NPR News: 01-31-2025 10AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 31, 2025, 10 AM EST Summary

Released January 31, 2025

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1. Aviation Tragedy: American Airlines Jet and Army Helicopter Collision

Investigators Retrieve Black Boxes

In a tragic incident near Washington, D.C., a collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in the loss of 67 lives. Federal investigators have successfully retrieved the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, essential tools often referred to as "black boxes" (though they are notably orange).

Frank Langfit Reports:

"The so-called black boxes... will allow investigators to hear the final conversations in the cockpit before the two aircraft collided over the Potomac River. They'll also provide crucial data, including the altitude of the plane leading up to and at the time of the collision." (00:33)

Initial findings suggest discrepancies in the altitude at which the Black Hawk helicopter was operating. Official reports indicate it was supposed to maintain a maximum altitude of 200 feet; however, sources reveal it was flying at least 100 feet higher at the time of the crash.

Crew Identification and Personal Impact

The American Airlines jet's crew has been identified, including First Officer Sam Lilly, a second-generation pilot who was engaged to be married. In a heartfelt expression of grief, Lilly's father, Tim, shared his sorrow on Facebook:

"It hurts so bad, I can't even cry myself to sleep." (00:33)

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2. Controversial Confirmation Hearings: Tulsi Gabbard's Nomination

Narrowing Down a Cabinet Pick

In a contentious session on Capitol Hill, President Trump's nomination of Tulsi Gabbard for the position of Director of National Intelligence faced significant scrutiny. Senators primarily questioned Gabbard's previous statements criticizing U.S. involvement abroad, particularly in the Middle East, and her meetings with the ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Senator Mark Kelly's Concerns:

"My big concerns with Colonel Gabbard is, you know, that she's contradicted our own intelligence community on Assad's use of chemical weapons against his own people. And then she also has this propensity to to use information as if it's true when it comes from dictators like Putin and Assad in Syria." (01:45)

Despite acknowledging Gabbard's patriotism and service, Senator Kelly expressed doubts about her suitability for the intelligence role:

"Gabbard is a patriot who served and cares about this country, but I don't feel she's up to this job." (02:09)

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3. Economic Indicators: Personal Spending and Inflation Rise

December's Economic Snapshot

The Commerce Department reported a notable increase in personal spending for December, with a rise of 0.7%. Americans spent more on both goods and services, indicating robust consumer confidence. However, personal income did not keep pace, leading many to dip into savings or incur debt to support their expenditures. This trend contributed to a further decline in the personal savings rate, which fell to 3.8%.

Scott Horsley Explains:

"Personal spending jumped by seven tenths of a percent in December as Americans spent more on both goods and services. Personal income was also up during the month, but not as much. Many people dipped into savings or borrowed money to finance their additional spending." (02:26)

Inflation remains a key concern, with the December inflation rate climbing to 2.6% year-over-year, slightly higher than the previous month. This metric is closely monitored by the Federal Reserve for future monetary policy decisions.

Global Market Movements

Asian stock markets displayed mixed results overnight, with Tokyo’s markets experiencing gains while Seoul saw declines. Meanwhile, markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai remained closed for the Lunar New Year festivities.

Stock Market Update:

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up by 32 points at the time of this report. (03:07)

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4. Historic Spacewalk: NASA’s Astronauts Achieve Milestone

Underground the International Space Station

NASA celebrated a significant milestone as astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams embarked on their first joint spacewalk outside the International Space Station. Originally scheduled for a week this summer, their mission extended to a ten-month stay following issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, including leaks and other malfunctions.

Amy Held Reports:

"They successfully removed a stubborn broken antenna, a task that Mission Control had narrated multiple failed attempts to achieve. Williams, who had already performed a spacewalk earlier in the month, completed her ninth spacewalk overall, breaking the record for the most time spent on a spacewalk by any female astronaut." (03:28)

The astronauts' spacewalk lasted five and a half hours and involved critical maintenance work. NASA plans to return them to Earth by late March at the earliest via a SpaceX capsule.

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5. Wildlife Conservation: Massive Sea Turtle Rescue in Florida

Rescuing Endangered Turtles Amidst a Winter Storm

In a remarkable conservation effort, Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission successfully rescued approximately 1,000 endangered sea turtles. The rare winter storm caused water temperatures to plummet, paralyzing the turtles' flippers and preventing them from surfacing for air. Strong winds and currents eventually washed their bodies ashore, where rescuers intervened.

Jeanine Herbst Reports:

"Officials say it was among Florida's biggest cold water turtle rescues in the last 15 years." (04:16)

This significant rescue operation underscores the vulnerability of wildlife to extreme weather events and highlights the ongoing efforts to protect endangered species.

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Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Federal investigators have retrieved the cockpit voice and flight data recorders from the American Airlines jet that collided with an army helicopter Wednesday night near Washington, D.C. 67 people died in the crash and peers. Frank Langfit has more.

[Frank Langfit]

The so called black boxes, which are actually orange in color, will allow investigators to hear the final conversations in the cockpit before the two aircraft collided over the Potomac River. They'll also provide crucial data, including the altitude of the plane leading up to and at the time of the collision. Once investigators have the recorder from the Blackhawk helicopter, they'll have a better sense of the paths the aircraft took that led to the crash. Officials tell NPR that the Black Hawk was supposed to be flying no higher than 200ft, while sources say it was flying at least 100ft higher. Meanwhile, members of the crew of the American Airlines jet have been identified. They include first Officer Sam Lilly, a second generation pilot who was engaged to be married. Lilly's father, Tim, wrote this on Facebook. It hurts so bad, I can't even cry myself to sleep. Frank lankford, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Among key and contentious confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill yesterday for President Trump's Cabinet picks Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. Some senators focused on the Army Reserve lieutenant colonel's previous comments criticizing US Involvement abroad, especially in the Middle east, and that she met with ousted Syrian President Assad.

[Senator Mark Kelly]

Senator MARK kelly so my big concerns with Colonel Gabbard is, you know, that she's contradicted our own intelligence community on Assad's use of chemical weapons against his own people. And then she also has this propensity to to use information as if it's true when it comes from dictators like Putin and Assad in Syria.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Speaking there to npr, Kelly says Gabbard is a patriot who served and cares about this country, but he says he doesn't feel she's up to this job. Stocks opened higher this morning as the Commerce Department reported a jump in personal spending last month. NPR Scott Horsley has more.

[Scott Horsley]

Personal spending jumped by seven tenths of a percent in December as Americans spent more on both goods and services. Personal income was also up during the month, but not as much. Many people dipped into savings or borrowed money to finance their additional spending. The already low personal savings rate fell further in December to 3.8%. The Commerce Department's inflation yardstick, which is closely watched by the Federal Reserve, shows prices in December were up 2.6% from a year ago. That's a slightly larger annual increase than the previous month. Asian stocks were mixed overnight up in Tokyo, but down in Seoul, markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai remain closed for the lun. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And the dow is up 32 points right now. You're listening to NPR news from Washington. NASA's two stranded astronauts got a change of scenery, stepping out for the first time together 260 miles above the Earth. NPR's Amy Held reports on the historic spacewalk outside the International Space Station.

[Amy Held]

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams time aboard the orbiting lab was supposed to last about a week this summer. They're still there for what's looking like a 10 month stay after their ride. The Boeing Starliner experienced leaks and other problems, so it's understandable they'd want to get out and stretch their legs. That's just what they did Thursday for five and a half hours on their first joint spacewalk. Successfully removing a stubborn broken antenna narrated by Mission Control has been attempted to be removed on two previous Williams already performed a spacewalk earlier this month, but this, her ninth overall, broke a record for the most time spent on a spacewalk for any female astronaut. NASA says she and Wilmore will return to Earth by late March at the earliest aboard a SpaceX capsule. Amy Held, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

One thousand endangered sea turtles have been rescued in Florida. Officials with the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission say the endangered reptiles were suffering because of a rare winter storm in the area that sent water temperatures plunging. The turtles flippers were paralyzed and they couldn't come up for air, but the wind and currents carried their bodies ashore, where they were rescued. Officials say it was among Florida's biggest cold water turtle rescues in the last 15 years. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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