Loading summary
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 phone@betterhelp.com News live from NPR News.
Jack Spear
In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President elect Donald Trump has chosen hedge fund manager Scott Besson to be Treasury Secretary. Besant has become a key economic adviser to Trump's team and has in the past advocated for both tax reform and deregulation in order to stimulate bank lending and energy production. It confirmed the 62 year old Besant would have the job of helping turn some of Trump's campaign promises into reality, including the idea of putting in place across the board tariffs on US Imports. President Trump elect Trump is also bringing back Russell Vogt to head the Office of Management and Budget. Here's npr. Stephen Fowler.
Stephen Fowler
Vogt held the same role in Trump's first term in office. The OMB runs the president's budget and supervises executive branch agencies. So Vote will play a key role in shaping Trump's second term vision for how the government operates. That likely includes plans Vote wrote for the conservative Policy Playbook Project 2025. In that document, Vote wrote that, quote, it is the president's agenda that should matter to the departments and agencies and not their own. Stephen Fowler, NPR News, Atlanta.
Jack Spear
In a nomination packed evening, Trump also says he's nominated Congresswoman Lori Chavez Dreamer of Oregon to be a Secretary of Labor Dr. Marty McCary, a surgeon from Johns Hopk, to be FDA commissioner and Fox News contributor Dr. Jeanette Neshawat for surgeon general. New York Judge Juan Merchan has indefinitely adjourned President Elect Trump's criminal sentencing. As NPR's Amanda Bastille reports, both sides signaled they want to push a sentencing till after Trump won the presidential election.
Ximena Bustillo
After several days today, Mershon adjourned next week's sentencing date. Trump's lawyers have long attempted to dismiss the case, arguing that evidence used in the case should not have been introduced and the incoming president cannot be prosecuted. Prosecutors have also prepared to fight the dismissal. Filings are due in December. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, New York.
Jack Spear
Open enrollment is currently happening on healthcare.gov, otherwise known as Obamacare. As NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin explains, during the Biden administration, enrollment hit new highs.
Selena Simmons Duffin
After a bumpy start way back in 2013. Healthcare.gov is on a roll. More than 21 million people are currently enrolled in health plans there and on state run health insurance marketplaces. So far this year, nearly 500,000 new customers have bought plans, so federal health officials hope that enrollment for 2025 will break this year's record. This year for many people, premiums are $10 or less per month, and there are lots of plans to choose from. People who are uninsured or looking for a new plan can get help from navigators who walk people through the signup process without any commissions since they're funded through federal grants. For plans that start on January 1st, the deadline to sign up is December 15th. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News.
Jack Spear
U.S. financial markets have ended another trading week on an up note. The Dow gained 426 points. The Nasdaq rose 31 points. The S&P was up 20 points. This is NPR. Airports across the country are expecting to see a record number of passengers over the Thanksgiving holiday period. NPR's Regina Barber says that means a lot of people passing through multiple time zones, resulting in jet lag.
Regina Barber
When people feel jet lag, it's partly due to a lack of sleep, says behavioral sleep psychologist Jade Wu. She says the feeling of jet lag also comes from the exhaustion due to the body's internal clocks being misaligned with the outside environment, specifically sunlight. When there isn't a lot of light coming into your eyes, the body starts to produce melatonin. This is the hormone that builds up in the evening and makes you sleepy. And when it ramps down in the morning, you start to feel more alert. Wu suggests shifting your sleep schedule to the new time zone beforehand and going outside into the sun first thing in the morning at the new destination. She says to be wary of melatonin supplements because they are not regulated and the doses could be inaccurate. Regina Barber, NPR News.
Jack Spear
Congestion pricing, after initially being shot down, is back in New York City and takes effect in early January. That's after the U.S. transportation Department approved the state's plan to impose a nine dollar congestion charge for driving into Manhattan below 60th street, the first of its kind. Congestion charge was revived last week by Governor Kathy Hochul after the idea was put on hold earlier this year with implementation of the toll in New York City. The city now joins London, Stockholm and Singapore in implementing congestion pricing. Crude oil futures prices continue to move higher, in part due to escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which boosted the so called risk premium oil up $1.14 a barrel to 7124 barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.
Pemco Mutual Insurance Company
This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. The average water damage claim costs over $13,000 don't let a small leak turn into a big expense. Learn prevention techniques@go pemco.com water.
NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of November 22, 2024, 10 PM EST Episode
NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments in its November 22, 2024, episode. Hosted by Jack Spear, the episode covered a range of topics from political appointments and legal proceedings to economic indicators and public health information. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.
Timestamp: [00:19] - [01:22]
President-elect Donald Trump announced significant appointments to his incoming administration, aiming to translate his campaign promises into actionable policies.
Scott Besson as Treasury Secretary:
Jack Spear reported that hedge fund manager Scott Besson, a 62-year-old advocate for tax reform and deregulation, has been selected to lead the Treasury Department. Besson is expected to focus on stimulating bank lending and energy production, aligning with Trump's economic agenda.
Notable Quote:
"Besant has become a key economic adviser to Trump's team and has in the past advocated for both tax reform and deregulation in order to stimulate bank lending and energy production." – Jack Spear [00:19]
Russell Vogt Reappointed to Office of Management and Budget (OMB):
Stephen Fowler highlighted that Trump is reinstating Russell Vogt, who previously held the OMB position during Trump's first term. Vogt is instrumental in shaping budgetary policies and ensuring that government operations reflect the president's agenda.
Notable Quote:
"It is the president's agenda that should matter to the departments and agencies and not their own." – Russell Vogt, as referenced by Stephen Fowler [00:55]
Additional Nominations:
Timestamp: [01:22] - [01:50]
The criminal sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump has been indefinitely postponed, allowing both defense and prosecution teams to prepare further.
Court Decision:
New York Judge Juan Merchan adjourned the sentencing date, a move welcomed by both sides to delay proceedings until after the presidential election.
Notable Quote:
"After several days today, Merchan adjourned next week's sentencing date." – Ximena Bustillo [01:50]
Legal Arguments:
Trump's legal team argues that the evidence presented should be excluded and contends that an incoming president should not face prosecution.
Prosecutors are prepared to oppose the dismissal, with filings scheduled for December.
Notable Quote:
"Trump's lawyers have long attempted to dismiss the case, arguing that evidence used in the case should not have been introduced and the incoming president cannot be prosecuted." – Ximena Bustillo [01:50]
Timestamp: [02:12] - [03:04]
The open enrollment period for Healthcare.gov, also known as Obamacare, is currently underway, with expectations of breaking previous enrollment records.
Enrollment Statistics:
More than 21 million individuals are enrolled in health plans through federal and state marketplaces.
Nearly 500,000 new customers have signed up so far this year.
Notable Quote:
"Healthcare.gov is on a roll. More than 21 million people are currently enrolled in health plans there and on state run health insurance marketplaces." – Selena Simmons Duffin [02:21]
Premiums and Plan Options:
Assistance for Enrollees:
Federal health officials promote the use of navigators who assist individuals in the signup process without any commission-based incentives.
Notable Quote:
"People who are uninsured or looking for a new plan can get help from navigators who walk people through the signup process without any commissions since they're funded through federal grants." – Selena Simmons Duffin [02:21]
Enrollment Deadline:
Timestamp: [03:04] - [03:30]
U.S. financial markets closed the week on a positive trajectory, indicating investor confidence in the current economic climate.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 426 points.
The Nasdaq Composite rose by 31 points.
The S&P 500 Index gained 20 points.
Notable Quote:
"U.S. financial markets have ended another trading week on an up note. The Dow gained 426 points. The Nasdaq rose 31 points. The S&P was up 20 points." – Jack Spear [03:04]
Timestamp: [03:30] - [04:11]
Airports across the nation are preparing for a record influx of passengers during the Thanksgiving holiday, leading to increased concerns about jet lag.
Traveler Statistics:
Jet Lag Explanation:
Behavioral Sleep Psychologist Jade Wu explains that jet lag results from both sleep deprivation and the misalignment of the body's internal clock with the external environment, particularly sunlight exposure.
Notable Quote:
"When people feel jet lag, it's partly due to a lack of sleep... the feeling of jet lag also comes from the exhaustion due to the body's internal clocks being misaligned with the outside environment, specifically sunlight." – Jade Wu, as reported by Regina Barber [03:30]
Mitigation Strategies:
Sleep Schedule Adjustment: Shifting sleep patterns to match the new time zone before traveling.
Sunlight Exposure: Spending time outdoors in the morning at the destination to help reset the internal clock.
Caution Against Melatonin Supplements: Wu advises caution with melatonin supplements due to their unregulated nature and potential for inaccurate dosing.
Notable Quote:
"Wu suggests shifting your sleep schedule to the new time zone beforehand and going outside into the sun first thing in the morning at the new destination." – Regina Barber [03:30]
Timestamp: [04:11] - [04:57]
New York City is set to introduce a pioneering congestion pricing system, marking the first implementation of its kind in the United States.
Policy Details:
A nine-dollar charge will be imposed on vehicles driving into Manhattan below 60th Street.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved New York State's plan, allowing the initiative to move forward.
Notable Quote:
"Congestion pricing, after initially being shot down, is back in New York City and takes effect in early January." – Jack Spear [04:11]
Historical Context and Comparisons:
The concept was revitalized by Governor Kathy Hochul after earlier setbacks.
New York City will join global cities like London, Stockholm, and Singapore in implementing such a system.
Notable Quote:
"The city now joins London, Stockholm and Singapore in implementing congestion pricing." – Jack Spear [04:11]
Timestamp: [04:11] - [04:57]
Crude oil futures have surged by $1.14 per barrel to reach $71.24, influenced by escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has increased the risk premium associated with oil, driving prices upward.
Notable Quote:
"Crude oil futures prices continue to move higher, in part due to escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which boosted the so called risk premium oil up $1.14 a barrel to 71.24 barrel." – Jack Spear [04:11]
Conclusion
The November 22, 2024, episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a succinct yet thorough overview of critical developments in politics, law, healthcare, finance, travel, urban policy, and international relations. From President-elect Trump's strategic appointments and legal battles to economic indicators like market performances and oil prices, the episode encapsulated the multifaceted nature of current events. Additionally, practical information on healthcare enrollment and tips for managing jet lag offered valuable insights for the general public. As always, NPR News Now continues to deliver timely and relevant news updates, ensuring listeners are well-informed on the issues that matter most.