NPR News Now – December 19, 2024, 3 PM EST
Hosted by Lakshmi Singh, NPR News Now delivers the latest updates in just five minutes. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key stories covered in today’s episode.
Arraignment of Luigi Mangione on Murder Charges
In a significant legal development, Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was arraigned in Manhattan on federal charges of murder, stalking, interstate travel, and committing a crime. Additionally, Mangione faces state charges of first and second-degree murder in New York. The 26-year-old was extradited from Pennsylvania, where he also faces charges.
Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks emphasized the prioritization of the New York case:
“Certainly we believe it's in the interest of justice to turn him over to the New York City Police Department and Manhattan district attorney's office, which we did.” — Peter Weeks [00:48]
Further details from the U.S. Government revealed that Mangione had handwritten pages expressing hostility towards the health insurance industry and, specifically, wealthy executives, shedding light on possible motives behind the alleged attack.
Massive Amazon Worker Strikes Anticipated Amid Holiday Rush
Thousands of Amazon employees are gearing up to join strikes across the nation, making this potentially the largest union action against the retail giant to date. The Teamsters Union is leading the charge, urging Amazon to officially recognize its unionized workforce. NPR’s Alina Selyuk provides an in-depth report on the unfolding situation.
“It's not clear how many workers exactly plan to walk off their jobs.” — Alina Selyuk [01:39]
Strikes are expected to initiate at seven Amazon facilities, including warehouses and delivery hubs in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. The union plans to establish picket lines at hundreds more facilities, although specific participation numbers and the strike’s duration remain uncertain. Amazon has stated that operations are largely unaffected and attributes the disruption to non-employee participants.
Verdicts Delivered in High-Profile Avignon Mass Rape Trial
In southern France, a landmark mass rape trial concluded with significant verdicts, captivating national and international attention. Dominique Pellico, the mastermind behind recruiting candidates online and orchestrating the rape of his wife, was sentenced to the maximum term of 20 years. Among the 50 other men tried, sentences varied, with some receiving lighter penalties based on individual circumstances.
Vigdas Herrera, a mother of three, expressed her outrage:
“It's so shameful. It shows our society exceedingly accepts this.” — Vigdas Herrera [02:29]
Conversely, Giselle Pellico, the victim who transformed into a societal advocate, accepted the verdict while emphasizing the importance of public and media involvement in fostering necessary societal debates:
“I accepted the verdict by insisting that the trial be open to the public and media had produced the debates in society that were needed.” — Giselle Pellico [02:29]
Former NYC Mayor’s Aide Charged with Bribery Conspiracy
In political news, Ingrid Lewis Martin, a former chief advisor to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, has been charged with bribery conspiracy. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced that Martin, along with her son Glenn Martin II and two business associates, unlawfully used her position to expedite real estate project approvals for developers.
“Lewis Martin, who was the chief advisor to the mayor, is accused of unlawfully using her position to help real estate developers gain quick approval for projects.” — Lakshmi Singh [03:13]
This case underscores ongoing concerns about corruption and ethical practices within political advisory roles.
Eradication of Invasive Giant Hornet in Pacific Northwest
Environmental authorities have declared victory over the invasive northern giant hornet, commonly known as the murder hornet, in the Pacific Northwest. Federal and Washington state officials reported that it has been three years since the last confirmed sighting, marking the species' eradication from the United States.
“Every time a hornet was flying around and visiting somebody's window, we seemed to get a call about it. We even got a call about one visiting somebody's doorbell cam and, you know, that helped direct us to the nests and take them out.” — Eric Spieschager [04:20]
The eradication efforts have been crucial in protecting honeybee populations and safeguarding agricultural interests. British Columbia authorities, where the hornet was first identified in 2019, also confirmed its eradication earlier this year.
Stock Market Update
In financial news, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw an increase of 140 points, reaching a total of 42,467.
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