NPR News Now: November 17, 2024, 9 PM EST
Released on November 18, 2024
1. FCC Leadership Under New Direction
Host Jeanine Herbst opens the episode with significant political news:
"President Elect Donald Trump has picked Brendan Carr, a veteran Republican member of the Federal Communications Commission, to lead the agency that regulates broadcasting, telecommunications, broadband and other related industries." [00:16]
This appointment signals potential shifts in the FCC's operations, as Trump aims to bring the independent agency "under tighter White House control" and use it to address grievances against media outlets that have fact-checked or criticized him.
2. Escalation in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict
Jeanine Herbst continues with international developments:
"President Biden for the first time is allowing Ukraine to fire U.S.-made long-range missiles into Russia." [00:16]
This policy change follows the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine. Polina Litvinova elaborates on the recent Russian military actions:
"The strikes caused emergency power cuts in several Ukrainian regions, including the capital Kyiv." [01:22]
The missile and drone attacks targeted power plants and energy infrastructures, resulting in at least seven fatalities. Ukraine is bracing for the winter, facing severe power shortages and damaged thermal power plants. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sibycha remarked on the attacks:
"We need peace through strength, not appeasement." [01:22]
3. Social Security Future Under Scrutiny
Concerns rise among Americans regarding the incoming administration's impact on Social Security. Jeanine Herbst introduces the segment:
"President Elect Trump has put forward an agenda to keep the program solvent, but some experts are skeptical." [02:12]
Charles Blahouse, a Social Security specialist at George Mason University, critiques Trump's proposals:
"Wild Trump's proposal, including eliminating taxation on Social Security benefits, would likely accelerate its insolvency." [02:25]
An unnamed expert adds:
"There has been more damage done to Social Security finances by the delay of the last several decades than would be done by a proposal like this." [02:44]
Despite assurances from Trump not to raise the retirement age or reduce benefits, experts remain doubtful about the sustainability of his plans. Charles Blahouse concludes:
"Trump has promised not to raise the Social Security retirement age or reduce spend benefits." [03:00]
4. Market Movements
Jeanine Herbst provides a brief update on the stock market:
"U.S. futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. Dow futures up a fraction. Nasdaq futures up more than a half percent." [03:08]
5. Healthcare Workers Struggle Post-Covid
The podcast highlights the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare workers who were frontline responders during the Covid-19 pandemic. Amy Maxman from KFF HealthNews reports:
"Deborah Raghunanan... has panic attacks, brain fog and recently suffered an aneurysm... she traces the problems back to a Covid outbreak in 2020." [03:35]
Deborah Raghunanan shares her struggles:
"All of us have to go right back where the COVID started. So that's a double whammy. That's a double kick." [03:52]
Despite enduring long-term health issues like PTSD and long Covid, these workers receive limited support from employers and the government. Their low-wage positions make it difficult to seek alternative employment or take necessary time off for recovery.
6. Passing of Influential Gymnastics Coach
The episode mourns the death of Licaroli, a renowned yet controversial gymnastics coach:
"The Licaroli, the charismatic, if polarizing gymnastics coach who turned young women into champions and the US into an international power in the sport, has died. He was 82 years old." [04:10]
Under Licaroli's leadership, multiple Olympic gold medalists and world champions emerged, including Nadia Kamenec and Mary Lou Retton. However, his strict coaching methods were criticized for contributing to a culture that enabled the Larry Nassar scandal. The Licarolis denied any responsibility related to these allegations.
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