NPR News: 11-22-2024 10AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 22, 2024, 10 AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: November 22, 2024
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

---

1. West Coast Endures Powerful Storm System

Korva Coleman opens the episode at [00:16], reporting on a severe weather event affecting the West Coast. A powerful storm system, identified as an atmospheric river, has struck Washington State, Oregon, and Northern California, leaving over 180,000 customers in Washington without power.

Lauren Sommers elaborates on the nature of the storm at [00:37]:

“Atmospheric rivers are basically these plumes of moisture that move across the Pacific Ocean. And if you look at a weather map, it actually kind of looks like a fire hose is pointed at the West Coast.”

She explains that such systems are crucial for California, providing up to half of the state's annual rainfall. However, this particular storm is intensified by a nearby bomb cyclone, characterized by a rapid drop in air pressure leading to damaging winds and heavy rainfall. Some regions on the West Coast are forecasted to receive up to 16 inches of rain once the storm subsides.

---

2. Lebanon's Independence Day Shadowed by Conflict

Today marks Lebanon's Independence Day, commemorating the 1943 relinquishment of French control. However, the celebrations are overshadowed by ongoing conflict and violence. Korva Coleman transitions to this somber news at [01:01].

Lauren Frayer reports from Beirut at [01:36], highlighting the devastating impact of recent Israeli airstrikes:

“Catastrophic is how Adel Saad, mayor of Maracay in southern Lebanon, describes the situation in his village.”

In southern Lebanon, Adel Saad recounts simultaneous airstrikes:

“Israeli airstrikes hit at the same time.”

Residents express fears of escalation and the struggle to secure safety, especially for vulnerable individuals. Lebanon's health ministry reports that over 50 people have been killed in the latest 24-hour period, including at least five medics. Distressing footage from the Baqa Valley shows survivors navigating through the rubble of destroyed buildings, signaling severe humanitarian concerns.

---

3. Stock Markets and Economic Updates

The morning saw a positive start in the stock markets, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by more than 300 points early in trading, as reported by Korva Coleman at [02:22].

Scott Horsley provides further economic insights at [02:31]:

“Crude oil prices climbed as Russia ratcheted up its assault on Ukraine.”

Despite the rise in crude prices, AAA notes that the average price of regular gasoline has moderated to just under $3.06 a gallon. Meanwhile, McDonald's is adapting its business strategy by expanding discount meal offerings to attract customers amid rising restaurant prices, which are increasing three times faster than grocery prices over the past year.

Additionally, significant leadership changes are underway as the nation's top stock market regulator prepares to step down in January. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler announced his departure to allow the incoming President-Elect Trump to appoint a new chief with a lighter regulatory approach.

---

4. Education Curricula and FBI Leadership

Korva Coleman discusses educational reforms at [03:12], focusing on the Texas Board of Education's upcoming vote on a new public school curriculum that incorporates material from the Bible. This proposal has sparked emotional debates, raising questions about the separation of religion and public education. Similar trends are observed in other states:

• Louisiana aims to display the Ten Commandments in all public schools starting next year.
• Oklahoma's education chief has mandated that a Bible be placed in every classroom.

These moves could set precedents regarding religious content in public education systems.

Concurrently, the future of FBI Director Chris Wray is uncertain as the Biden administration prepares for a transition. With more than two years left in his term, Wray may be replaced upon Donald Trump's inauguration. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports on Wray's current standing and contributions at [03:58]:

“Chris Wray says his confidence in the FBI workforce remains unwavering.”

During a recent benefit in Washington, Wray praised his employees and underscored his dedication since taking office in 2017. Natalie Barra, president of the Agents Association, commended Wray as a stabilizing force:

“Ray's been the calm in the storm and drowned out noise with faff.”

Despite Wray's strong leadership, President Elect Trump is seeking a "clean house" at the FBI and Justice Department, indicating potential significant changes ahead.

---

5. Sports Highlights: MVP Awards

Wrapping up the news segments, Korva Coleman shares exciting sports news at [04:40]:

“Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has won his third Most Valuable Player award. It's his first in the National League.”

Additionally, the American League's MVP has been awarded to New York Yankees star Aaron Judge, highlighting his outstanding performance this season.

---

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments to focus solely on the informative aspects of the podcast episode.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

This message comes from has changed fine jewelry buying, making it accessible for more than special occasions. Their pieces are handmade using high quality materials, so you know they'll last shop [e-mail] or in store today.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Korva Coleman. There's a powerful storm system thrashing the West Coast. It hit Washington State, Oregon and Northern California this week. More than 180,000 customers in Washington state still don't have power back. NPR's Lauren Sommers says the storm system is called an atmospheric river, and it means Northern California is getting a lot of rain.

[Lauren Sommers]

Atmospheric rivers are basically these plumes of moisture that move across the Pacific Ocean. And if you look at a weather map, it actually kind of looks like a fire hose is pointed at the West Coast. It's pretty narrow, so it doesn't affect the whole coast. These storms are important. They're how California gets as much as half of its rainfall every year. And this one has been affected by another weather system nearby, which is a bomb cyclone.

[Korva Coleman]

A bomb cyclone happens when there's a rapid drop in air pressure in a short period of time. That means incredibly damaging winds and much more rain. Some parts of the west coast could get up to 16 inches of rain when the storm is through. Today is a national holiday in Lebanon, the country's Independence Day. It commemorates the day 1943 when France relinquished control. But commemorations are somber this year amid war. Lebanon's health ministry says more than 50 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in the past 24 hours alone. NPR's Lauren Frayer reports from Beirut.

[Adel Saad]

Catastrophic is how Adel Saad, mayor of Maracay in southern Lebanon, describes the situation in his village.

[Unnamed Resident]

Where he says three.

[Adel Saad]

Israeli airstrikes hit at the same time. Farther south, another resident told NPR their village is surrounded by Israeli soldiers and that they're trying to coordinate with UN Peacekeepers to get safe passage out for a pregnant resident. Those killed in the south include at least five medics, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Meanwhile, footage shared on social media show shows dazed survivors stepping through rubble of buildings in the Baqa Valley, one of this country's breadbaskets near the Syrian border. And here in Beirut, the Israeli military has warned people away from yet more buildings in the capital's southern suburbs. Lauren Frayer, NPR News, Beirut.

[Korva Coleman]

Stocks opened higher this morning as crude oil prices inched up. NPR Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones industrial average rose more than 300 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

Crude oil prices climbed as Russia ratcheted up its assault on Ukraine. Retail gasoline prices continue to moderate, though AAA says the average price of regular gas is just under $3.06 a gallon. McDonald's plans to expand its discount meal offerings in an effort to keep hungry customers coming through the door. The fast food chain says it's increasingly competing with home cooking. Restaurant prices have been climbing more than three times faster than grocery prices over the last year. The nation's top stock market regulator is stepping down in January. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler says he'll leave office on day the Biden administration clearing the way for President Elect Trump to install a new financial cop with a lighter regulatory touch. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to npr. The Texas Board of Education is expected to vote today on a new curriculum for public schools. It takes material from the Bible. Supporters and opponents of the curriculum have spoken emotionally in hearings. If approved, it could test the boundaries between religion and public schools. Louisiana is seeking to post the Ten Commandments in all public schools next year. Oklahoma's education chief has directed that a copy of the Bible be placed in every classroom. FBI Director Chris Wray has more than two years left in his term, but his days in the job may be numbered once Donald Trump returns to the White House. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports. The FBI director is offering thanks and praise to his employees at a benefit.

[Kerry Johnson]

In Washington to support scholarships and donations for FBI families in need of extra support. Chris Wray says his confidence in the FBI workforce remains unwavering. Since he was named to lead the Bureau in 2017, Wray has presided over dozens of graduations at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, personally greeting more than 40% of the agents on the job today. Natalie Barra, president of the Agents association, says Ray's been the calm in the storm and drowned out noise with faff. President Elect Trump's considering candidates to replace Ray and has said he wants a clean house at the FBI and the Justice Department. Kerry Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has won his third most Valuable Player award. It's his first in the National League. The American League's MVP is New York Yankees star Aaron Judge. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[Advertiser]

This message comes from Warby Parker. Prescription eyewear that's expertly crafted and unexpectedly affordable. Glasses designed in house from premium materials starting at just $95, including prescription lenses. Stop by a Warby Parker store near.