NPR News Now: November 19, 2024, 1 PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Producer: NPR
Release Date: November 19, 2024

House Democrats Urge Release of Matt Gaetz Ethics Report

In today's top political story, House Democrats are intensifying their push for transparency regarding former Congressman Matt Gaetz. Gaetz, who recently resigned amid serious misconduct allegations, is under investigation by a GOP-led ethics committee. Lakshmi Singh reports that 96 Democrats have collectively sent a letter to the committee, urging the immediate release of its findings. The Democrats argue that the Senate should have access to the report to inform the confirmation process for Gaetz's potential successor as Attorney General.

Lakshmi Singh stated at [00:18]:

"House Democrats are pressing the GOP led ethics committee to immediately release its report into allegations of serious misconduct by former Congressman Matt Gaetz..."

Contrarily, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed strong opposition to disclosing the report, following Gaetz's abrupt resignation and the subsequent halt of the probe. The situation remains fluid as the Senate weighs the implications of the ethics findings on the confirmation process.

Future of the Department of Education Under Trump Administration

Shifting focus to education, the future of the U.S. Department of Education is under scrutiny as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to nominate his successor. Cory Turner explains that abolishing the department is highly unlikely due to its establishment by an act of Congress and the formidable Senate filibuster that would prevent such an action.

At [01:07], Cory Turner elaborates:

"The U.S. department of Education was created by an act of Congress and can only be abolished by an act of Congress. And that, experts across the political spectrum tell NPR, is not likely because of the Senate filibuster."

Instead of dismantling the department, a Trump-appointed secretary could steer significant policy shifts. One major area of potential change is Title IX, the federal law protecting students from sex discrimination. Under the Biden administration, Title IX interpretations have expanded to include protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Trump administration does not share this broader interpretation, suggesting possible regulatory rollbacks that could narrow these protections.

President Biden's Climate Goals Highlighted at G20 Summit

As President Biden concludes his presidency, his final day is marked by active participation in the G20 summit in South America, focusing on advancing his climate agenda. Asma Khalid reports that Biden is prioritizing economic incentives tied to clean energy, aiming to leave a lasting impact on global climate efforts.

At [01:57], Asma Khalid reports:

"Biden has spent his presidency trying to invest in clean energy jobs in the United States. His team says the climate discussion has fundamentally moved into the realm of economics."

During the summit, Biden announced a $325 million U.S. contribution to a climate investment fund designed to aid developing countries in their transition to clean energy solutions. Additionally, he convened with Brazil's President Lula da Silva to launch a clean energy technology partnership, fostering international collaboration on sustainable initiatives.

However, uncertainty looms as President-elect Donald Trump has signaled intentions to diminish some of Biden's clean energy incentives, potentially altering the trajectory of these investments.

Alarming Advances Toward Critical Global Warming Thresholds

Concerns over global warming intensify as multiple reports indicate that the planet is nearing pivotal temperature thresholds. Alejandra Barundia discusses the implications of these developments amidst ongoing climate negotiations in Azerbaijan.

At [02:47], Leela Varzhowski, a researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, emphasizes:

"The immediately tangible impacts is an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme events." ([03:12])

The Paris Agreement of 2015 set ambitious targets to limit Earth's warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally striving for 1.5 degrees. Scientists warn that surpassing the 1.5-degree mark significantly escalates the risks of severe climate-related disasters, including more intense hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and extreme heatwaves.

As climate talks progress, the urgency to implement and adhere to mitigation strategies becomes increasingly critical to prevent irreversible environmental damage.

Northeast US Faces Drought Warning Amidstorm and SpaceX's Starship Preparations

Drought and Wildfire Concerns in the Northeast

The northeastern United States is grappling with a rare drought warning, the first in over two decades. Lakshmi Singh reports that areas, including New York City and 15 New York State counties, are experiencing their driest fall on record. Authorities are urging residents to voluntarily conserve water to alleviate the scarcity.

Additionally, mild rainfall forecasts—1 to 2 inches expected later in the week—could provide much-needed relief to wildfire crews working to contain ongoing fires across New York and surrounding states. The limited precipitation is both a blessing and a challenge, potentially aiding firefighting efforts while highlighting the region's vulnerability to climate extremes.

SpaceX's Starship: On the Brink of a Historic Test Launch

In technological news, SpaceX is ramping up preparations for another test flight of its colossal Starship rocket. Jeff Brumfield details the ambitious plans and regulatory landscape surrounding the launch.

At [04:03], Jeff Brumfield notes:

"Starship is the largest rocket ever built. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk hopes it will someday carry people to Mars."

The upcoming test aims to demonstrate Starship's capability to circumnavigate the globe before safely landing in the Southern Indian Ocean. This mission is a critical step toward SpaceX's long-term goal of facilitating human travel to Mars.

However, regulatory hurdles have previously impeded SpaceX's testing schedule. Earlier this year, the EPA found violations of the Clean Water Act related to launch activities. With the impending administration shift as President Trump returns to office—a known ally of Elon Musk—Lori Garver, a former deputy administrator of NASA, anticipates that the FAA and EPA will likely ease restrictions:

"The EPA will not be raising flags as they have been these last couple of years." ([04:34])

This regulatory relaxation could accelerate SpaceX's testing timeline, bringing the ambitious Starship project closer to realization.

Market Update: Dow Jones Slight Dip

In the financial sector, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a modest decline, dropping 125 points to close at 43,268. Market analysts attribute the movement to ongoing political uncertainties and investor caution ahead of upcoming legislative decisions.

Closing Remarks

Today's episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, ranging from political accountability and educational policy shifts to climate action and technological advancements. As the news cycle continues to evolve rapidly, NPR remains committed to delivering timely and thorough reporting to keep listeners informed.

This summary is based on the transcript of the NPR News Now episode released on November 19, 2024, at 1 PM EST.