations in the oil market. The inclusion of expert insights and notable quotes provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of each topic.

Transcript

[Unknown Speaker 1]

This message comes from home instead. Home Instead knows that if you leave home to seek aging care, you say goodbye to where you built your life. So why not stay with help from home instead? Learn [e-mail] Home Instead for a better what's next?

[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Mass deportations of people in the country without legal status could begin as soon as next week. That's what President elect Donald Trump has promised over the past few months have his inauguration on Monday. NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran reports. Immigrant rights groups are bracing for Trump's actions.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

National and local organizations advocating for immigrants say they are anticipating a range of scenarios. We are prepared to meet the impending Trump administration head on. Felicia Gomez, a senior policy advocate at the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial counties, says her group has led Know youw Rights training for migrants in different languages. It's also putting in teams to respond rapidly to potential at home and workplace rates. Trump has said he will start mass deportations on day one. According to an NPR PBS News Marist Poll released this week, 49% of Americans approve of mass deportations. Sergio Martinez Beltran, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

President Biden says he considers the Equal Rights Amendment to be part of the Constitution. His declaration is a symbolic one. The National Archives says the amendment can't be certified without further action from Congress or the courts. Here's NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

In a statement, Biden declared the 28th Amendment is the law of the land, guaranteeing all Americans equal rights and protections under the law regardless of their sex. Congress originally passed the ERA in 1972, but the required 38 states had not ratified it by a 1982 deadline. States continued ratifying it, though, and in 2020, Virginia became the 38th. Senior administration officials told reporters that Biden wants the archivist to publish the amendment, a crucial final hurdle for it. However, they said he is not directing her to do so. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Much of the US Will be hit with frigid temperatures this weekend thanks to a polar vortex. Millions of Americans living from the Rockies on eastward could experiencing wind chills as cold as minus 30 degrees. NPR's Jacqueline Diaz reports.

[Jacqueline Diaz]

There will be relatively few areas in the US Free from bone chilling cold in the coming days. The National Weather Service warns the polar vortex will bring the coldest air this season. Areas unused to such cold, like the south and Mid Atlantic are expected to get freezing or below freezing temps. And it's set to stick around for several days, affecting three of four NFL playoff games. It's even forced a change of plans for President Elect Donald Trump's inauguration. The forecast of life threatening cold has pushed the event indoors. Jacqueline Diaz, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

On Wall street, stocks rallied to their best week in two months. Tech sector shares helping boost the broader market. The Dow rose 334 points. The Nasdaq was up 291 points today. You're listening to NPR News. As crews continue to work to extinguish wildfires burning in and around Los Angeles, where students will be going to class is also a major headache. Two elementary schools were destroyed in the Palisades fire. Some of those students arrive for their first day of classes at other campuses. Seven schools in the LA Unified School District are in evacuation zones and remain closed. Palisades Turner High School is looking for in finding temporary classrooms for upwards of 3,000 students. British actress Joan Plowright, who brought stage and screen characters to vibrant life for more than six decades in works including A Taste of Honey and Enchanted April, has died. She was 95. NPR's Bob Mondello has this remembrance supremely.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

Dignified in her later years. She was squeaky when she first made an impression on movie audiences as Lawrence Olivier's adoring granddaughter in the Entertainer. They married shortly after the the movie came out and Plowright became closely associated with Olivier's stage work. After his death, she came into her own in such films as Tea with Mussolini and her Oscar nominated performance in Enchanted April as a stern widow in literary circles.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Did you know Keats?

[Jack Spear]

Keats? No, I didn't. And I didn't know Shakespeare or Chaucer either.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

Declining eyesight forced Plowwright to retire from acting in 2014, but she was amusing as herself in the 2018 documentary Nothing Like a Dame alongside fellow acting legends Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Crude oil futures prices closed lower today. Oil was down 80 cents a barrel to end the session at $77.88 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Speier, NPR News, in Washington.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

This message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses at Warby Parker? It's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country.