NPR News: 02-17-2025 4PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 17, 2025, 4PM EST

Hosted by Windsor Johnston

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1. Aviation Incident at Pearson International Airport

At approximately 00:13, Windsor Johnston reported a concerning incident involving Delta Air Lines. A flight departing from Minneapolis ended up upside down on a snowy runway at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Fortunately, initial reports confirm that all passengers and crew are accounted for. However, the extent and severity of any injuries remain unclear.

Key Details:

• Location: Pearson International Airport, Toronto
• Airline: Delta Air Lines
• Status: All passengers and crew accounted for
• Injuries: Severity unknown

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2. Elon Musk's Legal Challenges Over Federal Data Access

In a significant legal development, Elon Musk faces a lawsuit filed by several Democratic state attorneys general. The lawsuit contends that Musk's influential role within the government is unlawful and necessitates confirmation by the U.S. Senate. During the hearing, Judge Tanya Chutkan displayed skepticism towards the government's assertions and the sufficiency of evidence presented to halt Musk's actions across seven federal agencies.

Notable Quote:

“The best word to describe Judge Tanya Chutkan in this hour-long hearing is skeptical.” — Stephen Fowler, NPR News (00:56)

Justice Chutkan announced that a ruling would be delivered within the next 24 hours, indicating that Musk's immediate access to federal data and authority over government employees is likely to remain intact for the time being.

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3. High-Level US-Russia Talks on the Ukraine Conflict Excluding European Leaders

Efforts to broker peace in the ongoing Ukraine conflict are underway, with U.S. and Russian officials preparing for high-level talks in Saudi Arabia. Notably absent from these discussions are top European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a point of contention.

Notable Quote:

“It's symbolically a mistake. There should be talks with our colleagues in Ukraine first, substantial talks, not just the kind of episodic conversations they've had, including in Munich.” — Michael McFaul, Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia (01:55)

Zelensky has firmly stated his refusal to accept any negotiation outcomes that exclude Ukraine's involvement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia to oversee the commencement of talks scheduled for Tuesday, aiming to create a more inclusive dialogue moving forward.

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4. Investigative Report: Eaton Fire and Power Company’s Role

NPR's investigative team delved into the Eaton fire in Los Angeles, which raged for over three weeks and resulted in the destruction of approximately 10,000 structures and the tragic loss of 17 lives. Analysis of nearly 100 hours of first responder radio traffic revealed critical delays by Southern California Edison, the local power company, in shutting off power during high-risk conditions, exacerbating the fire's spread.

Notable Insights:

• Cause of Fire: Live power lines ignited by high winds and dry conditions
• Response Failures: Inability to promptly disconnect power in key neighborhoods
• Consequences: Power lines contributed to new fires, intensifying the disaster

Kara Eisner reported that the failure to swiftly manage power resources significantly hindered firefighting efforts, highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure management to prevent future tragedies.

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5. Severe Flooding Devastates the Southern United States

A potent storm system has unleashed severe flooding across parts of the Southern U.S., with Kentucky being particularly hard-hit. Governor Andy Beshear reported ongoing search and rescue operations, emphasizing the persistent danger and the state’s commitment to addressing the crisis.

Notable Quote:

“We are still in the search and rescue phase of this emergency. We still have multiple different missions that are underway. There are still people that are in harm's way.” — Governor Andy Beshear, Kentucky (03:24)

As of the latest reports, at least 11 individuals have lost their lives in Kentucky, with additional fatalities reported in Georgia. The storm has caused extensive infrastructure damage, including the destruction of numerous roads and widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents across Southern states.

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6. Hollywood's Latest Double Casting and Cloning Projects

In entertainment news, the film industry is buzzing with innovative casting choices and ambitious cloning-themed projects. Robert De Niro takes on a dual role as real-life mob boss Vito Genovese and his rival Frank Costello in a new Mafia epic. Additionally, Michael B. Jordan stars in "Sinners," portraying twin brothers Smoke and Stack, highlighting the complexity of double casting in modern cinema.

Notable Commentary:

“If double casting seems tricky, it's child's play next to what Robert Pattinson signed on for in the cloning movie Mickey 17. Every time I died, they just printed me out again.” — Bob Mondello, NPR News (04:09)

The segment underscores Hollywood's trend towards exploring intricate character dynamics and advanced storytelling techniques, promising audiences a slate of compelling narratives in the upcoming multiplex season.

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This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode aired on February 17, 2025, at 4PM EST. For detailed coverage and more updates, consider tuning into NPR's broadcasts or accessing their online platforms.

Transcript

[Carvana]

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[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. A Delta Air Lines flight traveling from Minneapolis somehow ended up upside down on a snowy Runway at Pearson International Airport in Toronto. According to initial reports, passengers and crew are accounted, but the extent and severity of injuries are unknown. A judge appears unlikely to grant a request to immediately halt an effort by tech billionaire Elon Musk to access federal data and fire government employees. NPR's Stephen Fowler reports. A hearing was held today to take up a lawsuit filed by several Democratic state attorneys general.

[Stephen Fowler]

This lawsuit argues Elon Musk's influential role in the government is illegal and should be confirmed by the U.S. senate. The best word to describe Judge Tanya Chutkan in this hour long hearing skeptical. Skeptical of the government's claims that Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency don't have that much power and skeptical that the state's suing have showed enough evidence to halt for now, actions in seven federal agencies. Chutkan said she'll issue a ruling in the next 24 hours. Stephen Fowler, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

U.S. and Russian officials are preparing to take part in high level talks in Saudi Arabia this week aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. But top European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have not been invited to take part. Zelensky has repeatedly said that he will not accept the outcome of any negotiations if his country is not involved. Michael McFaul is a former U.S. ambassador to Russia. He says the U.S. and Russia are going about it wrong.

[Michael McFaul]

It's symbolically a mistake. There should be talks with our colleagues in Ukraine first, substantial talks, not just the kind of episodic conversations they've had, including in Munich. Second, we should talk to our European allies first.

[Windsor Johnston]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia today. Talks are set to begin on Tuesday. After the Eaton fire broke out in Los Angeles, it wasn't fully contained for more than three weeks. NPR's investigations team transcribed hours of first responder radio to better understand how the power company was involved. NPR's Kara Eisner reports.

[Kara Eisner]

When high winds and dry conditions whip up a wildfire, power lines can cause problems by sparking or falling down. That's dangerous for first responders, and it can also start new fires. NPR analyzed almost 100 hours of radio traffic exchanged among firefighters responding to the Eaton fire. That evidence shows the power company, Southern California Edison, wasn't able to quickly shut off power in two key neighborhoods, and that live power lines led to new fires. The Eaton fire burned down about 10,000 structures and led to the deaths of 17 people. Kiara Eisner, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is NPR. A powerful storm system has brought severe flooding across parts of the South. In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear says emergency crews have been working around the clock since the weekend.

[Andy Beshear]

We are still in the search and rescue phase of this emergency. We are still we still have multiple different missions that are underway. There are still people that are in harm's way.

[Windsor Johnston]

Beshear says at least 11 people have died in Kentucky. Officials have reported another death in Georgia. The storm wiped out a number of roads and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of customers in Southern states this spring. Movie audiences may think they're seeing double or even more than double. NPR's Bob Mondello has the details.

[Bob Mondello]

In a new Mafia epic, Robert De Niro plays real life mob boss Vito Genovese.

[Andy Beshear]

Where do I start?

[Bob Mondello]

And also plays rival mob boss Frank Costello.

[Andy Beshear]

You're going down a very dangerous road, and we ain't been down dangerous roads before. I take that. But you're not where I am.

[Bob Mondello]

De Niro meets De Niro in the Alto Knights. Michael B. Jordan has a similar double assignment in the thriller Sinners.

[Andy Beshear]

You twins?

[Kara Eisner]

Nah.

[Andy Beshear]

We cousins?

[Bob Mondello]

Nope. Twin brothers named Smoke and Stack. And if double casting seems tricky, it's child's play next to what Robert Pattinson signed on for in the cloning movie Mickey 17. Every time I died, they just printed me out again. There are so many of him that one day he meets himself. Multiples, multiples of movie multiples coming soon to the multiplex. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

[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.