NPR News: 12-16-2024 5PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 16, 2024, 5 PM EST

Host: Janine Hurst
Source: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

Shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin

At 00:17, Janine Hurst reported a tragic incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. A shooting resulted in the deaths of three individuals: a teacher, a teenager, and the gunman, who police identified as a student at the school. Six others were injured, with two sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Sarah Lear of Wisconsin Public Radio provided further details at 00:41:

“Officers responded to a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School shortly before 11 am Monday. Madison Police Chief Sean Barnes says officers did not fire their weapons and the shooter appears to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.” (00:56)

An unnamed official emphasized the ongoing efforts to secure the community:

“We're still going through, collecting evidence, collecting information, making sure that our community is safe from what is a sad day for our community and for our country.” (00:56)

Madison Police Chief Sean Barnes confirmed that the names of the victims and the shooter had not yet been released. The investigation continues as authorities work to ensure the safety of the community.

President-Elect Donald Trump Addresses Drone Sightings

Moving to national security, at 01:17, Janine Hurst introduced the issue of unexplained drone sightings in New Jersey and other areas. Donald Trump, President-elect, expressed concerns that the government is withholding information about these drones.

During a press conference at his Florida home, as reported by Joel Rose at 01:31:

“Our military knows and our president knows, and for some reason they want to keep people in suspense.” (01:51)

Trump criticized the Biden administration, which has stated there is no evidence of a public threat, attributing many sightings to manned aircraft. He declined to confirm whether he had received an intelligence briefing on the matter.

Joel Rose added:

“US Military officials have said publicly they do not know where they are coming from, but say there's no indication that they're being controlled by a foreign power.” (01:57)

TikTok's Legal Battle and the Federal Reserve's Interest Rate Decision

At 02:12, Janine Hurst covered two significant topics:

1. TikTok's Supreme Court Petition:

   • TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has filed an emergency request with the Supreme Court to block a law mandating the sale of the app or its shutdown by January 19th. The White House and Congress view TikTok as a national security threat due to concerns over data privacy involving American consumers.

2. Federal Reserve's Interest Rate Policy:

   • Pierre Scott Horsley reported at 02:39 that the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates by a quarter point in its final meeting of the year. While another rate cut is likely, policymakers will focus on projections for 2025, which previously anticipated a full percentage point reduction. Future rate adjustments may depend on inflation trends.

David Hogg Announces Candidacy for DNC Vice Chair

At 03:08, Janine Hurst highlighted political developments involving David Hogg, a prominent gun control advocate and co-founder of March for Our Lives. Hogg announced his candidacy for vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

Laina Moore reported at 03:42:

“Hogg is vying for one of three at-large vice chair roles within the DNC. In a press release, he said the party needs to improve on its youth outreach and come up with a plan to address issues like rising housing prices and crime.” (03:42)

Hogg emphasized the necessity for the Democratic Party to introspect and address its shortcomings, particularly in engaging young voters and tackling pressing social issues. If elected, at 24 years old, Hogg would be the youngest person to hold the position. The leadership elections are scheduled for February 1st, amidst the party's efforts to reassess its strategies following losses in key areas.

Devastation in Mayotte from Tropical Cyclone Cheetos

At 04:23, Janine Hurst reported on the catastrophic impact of Tropical Cyclone Cheetos on the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. The cyclone, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane, has left hundreds feared dead and caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure.

Key points include:

• Severe destruction of the island’s hospital and airport.
• Roads obstructed by fallen trees, hindering rescue operations.
• Aid is being delivered by boat as emergency crews work to clear blocked routes.

Officials are prioritizing efforts to restore access and provide necessary aid to the affected population amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the storm.

Market Update

At 03:08, a brief market update noted that Wall Street closed in mixed territory, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping by 110 points.

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Transcript

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[Janine Hurst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Hurst. A shooting at a private Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, today left three people dead, a teacher, a teenager and the teenaged gunman who police say was a stud at the school. Six others were transported to area hospitals and two have life threatening injuries. Sarah Lear of Wisconsin Public Radio has more.

[Sean Barnes]

Officers responded to a shooting at Abundant Life Christian school shortly before 11am Monday. Madison Police Chief Sean Barnes says officers did not fire their weapons and the shooter appears to have died from a self inflicted gunshot wound.

[Unnamed Official]

We're still going through, collecting evidence, collecting information, making sure that our community is safe from what is a sad day for our community and for our country.

[Sean Barnes]

Officials have not yet released the names of the victim or the suspected shooter. For NPR News, I'm Sarah Lear in Madison.

[Janine Hurst]

President elect Donald Trump says the government knows more than it's saying about reported drone sightings in New Jersey and beyond. NPR's Joel Rose reports those comments were part of a wide ranging press conference today at his home in Florida.

[Joel Rose]

There have been thousands of reported sightings of unexplained drones in New Jersey and elsewhere in recent weeks. The Biden administration says there is no evidence of a threat to the public and that many of the unexplained sightings are likely manned aircraft. Still, President Elect Trump is accusing the administration of keeping Americans in the dark about what the drones are.

[Donald Trump]

Our military knows and our president knows, and for some reason they want to keep people in suspense.

[Joel Rose]

Trump declined to say whether he has received an intelligence briefing on the drones. US Military officials have said publicly they do not know where they are coming from, but say there's no indication that they're being controlled by a foreign power. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[Janine Hurst]

TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have asked the Supreme Court in an emergency request to block a law requiring the China based company to sell the social video app or shut down by January 19th. The White House and Congress say the owners present a national security concern to the US because because of the data on American consumers that the app scoops up. The Fed is widely expected to cut interest rates when policymakers meet this week. And Pierre Scott Horsley has more.

[Scott Horsley]

Fed policymakers hold their last meeting of the year this week. Another quarter point cut in interest rates is considered a near certainty, but investors will be listening to what Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and his colleagues have to say about next year. On average, members of the Fed's rate setting Committee were projecting back in September that rates would drop by another full percentage point in 2025. Those future rate cuts could scaled back, however, if inflation turns out to be more stubborn than expected. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Janine Hurst]

Wall street in mixed territory by the closing bell, the Dow Dan, 110 points. You're listening to NPR News From Washington. Democratic organizer David Hogg says he's running to be the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. Hogg first became a national political figure six years ago when he and his classmates launched the youth led gun violence prevention group March for Our Lives after a mass shooting at their high school. As NPR's Laina Moore reports, leadership elections are set for February 1st.

[David Hogg]

Hogg is vying for one of three at large vice chair roles within the dnc. In a press release, he said the party needs to improve on its youth outreach and come up with a plan to address issues like rising housing prices and crime. He argued those things are possible if, quote, we take a hard look in the mirror and commit to addressing our mistakes. His announcement comes as party leader reassess their post election game plan. After losing ground on issues like the economy and with key voting blocs, including young voters. Hogg has made this key to his campaign. If elected at 24, he says he would be the youngest to hold the position. Elena Moore, NPR News, Washington.

[Janine Hurst]

In the French territory of Mayotte, hundreds are feared dead after Tropical Cyclone Cheetos swept through the islands in the Indian Ocean at the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane. The storm severely damaged or destroyed critical infrastructure, including the island's hospital and airport, and roads are blocked by downed trees. That's making access tough for rescuers trying to get in. Officials say aid is being delivered by boat as crews work to clear those roads. I'm Janine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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