NPR News Now: January 22, 2025, 9 PM EST

Released on January 23, 2025

1. President Trump's Pardon of January 6th Participants

Host: Jeanine Herbst kicks off the episode by addressing the controversial pardon issued by President Trump to approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the deadly January 6th Capitol attack.

Key Points:

• Capitol Police Reaction: Capitol Police officers have expressed strong disapproval of the pardons, viewing them as a direct insult to law enforcement efforts.

  Quote:
  Capitol Police Officer [00:32]: "People who attacked us on January 6th are free now. They can try it again, and they'll know if they try it again the next four years, they know they'll get pardoned again. But that doesn't matter to me. I'll be there if I'm needed. I'll do it all again. Members of the Capitol Police MPD will be there."

• Officer Dan Hodges' Statement: Officer Hodges, one of those who protected President Trump during recent events, emphasized the personal impact of the pardons on law enforcement morale.

  Quote:
  Officer Dan Hodges [00:38]: "Many of the officers that were brutally assaulted that day are the same officers who protected Donald Trump on Monday."

• Oath Keepers' Involvement: Stuart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers and one of the pardoned individuals, has returned to Capitol Hill to advocate for the release of another defendant, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding the pardons.

2. Hughes Fire Threatens Los Angeles County

Host: The segment shifts to a developing wildfire situation in Los Angeles County.

Key Points:

• Fire Details: The Hughes Fire, situated north of Castaic, has rapidly expanded to over 9,000 acres, prompting mandatory evacuations and the closure of portions of Interstate 5.

  Quote:
  Capitol Police Officer [01:23]: "In California, a new fire broke out north of Castaic in Los Angeles County, the Hughes Fire, with mandatory evacuations. The fire has grown to more than 9,000 acres and is threatening homes and buildings. Part of I-5 is closed in the area."

• On-the-Ground Report: Steve Futterman provides a detailed account from Castaya, emphasizing the immediate danger to nearby homes due to wind gusts and flying embers.

  Quote:
  Steve Futterman [01:41]: "At this location near the hotspot, the closest homes are maybe a quarter mile away. With embers flying in the air and current wind gusts, these homes could be in danger very, very quickly. However, at this moment, they appear to be safe. But there are many homes near this fire potentially in big danger."

3. Escalation in the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Host: Jeanine Herbst updates listeners on the latest developments in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Key Points:

• Israeli Operations: Israel has initiated a new operation in the occupied West Bank, resulting in multiple arrests and fatalities among Palestinians.

  Quote:
  Capitol Police Officer [02:15]: "Israel launched a new operation in the occupied West Bank with arrests and deaths reported among Palestinians."

• Ceasefire Status: Despite ongoing tensions, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has held for the fourth consecutive day, offering a brief respite from violence.

  Quote:
  Capitol Police Officer [02:22]: "But in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is holding for the fourth day."

• Report from Gaza: Aya Bhattrawi provides a harrowing description of the devastation in Gaza, highlighting the immense loss of life and the dire situation faced by survivors.

  Quote:
  Aya Bhattrawi [02:31]: "From the southern city of Rafah to the edges of northern Jabalia, the Gaza Strip lies in ruins, the result of more than a year of war and sustained Israeli airstrikes. Palestinians are able to see now what's left of their homes in areas Israeli forces have withdrawn from. But there's little reprieve here; entire neighborhoods have been leveled, turning cities into gray mounds of rubble as far as the eye can see. Gaza's health ministry says more than 47,000 people were killed by Israeli fire in the war. Local health officials say they've recovered around 150 bodies since the ceasefire began Sunday, and they estimate more than 10,000 bodies remain missing under the rubble."

4. Severe Winter Storm Impacts the Southeastern United States

Host: The podcast transitions to the severe winter storm currently affecting the Southeastern U.S., causing widespread disruptions.

Key Points:

• Storm Impact: A rare winter storm has brought record snowfall and ice to the Gulf Coast and the Carolinas, leading to hazardous driving conditions and infrastructure challenges.

  Quote:
  Capitol Police Officer [03:19]: "A standstill after a rare winter storm dumped record amounts of snow on the Gulf Coast and the Carolinas. Roads, bridges, and sidewalks are covered in ice."

• Casualties and Disruptions: The storm has been responsible for several deaths in Texas and Alabama. Additionally, numerous schools, businesses, and airports are closed, and tens of thousands remain without power.

  Quote:
  Capitol Police Officer [03:26]: "Several deaths in Texas and Alabama are blamed on the storm. Many schools, businesses, and airports will stay closed through tomorrow, and tens of thousands are without power."

• Sports Postponement & Weather Forecast: The Milwaukee Bucks vs. New Orleans Pelicans NBA game was postponed due to the weather. The National Weather Service forecasts colder than normal temperatures to persist through Saturday.

  Quote:
  Capitol Police Officer [03:38]: "The Milwaukee Bucks versus the New Orleans Pelicans NBA game for tonight was postponed because of the weather."
  Capitol Police Officer [03:47]: "The National Weather Service says colder than normal temperatures are expected through Saturday."

5. Prince Harry Settles Legal Disputes with Murdoch's Tabloids

Host: Jeanine Herbst covers the resolution of a longstanding legal battle involving Prince Harry and a senior British lawmaker against Rupert Murdoch's British tabloids.

Key Points:

• Settlement Details: Prince Harry and former MP Tom Watson have reached a settlement with Murdoch's tabloids, which includes a substantial payment and a full apology for decades-long invasions of privacy.

  Quote:
  David Folkenflik [03:56]: "With the settlement, Murdoch avoids a public trial at which Prince Harry and former Member of Parliament Tom Watson's lawyers would have laid out evidence of copious lawbreaking by the tabloids and by the executives that oversaw them."

• Apology Significance: The apology marks the first acknowledgment of wrongdoing by Murdoch's company regarding the Daily Sun tabloid, including surveillance of Tom Watson during his investigative work.

  Quote:
  David Folkenflik [04:00]: "The apology was the first time the Murdoch company had acknowledged wrongdoing at the Daily Sun tabloid. The papers also apologized for putting Watson under surveillance while he was investigating the Murdoch-owned tabloids."

• Parliamentary Reactions: Tom Watson has called for Scotland Yard to investigate the cover-up of criminal activities by senior Murdoch executives, including the company's British CEO and the current publisher of the Washington Post, William Lewis.

  Quote:
  David Folkenflik [04:08]: "In Parliament outside the courthouse, Watson called for Scotland Yard to review the evidence that senior Murdoch executives covered up criminal acts by the tabloids, among them the company's British CEO as well as the current publisher of the Washington Post, William Lewis."

6. Financial Markets Update

Host: Concluding the news roundup, Jeanine Herbst provides a brief overview of the current state of U.S. financial markets.

Key Points:

• Market Performance: U.S. futures contracts are trading lower, with Dow futures down by a fraction and Nasdaq futures experiencing a slight decline of about 0.2%.

  Quote:
  Capitol Police Officer [04:47]: "U.S. futures contracts are trading lower at this hour. Dow futures down a fraction, Nasdaq futures down about 0.2%."

Closing Remark: Jeanine Herbst wraps up the episode, ensuring listeners are informed of the latest developments across various critical areas.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key stories covered in the January 22, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing insights into political tensions, natural disasters, international conflicts, legal settlements, and economic indicators. Notable quotes with precise timestamps offer direct perspectives from involved parties, enhancing the depth and authenticity of the reporting.