NPR News: 01-22-2025 4PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 22, 2025, 4 PM EST

Hosted by Lakshmi Sang

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1. Justice Department Targets Non-Cooperative Local Officials on Immigration

Reported by Joel Rose

At [00:34], Joel Rose details a significant policy shift within the Department of Justice (DOJ). A newly issued three-page memo from acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bovey directs federal prosecutors to revisit and potentially prosecute state and local officials who impede cooperation with immigration authorities. This memo marks a decisive departure from the Biden administration's immigration stance. According to Rose, the memo emphasizes prosecuting individuals for the most severe offenses possible, "removing the discretion to charge a lower level offense" (00:34). Bovey explicitly calls on U.S. attorneys to address those obstructing "lawful immigration related commands requests" (00:34), potentially escalating legal actions against sanctuary cities and states.

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2. HHS Imposes Temporary Communication Hold

NPR Investigation

At [01:11], Lakshmi Sang reports that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a memo enforcing a temporary halt on all public communications. This directive affects major divisions, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), mandating that all documents and communications be vetted by a presidential appointee until February 1st.

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3. Tragic Shooting at Antioch High School, Nashville

Breaking News

Continuing at [01:11], Sang covers a devastating incident at Antioch High School in Nashville. Authorities confirm that one student was killed, another injured, and the alleged shooter, also a student, died by suicide. Details are still emerging as police investigations continue.

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4. Persistent Winter Storm Impacts the Deep South

Report by Grant Blankenship

At [02:04], Grant Blankenship describes the lingering effects of a winter storm in the Deep South, particularly Georgia. With snowfall up to nine inches in some areas, major highways like Interstates 75 and 475 experienced closures, leaving drivers stranded (02:04). Despite hazardous conditions, residents like Kyle Davis and his son Ward found joy in the snow. Ward shared his excitement, exclaiming, "I'm dying out of hell" (02:32). Blankenship notes that treacherous road conditions are expected to persist into Thursday, although some areas like Macon's downtown offered safe spaces for pedestrians (02:37).

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5. Southern California Prepares for Rain After Wildfires

Weather Update by Lakshmi Sang

At [02:45], Sang reports that red flag warnings for critical fire danger remain in effect in Southern California until tomorrow. However, forecasts indicate much-needed rainfall over the weekend, which poses both relief and new challenges. While the rain may help mitigate wildfire risks, it also brings threats of landslides and toxic ash runoff, complicating recovery efforts.

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6. Elon Musk Criticizes Trump Administration’s AI Investment Initiative

Tech News

In a notable development, Lakshmi Sang covers Elon Musk's skepticism regarding the Trump administration's proposed "Stargate AI Infrastructure Investment." Despite President Trump’s endorsement of a potential $500 billion joint venture involving OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, Musk disputes the feasibility, stating on his platform X, "I have it on good authority that the group does not have the money" (02:45). This comment reflects ongoing tensions between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, rooted in their initial boardroom rivalry over the leadership of OpenAI.

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7. Bad Bunny Tops Billboard Charts by Narrow Margin

Music Report by Stephen Thompson

At [03:57], Stephen Thompson highlights Bad Bunny's album "Debi Tirar Mas Photos" securing the top spot on the latest Billboard charts. The Puerto Rican artist achieved this milestone by the narrowest of margins, narrowly surpassing Taylor Swift’s "Lover Live in Paris," a 2019 release previously exclusive to Swift’s website and now unavailable on streaming platforms (04:17). Thompson notes, "It’s no surprise that Bad Bunny’s album is this week’s top album," emphasizing his status as one of the world's leading pop stars.

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8. Stock Market Closes Higher

Market Brief by Lakshmi Sang

Wrapping up the updates, at [04:42], Lakshmi Sang reports that U.S. stock indices closed positively. The NASDAQ gained 252 points (1.2%), while the S&P 500 increased by over half a percent, reflecting a day of upward momentum in the financial markets.

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Timestamp References:

• 00:34: Joel Rose on DOJ Immigration Policy
• 01:11: HHS Communication Hold & Nashville Shooting
• 02:04: Grant Blankenship on Georgia Winter Storm
• 02:18-02:37: Kyle and Ward Davis on Snow
• 02:45: Southern California Weather & Elon Musk’s Statement
• 03:57: Stephen Thompson on Billboard Charts
• 04:17: Taylor Swift’s Album Details
• 04:42: Stock Market Update

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on January 22, 2025. For more detailed information, tuning into the full episode is recommended.

Transcript

[Carvana Representative]

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[Lakshmi Sang]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Sang. The Justice Department is directing federal prosecutors to investigate and potentially prosecute state and local officials who do not cooperate with immigration authorities. NPR's Joel Rose reports. A memo issued this week realigns a department's positions with President Trump's executive actions.

[Joel Rose]

The three page memo was sent to the entire DOJ workforce by acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bovey. It signals a sharp break with the immigration policies of the Biden administration. The memo says prosecutors should return to the principle of charging defendants with the most serious crime they can prove, removing the discretion to charge a lower level offense. Bovey also calls on U.S. attorneys to prosecute state or local officials who obstruct, quote, lawful immigration related commands requests, unquote. That sets the stage for a fresh round of legal action against so called sanctuary cities and states that limit their cooperation with immigration authorities. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Sang]

NPR has obtained a memo about a temporary hold on all public communications from the Department of Health and Human Services until a presidential appointee vets the information. According to the memo, the acting HHS secretary told all operating divisions, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, to pause all documents and communications with the public through February 1st. Police in Nashville are investigating a shooting at Antioch High School today. Authorities say one student was killed, another was injured, and the alleged gunman also student, shot and killed himself. The remnants of the winter storm in the Deep south are still on the ground after dropping up to nine inches of snow in places. It may only see snow once a day, and as Grant Blankenship of Georgia Public Broadcasting reports, effects are expected to linger into tomorrow.

[Grant Blankenship]

Snow lasting well into Tuesday night meant by Wednesday morning, Interstates 75 and 475 were closed in central Georgia, and some drivers were left stuck on the side of the road. But there was fun to be had in Macon's in town neighborhood for those on foot.

[Kyle Davis]

One, two.

[Grant Blankenship]

Like Kyle Davis and his son Ward. It was Ward's first snow ever, and Kyle says it's not like he sees snow much, either.

[Kyle Davis]

I don't know if I've ever been in Macon when it snowed. What?

[Ward Davis]

I'm dying out of hell.

[Kyle Davis]

Okay, we'll slide again. We'll slide again. Get your sign.

[Grant Blankenship]

Roads in much of Georgia and the south are expected to be treacherous at least into Thursday. For NPR News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon, Georgia.

[Lakshmi Sang]

Red flag warnings for critical fire danger remained in effect in Southern California through tomorrow, but after dry and windy weather fueled major wildfires in the LA area in recent weeks, the region's projected to get some badly needed rain this weekend. However, the rain also poses threats of landslides and toxic ash runoff. U.S. stocks have ended the day higher. From Washington, this is NPR News. In a test of Elon Musk's influence with the new Trump administration, The Tesla and SpaceX chief is questioning the value of the Stargate AI Infrastructure Investment President Trump openly praised. Yesterday, Trump expressed support for an up to $500 billion joint venture involving ChatGPT maker OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. Musk said on his media platform X that he has it on good authority that the group does not have the money. Musk has been in a long feud with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman that started with a boardroom rivalry over who should run OpenAI, which both men help found. This week's Billboard charts are out. Bad Bunny has a country's top album. NPR's Stephen Thompson has details.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's no surprise that Bad Bunny's Debi Tirar Mas Photos is this week's top album. It just came out, and the Puerto Rican rapper and singer is one of the world's biggest pop stars. But when Bad Bunny topped the latest albums chart, he did it by the thinnest of margins. The album just behind him at number.

[N/A]

Two.

[Stephen Thompson]

It'S Lover Live in Paris, a 2019 recording released entirely via Taylor Swift's website. Lover Live in Paris is no longer available for sale and it's not on streaming services. So its run on the pop charts is destined to be a short one. But for now, it's the number two album in the country. Stephen Thompson, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Sang]

The NASDAQ closed up 252 points, or 1.2%. The S& P was up more than half a percent. You're listening to NPR News.

[Carvana Representative]

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.