NPR News: 12-17-2024 11AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of December 17, 2024, 11AM EST Episode

Published on December 17, 2024

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1. Electoral College Casts 2024 Votes Amidst Legal Turmoil

Korva Coleman opens the episode with significant developments in the U.S. political landscape. Presidential electors across state capitals are convening to formalize President-elect Donald Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, adhering to the U.S. Constitution. However, this process is marred by controversy as several "fake electors" from the 2020 election are also casting votes for Trump.

Hansi Lo Wang reports that eight Republican electors have been indicted in Michigan and Nevada. These individuals previously submitted falsified certificates in 2020, falsely declaring Trump as the winner, which contributed to the January 6th insurrection attempt. Currently, six of these electors in Michigan are navigating the state court system following charges announced by the Democratic Michigan Attorney General. In Nevada, two electors face new forgery charges filed this month. Prosecutions continue in Arizona and Georgia against pro-Trump electors from the previous election cycle who are not participating in the current vote casting.

Notable Quote:

"These Republican electors still face criminal charges related to efforts to overturn election results from four years ago." – Hansi Lo Wang [00:52]

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2. Tragic School Shooting in Madison, Wisconsin

Korva Coleman shifts focus to a somber incident in Madison, Wisconsin, where a 15-year-old girl opened fire at a Christian school, resulting in the deaths of a student and a teacher, and injuring six others. The police chief reports that the shooter took her own life at the scene.

Sarah Lear provides further details, highlighting the ongoing investigation into the motive behind the shooting. Authorities have recovered a handgun from the site and are collaborating with federal officials to trace its origins. The manner in which the minor obtained the firearm remains unclear.

Notable Quote:

"The biggest question why? That's still unclear. Police say they're still trying to piece together a motive." – Sarah Lear [01:50]

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3. Hope and Uncertainty Among Syrian Artists Post-Assad

Transitioning to international news, Korva Coleman introduces a segment on the evolving artistic landscape in Syria following the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad.

Hadil Al Shalqi narrates the newfound freedom Syrian artists are experiencing, allowing them to gather and share their visions without the previous regime's censorship. Despite the optimism, concerns linger about potential future restrictions under new leadership with Islamist influences. Artist Fayed Yassef voices apprehensions regarding possible red lines on creative expression, while Asaf remains cautiously optimistic, emphasizing the need for proactive mobilization to safeguard artistic freedom.

Notable Quote:

"It's too soon to judge, and he and the other artists will start mobilizing now just in case." – Artist Asaf [02:31]

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4. Assassination of Top Russian General in Moscow

Korva Coleman reports a critical security incident in Russia, where a bomb concealed in a scooter resulted in the death of a high-ranking Russian general and his aide in Moscow. Ukrainian authorities have implicated Ukraine in orchestrating the assassination. The targeted general was accused of overseeing chemical and biological warfare operations in Ukraine, with Ukrainian prosecutors alleging his involvement in deploying banned chemical weapons.

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5. Severe Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu

The episode also covers a natural disaster in the South Pacific. A powerful earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.3, struck Vanuatu, leading to significant damage. The United Nations reports at least six casualties and multiple injuries, although these figures remain unconfirmed. The epicenter was located over a thousand miles east of Australia, intensifying concerns about regional stability and aid response.

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6. Library of Congress Honors 25 Iconic Films for Preservation

In a cultural highlight, Korva Coleman shares that the Library of Congress has released its latest list of 25 films selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. These films span over a century of American cinema, showcasing the industry's diversity and evolution.

Netta Ulaby elaborates on the selection, noting the inclusion of "Beverly Hills Cop," a 1984 comedy featuring Eddie Murphy. The roster also features a silent short from 1895, "The Social Network" from 2010, documentaries, film noir classics, student films, and the horror staple "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre."

Notable Quote:

"You know, this is the cleanest and nicest police car I've ever been in in my life." – Eddie Murphy [04:19]

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of pressing political, social, and cultural issues, from the contentious Electoral College process and tragic incidents in the U.S. to significant developments in Syria, international security threats, natural disasters, and the preservation of cinematic history. Through detailed reporting and insightful commentary, listeners are kept informed on a wide array of topics shaping the current global landscape.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. In US State capitals today, presidential electors are meeting to cast their electoral votes for the 2024 election. In line with the U.S. constitution, it'll formalize President elect Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. At the same time, some so called fake electors from the 2020 election are casting real votes today on behalf of their states for Trump. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reports. These Republican electors still face criminal charges related to efforts to overturn election results from four years ago.

[Hansi Lo Wang]

Eight of the Republican electors this year for President elect Donald Trump have been indicted in Michigan and Nevada. Four years ago, they sent false certificates to state and federal officials claiming that Trump had won those states 2020 electoral votes. Those documents became part of the failed attempt to overturn those election results that culminated in the January 6th insurrection. Now in Michigan, cases against six of those returning electors are working their way through state court after the Democratic Michigan attorney general announced charges last year. In Nevada, state prosecutors filed new forgery charges this month against two returning electors. There are also ongoing prosecutions in Arizona and Georgia against pro Trump electors from 2020 who are not set to cast their state's electoral votes today. Anzi Le Wang, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Authorities in Madison, Wisconsin, say a 15 year old girl opened fire at a Christian school yesterday. A student and a teacher were killed. Six others were wounded. Madison's police chief says the girl then apparently took her own life. Wisconsin Public Radio's Sarah Lear says the reason for the shooting is not yet known.

[Sarah Lear]

The biggest question why? That's still unclear. Police say they're still trying to piece together a motive. Officers have recovered a handgun from the scene. Madison police say they're working with federal officials to trace the origins of the gun. The police chief said late Monday it's not clear how exactly a 15 year old got this gun.

[Korva Coleman]

Sarah Lear reporting. Police were alerted to the shooting when a second grader called 911. Syrians are trying to imagine a new future after the fall of President Bashar al Assad and the end of his family's rule. NPR's Hadil Al Shalqi reports. That includes artists and students who were long censored under the Syrian regime.

[Hadil Al Shalqi]

Just over a week ago, it was unimaginable for these Syrian artists to gather like they are now at this fine arts college in Damascus. The Assad regime cracked down on most unofficial meetings, standing in a large circle, exchanging ideas on their vision for Syrian art. Fellow artist Fayed Yassef is still worried about censorship. Will the new leaders put guidelines or red lines on what we can paint? He says some of the artists are concerned the new leadership, with its Islamist roots, will crack down on freedom of expression. But artist Asaf says it's too soon to judge, and he and the other artists will start mobilizing now just in case. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Damascus.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Authorities in Russia say a bomb hidden in a scooter has killed a top Russian general and an aide in Moscow. NPR has learned Ukraine was behind the assassination. The general was accused of overseeing chemical and biological warfare in Ukraine yesterday. Ukrainian prosecutors charged him with using banned chemical weapons there. The UN Says there's earthquake damage in the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. UN Officials have unconfirmed reports at least six people have been injured or killed. A quake with a magnitude of 7.3 hit the island. It is more than a thousand miles east of Australia. The Library of Congress is out with its Latest list of 25 movies to be preserved in the national film registry. As NPR's Netta Ulaby reports, this year's editions span more than a century of filmmaking.

[Netta Ulaby]

The list always includes wildly popular movies. This year, one is the comedy Beverly Hills Cop, starring Eddie Murphy.

[Eddie Murphy]

You know, this is the cleanest and nicest police car I've ever been in in my life.

[Netta Ulaby]

The 1984 hit joins two dozen others that represent the breadth and depth of American film. The oldest movie on this year's list is a silent short from 1895 that shows a twirling dancer. The most recent from 2010, is the Social Network, based on Facebook's creation in between documentaries, film noir, student films and the low budget horror classic the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Neto Ulibi, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

And I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.

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