NPR News: 11-22-2024 11PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of November 23, 2024, Episode

On the November 23, 2024, episode of NPR News Now, host Dale Willman delivers a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments. The episode covers significant political appointments, economic decisions, severe weather events, landmark legal cases, cultural milestones, and concerns within the sports community. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

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1. President-Elect Donald Trump's Administration Appointments

Timestamp: 00:18 – 01:03

President-elect Donald Trump announced several key appointments for his incoming administration. Among the notable picks is Scott Besant as the Treasury Secretary. NPR's Scott Horsley provides an in-depth look at Besant's background and the implications of his appointment.

Scott Horsley highlights Besant's influential role in the financial sector:

"He's one of the president elect's biggest cheerleaders in the financial world. He runs a hedge fund, the Key Square Group."

While Besant's previous work with billionaire Democratic donor George Soros has raised eyebrows in certain Trump circles, his longstanding friendship with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance may bolster his confirmation prospects. In a social media post, Trump lauded Besant's expertise:

"Widely respected as one of the world's foremost international investors and geopolitical and economic strategists." (00:36)

Additionally, Trump named former NFL player and White House aide Scott Turner as the nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Russell Vogt to lead the Office of Management and Budget, a position Vogt previously held during Trump's first term.

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2. Texas State Agencies Ordered to Divest from China

Timestamp: 01:03 – 02:16

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive for all state agencies to divest from China, citing financial and security risks. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider elaborates on the complexities and potential repercussions of this decision.

Andrew Schneider explains the directive:

"Abbott barred, quote, making any new investments of state funds in China and ordered them to sell any assets there at the first available opportunity." (01:33)

Stephen Lewis from Rice University's Baker Institute warns of the challenges:

"There isn't the bureaucracy expertise to be able to differentiate what is a Chinese company, what is not a Chinese company, what is an investment, because there's all kinds of joint partnerships, joint ventures." (01:50)

The move could significantly impact Texas-based companies like Tesla and Texas Instruments, as China remains the third-largest destination for foreign direct investment in the state after Mexico and Canada.

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3. Severe Atmospheric River Storm Hits Northern California

Timestamp: 02:16 – 03:12

A powerful atmospheric river storm is approaching Northern California, exacerbating flood risks in regions that have already experienced substantial rainfall. Ezra David Romero from KQED reports on the severe weather conditions and their impact.

Dylan Flynn, a National Weather Service meteorologist, comments on the unprecedented rainfall:

"It doesn't compare. This is the first time we've ever seen this much rain, specifically in Sonoma County, since 1902." (02:48)

Cities like Santa Rosa are facing rain totals exceeding 12 inches, setting new records. The storm has led to overflowing rivers, downed trees, crushed vehicles, and damaged infrastructure across Sonoma County. Emergency response teams are actively managing the aftermath as authorities monitor the situation closely.

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4. Supreme Court to Hear Appeal on Universal Service Fund

Timestamp: 03:12 – 03:45

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal challenging the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (USF), which is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The USF allocates $8 billion annually to subsidize phone and internet services in schools, libraries, and rural areas.

This case arises from a previous ruling that declared the USF unconstitutional, and the Supreme Court's decision to hear the appeal indicates the significance of this issue. The case is slated for argument in March, potentially shaping the future of federal funding for essential communication services.

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5. Kendrick Lamar Releases Highly Anticipated Album "GNX"

Timestamp: 03:45 – 04:35

Rapper Kendrick Lamar continues his remarkable year in the music industry with the surprise release of his sixth album, "GNX". NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento provides an overview of Lamar's achievements and the expectations surrounding his new work.

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento highlights Lamar's recent successes:

"In May, he was unofficially crowned the winner of an ongoing rap battle with Drake. His diss track 'Not Like Us' topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart not once but twice. He set to headline next year's Super Bowl halftime show." (03:45)

"GNX" follows Lamar's critically acclaimed albums "Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers" (2022) and "DAMN." (2017), the latter of which won a Pulitzer Prize for music. The new album features collaborations with artists like SZA and Data Barrera, and production from industry heavyweights Jack Antonoff and Kamasi Washington, setting high expectations for its impact and reception.

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6. NBA Urges Players to Enhance Home Security Following Burglary Spree

Timestamp: 04:35 – 04:56

The NBA is advising its players to implement additional security measures at their residences after a series of high-profile burglaries. Recent incidents include the thefts from the homes of Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and football stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelsey.

The FBI has linked some of these burglaries to a criminal group from South America, raising concerns about the safety of athletes' homes. The escalating trend has prompted the NBA to recommend enhanced protective strategies to safeguard players' properties from future threats.

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This episode of NPR News Now offers listeners a succinct yet thorough update on pressing issues, from political reshuffling and international economic policies to natural disasters, legal battles, cultural achievements, and security concerns within the sports realm. Each segment is presented with expert insights and firsthand accounts, ensuring that even those who missed the broadcast are well-informed on the day's most critical developments.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

News, I'm Dale Willman. President elect Donald Trump announced several more picks for members of his administration today. Among them is Scott Besant, who Trump wants to serve as his treasury secretary. NPR Scott Horsley says if confirmed, Besant will be tasked with with pushing major parts of Trump's agenda, including any tax cuts and tariffs.

[Scott Horsley]

He's one of the president elect's biggest cheerleaders in the financial world. He runs a hedge fund, the Key Square Group. He also worked for billionaire Democratic donor George Soros, which generated suspicion of him in some Trump quarters. But he's a longtime friend of Vice President elect J.D. vance. In a social media post this evening, Trump described Bessin as widely respected as one of the world's foremost international investors and geopolitical and economic strategists.

[Dale Willman]

Trump also named several other picks for his incoming administration. He said he will nominate former NFL player and White House aide Scott Turner to be his secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He also said he would nominate Russell Vogt to lead the Office of Management and Budget. He held the same position during Trump's first term. Citing financial and security risks, Texas Governor Greg Abbott is directing all Texas state agencies to divest from China. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider says the process is likely to be complicated and could lead to significant financial blowback for the states.

[Andrew Schneider]

In a letter to agency leaders, Abbott barred, quote, making any new investments of state funds in China and ordered them to sell any assets there at the first available opportunity. Stephen Lewis of Rice University's Baker Institute says that's easier said than done.

[Stephen Lewis]

There isn't the bureaucracy expertise to be able to differentiate what is a Chinese company, what is not a Chinese company, what is an investment, because there's all kinds of joint partnerships, joint ventures.

[Andrew Schneider]

Lewis says such divestment could affect Texas based companies, among them Tesla and Texas Instruments. China is the third leading destination for foreign direct investment from Texas, after Mexico and Canada. I'm Andrew Schneider in Houston.

[Dale Willman]

A second major atmospheric river storm is heading toward Northern California. At this hour, it could elevate flood risk in areas that have already experienced more than a foot of rain or over the past two days. Ezra David Romero of member station KQED.

[Ezra David Romero]

Reports with rain totals of more than 12 inches across cities like Santa Rosa, about an hour north of San Francisco, the storm will likely continue to break records. National Weather Service meteorologist Dylan Flynn says the storm is going to surpass the rainiest three days in Santa Rosa since record keeping began.

[Dylan Flynn]

It doesn't compare. This is the first time we've ever.

[Andrew Schneider]

Seen this much rain, specifically in sonoma county, since 1902.

[Ezra David Romero]

Authorities are closely watching several rivers in Northern California that could overflow their banks. Tree companies across Sonoma county are receiving an influx of calls for downed limbs on houses, crushed cars and smashed fences. For NPR News, I'm Ezra David Romero in San Francisco.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. The Supreme Court today agreed to hear an appeal of a ruling that found the Universal Service Fund to be unconstitutional. The fund is administered by the Federal Communications commission and provides $8 billion a year in federal funds to subsidize phones and Internet services in schools, libraries and rural areas. The case is expected to be argued in March. Rapper Kendrick Lamar has had a big year, and now he's topping it off with a new album that was released today, as NPR's Isabella Gomez Samienta reports.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

With rain totals, Kendrick Lamar is on a roll. In May, he was unofficially crowned the winner of an ongoing rap battle with Drake. His diss track Not Like Us topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart not once but twice. He set to headline next year's super bowl halftime show. And earlier this month he racked up more than half a dozen Grammy nominations. Now he's dropping his sixth album, gnx, without warning. The new album follows two highly acclaimed records from Lamar, 2022's Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers and 2017's Dam, which won a Pulitzer Prize for music. GNX features performances from SZA and Data Barrera. Producers include Jack Antonoff and Kamasi Washington. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

The NBA is suggesting that its players take additional measures to secure their homes after recent burglaries at the homes of three high profile athletes. Among those whose homes were burgled are Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and football players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelsey. The FBI has apparently linked some of those to a group from South America. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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