NPR News: 01-31-2025 8AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 31, 2025, 8 AM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst

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Aviation Safety Concerns Near Reagan National Airport

[00:44] The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently scrutinizing the voice and data recorders from the recent collision between an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C. This tragic incident has brought renewed attention to aviation safety in the vicinity of Reagan National Airport.

Robert Manicasa, NPR reporter, highlights that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledges the frequency of near misses in the area. An analysis of FAA data reveals that since the late 1980s, there have been 30 reported near mid-air collisions near the airport. Out of these, 10 incidents involved at least one military aircraft, with 7 specifically involving military helicopters.

Mike McCormick, former FAA director for safety and operations at US Control, commented on the situation: “While our system is the safest in the world, it is still shocking when a tragedy like this occurs” ([00:44]). McCormick added that the FAA is meticulously examining the crash to determine if immediate regulatory changes are necessary to prevent future incidents.

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Controversial Confirmation Hearing for FBI Nominee Kash Patel

[01:18] In Washington, President Trump's FBI nominee, Kash Patel, faced a contentious Senate confirmation hearing yesterday. Patel has been a vocal critic of federal law enforcement over the past few years, raising questions about his suitability for the role.

Kerry Johnson, NPR journalist, reports that Patel emphasized his commitment to "fighting terrorism and violent crime, preventing the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs, and giving the good cops the leeway to do their jobs" ([01:30]). However, concerns were raised regarding his extensive legal and managerial experience, which appears to be less robust compared to previous FBI directors.

Patel's 16-year career includes roles as a public defender, prosecutor, and national security aide. Despite his public service background, Former Attorney General Bill Barr previously stated that Patel was "unqualified" for the FBI position and would "get a job at the FBI over his dead body” ([01:30]). This stark criticism underscores the challenges Patel faces in securing the nomination.

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Hamas to Release American Hostage Amid Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

[02:04] Significant developments have emerged in the Middle East as Hamas announced the release of three more hostages, including an American citizen, as part of a broader ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Daniel Estrin, NPR correspondent in Tel Aviv, details that the hostages scheduled for release on Saturday include Keith Siegel, a 65-year-old dual American-Israeli citizen. Siegel's wife, Aviva, a former hostage herself, shared her emotional reaction: “I think I'll scream and just jump on him” ([02:39]). Additionally, two other men, one a 35-year-old father, are set for release. There has been widespread speculation about the fate of their families, with Hamas claiming that their wives and children have been killed—claims that Israel has yet to confirm.

In exchange for the hostages, Israel has pledged to release over 100 Palestinian prisoners, aiming to solidify the ceasefire. This exchange signifies a critical move towards de-escalation in the region, with both sides navigating complex humanitarian and political landscapes.

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Resignation of Census Bureau Director Robert Santos

[03:08] In domestic news, Robert Santos, the Director of the Census Bureau, has announced his resignation. This departure provides President Trump with an early opportunity to nominate a new political appointee to lead the agency.

Santos, the first Latino to head the Census Bureau, began his tenure in 2022. Before his appointment, he was a vocal critic of how Trump administration officials handled the 2020 census. His resignation, occurring during the critical preparations for the 2030 census, is particularly noteworthy given the census's role in redistributing political representation and allocating trillions in federal funding over the next decade.

NPR notes that Santos' departure cuts short what was expected to be a five-year term, adding uncertainty to the leadership of an agency pivotal to the nation's demographic and economic planning.

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Legal Personhood Granted to New Zealand Mountain

[04:10] In an unprecedented move for environmental and indigenous rights, a mountain in New Zealand has been granted legal rights akin to those of a person. This decision is part of a government settlement addressing historical injustices faced by the indigenous Maori people due to British colonization.

Cristina Kukola, NPR reporter in Melbourne, Australia, explains that Taranaki Maunga (formerly known as Mount Egmont) has been endowed with "the legal rights, powers, duties, and responsibilities of a person" ([04:10]). The dormant volcano holds significant cultural importance for the Maori communities, who view it as an ancestor.

The collaboration between the local indigenous Mori communities and the government ensures the mountain's natural resources are managed respectfully and sustainably. Additionally, this legal status aims to protect the mountain and its surrounding areas, which are popular tourist destinations. Notably, New Zealand has previously extended legal personhood to a river and native forest land on the North Island, signaling a broader commitment to environmental stewardship and indigenous recognition.

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Economic Update

[03:08] U.S. futures contracts are trading higher this morning, indicating a positive start to the trading day.

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NPR News Now provides the latest news updates every five minutes, ensuring listeners stay informed with accurate and timely information.

Transcript

[Jeanine Herbst]

This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. Their mission is to help customers worry less and live more, so they're sharing prevention tips that empower you to prevent some of life's pitfalls before they happen. Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. As the National Transportation Safety Board is analyzing the voice and data recorders from the American Airlines jet that collided with a military helicopter near Washington, D.C. wednesday, the federal Aviation Administration. Administration says near misses aren't uncommon near Reagan National Airport. NPR's Robert Manicasa reports. The FAA says it's recorded dozens of near misses and many involve military helicopters.

[Robert Manicasa]

An NPR analysis of the Federal Aviation Administration's data on rare near mid air collisions shows 30 reports near the airport since the late 1980s. 10 involved at least one military aircraft. 7 involved a military helicopter. Mike McCormick is the former FAA director for safety and operations at All US Control. To our system, although the safest in the world, it is still shocking when a tragedy like this occurs. McCormick says the FAA is studying the crash to see if immediate changes should be made. Robert Beninkasa, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President Trump's FBI nominee Kash Patel had a contentious Senate confirmation hearing yesterday after spending the last couple of years as a fierce critic of Federal Law Enforcement. NPR's Kerry Johnson has more.

[Kerry Johnson]

He says he wants to focus on fighting terrorism and violent crime, preventing the flow fentanyl and other illegal drugs, and to give the good cops the leeway to do their jobs. Patel talked about his 16 years in public service as a public defender, a prosecutor, a national security aide. But he really has a lot less legal and management experience than most of the previous eight FBI directors. And in the first Trump administration, then Attorney General Bill Barr said Patel was unqualified and would get a job at the FBI over his dead body.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Kerry Johnson. Confirmation hearings for Health and Human Services secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard also took place yesterday. Hamas says it will release three more hostages tomorrow, including an American citizen. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports. It's part of the Israel Hamas ceasefire in Gaza.

[Daniel Estrin]

Hamas has released the names of three Israeli hostages it says it will release Saturday. One is 65 year old dual American Israeli. Keith Siegel. His wife Aviva, a former hostage, told NBA NPR last year how she'd react when he'd be freed.

[Cristina Kukola]

I think I'll scream and just jump on him.

[Mike McCormick]

I can't wait.

[Daniel Estrin]

Two other men on the list to be freed Saturday include a 35 year old father. There's been speculation about the fate of his wife and young children in captivity. Hamas says they were killed. Israel has not confirmed that. Israel has promised to release more than 100 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the three hostages Saturday. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Jeanine Herbst]

U.S. futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. NPR has learned the director of the Census Bureau, Robert Santos, is resigning, giving President Trump an early opportunity to nominate a new political appointee to lead the agency. Before becoming director, Santos was a vocal opponent on how Trump officials handled the 2020 census. The decision by the first Latino to head the bureau, who started as Bureau's director in 2022, cuts short a five year appointment during key preparations for the 2030 census. The next constitutionally required headcount of the country's residents is set to be used to redistribute political representation along with trillions of dollars in federal funding across the country over the next decade. A mountain in New Zealand has been granted legal rights similar to a person, as Christina Kukalov reports in, it's part of a government settlement compensating indigenous Maori people for land theft and other harms caused by British colonization.

[Cristina Kukola]

Under a new law passed on Thursday, Taranaki Maunga, formerly Mount Egmont on New Zealand's north island, has been given the legal rights, powers, duties and responsibilities of a person. Local indigenous Mori communities regard the dormant volcano as an ancestor and together with the government, will manage the mountain's natural resources. The new status is also intended to help protect the popular tourist spot and surrounding peaks and land. New Zealand has already granted legal personhood to a river and native forest land on the North Island. For NPR News, I'm Cristina Kukola in Melbourne, Australia.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And I'm Jeanine Herbst. And you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[Mike McCormick]

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