NPR News Now – December 16, 2024, 9 PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Release Date: December 17, 2024
Source: NPR

1. Legal Developments Surrounding Former President Donald Trump

In a significant legal update, a New York judge has upheld former President Donald Trump's felony conviction related to falsifying records to conceal a sex scandal. Judge Juan Merchan's decision rejects Trump's attempt to dismiss the conviction following the Supreme Court's recent affirmation of presidential immunity.

• Jeanine Herbst reported at [00:19] that despite the ruling, the future trajectory of the case remains uncertain as Trump's legal team explores additional grounds for dismissal.

• Prosecutors have advocated for maintaining the conviction, arguing that some accommodation is warranted due to Trump's forthcoming presidency but remain steadfast in upholding the felony charge.

Quote:

"President elect Donald Trump's bid to have his hush money conviction dismissed has been rejected, affirming the severity of his actions," stated Jeanine Herbst at [00:19].

2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Nomination Hearings Amid Vaccine Controversies

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is actively engaging with Republican senators on Capitol Hill in preparation for his nomination hearings to head the Health and Human Services Department. This comes amidst scrutiny over his stance on vaccines, particularly relating to the polio vaccine.

• Jeanine Herbst highlighted at [01:22] that Kennedy's efforts to garner support are occurring despite his personal attorney's lawsuit against the FDA seeking to revoke the polio vaccine, a move that has attracted criticism.

• Senator Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, expressed reservations about Kennedy's position, while Senator Mark Wayne Mullen clarified Kennedy's stance.

Quote:

"He said, I 100% support the polio vaccination. That's one that's different," explained Senator Mark Wayne Mullen at [01:22], addressing concerns over the potential revocation of the vaccine.

3. Biden Administration Addresses Drone Sightings

The Biden administration has responded to recent reports of unidentified flying objects in the northeastern skies, assuring the public that these sightings do not threaten national security or public safety.

• Asma Khalid reports at [01:41] that the White House identifies the objects as lawful commercial drones, law enforcement drones, helicopters, or even misidentified stars.

• John Kirby, White House National Security Spokesman, emphasized at [01:56] the benign nature of these sightings, noting the vast number of legally registered drones in the U.S.

Quote:

"There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States," asserted John Kirby at [01:56].

4. political Turmoil in Germany as Chancellor Olaf Scholz Faces Confidence Vote

Germany faces political instability as Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a crucial vote of confidence in Parliament, leading to the dissolution of the legislative body and the scheduled early elections in February.

• Jeanine Herbst reported at [02:39] that this development signals the end of Scholz's fragmented government, occurring at a time when Europe's largest economy is experiencing economic challenges.

• Scholz is expected to stand as a candidate in the upcoming elections in an attempt to regain his position.

5. U.S. Financial Markets Update

U.S. futures indicate a mixed outlook for the upcoming trading day.

• Jeanine Herbst provided market insights at [02:39], noting that Dow futures are slightly down while Nasdaq futures show a marginal increase.

• By the market close, the Dow fell by 110 points, whereas the Nasdaq rose by 247 points, reflecting the day's volatility.

6. Derek Chauvin's Attempt to Reopen George Floyd Case

In a notable legal maneuver, attorneys for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin have been granted permission to examine preserved samples of George Floyd's heart tissue and bodily fluids. This move aims to challenge Floyd's death's cause, potentially affecting Chauvin's federal civil rights charges.

• Matt Sepik of Minnesota Public Radio detailed at [03:35] that Chauvin, convicted in 2021 for murder and later pleading guilty to federal charges, is seeking to overturn his conviction by introducing a new medical opinion.

• Federal Judge Paul Magnuson allowed the examination despite the Justice Department's stance that previous jury decisions should uphold the conviction.

Quote:

"Chauvin argues that his original defense attorney failed to tell him about an email from a Kansas pathologist who believes Floyd died of a heart condition," explained Matt Sepik at [03:35].

7. New Seatbelt Regulations to Enhance Passenger Safety

The National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finalized a rule mandating audible warnings for unbuckled passengers in the back seats of vehicles. This regulation aims to improve seatbelt usage and overall passenger safety.

• Jeanine Herbst reported at [04:15] that the rule will take effect in 2027 for rear-seat passengers and in 2026 for front-seat passengers across all cars, trucks, and multi-purpose vehicles up to 10,000 pounds. Notably, the regulation excludes school buses.

• The audible alerts are designed to be analogous to those currently experienced by drivers, promoting consistent safety reminders for all vehicle occupants.

Quote:

"Soon, people riding in the back of a passenger vehicle will get an audible warning if they haven't buckled up," stated Jeanine Herbst at [04:15].

Closing Remarks

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant national and international developments, ranging from high-profile legal cases and political shifts to regulatory changes and market dynamics. For those who missed the live broadcast, this summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented by NPR.

Note: Sponsor announcements from Rosetta Stone and Viori have been omitted in accordance with content summary guidelines.