NPR News: 11-20-2024 2AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary (November 20, 2024, 2AM EST)

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on critical national and international issues in its latest episode. Hosted by Shea Stevens and featuring reports from NPR correspondents, the episode covered political developments in the United States, severe weather threats, educational policy changes in Texas, significant arrests in Brazil, and legal proceedings involving a prominent Hong Kong publisher. Below is a detailed summary of each segment.

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1. Matt Gaetz Investigation and Nomination Concerns

Health Ethics Committee's Decision on Matt Gaetz Report

The episode opened with discussions surrounding former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz. The Health Ethics Committee is scheduled to vote on whether to release its investigative report on Gaetz. Last week, Gaetz resigned after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of U.S. Attorney General.

Senate Judiciary Committee's Focus

Giles Snyder reported that the House ethics investigation into Gaetz is casting a shadow over the Senate, specifically the Senate Judiciary Committee's upcoming hearings on Trump’s Attorney General nomination. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is poised to lead the committee once the GOP secures a majority in January.

Call for Transparency

Senator Dick Durbin emphasized the necessity for transparency in the nomination process. At [00:55], Durbin stated, “If they want a speedy consideration of this nomination, there’s we gotta have as much transparency as we can have.” This underscores the Senate's demand for openness regarding Gaetz's conduct before confirming his nomination.

Gaetz's Resignation and Allegations

According to Giles Snyder at [01:06], Dick Durbin suggested that Gaetz's resignation was intended to prevent the public release of the House Ethics Committee's report, which includes serious allegations such as illicit drug use and sex trafficking involving a 17-year-old. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.

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2. President-Elect Trump's Cabinet Nominations

Linda McMahon for Department of Education

NPR News Anchor reported at [01:28] that President-elect Donald Trump has selected Linda McMahon, a billionaire wrestling mogul, to oversee the Department of Education. McMahon is known for her business acumen and leadership at WWE.

Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary

Shea Stevens announced at [01:34] that Trump aims to appoint Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Lutnick's experience in finance is expected to influence the administration's economic policies.

Dr. Mehmet Oz to Lead CMS

The most detailed nomination discussed was that of Dr. Mehmet Oz for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). At [01:42], Shea Stevens introduced Selena Simmons Duffin’s report on Oz, highlighting his controversial background.

Dr. Oz's Controversial Career

Selena Simmons Duffin elaborated at [01:55], “Dr. Mehmet Oz has a medical degree. He’s a cardiothoracic surgeon. He built his fame and fortune by promoting alternative therapies like unproven diet products, cleanses and detoxes.” Oz gained public recognition through the Dr. Oz Show but faced scrutiny for endorsing unproven medical treatments. His confirmation to lead CMS would place him at the helm of an agency managing approximately $1.5 trillion in annual spending.

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3. Severe Weather Threatens Northern California and the Pacific Northwest

A significant meteorological event is poised to impact Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. The episode detailed the impending atmospheric river, characterized by intense rainfall and strong winds.

Potential for Severe Flooding and Landslides

At [02:52], National Weather Service forecaster Bob Orovec warned, “It’s not going to be falling across very populated areas, but still there’s going to be the potential for rock and mudslides and debris flows and also some very serious flooding issues.” The rapid intensification of this system has led some forecasters to liken it to a bomb cyclone.

Economic Implications

The storm's potential impact coincides with rising U.S. futures in after-hours trading, reflecting possible economic concerns tied to the weather event.

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4. Texas School Board Approves Bible Teaching Curriculum

A Republican initiative to incorporate Bible teaching into Texas public school curricula received preliminary approval from the state school board. The curriculum, developed by Texas's public education agency overseeing primary and secondary education, marks a significant shift in educational policy, reflecting the ongoing debates over curriculum content and separation of church and state.

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5. Arrests in Brazil Alleged Plot Against Government Leaders

Plot to Assassinate Top Officials

Federal police in Brazil arrested five officers suspected of plotting to assassinate the country's president, vice president, and Supreme Court justice. This development occurred on the final day of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Background of the Plot

Kerry Khan reported at [03:49] that the alleged assassination plan emerged in 2022 following President Lula’s narrow victory over far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Among those arrested are four military members, including a former top aide to Bolsonaro. They face charges of criminal association with the intent to execute a coup to prevent Lula's inauguration.

Bolsonaro's Involvement and Denials

The plot was uncovered during the prosecution of rioters who had attacked government offices shortly after Lula assumed office. Despite ongoing investigations, Bolsonaro has denied any involvement in the coup attempt.

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6. Jimmy Lai's National Security Trial in Hong Kong

First Testimony in Trial

Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai testified for the first time in his national security trial. Lai, a prominent pro-democracy figure and founder of the now-defunct tabloid Apple Daily, faced up to life in prison if convicted.

Allegations of Collusion with Foreign Sources

During his testimony at [04:40], Lai discussed his meetings with U.S. officials in 2019 amidst Hong Kong's anti-government protests. The prosecution alleges that Lai colluded with foreign entities, a charge he vehemently denies, framing it as politically motivated persecution.

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This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with swift yet thorough coverage of significant geopolitical events, political maneuvers within the U.S. government, severe weather warnings, educational policy changes, international arrests linked to political instability, and high-profile legal cases. The inclusion of direct quotes with timestamps ensured an accurate and relatable recounting of the day's pressing news.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

Live from NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

In Washington, I'm Shea Stevens.

[NPR News Anchor]

The Health Ethics Committee is set to meet on Wednesday to vote on whether.

[Shea Stevens]

To release its report on Matt Gaetz. The former Florida congressman resigned last week.

[NPR News Anchor]

After President elect Trump tapped him to.

[Shea Stevens]

Become U.S. attorney general. As NPR's Giles Snyder reports, U.S. senators are now weighing in on the issue.

[Giles Snyder]

The House ethics investigation into Gaetz is looming over the Senate, particularly over the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings on Gates nomination. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is in line to lead the panel when the GOP takes a majority in January.

[Dick Durbin]

If they want a speedy consideration of this nomination, there's we gotta have as much transparency as we can have.

[Giles Snyder]

The current Democratic chair of the Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin of Illinois, says Gaetz's decision to step down from Congress last week was designed to stop the public release of the report. The House Ethics Committee has been looking into accusations including illicit drug use and sex trafficking allegedly involving a 17 year old. Denies any wrongdoing. Jael Snyder, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

President elect Trump has tapped billionaire wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to oversee the Department of Education.

[Shea Stevens]

Trump wants Wall street executive Howard Lutnick to become U.S. commerce secretary.

[NPR News Anchor]

Trump says he'll nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz.

[Shea Stevens]

To run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As NPR's Selena Simmons Dutton reports, Oz.

[NPR News Anchor]

Is a heart surgeon and former TV.

[Shea Stevens]

Personality who's been criticized for promoting unproven theories.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

Dr. Mehmet Oz has a medical degree. He's a cardiothoracic surgeon. He built his fame and fortune by promoting alternative therapies like unproven diet products, cleanses and detoxes. He first became famous as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show. That led to a radio show and to daytime TV's the Dr. Oz Show. That ended in 2022 when Oz ran as the Republican candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania. He narrowly lost to John Fetterman in that race. If he's confirmed by the Senate, he'll be overseeing an enormous health agency that spends about $1.5 trillion a year. That's more than the Department of Defense. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News, Washington.

[NPR News Anchor]

A powerful storm carrying strong winds threatens to drench parts of Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. The so called atmospheric river is expected.

[Shea Stevens]

To impact the region over the next several days.

[NPR News Anchor]

National weather Service forecaster Bob Orovec says some areas could see more foot of rainfall before it's over.

[Bob Orovec]

It's not going to be falling across very populated areas, but still there's going to be the potential for rock and mudslides and debris flows and also some very serious flooding issues.

[Shea Stevens]

Forecasters say this atmospheric river is more like a bomb cyclone because of how quickly it has intensified. US Futures are higher in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is npr. A Republican plan to include Bible teaching in the curriculum at Texas public schools has received preliminary approval from the state school board. The curriculum was designed by the state's public education agency, which oversees primary and secondary education.

[NPR News Anchor]

Federal police in Brazil have arrested five.

[Shea Stevens]

Officers who are suspected of plotting to kill that country's president, vice president and supreme court justice. As NPR's Kerry Khan reports, the arrest came on the final day of the G20 summit in Rio.

[Kerry Khan]

The alleged plan to kill Brazil's top leaders took place in 2022 following Lula's narrow electoral victory over far right President Jair Bolsonaro. Police say. Among the five arrested are four members of the military, including a former top aide to Bolsonaro. They're all charged with criminal association to plan a coup to prevent Lula's inauguration. Supporters of former President Bolsonaro ransacked government offices in the capital, Brasil, right after Lula took power. The assassination attempt was uncovered during prosecution of the rioters. Bolsonaro has denied any plans to plot a coup despite ongoing investigations into his possible role in attempting to hold on to power. Kerry Khan, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

[NPR News Anchor]

Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai has.

[Shea Stevens]

Testified at his national security trial for the first time.

[NPR News Anchor]

The pro democracy leader told the court.

[Shea Stevens]

About his meetings with US officials in.

[NPR News Anchor]

2019 during the Hong Kong's anti government protests.

[Shea Stevens]

Lai faces up to life in prison.

[NPR News Anchor]

If convicted of colluding with foreign sources.

[Shea Stevens]

He is the founder of the now defunct tabloid Apple Daily. This is NPR News.

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