NPR News: 12-02-2024 11PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 3, 2024

Hosted by NPR

In tonight's episode of NPR News Now, a range of significant national and international stories were covered, including the White House's controversial pardon of Hunter Biden, the tragic death of a former Kansas City detective, Federal Reserve deliberations on interest rates, notable movements in Asian financial markets, legal challenges facing Elon Musk, severe winter weather impacting the Great Lakes region, and Sir Elton John's recent health announcement. Below is a detailed summary of each key topic discussed.

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White House Pardon of Hunter Biden

Time Stamp: [00:19]

NPR reporter Giles Snyder opens the segment by addressing the White House's decision to pardon Hunter Biden, President Biden's son. Hunter Biden was convicted earlier in the year on federal gun charges but was scheduled to receive his sentencing later in the month. Instead, President Biden opted for a full pardon, a move he had previously indicated he would not take.

Deepa Shivram reports that the pardon not only spares Hunter Biden from his current convictions but also protects him from any future prosecution related to actions over the past decade. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre explained the rationale behind the pardon:

Karine Jean Pierre [00:51]: "Hunter was singled out and because his last name was Biden, because he was the president's son. That's what we saw."

The White House maintains that Hunter was unfairly targeted due to his family name, describing the situation as a "miscarriage of justice." Despite the significant political implications, President Biden has remained silent on the matter in press interactions since the announcement.

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Death of Former Kansas City Detective Roger Golubski

Time Stamp: [01:14]

In a somber report, Giles Snyder informs listeners about the death of Roger Golubski, a former detective in Kansas City, who was found dead on the day his federal trial was set to commence. Madeline Fox of KCUR elaborates on the case:

Federal prosecutors had charged Golubski with severe civil rights violations, including rape, kidnapping, and sexual assault. These charges stemmed from allegations that Golubski abused his authority to target Black women involved in drugs and sex work, coercing them into providing false testimonies. The case gained further attention following Golubski's 2017 exoneration of a double homicide, which brought his alleged misconduct to light. After confirming Golubski's death, prosecutors dismissed the case.

Family members of the victims expressed that Golubski had a longstanding pattern of predatory behavior, highlighting systemic issues within law enforcement.

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Federal Reserve's Consideration of Interest Rate Cuts

Time Stamp: [02:05]

Giles Snyder transitions to economic news, focusing on statements from Federal Reserve Governor Chris Waller regarding potential interest rate adjustments. Scott Horsley provides analysis on the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy meeting:

Governor Waller indicated a leaning towards another quarter percentage point interest rate cut. However, this decision is contingent on inflation trends. Waller noted:

Chris Waller [02:19]: "While inflation has come down a lot in the last year and a half, the most recent price checks suggest progress may be stalling."

This cautious approach suggests that if inflation remains persistent, the Fed might refrain from lowering rates. Additionally, the job market remains under scrutiny, with November's job gains report expected to influence the final decision.

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Asian Financial Markets Surge

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In international news, financial markets across Asia saw a significant uptick in Tuesday trading. Japan's benchmark Nikkei rose by 1.7%, following the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching record highs, primarily driven by a robust performance in the technology sector. This upward trend reflects investor confidence amidst global economic fluctuations.

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Legal Ruling on Elon Musk's Pay Package

Time Stamp: [03:00]

A Delaware judge has denied Elon Musk's request to reinstate his multibillion-dollar compensation package with Tesla. Giles Snyder reports that attorneys for Musk and Tesla sought to overturn a previous ruling by Judge Kathleen McCormick, who had deemed the $56 billion pay package excessive. This lawsuit, initiated by a Tesla stockholder in 2018, continues to pose significant legal challenges for Musk, potentially impacting his future financial endeavors.

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Severe Winter Weather in the Great Lakes Region

Time Stamp: [03:00]

Residents around the Great Lakes are bracing for more snow this week, with lake-effect snow warnings in place through tomorrow night in parts of Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. Michigan faces winter storm warnings and advisories extending through Tuesday. In Arkwright, New York, heavy snowfall led to a barn collapse, trapping 100 cows. Emergency crews managed to rescue them, but tragically, five cows did not survive.

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Sir Elton John's Health Announcement

Time Stamp: [04:20]

In entertainment news, Sir Elton John revealed that he is nearly blind, retaining only limited vision in one eye. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento covers the announcement, which coincided with his involvement in the musical adaptation of "The Devil Wears Prada" in London. At a gala event, John shared:

Elton John [04:34]: "I haven't been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I've lost my eyesight. So it's hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it."

John also expressed gratitude towards his husband for his unwavering support. In a recent interview with Good Morning America, he discussed how his vision loss has impacted his ability to work in the studio and record new music, marking a significant personal and professional challenge for the iconic artist.

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This comprehensive roundup provides listeners with the latest developments across various sectors, reflecting NPR's commitment to delivering timely and in-depth news coverage.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. The White House says President Biden agonized over the decision to pardon his son. Hunter Biden was convicted earlier this year of federal gun charges offenses. NPR's Deepa Shivram reports.

[Deepa Shivram]

Hunter Biden was scheduled to receive his sentencings in both cases later this month, but now he'll get a full pardon despite the president repeatedly saying he wouldn't do it. White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre says the president believed there was a, quote, miscarriage of justice in the process.

[Karine Jean Pierre]

Hunter was singled out and because he his last name was Biden, because he was the president's son. That's what we saw.

[Deepa Shivram]

The pardon shields Hunter Biden from any further prosecution by the Justice Department for anything he might have done in the last 10 years. The president himself has not spoken to the press about the pardon since announcing it Sunday evening. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

A former detective in Kansas City was found dead today, the same day his federal trial was slated to begin. As Madeline Fox of member station KCUR.

[Madeline Fox]

Reports, federal prosecutors charged Roger Golubski with violating the civil rights of two women by rape, kidnapping and sexual assault. A federal statute makes it a crime for government officials, including law enforcement officers, to deprive a person of federally protected civil rights. After they confirmed his death, federal prosecutors moved to dismiss his case. The 2017 exoneration of a Kansas City, Kansas, man of a double homicide brought Golubski's alleged abuses to light. Family members of his alleged victims say Golubski had a pattern of preying on black women involved in drugs and sex work and coercing vulnerable members of the community into giving false testimony. For NPR News, I'm Madeline Fox in Kansas City.

[Giles Snyder]

Federal Reserve Governor Chris Waller says he's leaning towards another interest rate cut when Fed policymakers meet later this month. But NPR Scott Horsely reports that could change if inflation proves to be more sticky.

[Scott Horsley]

Investors are betting that the Fed will cut interest rates by another quarter percentage point at the central bank's meeting later this month, and Waller's comments reinforce that view. Still, Waller says he'd be open to holding rates steady if incoming data point to more stubborn pricing pressure. The Fed governor says while inflation has come down a lot in the last year and a half, the most recent price checks suggest progress may be stalling.

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I feel like an MMA fighter who keeps getting inflation in a chokehold, waiting for it to tap out, yet it keeps slipping out of my grasp at the last minute.

[Scott Horsley]

Waller and his colleagues are also keeping a close eye on the job market. We'll get a report card on November job gains later this week. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

Financial markets in Asia largely rising in Tuesday trading. Japan's benchmark Nikkei up 1.7% after the S&P 500. And the Nasdaq closed at record highs, boosted by shares in the tech sector. And you're listening to NPR News. A judge in Delaware has rejected a request that Elon Musk's multibillion dollar pay package be reinstated. Attorneys for Musk and Tesla had asked Court of chancery judge Kathleen McCormick to vacate her ruling from back in January that called the pay package that carried a potential value of $56 billion excessive. The case stems from a lawsuit challenging the package filed by a Tesla stockholder in 2018. Residents around the Great Lakes region are facing the prospect of more snow this week. Lake effect snow warnings will remain in effect through tomorrow night in parts of Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. Winter storm warnings and advisories are posted through Tuesday in Michigan. In Arkwright, New York, emergency crews worked Monday to resc 100 cows that were trapped after heavy snow caused a barn to collapse. Five cows were killed. Sir Elton John says he is all but blind with only limited vision and one eye. The announcement comes after the singer opened up about an eye infection. As NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento reports.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Sir Elton John wrote the original score for the musical the Devil Wears Prada, which just opened in London. At a gala for the show, John took a moment on stage to address his medical situation. Here he is, as heard on a video posted to YouTube.

[Elton John]

I haven't been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I've lost my eyesight. So it's hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

He also thanked his husband for supporting him during this time. On a recent interview with Good MORNING America, John said that his loss of vision has affected his ability to get in the studio and record music. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

This is NPR News.

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