NPR News Now
Episode: NPR News: 01-24-2025 12PM EST
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Source: NPR
Vice President JD Vance to Speak at Annual March for Life
[00:13]
Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to address Washington's annual March for Life, a significant gathering of anti-abortion activists. The event unfolds against a backdrop of conservative dominance in the White House, Congress, and a majority on the Supreme Court.
[00:33]
Sarah McCammon highlights President Trump's acknowledgment of his influence in appointing Supreme Court justices who played a key role in overturning Roe v. Wade. However, Trump has delivered mixed signals regarding support for new federal abortion restrictions.
“President Trump has bragged about his role in choosing Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade,” McCammon reports.
[00:58]
Carvana Advertisement (Skipped as per instructions)
[01:06]
In addition to Vice President Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are also slated to speak at the march, signaling a unified conservative stance on the issue.
President Trump's First Week: Disaster Response and DEI Policy Overhaul
[01:14]
President Trump concludes his inaugural week with visits to regions affected by recent natural disasters. In Asheville, North Carolina, he assesses the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which resulted in the destruction of numerous homes and the tragic loss of at least 266 lives.
During his visit, Trump announced plans to sign an executive order aimed at reforming, overhauling, or eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, though specific details remain undisclosed. He then traveled to California to evaluate the ongoing wildfire damages. In North Carolina, Trump proposed that federal aid for California would be contingent upon the state's support for voter ID laws and environmental law reforms.
[01:58]
Tom Bowman elaborates on the administration's stance regarding DEI initiatives:
“These programs have been seen as pretty effective in bringing more women and minorities into the ranks at all levels. President Biden chose the first woman admiral, Lisa Franchetti, to run the Navy, as well as the first black defense secretary, Lloyd Austin. But Donald Trump and his defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, have dismissed these programs as woke and divisive.”
Bowman notes that the Trump administration has discontinued DEI programs across the federal government, including the military, labeling them as unnecessary and polarizing.
Israel Supreme Court Delays Media Access to Gaza
[02:23]
In ongoing developments in the Middle East, Israel's Supreme Court has once again postponed its decision on granting journalists access to Gaza. This decision affects the ability of international media to report from the conflict zone.
[02:32]
Kat Lansdorf provides further insights:
“Israel's Foreign Press Association, of which NPR is a member, filed the latest petition to lift the ban on outside media. Last September, the court gave the state of Israel a deadline to respond to that petition. The state has requested that deadline to be moved back five times. It's now set for early February.”
Lansdorf explains that earlier in the war, the Supreme Court rejected a similar petition citing security concerns. As a result, foreign journalists have been restricted to highly controlled environments with the Israeli military, while Palestinian journalists present on the ground continue to provide most of the reporting from Gaza.
US Tennis Star Ben Shelton Exits Australian Open
[03:10]
American tennis sensation Ben Shelton has been eliminated from the Australian Open, falling to Italy's defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. This marks Shelton's best performance at the tournament, reaching the men's final four for the first time in over a decade.
[03:29]
Cristina Kucola reports that Shelton, the first American to achieve this milestone in the men's singles since Andy Roddick in 2009, was narrowly defeated by Sinner after an intense match. Sinner will advance to the final to compete against Germany's Alexander Zverev, who secured his spot following Novak Djokovic's retirement from the semifinals due to injury.
US Housing Market Sees 30-Year Low in Existing Home Sales
[04:11]
The US housing market is experiencing a significant downturn, with existing home sales dropping to just over 4 million in 2024—the lowest in three decades. High mortgage rates and limited inventory are major contributing factors.
The National Association of Realtors reported a modest 2% increase in sales for December, with the median selling price hovering just above $400,000. Concurrently, Freddie Mac revealed that the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has slightly decreased compared to the previous week.
Furthermore, President Trump, addressing business leaders in Davos, emphasized his intention to advocate for reduced interest rates to stimulate the housing market and broader economic activity.
Notable Quotes
- Sarah McCammon at [00:33]: “President Trump has bragged about his role in choosing Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.”
- Tom Bowman at [01:58]: “These programs have been seen as pretty effective in bringing more women and minorities into the ranks at all levels. President Biden chose the first woman admiral, Lisa Franchetti, to run the Navy, as well as the first black defense secretary, Lloyd Austin. But Donald Trump and his defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, have dismissed these programs as woke and divisive.”
- Kat Lansdorf at [02:32]: “Israel's Foreign Press Association, of which NPR is a member, filed the latest petition to lift the ban on outside media. Last September, the court gave the state of Israel a deadline to respond to that petition. The state has requested that deadline to be moved back five times. It's now set for early February.”
This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from NPR News Now's episode on January 24, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and those who missed the broadcast.