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:
-
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.
-
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.
Note: Advertisements from Carvana at the beginning and end of the episode were excluded from this summary to focus on the news content.