NPR News: 01-24-2025 4AM EST - NPR News Now

Summary

NPR News Now: January 24, 2025, 4 AM EST

On this episode of NPR News Now, listeners are presented with a comprehensive overview of the latest national and international developments, encapsulated in a swift five-minute update. This summary delves into key stories ranging from political maneuvers by President Trump to significant changes within major corporations.

President Trump's First Week in Office: Asheville and Los Angeles Trips

Host Dan Ronan opens the episode with an update on President Donald Trump's concluding activities in his inaugural week. Trump is set to visit Asheville, North Carolina, and Los Angeles, California, marking significant stops that intertwine with his administration's policy directions.

Deepa Shivaram reports on Trump's Asheville visit, a region previously devastated by Hurricane Helene in September. Trump has criticized Democrats, claiming they have abandoned the state. He leveraged the ongoing crisis to make several contentious statements about aid relief, with Shivaram noting, "Trump has repeatedly made a number of false statements about aid relief during the presidential election, using the crisis to score political points" (00:37).

In Los Angeles, Trump is poised to address the costly recovery efforts from recent wildfires in California. During an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Trump stated, "Democrats wanted a lot of money for wildfire relief in California, but he wants the state to change its water policies before it gets any aid" (00:57). This move is perceived as an attempt to exert political leverage over the state’s environmental policies.

Senate Confirmation Vote for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

A significant development in national defense oversight is the impending Senate confirmation vote for Pete Hegseth as the new Secretary of Defense. Dan Ronan outlines the controversy surrounding Hegseth's nomination, highlighting opposition from two Republican senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, who have expressed doubts regarding his qualifications. Concerns cited include reports of domestic abuse and allegations of heavy drinking.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vocally opposes the nomination, criticizing Hegseth’s suitability for the role. Schumer remarked, "I want my colleagues to think about how absurd it is that this nominee has even made it to the floor. It's a shame that that has happened. We are being cast to trust our armed forces to a man with a history of erratic behavior" (01:45). Schumer emphasizes that erratic behavior is incompatible with leading the Department of Defense, underscoring the gravity of the concerns raised.

Hegseth, however, denies all allegations, asserting that they are part of a "smear campaign to keep him from the Pentagon" (01:58).

Freeze on Gender-Neutral Passport Applications

In a significant policy shift, the Trump administration has halted all applications for gender-neutral passports, a move that has sparked considerable debate. Dan Ronan introduces this topic, with Michelle Kellerman providing detailed coverage.

Established in 2022, the State Department began issuing passports with male, female, or 'X' gender markers, allowing applicants to self-identify their gender. However, following President Trump's executive order this week, the administration reaffirms a binary view of gender, stating, "the federal government's policy is that there are only two sexes, male and female" (02:24).

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed his staff to suspend processing any new applications for sex marker changes or the 'X' designation. Kellerman notes that while the order is not retroactive—meaning existing gender-neutral passports remain valid—individuals holding such passports may encounter challenges upon renewal (03:12).

Posthumous Release of Tina Turner's "Hot for Your Baby"

In lighter news, the music world is abuzz with the release of a previously lost Tina Turner track titled "Hot for Your Baby." Dan Ronan shares this nostalgic update, with Chloe Veltman providing additional insights.

Originally intended for Turner's acclaimed 1984 album Private Dancer, "Hot for Your Baby" remained unreleased for nearly four decades until recently rediscovered by Turner's record label. Veltman shares critiques from Anthony Dacurtis of Rolling Stone, who describes the song as "a bit one-dimensional, not nearly as nuanced as tracks like 'What's Love Got to Do With It.'" Nonetheless, Ronan counters, "But you know, it's got energy in it, it's got power and it's got excitement" (03:58).

Veltman adds, "Most importantly, it makes us feel like Tina Turner, who died in 2023, is still with us," highlighting the emotional resonance and enduring legacy of the late icon (04:02).

United Healthcare's Leadership Change Following CEO's Tragic Death

A tragic event has led to significant leadership changes at United Healthcare. Dan Ronan reports that nearly two months after the assassination of CEO Brian Thompson in New York, the company has appointed Tim Noel as the new CEO. Noel, previously overseeing United Health Care's Medicare and Retirement sectors, has been with the company since 2007.

Thompson was fatally shot while leaving a Manhattan hotel on December 4th. The suspect, Luigi Manjoni, aged 27, was apprehended in Pennsylvania after days on the run and is currently held without bond in a Brooklyn federal jail, awaiting trial (04:11).

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now effectively encapsulates a range of critical issues, from high-level political actions and policy changes to cultural milestones and corporate leadership shifts. Through succinct reporting and insightful commentary, the episode provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the rapidly evolving news landscape.

Timestamp References:

00:37 - Deepa Shivaram on Trump's Asheville trip
00:57 - Trump on wildfire aid conditions
01:45 - Chuck Schumer's opposition to Pete Hegseth
01:58 - Hegseth denies allegations
02:24 - Freeze on gender-neutral passports
03:12 - Impact on existing gender-neutral passports
03:58 - Chloe Veltman on Tina Turner's song
04:02 - Emotional impact of Tina Turner's legacy
04:11 - Leadership change at United Healthcare

Transcript

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Dan Ronan (0:18)

In Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. President Trump is capping off his first week in office with trips to Asheville, North Carolina, and then to Los Angeles. Today, NPR's Diva Shibaran reports. This comes as Trump has been talking about withholding aid to California as the state fights catastrophic wildfires.

Deepa Shivaram (0:37)

First, Trump is headed to Asheville, which was ravaged by flooding when Hurricane Helene hit the state in September. Trump has accused Democrats of leaving the state behind. He repeatedly made a number of false statements about aid relief during the presidential election, using the crisis to score political points. The president's next stop will be la, where wildfire recovery will be costly. Trump appears to regard this, too, as an opportunity for political lever. In an interview this week with Sean Hannity on Fox, Trump said Democrats wanted a lot of money for wildfire relief in California, but he wants the state to change its water policies before it gets any aid. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, the White House.

Dan Ronan (1:18)

A confirmation vote is expected in the United States Senate Friday on the nomination of Pete Hegseth to be the defense secretary. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, said they will oppose the nomination because of concerns they have over his qualifications. Among reports of domestic abuse of his former wife and allegations he's a heavy drinker, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is also against the nomination.

Chuck Schumer (1:45)

I want my colleagues to think about how absurd it is that this nominee has even made it to the floor. It's a shame that that has happened. We are being cast to trust our armed forces to a man with a history of erratic behavior. One of the kindest words that might be used to describe Mr. Heckseth is erratic, and that's a quality you don't want as head of DoD.

Dan Ronan (2:08)

Hegseth denies the charges, and he says they're part of a smear campaign to keep him from the Pentagon. Americans who have applied for gender neutral passports may have to reapply. The Trump administration has frozen all such applications. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.

Michelle Kellerman (2:24)

The State Department started issuing passports with male, female or X markings in 2022 and said at the time that applicants could self select their gender. But this week, President Trump issued an executive order banning that, saying the federal government's policy is that there are only two sexes, male and female. According to the Guardian. Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed up, telling his staff to suspend any applications from Americans seeking to change their sex marker or requesting an X on their passport. The order is not retroactive. Current gender neutral passports remain valid, though Americans who have them may have difficulties when they renew. Michelle Keller, NPR News. The State Department stocks closed up on.