NPR News: 11-18-2024 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 18, 2024 – Comprehensive Episode Summary

Hosted by Korva Coleman

---

1. U.S. Permits Ukraine to Use American-Made Long-Range Missiles Against Russia

Timestamp: [00:18] - [01:09]

In a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Biden has authorized Ukraine to deploy American-made long-range missiles, known as ATACMs (Army Tactical Missile Systems), into Russian territory. These missiles boast a range of approximately 190 miles, a capability Ukrainian officials and their supporters in the U.S. have advocated for months.

Korva Coleman reported that the decision was influenced by the recent deployment of North Korean troops assisting Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. NPR’s Tom Bowman elaborated:

“Ukrainian officials and their supporters in the U.S. have long pushed for their use, but the Biden administration refused, fearing Russian escalation. Now, with thousands of North Korean troops fighting Ukrainian forces who have seized portions of the Kursk region of Russia, the administration has allowed the atacms to strike targets there.”
[00:35]

This policy change not only marks a pivotal moment in the U.S.-Ukraine-Russia dynamics but also sets a precedent that may encourage other nations, notably Britain, to authorize the use of their long-range missile systems in support of Ukraine.

---

2. G20 Summit in Brazil Highlights Climate Change and Global Governance

Timestamp: [01:09] - [02:30]

Brazil is the host of the annual G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, with President Biden in attendance. Notably, Biden made a historic visit to the Amazon rainforest prior to the summit, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so. The summit's agenda is concentrated on global governance, poverty alleviation, and particularly, climate change.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the responsibility of wealthy nations:

“I will appeal to the sense of responsibility of all G20 countries. Now is the time for leadership by example from the world's largest economies and emitters. Failure is not an option.”
[01:34]

The timing of the summit is critical as it precedes the inauguration of President Elect Donald Trump, who has already made headlines by nominating Chris Wright, the head of an oil and gas company, for the role of U.S. Energy Secretary. Wright is a controversial figure in climate discourse, having publicly denied the existence of a global climate crisis and the increasing intensity of weather-related disasters, contrary to the consensus among climate scientists.

---

3. E. coli Outbreak Linked to Organic Carrots Sparks Major Recalls

Timestamp: [02:30] - [03:15]

A widespread E. coli outbreak has been traced to organic carrots, resulting in nearly 40 illnesses and one fatality. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating cases across more than a dozen states, with Washington, Minnesota, and New York reporting the highest numbers. However, the CDC warns that the actual scope of the outbreak may be broader.

Juliana Kim reports that investigations have identified Grimway Farms as the common supplier of the contaminated carrots. Consequently, the company has initiated recalls affecting major retailers, including Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Walmart.

---

4. Polling Expert J. Ann Selzer Shuts Down Operations Amidst Election Challenges

Timestamp: [03:15] - [04:05]

J. Ann Selzer, a renowned polling expert associated with the Des Moines Register, has announced the closure of her polling operations. Selzer, recognized for her accurate predictions in the past—including Senator Barack Obama’s Iowa caucus victory in 2008—cited her decision to pursue other opportunities as the primary reason for shutting down her polling services.

In the recent election cycle, Selzer faced scrutiny after her polls showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump in Iowa, a prediction that did not align with the general election outcome where Trump secured the win. This discrepancy has raised questions about the methodologies and pressures faced by polling experts in volatile political climates.

---

5. Iowa Health Care Workers Battle PTSD and Long Covid with Limited Support

Timestamp: [04:05] - [04:39]

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to haunt Iowa's healthcare workers, particularly those who were on the frontlines in nursing homes and hospitals during the crisis. Many are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and long Covid symptoms, yet support from employers and the government remains scarce.

Amy Maxman of KFF Health News narrates the struggles of Deborah Raghunanan, a nursing assistant who continues to work at a long-term care facility despite enduring panic attacks, brain fog, and a recent aneurysm—complications she attributes to her experiences during the 2020 COVID outbreak.

Deborah Raghunanan shared:

“All of us have to go right back where the COVID started. So that's a double whammy. That's a double kick.”
[04:21]

As low-wage caretakers, these workers find themselves trapped in demanding roles without the financial means or support systems to seek alternative employment or take necessary time off for recovery.

---

6. Jennings Creek Wildfire Declared a State of Emergency on NJ/NY Border

Timestamp: [04:39] - [04:57]

A significant wildfire, known as the Jennings Creek Fire, has erupted along the border between New Jersey and New York, scorching over 2,200 acres. The situation has prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency, mobilizing resources to contain the blaze and protect surrounding communities.

Korva Coleman provided the latest updates:

“There's a state of emergency still in effect on part of the border between New Jersey and New York where the Jennings Creek wildfire is burning over more than 2,200 acres.”
[04:39]

Efforts are ongoing to mitigate the fire's impact, with firefighters and emergency services working tirelessly to prevent further spread.

---

This summary encapsulates the key news topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on November 18, 2024. For more detailed coverage, tuning into the full podcast episode is recommended.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from BetterHelp. BetterHelp is committed to making mental well being a priority and offering support in taking on everything life demands. With therapists available to communicate via video chat or [e-mail] News live from NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. For the first time, President Biden is allowing Ukraine to fire U. S Made long range missiles into Russia. A U.S. official tells NPR the change in policy was spurred by the deployment of North Korean troops who were sent to help Russia in its war against Ukraine. NPR's Tom Bowman has more.

[Tom Bowman]

The missiles are called ATACMs and have a range of some 190 miles. Ukrainian officials and their supporters in the U.S. have long pushed for their use, but the Biden administration refused, fearing Russian escalation. Now, with thousands of North Korean troops fighting Ukrainian forces who have seized portions of the Kursk region of Russia, the administration has allowed the atacms to strike targets there. The policy change could lead other countries, especially Britain, to allow their long range missiles to be used as well. Tom Bowman, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Brazil is hosting the summit of The Group of 20 nations in Rio de Janeiro. President Biden is there. Before he arrived in Rio, Biden visited the Amazon rainforest, the first sitting US president to do so. The G20 summit is focused on global governance, poverty and climate change. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says rather, nations that are more wealthy must step up to help developing countries fight climate change.

[Antonio Guterres]

I will appeal to the sense of responsibility of all G20 countries. Now is the time for leadership by example from the world's largest economies and emitters. Failure is not an option.

[Korva Coleman]

The summit comes as President Elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Over the weekend, Trump named his choice for the next US Energy secretary. It is Chris Wright, the head of an oil and gas company. Wright has publicly said there is no global climate crisis. He has also claimed there is no increase in the intensity of weather disasters. That is not what climate scientists say, who point to evidence human activity is causing global warming. Nearly 40 people have become ill and one person has died following an E. Coli outbreak linked to organic carrots. Several brands of carrots have since been recalled, including some sold at Trader Joe's, Whole foods and Walmart. NPR's Juliana Kim reports.

[Juliana Kim]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Sunday it's investigating a multistate E. Coli outbreak tied to organic carrots. The cases have emerged in more than a dozen states, with the highest numbers reported in Washington, Minnesota and New York. But the CDC warns that the outbreak may have reached additional states, and the actual number of infections is likely much higher. Investigations indicate that Grimway Farms was the common supplier of the organic carrots consumed by individuals before they got sick. On Saturday, the company initiated a recall for some of its carrots that were sold at major retailers, including Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and Walmart. Juliana Kim, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

It's npr. The well known polling expert with the Des Moines Register newspaper, J. Ann Selzer says she is ending her polling operations. She says she's moving to other opportunities. Selzer has been looked to for years as a top polling expert. Her previous polls included then Senator Barack Obama winning the Iowa caucuses in 2008. But this past election, Selzer had Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of Donald Trump in Iowa. In the general election, Trump won. Iowa health care workers who were on the job when Covid ripped through nursing homes and hospitals are still struggling. Many have symptoms of PTSD and long Covid. They've been asking for assistance, but employers and the government have offered little in the way of support. Amy Maxman of our partner KFF HealthNews has more.

[Amy Maxman]

Deborah Raghunanan is a nursing assistant. She has panic attacks, brain fog and recently suffered an aneurysm. She traces the problems back to a Covid outbreak in 2020 when she was caring for veterans at a long term nursing facility. Raghunanan still works there today.

[Deborah Raghunanan]

All of us have to go right back where the COVID started. So that's a double whammy. That's a double kick.

[Amy Maxman]

At work, she relives the trauma of the outbreak. She and other nursing assistants have asked for help and compensation. As low wage caretakers, they can't easily change jobs or take time off to heal.

[Korva Coleman]

That's Amy Maxman with our partner, KFF Health News. There's a state of emergency still in effect on part of the border between New Jersey and New York where the Jennings Creek wildfire is burning it escort more than 2,200 acres. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify, the global commerce platform that helps you sell and show up exactly the way you want to customize your online store to your style. Sign up for a dollar per month trial [e-mail] NPR.