NPR News Now: December 18, 2024, 6AM EST
Host: Korva Coleman | Source: NPR
Bipartisan Stopgap Spending Bill Averts Government Shutdown
Korva Coleman opens the episode with significant legislative news:
"Congressional leaders have released details of a bipartisan stopgap spending bill. It would avert a partial federal government shutdown late Friday night." [00:16]
Claudia Grisales provides an in-depth report on the bill:
"The legislation would extend government funding until mid-March 2025. It follows days of intense negotiations between leaders for House Republicans and Senate Democrats, and it starts the clock for both chambers to vote on the plan by week's end." [00:32]
Key components of the bill include approximately $100 billion in federal aid for natural disaster recovery, funds for rebuilding after the Maui fires, Hurricanes Helene and Milton, a one-year extension to the farm bill, and funding to reconstruct the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Political Appointments and Legal Developments
Korva Coleman transitions to international and legal news:
"President Elect Trump has tapped former football star player Herschel Walker to be the next U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, while Walker ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. senate in Georgia two years ago." [01:20]
In a significant legal update:
"A Manhattan grand jury has indicted the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. Luigi Mangione faces several charges, including first and second-degree murder." [01:20]
Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney, elaborates on the gravity of the charges:
"Some of these murder charges allege that the killing was committed in furtherance of terrorism. [...] the shooting was brazen and meant to cause shock and intimidation." [01:49]
Mangione remains in custody in central Pennsylvania, with New York officials pursuing extradition.
Tragic School Shooting and Community Response
The episode covers a somber event in Madison, Wisconsin:
Korva Coleman reports:
"Mourners attended a prayer service last night near the Abundant Life Christian School where a student killed two other people and herself." [02:01]
Anya Van Wagtendonk details the memorial service:
"Mourners walked through the dark towards a city church located next door to Abundant Life Christian School. [...] Inside the church, performers and speakers offered music and prayer." [02:21]
Lisa Haney, a middle school teacher at the school, shares her grief:
"I don't know how to still and quiet my own soul because it's going crazy right now on the inside of me." [02:42]
Madison police continue to investigate the motives behind the tragic shooting by the 15-year-old perpetrator.
Federal Reserve's Monetary Policy and Pentagon Detainee Updates
Korva Coleman briefs on economic and defense matters:
"Policymakers for the Federal Reserve end their two-day meeting today. They could lower interest rates by another quarter point, but they're also watching inflation. It has not slowed down as much as they would like it to." [03:00]
In defense news:
"The Pentagon says it has sent back three detainees held at the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Two were repatriated to Malaysia, and a third was sent to Kenya." [03:00]
The Malaysian detainees were linked to an al Qaeda affiliate responsible for Southeast Asia bombings, while the third was associated with al Qaeda's East Africa branch.
Sesame Street's Future Distribution Plans
The beloved children's program faces a strategic shift:
Korva Coleman introduces the topic:
"The venerable children's program Sesame Street is again looking for a new home after splitting from Max, formerly known as HBO. The program was previously with PBS." [03:00]
Elizabeth Blair reports on Max's announcement:
"In a statement, Max says that new episodes of Sesame Street are no longer core to its strategy, but it will rerun old episodes through 2027." [03:55]
Despite the evergreen educational content, Polly Conway, Senior Editor for TV and Streaming at Common Sense Media, emphasizes the importance of Sesame Street finding a new platform:
"Finding a new home is going to be integral to them, creating new content and really reaching the audiences that need to be reached." [04:26]
Sesame Workshop plans to announce new distribution strategies in the coming months, aiming to continue its mission of educating and supporting underserved communities.
Wildfire Warnings in Southern California
Korva Coleman concludes with environmental news:
"Forecasters have posted fresh warnings about powerful winds today in a part of Southern California. It's where a sudden wildfire broke out last week, northwest of Los Angeles." [04:42]
Residents are urged to stay vigilant as authorities monitor the situation to prevent further wildfire incidents.
For more updates, stay tuned to NPR News.