NPR News Now: January 21, 2025, 3PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Producer: NPR
Release Date: January 21, 2025

NPR News Now delivers the latest updates across national and international headlines in just five minutes. This episode covers significant political developments in the Trump administration, a rare winter storm affecting the U.S. Gulf Coast, a tragic fire in Turkey, and the passing of a beloved cartoonist.

Marco Rubio Sworn In as Secretary of State

Timestamp: [00:25]

NPR's Lakshmi Singh begins the episode by announcing the swearing-in of Marco Rubio as the Secretary of State, marking a historic moment as Rubio becomes the first Latino to hold this prestigious cabinet position. This also makes him the first cabinet secretary in the Trump administration to officially commence his role.

Vice President J.D. Vance played a ceremonial role in the swearing-in process:

[00:57] J.D. Vance: "And with that, Rubio became the nation's first Latino secretary of state."

Rubio emphasized the Trump administration's commitment to fulfilling campaign promises, particularly in foreign policy where the focus is on "putting America first."

[01:07] Lavkshmi Singh: "Rubio said Trump was elected to keep promises, and when it comes to foreign policy, that means putting America first."

Later, Rubio addressed the State Department staff, commending them as "the most effective and experienced diplomatic corps in the world," highlighting his confidence in their capabilities under his leadership.

Trump's Executive Order Targets Federal Employment

Timestamp: [01:21]

In a strategic move to consolidate political influence within the federal government, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at streamlining the process of firing federal agency employees. This order opens the door to potentially replacing thousands of current federal employees with political allies.

Out of the 2.3 million civilian positions within the federal government, approximately 4,000 are occupied by political appointees. The administration has begun actively recruiting prominent figures from the technology sector to fill these roles.

NPR's Windsor Johnson reports that over a dozen industry leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have been selected to serve in government and advisory capacities. Musk is anticipated to play a significant role during Trump's second term.

[01:59] Matthew Dallek: "Trump courted many of these tech executives in the name of free speech."

[02:08] Windsor Johnston: "They're seeking to protect what they have and what they built. And like many other legacy companies, they don't like government regulations. Right. They don't like the government telling them what to do. They have a kind of libertarian streak."

[02:23] Matthew Dallek: "A series of strict regulations were implemented during the Biden administration, prompting pushback from big Tech. President Trump has made clear that he takes a more lenient approach to regulation, specifically when it comes to artificial intelligence."

These comments elucidate the administration's strategy of aligning with influential tech leaders who share a desire for reduced governmental oversight, particularly concerning emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

Severe Winter Storm Grips the Gulf Coast

Timestamp: [02:41]

A rare and severe winter storm is impacting the U.S. Gulf Coast, prompting governors in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida to declare states of emergency. This unusual weather event has led to significant snowfall in areas that typically experience mild winters.

NPR's Debbie Elliott provides an on-the-ground report:

[02:46] Debbie Elliott: "Governors in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida have all declared states of emergency as the snow starts to pile up in places that rarely see it. A thick coat is blanketing New Orleans, French Quarter and blizzard warnings were up in Lake Charles and Lafayette, Louisiana. Officials across the Gulf south are urging people to shelter in place and be ready for possible power and water outages. Forecasters predict historic snowfall amounts for much of the region."

The storm has led to emergency measures as officials brace for potential power and water outages, underscoring the severity and unpredictability of the weather event.

Tragic Fire at Turkish Ski Resort

Timestamp: [03:20]

A devastating fire erupted at the Grand Cartel Hotel, a popular ski resort in the Bolu Mountains of Turkey, resulting in at least 76 fatalities and dozens of injuries. The incident occurred during a busy holiday season, with the hotel operating at high capacity.

Governor Abdulaziz Aydin of Bolu reported that it took over an hour for fire engines to reach the site due to the hotel's remote location and the frigid weather conditions.

Lakshmi Singh: "Television images showed flames engulfing the top floors of the hotel and linen sheets hanging out of windows. Witnesses say some panic residents jumped from the 12-story building."

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, and rescue operations are ongoing to assist those affected by this tragic event.

Remembering Jules Pfeiffer, Renowned Cartoonist

Timestamp: [03:20]

The episode also honors the life and legacy of Jules Pfeiffer, a celebrated cartoonist best known for his work on the iconic 1961 novel, The Phantom Tollbooth. Pfeiffer passed away at the age of 95 due to congestive heart failure at his home in upstate New York.

NPR's Andrew Limbong reflects on Pfeiffer's illustrious career:

[04:18] Andrew Limbong: "Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth is a bit of a weird kids book that takes you to unpredictable pieces, which made it a perfect fit for Juster's neighbor, Jules Pfeiffer."

In an NPR interview, Pfeiffer expressed his creative philosophy:

[04:30] Jules Pfeiffer: "The one thing I don't want to know ever is where I'm going before I get there. I follow the orders of the book. The book tells me where it wants to go, and I write and I draw accordingly."

Born in 1929, Pfeiffer dedicated decades to his craft, most notably working for the Village Voice and earning the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning in 1986. He continued to innovate throughout his career, releasing his first graphic novel for middle school students just last year, exemplifying his commitment to storytelling and artistic expression.

[04:43] Andrew Limbong: "Pfeiffer was born in 1929. He spent decades working for the Village Voice, winning the Pulitzer Prize and editorial cartooning in 1986. Pfeiffer tried new things throughout his career, coming out with his first graphic novel for middle school kids last year."

Closing

This edition of NPR News Now encapsulates a spectrum of critical events, from high-stakes political appointments and administrative changes to natural disasters and heartfelt remembrances. For listeners seeking comprehensive and concise news coverage, NPR continues to provide timely and insightful reporting.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive news segments.