NPR News: 12-12-2024 1AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – December 12, 2024, 1AM EST

NPR News Now delivers the latest updates across critical national and international topics. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the December 12, 2024, episode.

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FBI Director Christopher Wray Announces Resignation

[00:19] Dan Roren

FBI Director Christopher Wray has announced his resignation, effective at the end of the Biden administration. Wray, who is nearing the end of his ten-year term with three years remaining, faced the inevitability of being dismissed by President-elect Donald Trump upon his inauguration on January 20th.

Christopher Wray highlights the integrity of the FBI:

“The importance of our mission, the quality of our people and their dedication to service over self. It's an unshakable foundation that has stood the test of time and cannot be easily moved. And you, the men and women of the FBI are why the bureau will endure and remain successful long, long into the future.”
– Christopher Wray [00:48]

Wray delivered this statement during a town hall meeting for FBI employees, commending the dedication of law enforcement despite increasing criticism from the incoming administration.

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Trump Nominates Successors to Key Federal Positions

[01:16] Dan Roren

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated two significant figures for federal positions:

1. Kash Patel for FBI Director

   • A loyalist to Trump, Patel is actively engaging with lawmakers in anticipation of his confirmation hearings.

2. Kerry Lake for Director of Voice of America

   • Kerry Lake, a Republican who previously ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor and U.S. Senate, is poised to lead the Voice of America. Lake’s background includes a 22-year career as a broadcaster in the Phoenix area before venturing into politics.

These nominations reflect Trump’s strategy to place trusted allies in pivotal roles within the federal government.

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Stock Markets Rally Amid Positive Inflation Data

[02:07] Rafael Nam

The stock markets continue their upward trajectory, with the Nasdaq reaching an unprecedented milestone by surpassing 20,000 points. The S&P 500 also reported gains, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a minor decline.

Rafael Nam reports:

“A rally in stocks is showing no signs of losing steam. The Nasdaq hit another record high, while The S&P 500 also posted gains. Although the Dow Jones posted a small loss.”
– Rafael Nam [02:07]

This surge follows the release of November’s consumer price index (CPI) data, which indicated a 2.7% increase year-over-year, aligning with market expectations. The gradual easing of inflation has bolstered investor confidence, leading to optimism about a potential third Federal Reserve interest rate cut scheduled for next week.

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New York Police Link Shooting Suspect to Victim

[02:51] Dan Roren

New York City authorities have firmly connected shooting suspect Luigi Mangione to the death of insurance executive Brian Thompson. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch provided critical details:

“Three shell casings found at the Manhattan crime scene match up with the gun that Mangione was carrying when he was arrested Monday at a Pennsylvania McDonald's.”
– Jessica Tisch [02:51]

The evidence strongly ties Mangione to the incident, intensifying the investigation’s focus on his involvement.

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South Korea’s President Defends Martial Law Amid Political Turmoil

[02:51] Dan Roren

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yul faces intense scrutiny over his recent decision to impose martial law briefly. In a televised address from Seoul, President Yoon asserted that the move was necessary to safeguard the nation’s democracy against what he describes as a parliamentary dictatorship orchestrated by the opposition party.

Despite numerous calls for his resignation or impeachment, President Yoon remains steadfast, declaring his intention to "fight to the end."

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Tribute to The Amazing Kreskin, Renowned Mentalist

[04:03] Chloe Veltman

The world bids farewell to George Kressley Jr., famously known as The Amazing Kreskin, who passed away Tuesday at an assisted living center in Wayne, New Jersey. Kreskin, a beloved mentalist, captivated audiences in the 1960s and 70s with his extraordinary mind-reading abilities.

Chloe Veltman highlights Kreskin’s legacy:

“He called himself a mentalist, not a psychic, best known for a theatrical trick in which he asked audience members to hide his paycheck somewhere in the auditorium while he went outside. Then he'd come back in and find it, almost always successfully. He described the stunt in the 2005 documentary 'The Amazing Kreskin.'”
– Chloe Veltman [04:16]

Kreskin’s innovative performances, including the iconic paycheck trick, left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Born into a Polish Sicilian family, Kreskin was inspired by Mandrake the Magician, a comic book hero, which fueled his passion for mentalism.

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Bill Belichick Returns to Washington with Five-Year Deal

[04:50] Dan Roren

In sports news, six-time Super Bowl champion coach Bill Belichick has made headlines by accepting a five-year contract with Washington. Belichick’s return signifies a major shift in the team’s strategic direction, aiming to leverage his unparalleled expertise to enhance the team’s performance in upcoming seasons.

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Transcript

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[Dan Roren]

NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Roren. FBI Director Christopher Wray Wednesday announced he's resigning at the end of the Biden administration. Wray had faced the likelihood he would be fired by President Elect Trump once he's sworn in on January 20th of next year. Wray had three years left on his ten year term. Wray made the announcement at a town hall for FBI employees where he praised the work of law enforcement, which has come under harsh criticism from Trump and others.

[Christopher Wray]

The importance of our mission, the quality of our people and their dedication to service over self. It's an unshakable foundation that has stood the test of time and cannot be easily moved. And it you, the men and women of the FBI are why the bureau will endure and remain successful long, long into the future.

[Dan Roren]

Trump has nominated loyalist Kash Patel to be the new FBI director. He's been on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers in preparation for his confirmation hearings. Twice defeated Arizona political candidate Republican Kerry Lake is Donald Trump's choice to be the new director of the Voice of America. Trump made the announcement Wednesday on his social media platform. Lake ran unsuccessfully for the governor of Arizona and two years later for the U.S. senate, losing in November. She's a former broadcaster who anchored newscasts in the Phoenix area for 22 years before turning to politics. And the two runs for office tech stocks gained, with the Nasdaq rising above 20,000 for the first time ever. As NPR's Rafael Nam reports, Wednesday's inflation data is reinforcing hope for another Federal Reserve interest rate cut.

[Rafael Nam]

A rally in stocks is showing no signs of losing steam. The Nasdaq hit another record high, while The S&P 500 also posted gains. Although the Dow Jones posted a small loss. That was on the heels of new data showing consumer prices rose 2.7% in November from a year ago. The rate was in line with expectations. It shows inflation continuing to ease a little slowly and a little unevenly, but generally still going in the right direction. And investors believe that will be enough to encourage the Fed to cut rates for the third time this year when policymakers gather next week. Raphael NAMAM, NPR NEWS, N.Y. police said.

[Dan Roren]

On Wednesday that the gun and other evidence found in the possession of shooting suspect Luigi Mangione closely link him to the death of insurance executive Brian Thompson. New York City's police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that three shell casings found at the Manhattan crime scene match up with the gun that Mangione was carrying when he was arrested Monday @ a Pennsylvania McDonald's. You are listening to NPR News. South Korea's embattled President Yoon Suk Yul is defending his decision last week to briefly impose martial law, insisting he was attempt protect the country's democracy. In a televised address Thursday in Seoul, the president said the opposition party is engaging in parliamentary dictatorship. He's denying allegations that his martial law degree was an act of insurrection. And despite calls for him to be resigned or impeached, he is suggesting he will not quit, insisting he will fight to the end. The Amazing Kreskin has died. The famous mentalist who dazzled audiences with his mind reading skills died Tuesday at an assisted living center in Wayne, New Jersey. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports.

[Chloe Veltman]

The Amazing Kreskin became hugely popular in the 1960s and 70s with his guest appearances on TV talk shows like the Tonight show with Johnny Carson.

[Christopher Wray]

Would you welcome the Amazing Creskin?

[Chloe Veltman]

He called himself a mentalist, not a psychic, best known for a theatrical trick in which he asked audience members to hide his paycheck somewhere in the auditorium while he went outside. Then he'd come back in and find it, almost always successfully. He described the stunt in the 2005 documentary the Amazing Kreskin.

[Dan Roren]

If I don't find my fee, I don't get paid.

[Chloe Veltman]

George Kressley Jr. Was born into a Polish Sicilian family in New Jersey. In 1935, he picked up the mind reading bug from Mandrake the Magician, a comic book hero who used hypnotic techniques to ensnare his adversaries. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Dan Roren]

Six time super bowl champ coach Bill Belichick will be back. He's accepted a five year deal from Washington. This is NPR News.

[Warby Parker]

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