NPR News: 01-23-2025 3PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 23, 2025, 3PM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Release Date: January 23, 2025

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1. Judicial Block on Birthright Citizenship Limitation

Timestamp: [00:12]
Reporter: Windsor Johnston

A significant legal development unfolded as a federal judge in Seattle temporarily halted the Trump administration's attempt to restrict birthright citizenship. This decision affects the entire nation, ensuring that the right to citizenship for individuals born on U.S. soil remains intact under the 14th Amendment.

Key Details:

• Lawsuit Originators: Oregon, Arizona, Illinois, and Washington state.
• Judge’s Ruling: Judge John Kunauer declared the Trump policy "clearly unconstitutional."

Notable Quote:

"To hear the judge from the bench say that in his 40 years as a judge, he has never seen something so blatantly unconstitutional sets the tone for the seriousness of this effort."
— Nick Brown, Washington State Attorney General [00:54]

Impact:
The temporary court order prevents the enforcement of the administration's restrictions, maintaining the status quo regarding birthright citizenship while the legal battles continue.

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2. Confirmation of the Nation's Next CIA Director and Secretary of State Rubio’s Upcoming Trip

Timestamp: [01:14]
Reporter: Windsor Johnston

The Republican-led Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe as the next Director of the CIA in a vote of 74 to 25. Despite opposition from Senate Democrats concerned about his ability to challenge the Trump administration, Ratcliffe assured that he would "keep politics out of decisions involving intelligence."

Key Details:

• Confirmation Vote: 74-25 in favor.
• Previous Role: Director of National Intelligence during President Trump's first term.
• Upcoming Event: Senator Marco Rubio is set to embark on his first foreign trip as Secretary of State.

Notable Quotes:

"Secretary... making it a priority to work with countries in the Western Hemisphere."
— Tammy Bruce, State Department Spokesperson [01:56]

"If we're going to be safe and prosperous and in good shape, we have to have an interest in our neighbors in South and Central America."
— Tammy Bruce [01:56]

Secretary Rubio’s Trip:

• Destinations: Central America, including Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.
• Focus Areas: Migration and supply chains.
• Notable Incident: Potential discussions in Panama regarding President Trump's remarks on the U.S. taking back the Panama Canal.

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3. Purdue Pharma’s Settlement in Opioid Litigation

Timestamp: [02:37]
Reporter: Windsor Johnston

Purdue Pharma, the pharmaceutical company behind OxyContin, has agreed to significantly increase its financial contribution to address mass opioid litigation. This settlement aims to alleviate the devastating impact of opioid addiction across the nation.

Key Details:

• Total Contribution: Over $7 billion earmarked for drug treatment and recovery programs.
• Announcement Made By: Letitia James, New York State Attorney General.

Notable Quote:

"This will help communities heal from the devastating losses wrought by addiction, and this will support treatment and recovery programs across New York and the nation."
— Letitia James [02:52]

Impact:
The funds will support various programs aimed at treating addiction and fostering recovery, providing much-needed resources to affected communities.

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4. Active Wildfire in Southern California

Timestamp: [03:00]
Reporter: Windsor Johnston

Emergency services in Southern California are battling a new wildfire that has erupted in the mountains north of Los Angeles. The fire, known as the Hughes Fire, has quickly expanded, leading to widespread evacuations and hazardous conditions.

Key Details:

• Area Affected: Over 10,000 acres scorched.
• Evacuations: More than 50,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings.
• Weather Alert: Red flag warning extended through 10 AM on Friday for most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Notable Quote:

"The National Weather Service has extended the red flag warning through 10am on Friday for most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties."
— Anthony Maroney, Fire Chief [03:27]

Current Status:
Fire Chief Anthony Maroney reports ongoing efforts to contain the blaze amidst several fire-related delays, highlighting the severity and rapid progression of the Hughes Fire.

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5. Oscar Nominations Announced by the Motion Picture Academy

Timestamp: [03:39]
Reporter: Bob Mondello

The Motion Picture Academy has unveiled its Oscar nominations, showcasing a variety of unorthodox and diverse films leading the pack in multiple categories.

Key Highlights:

• Best Picture Leader: Emilia Perez – A French and Spanish language gangster musical exploring trans identity, leading with 13 nominations.
• Other Top Contenders:
  • Wicked Part 1 – 10 nominations.
  • The Brutalist – A three-and-a-half-hour epic about immigrant trauma, also with 10 nominations.
  • Conclave (Vatican thriller) and A Complete Unknown (Bob Dylan biopic) – Each with 8 nominations.
  • Sex Worker Rom-Com, Nora – 6 nominations each.
  • Additional films include Dune Part 2, The Substance, I'm Still Here (Spanish language drama), and The Nickel Boys (set in a racist reform school).

Notable Quote:

"Emilia Perez is a French and Spanish language gangster musical about trans identity. It led a field of unorthodox films with 13 nominations, including Best Picture."
— Bob Mondello [03:57]

Upcoming Event:
The Oscars telecast is scheduled to be hosted by Conan O'Brien on March 2nd, promising an engaging ceremony celebrating a wide array of cinematic achievements.

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6. Stock Market Update

Timestamp: [03:00] & [04:42]
Reporter: Windsor Johnston

The stock market exhibited mixed performance with notable movements in major indices:

• Main Indicators:
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Increased by 331 points.
  • NASDAQ: Declined by 47 points.

Current Trading Status:
As of the latest update, the Dow remains buoyant while the NASDAQ experiences slight downturns, reflecting varied investor sentiments.

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Conclusion

Today's episode of NPR News Now covered critical developments ranging from significant legal decisions affecting citizenship rights, high-stakes confirmations in national security and foreign policy, major settlements addressing the opioid crisis, urgent wildfire emergencies, the unveiling of diverse Oscar nominations, to the fluctuating dynamics of the stock market. Each story underscores the multifaceted nature of current events shaping the national and international landscape.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been excluded to focus solely on the substantive news coverage.

Transcript

[Carvana]

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[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. A federal judge in Seattle has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's effort to limit birthright citizenship. NPR's Martin Costi reports. The court order applies nationwide.

[Martin Kosti]

This lawsuit by Oregon, Arizona, Illinois and Washington state is one of several brought against Trump's effort to curb the right of citizenship for anyone born on US soil as laid out in the 14th amendment. In a packed courtroom in downtown Seattle, Judge John Kunauer told the Justice Department lawyer that the Trump policy is clearly unconstitutional. Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown welcomed the judge's skepticism.

[Nick Brown]

To hear the judge from the bench say that in his 40 years as a judge, he has never seen something so blatantly unconstitutional sets the tone for the seriousness of this effort.

[Martin Kosti]

The court order temporarily bars the administration from enforcing its restriction on birthright citizenship. Martin Kosti, NPR News, Seattle.

[Windsor Johnston]

In a vote of 74 to 25, the Republican led Senate has confirmed the nation's next director of the CIA. Senate Democrats who voted against the nomination of John Ratcliffe cited concerns that he wouldn't be able to stand up to the Trump administration during his confirmation hearings. Ratcliffe pledged to keep politics out of decisions involving intelligence. Ratcliffe was narrowly confirmed as the director of national intelligence during President Trump's first term in office. Marco Rubio is preparing to set off on his first foreign trip as secretary of state next week. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports. Rubio is scheduled to travel to Central America.

[Tammy Bruce]

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce says the secretary is making it a priority to work with countries in the Western Hemisphere. If we're going to be safe and prosperous and in good shape, Bruce tells reporters, we have to have an interest in our neighbors in south and Central America, she says. Secretary of State Rubio recognizes that. The trip is expected to include a stop in Panama, where officials have protested President Trump's talk about the US Taking back the Panama Canal. Secretary Rubio is also expected to visit Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic to talk about migration and supply chains. Michelle Keleman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Windsor Johnston]

Purdue Pharma, the company behind the drug OxyContin, has agreed to increase its financial contribution to resolve mass opioid litigation. New York State Attorney General Letitia James made the announcement earlier today.

[Letitia James]

This will help communities heal from the devastating losses wrought by addiction, and this will support treatment and recovery programs across New York and the nation.

[Windsor Johnston]

The deal includes more than $7 billion to pay for drug treatment and recovery programs. On Wall street, the dow was up 324 points. This is NPR. Emergency crews in Southern California are working to contain a new fire that has broken out in the mountains north of Los Angeles. Fire Chief Anthony Maroney says more than 50,000 people are under evacuation orders or warnings.

[Anthony Maroney]

The National Weather Service has extended the red flag warning through 10am on Friday for most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

[Windsor Johnston]

The Hughes fire has scorched more than 10,000 acres after several fire related delays. The Motion Picture Academy Oscar nominations have been announced. NPR's Bob Mondello reports. The unorthodox musical Emilia Perez leads the best picture parade.

[Bob Mondello]

Emilia Perez is a French and Spanish language gangster musical about trans identity. It led a field of unorthodox films with 13 nominations, including Best Picture. Another musical, Wicked Part 1, and the three and a half hour epic the Brutalist about immigrant trauma followed with 10 nominations each. Joining them in the best picture race are the Vatican thriller Conclave and the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, with eight nominations each, and the Sex Worker Rom com and Nora with six. Also in the running, the sci fi epic Dune Part 2, the body horror film the Substance, the Spanish language drama I'm Still Here and the Nickel Boys set in a racist reform school. The Oscars telecast will be Hosted by Conan O'Brien on March 2nd. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Stocks are trading mixed on Wall street at this hour. The Dow up 331 points, the NASDAQ down 47. This is NPR.

[Carvana]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.