NPR News: 11-22-2024 8PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 23, 2024 | 8 PM EST

Your comprehensive summary of the latest news highlights from NPR News Now.

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1. President Elect Donald Trump's Key Cabinet Nominations

Host: Jack Speier
Timestamp: [00:18]

In the wake of his election, President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled several critical cabinet nominations aimed at steering the nation's economic and administrative strategies.

• Scott Besson has been nominated as the next Treasury Secretary. Besson, a billionaire hedge fund manager, has been a pivotal economic advisor to Trump during his campaign.

• Russell Vogt is set to take the helm as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Vogt previously served in this role during Trump's first term and was instrumental in developing Project 2025, a cornerstone conservative policy framework.

• Congresswoman Lori Chavez, Dreamer of Oregon, has been nominated for Secretary of Labor, highlighting Trump's focus on labor and job-related issues within his administration.

These nominations are pending confirmation by the Senate and represent Trump's commitment to reshaping the economic landscape in alignment with his administration's priorities.

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2. Changes in the Attorney General Nomination

Host: Greg Allen
Timestamp: [01:16]

Amidst controversy, former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his candidacy for Attorney General, following allegations of inappropriate behavior, including claims of sexual misconduct with a minor and illegal drug use—charges which Gaetz has firmly denied.

Greg Allen reports:

"President Trump quickly pivoted to another Floridian, former state attorney general and longtime loyalist Pam Bondi."

Pam Bondi, a 59-year-old figure known for her staunch conservative stance, has been a steadfast supporter of Trump. She played a significant role in Trump's legal battles, including his first impeachment, and has been a regular commentator on Fox News defending Trump's positions.

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3. Legal Proceedings Against Donald Trump Postponed

Host: Windsor Johnson
Timestamp: [01:56]

In a significant development, a judge in New York has indefinitely postponed the sentencing of Donald Trump in his criminal hush money case. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

Windsor Johnson details:

"The sentencing hearing was scheduled to be held next week as Trump's attorneys continue their push to dismiss the case altogether. The judge has also given Trump's legal team until December 2nd to file a motion to throw out the conviction, but the Manhattan district attorney's office says it will oppose the request."

Trump's legal team is actively seeking to overturn the conviction, but the opposition from the district attorney's office suggests a prolonged legal battle ahead.

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4. Diverging Consumer Sentiments on the Economy

Host: Scott Horsley
Timestamp: [02:24]

A recent University of Michigan survey reveals a nuanced picture of American economic sentiment, showing overall slight improvement for the fourth consecutive month in November. However, significant partisan disparities emerge:

• Republicans exhibit increased optimism regarding future economic prospects, a shift attributed to Trump's election.

• Democrats, conversely, express diminished hope about the economic outlook.

Scott Horsley explains:

"That's a mirror image of what happened four years ago when Democrats' outlook soared and Republicans soured following the election of Joe Biden. Survey director Joanne Hsu notes there's still substantial uncertainty over how Trump's economic agenda will be implemented. She expects consumers to recalibrate their expectations in the coming months."

This divergence underscores the deep political divides influencing public perception of economic health and future policymaking.

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5. Kendrick Lamar Releases Surprise Album

Host: Isabella Gomez Sarmiento
Timestamp: [03:12]

Rapper Kendrick Lamar continues to make waves in the music industry with the surprise release of his sixth album, GNX. This unexpected drop follows a stellar year for Lamar, marked by several achievements:

• Unofficial victory in an ongoing rap battle with Drake.
• His diss track "Not Like Us" topped the Billboard Hot 100 twice.
• Headlining next year's Super Bowl halftime show.
• Garnering over half a dozen Grammy nominations earlier in the month.

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento elaborates:

"The new album follows two highly acclaimed records from Lamar, 2022's 'Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers' and 2017's 'DAMN.', which won a Pulitzer Prize for Music. GNX features performances from SZA and Data Barrera, with production from Jack Antonoff and Kamasi Washington."

Lamar's continued innovation and surprise releases solidify his position as a leading figure in contemporary music.

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6. Texas Education Board Approves Bible-Infused Curriculum

Host: Jack Speier
Timestamp: [04:14]

In a move reflecting ideological shifts within education, the Texas Education Board has approved the integration of Bible-infused teachings into elementary school curricula. This decision aligns Texas with other Republican-led states advocating for a heightened emphasis on religious education in classrooms.

Key Points:

• The religious-based curriculum is optional for schools.
• Additional funding is available to institutions that choose to adopt the curriculum.

Controversy: Parents opposing the initiative argue that such lessons may alienate students from diverse faith backgrounds, raising concerns about inclusivity and the separation of church and state in public education.

This policy shift ignites debate over the role of religion in early education and its impact on a pluralistic society.

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7. Crude Oil Prices Surge Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Host: Jack Speier
Timestamp: [04:14]

Global oil markets are experiencing upward pressure as tensions escalate between Russia and other nations, contributing to an increase in crude oil futures prices. Currently, crude oil prices have risen by $1.14 per barrel, reaching $71.24 per barrel.

Factors Influencing the Rise:

• Geopolitical instability affecting major oil-producing regions.
• Concerns over supply disruptions due to heightened international conflicts.

This surge in oil prices has broader implications for the global economy, affecting everything from transportation costs to energy policies.

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Stay informed with NPR News Now for the latest updates delivered to you every hour.

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Notable Quotes:

• Greg Allen on Pam Bondi:
  "[01:16] She was on his legal team in his first impeachment. She backed him after the 2020 election in claiming, incorrectly, that there was widespread fraud that cost him the election."

• Scott Horsley on Consumer Sentiment:
  "[02:24] Republicans are much more upbeat about future economic prospects now following the election of Donald Trump, while Democrats are considerably less hopeful about what lies ahead."

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For more detailed coverage, consider listening to the full episode of NPR News Now.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

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[Jack Speier]

News in Washington, I'm Jack Speier. More key cabinet nominations tonight from President elect Donald Trump, focusing on money, spending and jobs. Trump is named billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Besson to be the next treasury secretary, pending Senate confirmation. Bessin has been a key economic adviser to the president elect. Trump is also nominating Russell Vogt to be director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vogt served as director of OMB during Trump's first term. He was a key contributor to Project 2025, a conservative policy priority document. Also nominated for secretary of labor tonight is Congresswoman Lori Chavez, Dreamer of Oregon. President Trump has also made another key Cabinet nomination after his first nominee to be attorney general. Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz bowed out, Gaetz stepping amid a furor over allegations he had sex with a minor and used illegal drugs, charges Gaetz denied. NPR's Greg Allen says Trump quickly pivoted to another Floridian, former state attorney general and longtime loyalist Pam Bondi.

[Greg Allen]

She was on his legal team in his first impeachment. She backed him after the 2020 election in claiming, incorrectly, that there was widespread fraud that cost him the election. She's been a frequent guest over the years on Fox News, where she's always been one of Trump's most steadfast defenders. Bondi was also one of those who went to New York during Trump's trial on charges that he paid hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and, you know, appeared in the courtroom to show support for him at that time.

[Jack Speier]

NPR's Greg Allen. The 59 year old Bondi has been a staunch advocate for conservative positions. A judge in New York has indefinitely postponed Donald Trump's sentencing in his criminal hush money case. NPR's Windsor Johnson reports. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

[Windsor Johnson]

The sentencing hearing was scheduled to be held next week as Trump's attorneys continue their push to dismiss the case altogether. The judge has also given Trump's legal team until December 2nd to file a motion to throw out the conviction, but the Manhattan district attorney's office says it will oppose the request. A jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to an adult film star ahead of the 2016 election.

[Jack Speier]

Americans are feeling better about the economy, but as NPR Scott Horsley reports there's a sharp difference between Democrats and Republicans.

[Scott Horsley]

A survey by the University of Michigan shows consumer sentiment on the economy. Economy improved slightly in November for the fourth month in a row. The modest change in the overall index masked some big swings in partisan perspectives. Republicans are much more upbeat about future economic prospects now following the election of Donald Trump, while Democrats are considerably less hopeful about what lies ahead. That's a mirror image of what happened four years ago when Democrats outlook soared and Republicans soured following the election of Joe Biden. Survey director Joanne Hsu notes there's still substantial uncertainty over how Trump's economic agenda will be implemented. She expects consumers to recalibrate their expectations in the coming months. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Speier]

You're listening to NPR News. Rapper Kendrick Lamar has had a big year and now he's topping it off with a new album that's out today, though he gave no hints it was coming. More from NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

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 sets a 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 and PR News.

[Jack Speier]

The Texas Education Board has voted to allow what is being described as Bible infused teachings in elementary schools. Today's approval follows other Republican led states that are also pushing for an increased emphasis on religion in the classroom. While the religious based curriculum will be optional, Texas schools that adopt it would receive additional funding. Parents who oppose the idea say the lessons will alienate students of other faith backgrounds. Crude oil futures prices continue to move higher, in part due to escalating tensions between Russia, which boosted oil's so called risk premium crude up $1.14 a barrel to 71.24 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Speer, NPR News, in Washington.

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