NPR News: 12-05-2024 11PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – December 6, 2024

Released: December 6, 2024 | Host: Dwalhlisai Kowtow | Source: NPR

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1. Capitol Hill Initiative: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy Advocate for Government Efficiency

Host Introduction At [00:17], Dwalhlisai Kowtow introduces a significant development from Capitol Hill, where entrepreneur Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy met with lawmakers to discuss the formation of a new Department of Government Efficiency.

Bipartisan Support for Spending Cuts NPR's Deirdre Walsh reports that there is unanimous bipartisan support for trimming federal spending. During the meeting, Musk was queried about reducing electric vehicle credits, to which he proposed a more comprehensive strategy.

Elon Musk's Ambitious Goals At [00:53], Deirdre Walsh quotes Musk:

"I think we should get rid of all credits."
Musk aims to eliminate $2 trillion in federal spending and potentially dismantle certain government agencies. Despite over 60% of the federal budget being allocated to mandatory spending on Social Security and Medicare, Musk emphasizes that Congress controls the discretionary portion. He acknowledges the consensus on the need for cuts but highlights the challenges in defending essential programs that support jobs and meet constituent needs.

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2. DOJ Investigates Memphis Police Department’s Practices

Overview of the Investigation At [01:20], Dwalhlisai Kowtow shifts focus to a federal investigation into the Memphis Police Department, highlighting concerns over excessive force and discriminatory practices.

Details from Katie Reardon Katie Reardon from WKNO elaborates that the Department of Justice initiated a civil rights probe following the 2023 incident where five Black Memphis police officers were charged in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. Over 17 months, federal prosecutors documented numerous instances of illegal searches, unwarranted use of force, and policing disparities affecting Black residents.

Official Statements and Potential Reforms At [01:58], Elon Musk comments:

"The violations our investigation uncovered stem from…" Deirdre Walsh continues at [02:01]:
"Memphis Police Department's deficient policies, supervision, training and accountability systems." Katie Reardon adds that the DOJ may litigate to enforce comprehensive reforms if an agreement with local officials isn't reached, ensuring systemic changes within the department.

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3. New York City Tackles Housing Shortage with Zoning Reforms

Housing Crisis Overview At [02:18], Kowtow addresses the severe housing shortage in New York City, which is prompting residents to leave and deterring new arrivals.

City Council’s Zoning Plan Reporter David Brand from WNYC reports at [02:33] that the New York City Council has approved a transformative zoning plan aimed at overturning restrictive rules that have historically limited new housing developments across all neighborhoods. Mayor Eric Adams stated that these changes are projected to enable the construction of 80,000 new apartments, condos, and houses over the next 15 years.

Impact on Housing Availability Brand highlights a city survey indicating that less than 2% of apartments were vacant and available for rent last year. The approved plan is anticipated to alleviate the housing shortage significantly by increasing the supply of available residences, thereby supporting population growth and economic stability in the city.

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4. Earthquake in Northern California and Political Tensions Over National Security

Natural Disaster Update At [03:00], Kowtow reports a magnitude 7 earthquake struck Northern California just before 10:45 AM Pacific Time, leading to widespread power outages. A subsequent tsunami warning was issued but lifted an hour later by the National Weather Service.

Congressional Hearing Dispute The segment also covers a heated exchange between Republican Congressman Pat Fallon of Frisco and Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rao. The argument occurred during a congressional hearing reviewing security lapses related to the Butler, Pennsylvania incident, where an assassination attempt on then Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was made.

Fallon accused Rao of "political posturing," to which Rao responded sharply:

"You are out of line."

This emotional confrontation highlighted tensions within national security discussions and raised concerns about the conduct and accountability of high-level officials.

Delay of NASA’s Moon Mission Brendan Byrne from Central Florida Public Media reports at [04:01] that NASA's first human mission to the moon in over half a century has been postponed to April 2026, with a subsequent surface landing planned for mid-2027. The delay is attributed to issues with the Orion spacecraft's heat shield, identified during a 2022 uncrewed test mission. NASA is adjusting the spacecraft's return trajectory to mitigate exposure to reentry heat while maintaining the existing heat shield design.

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5. Wall Street’s Dow Falls Amid Economic Uncertainty

Market Movement Concluding the episode, at [04:48], Kowtow reports that the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down by 248 points. This decline reflects ongoing economic uncertainties and market volatility, underscoring investor concerns amid political and global developments.

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Conclusion This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of pivotal national issues, including government efficiency initiatives, federal investigations into police practices, urban housing reforms, significant natural disasters, political conflicts over security, delays in space exploration, and financial market fluctuations. Through detailed reporting and direct quotes from key figures, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the current events shaping the national landscape.

Transcript

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[Dwalhlisai Kowtow]

Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Dwalhlisai Kowtow. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy visited with lawmakers on Capitol Hill today to start the work of the new Department of government efficiency. NPR's Deirdre Walsh reports. There is bipartisan support to trim spending.

[Elon Musk]

President Elect Trump tapped the billionaire entrepreneur and a former rival to form an advisory panel acronym doge. Headed into a meeting with Republican senators, Musk was asked about scaling back credits for electric vehicles. He suggested an even broader approach.

[Deirdre Walsh]

I think we should get rid of all credits.

[Elon Musk]

Musk's goal is to slash 2 trillion in federal spending and eliminate some agencies entirely. But more than 60% of the federal budget goes to mandatory spending on things like Social Security and Medicare. Congress decides how to spend the rest. Lawmakers from both parties agree there is room to cut, but many will fight to protect priority programs that their constituents like and generate jobs. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News, the Capitol.

[Dwalhlisai Kowtow]

A new federal investigation details excessive use of force and discriminatory practices within the Memphis Police Department. More on this from Katie Reardon of member station wkno.

[Katie Reardon]

The Department of Justice's civil rights probe began after five black Memphis police officers were charged in the beating death of black motorist tyre Nichols in 2023. Federal prosecutors spent 17 months documenting instances of illegal searches and stops the unnecessary use of force and policing disparities for certain groups, including black residents. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark spoke at a press conference Thursday.

[Elon Musk]

The violations our investigation uncovered stem from.

[Deirdre Walsh]

Memphis Police Department's deficient policies, supervision, training and accountability systems.

[Katie Reardon]

The DOJ could sue to force a legally binding set of reforms if they do not reach an agreement with local officials. For NPR News, I'm Katie Reardon. In Memphis.

[Dwalhlisai Kowtow]

A deep housing shortage in is driving many New York City residents out of the five boroughs and keeping others from moving in. David Brand from member station WNYC reports on a key step city officials are taking to address this.

[Deirdre Walsh]

The New York City Council approved a sweeping plan to change zoning rules that limit new housing development in every neighborhood. Mayor Eric Adams says the rule changes will fuel the construction of 80,000 new apartments, condos and houses over the next 15 years. The plan could put a dent in New York's deep housing shortage. A city survey found less than 2% of all apartments were empty and available to rent last year. For NPR News, I'm David Brand in New York.

[Dwalhlisai Kowtow]

A magnitude 7 earthquake struck Northern California just before 10:45am Pacific Time, causing power outages for thousands of people. A tsunami warning was also issued, but the National Weather Service lifted that an hour later. This is npr. A Texas congressman, Republican Pat Fallon of Frisco, got into a heated public argument with the acting director of Secret Service Ronald Rao on Thursday over accusations of political posturing at a 911 memorial service. This emotional dispute took place at a congressional hearing meant to review security mistakes that took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, during the attempted assassination of then Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Fallon accused Roe of auditioning for the permanent role of Secret Service. Roe shouted back, you are out of line. The launch of the first human mission to the moon in more than half a century has been delayed once again, as Central Florida Public Media's Brendan Byrne reports it slated for the end of.

[Brendan Byrne]

2025, the mission to the moon and back will now launch from Florida's Kennedy Space center no earlier than April of 2026. The mission will take three NASA astronauts and one Canadian astronaut on a trip around the moon and back. A surface landing mission will follow sometime in mid-2027. The delay comes after a lengthy investigation into problems related to the Orion spacecraft's heat shield, which were uncovered in 2022 during an uncrewed test mission to the moon and back. Engineers found pieces of the heat shield had broken off, which was not expected. NASA is moving forward with the same heat shield, but changing the trajectory of the spacecraft's return to limit its exposure to the heat of atmospheric reentry. For NPR News, I'm Brendan Byrne in Orlando.

[Dwalhlisai Kowtow]

On Wall street, the dow closed down 248 points. This is NPR News from New York City. 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 at go pemco.com. water.