NPR News Now: November 23, 2024, 6 PM EST

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the day's most pressing issues, ranging from political appointments and election outcomes to international incidents, public health concerns, and sports highlights. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics covered in the episode released on November 23, 2024.

1. Presidential Nominations and Economic Policy

Host: Jeanine Hurst

Main Points:

• Nominations by President-Elect Donald Trump:
  • Brooke Rawlins has been nominated as the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. She previously served as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council during Trump's first administration.
  • Scott Besant, a billionaire investor, has been nominated as the Treasury Secretary, a role encompassing broad responsibilities in economic, regulatory, and international affairs.

Insight from NPR’s Scott Horsley [00:46]:

• Potential Policy Directions:
  • Besant is expected to receive a supportive reception from the incoming GOP Congress.
  • One of his initial priorities will likely be seeking an extension of Trump's 2017 tax cuts, some of which are slated to expire next year.
  • There is speculation that Besant may advocate for further tax reductions. However, such measures could exacerbate the federal debt, which has recently surpassed $36 trillion.

Notable Quote:

“He'll likely be pushing on an open door when it comes to cutting taxes, although that would probably add to the federal debt,” said Scott Horsley at [00:46].

2. 2024 Presidential Election: High Turnout and GOP Success

Host: Jeanine Hurst

Main Points:

• Election Outcomes:
  • The 2024 presidential election saw historically high voter turnout, the second highest since 1960.
  • Contrary to long-held political beliefs, the Republicans, led by Donald Trump, achieved significant victories, capturing the House, Senate, and the presidency.

Analysis by NPR’s Miles Parks [01:31]:

• Implications for Voting Policies:
  • Traditionally, high-turnout elections have benefitted Democrats, primarily because low-propensity voters tend to be poorer and less educated, demographics that lean Democratic.
  • The GOP's success in a high-turnout environment challenges this assumption and may influence the party to reconsider its stance on voting reforms.

Expert Commentary:

• Charles Stewart, Election Expert at MIT:
  • “It will be interesting now to see how that impacts the party's feelings about voting policy,” Stewart remarked, highlighting the potential for the GOP to embrace policies that could make voting more accessible.

Quote from Greg Eklund [01:58]:

“Republicans are much less likely to favor election reforms that expand access, but it's an open question whether that will shift now that the party has succeeded in a high turnout environment,” continued Miles Parks.

3. International Incident: Disappearance of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in UAE

Host: Jeanine Hurst

Main Points:

• Incident Overview:
  • Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an Israeli Moldovan citizen connected to the Orthodox Jewish organization Chabad, has been missing since Thursday afternoon in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Details from NPR’s Ruth Sherlock in Tel Aviv [02:29]:

• Investigation Status:
  • The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed Kogan's disappearance and stated that Israeli intelligence and security authorities are conducting a thorough investigation.
  • Initial information suggests the possibility of a terrorist incident.
• Chabad’s Presence in UAE:
  • Chabad established its office in Abu Dhabi in 2020 following the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE.
  • A Chabad representative in Abu Dhabi indicated they have no current information regarding Kogan's whereabouts.
• UAE’s Response:
  • The UAE Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to NPR's request for comment on the matter.

Quote:

"Israelian intelligence and security authorities have launched an intensive investigation in light of information that suggested a terrorist incident," explained Ruth Sherlock at [02:29].

4. Public Health Alert: Listeria Outbreak Linked to US Chang Food

Host: Jeanine Hurst

Main Points:

• Outbreak Details:
  • Federal health officials reported the death of an infant due to a listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat meat products from US Chang Food.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 11 infections across California, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York, with nine hospitalizations.
• Recall Information:
  • Listeria was detected during routine testing last month.
  • Initially, US Chang Food recalled approximately 4,500 pounds of product on November 9th.
  • The recall has since expanded to include 72,000 pounds of meat and poultry products.

5. Sports Highlight: NWSL Championship Match Preview

Host: Jeanine Hurst

Main Points:

• Match Details:
  • The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) championship match is scheduled for tonight at 8:00 PM Eastern in Kansas City.
  • The contest will feature the Washington Spirit, the number two seed, against the top-seeded Orlando Pride.

Analysis by NPR’s Greg Eklund [04:12]:

• Key Players:
  • Orlando Pride: Relegating their hopes on Marta, the 38-year-old Brazilian superstar who scored the game-winning goal in their semifinal match.
  • Washington Spirit: Forward Ashley Hatch, a veteran from the Spirit's 2021 NWSL title team, emphasizes respect and determination to defeat Marta.

Notable Quote from Ashley Hatch [04:32]:

“Obviously, we respect her, but we also want to beat her. So I think it's a combination of all those things,” Hatch stated at [04:32].

Additional Insight:

• During the regular season, Washington Spirit faced Orlando Pride twice and lost both encounters, adding an extra layer of anticipation to tonight's championship match.

This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a succinct yet thorough overview of significant national and international developments, offering expert insights and firsthand reports to keep the audience well-informed.