NPR News: 12-20-2024 12AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 20, 2024 | 12AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens
Author: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. U.S. House Rejects Last-Minute Spending Plan to Avert Government Shutdown

Timestamp: [00:19] – [00:39]

The U.S. House of Representatives has dismissed a last-minute spending proposal aimed at preventing a government shutdown. In an unexpected move, several Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the plan. The White House has sharply criticized the decision, labeling the rejected plan as a "giveaway for billionaires."

Asma Khalid of NPR reports:

"House says President Biden supported an earlier version of the plan, a bipartisan deal to keep the government open. That deal was upended on Wednesday by President-elect Donald Trump and his close advisor Elon Musk, who also happens to be the wealthiest person in the world." ([00:39])

Key Points:

• The rejected spending plan was initially backed by President Biden.
• Influence from President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk played a role in the plan's downfall.
• White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre condemned Republicans for prioritizing billionaire interests over American workers.
• The plan included provisions to lower prescription drug costs and make it more difficult to offshore jobs to China.
• If no agreement is reached, government shutdown operations are set to begin at midnight Friday.

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2. Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Slaying Faces Charges in New York

Timestamp: [01:21]

The investigation into the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has taken a significant turn. The suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, has been relocated to New York and is now facing multiple charges, including murder. Mangione was arrested days after the December 4th attack in Manhattan and is currently held without bail.

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3. FAA Bans Drone Flights Over New Jersey Critical Infrastructure

Timestamp: [01:53] – [02:32]

In response to a surge in drone sightings near critical infrastructure sites, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a temporary ban on drone flights over more than a dozen locations in New Jersey for the next 30 days. This measure aims to enhance public safety amidst rising concerns.

Joel Rose of NPR explains:

"Homeland Security officials continue to insist there's no threat to public safety, but say the restrictions are being issued out of an abundance of caution. Authorities say the vast majority of reported unexplained drone sightings are actually manned aircraft or commercial and hobbyist drones." ([01:53])

Additional Insights:

• The FAA's action is precautionary, addressing the increasing number of drone-related incidents.
• There has been a notable rise in individuals pointing lasers at airplanes, a practice deemed illegal and dangerous by the FAA.
• Despite the FAA's measures, Homeland Security maintains that there is no immediate threat to public safety.

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4. U.S. Announces $230 Million Aid Package for Sudan Amid Crisis

Timestamp: [02:32] – [03:06]

Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the United Nations, unveiling a substantial aid package worth $230 million aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in war-torn Sudan.

Antony Blinken stated:

"We continue to see war crimes and crimes against humanity committed across vast parts of Sudan. In Zamzam, people have resorted to eating grass and peanut shells. By some estimates, a child dies every two hours for lack of food." ([02:49])

Details of the Aid Package:

• Funds will cover essential needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare.
• An additional $30 million is allocated to support Sudan's transition back to democratic governance.
• The aid responds to ongoing atrocities and severe shortages affecting the population, particularly in the northeast African nation.

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5. Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Upper Midwest

Timestamp: [03:06]

A significant winter weather system is currently impacting parts of Minnesota and North Dakota, bringing heavy snow, ice, gusty winds, and bitter cold. The Twin Cities area is expected to receive up to 7 inches of snow. Additionally, the National Weather Service has forecasted another storm that will bring light to moderate snowfall to the Northeast overnight into Saturday.

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6. New York Mandates Heat Protection Measures in Schools

Timestamp: [03:57]

In response to increasing incidents of extreme heat during the school year, New York has enacted new legislation requiring schools to implement heat protection measures.

Rebecca Redelmeier from WSKG reports:

"The new legislation requires New York schools to take action if classroom temps reach 82 degrees. That means turning on fans or providing water breaks. If classrooms reach 88 degrees, schools must take steps to relocate students and staff." ([03:57])

Key Highlights:

• The law mandates immediate action when classroom temperatures hit 82°F, including the use of fans and water breaks.
• At 88°F, schools must relocate students and staff to cooler areas.
• This move aligns New York with states like California, Minnesota, and Nevada, which already have similar heat protection laws.
• Research indicates that excessively warm classrooms hinder student learning, and many schools lack adequate air conditioning.

Support from Educators:

• New York's largest teachers' union has welcomed the legislation, acknowledging its importance for student well-being and educational outcomes.

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7. Amazon Workers Strike, Yet Holiday Deliveries Unaffected

Timestamp: [04:36]

Despite a strike by union workers at seven Amazon facilities in Ithaca, New York, the company assures that holiday deliveries will remain on schedule. The strike emerged after workers alleged that Amazon ignored a Sunday deadline for contract negotiations, leading to the establishment of picket lines.

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8. U.S. Futures Dip Following Thursday's Wall Street Losses

Timestamp: [04:36]**

U.S. futures are trending lower in after-hours trading, reflecting declines on Wall Street following Thursday's market losses. Investors remain cautious amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

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Notable Quotes

• Karine Jean Pierre, White House Press Secretary:

  "Republicans are doing the bidding of their billionaire benefactors at the expense of hardworking Americans and breaking their word to support a bipartisan agreement that would lower prescription drug costs and make it harder to offshore jobs to China." ([00:39])

• Antony Blinken, Secretary of State:

  "We continue to see war crimes and crimes against humanity committed across vast parts of Sudan. In Zamzam, people have resorted to eating grass and peanut shells. By some estimates, a child dies every two hours for lack of food." ([02:49])

• Rebecca Redelmeier, WSKG:

  "The new legislation requires New York schools to take action if classroom temps reach 82 degrees. That means turning on fans or providing water breaks. If classrooms reach 88 degrees, schools must take steps to relocate students and staff." ([03:57])

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of critical national and international issues, ranging from political developments in Washington and legal proceedings in New York to significant humanitarian efforts in Sudan and pressing environmental concerns in educational settings. The segment highlighted the interplay between policy decisions and their real-world impacts, providing listeners with insightful analysis and up-to-date information on events shaping the world.

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For more detailed coverage, visit NPR News Now.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

LIVE from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. The U.S. house has rejected a new last minute spending plan to avert a government shutdown. Dozens of Republicans join Democrats in against the plan. The White House blasted it as a, quote, giveaway for billionaires. As NPR's Asma Khalid reports, the White.

[Asma Khalid]

House says President Biden supported an earlier version of the plan, a bipartisan deal to keep the government open. That deal was upended on Wednesday by President elect Donald Trump and his close advisor Elon Musk, who also happens to be the wealthiest person in the world. In a statement, White House press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre said Republicans are doing the bidding of their billionaire benefactors at the expense of hardworking Americans and breaking their word to support a bipartisan agreement that would lower prescription drug costs and make it harder to offshore jobs to China. If Congress cannot reach a deal, the government will begin shutdown operations at midnight Friday. Asma Khalid, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

The suspect in the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is now in New York where he's facing murder and other charges. 26 year old Luigi Mangione was transferred from Pennsylvania where he was arrest days after the December 4th attack in Manhattan. He's being held without bail. In New Jersey, federal regulators are temporarily barring drone flights over critical infrastructure at more than 20 locations, as NPR's Joel Rose reports. This comes amid a flurry of drone sightings that have raised concerns.

[Joel Rose]

The Federal Aviation Administration is temporarily prohibiting drone flights over critical infrastructure at more than a dozen locations in New Jersey for the next 30 days. Homeland Security officials continue to insist there's no threat to public safety, but say the restrictions are being issued out of an abundance of caution. Authorities say the vast majority of reported unexplained drone sightings are actually manned aircraft or commercial and hobbyist drones. Still, mounting speculation and concerns about drones have prompted a dramatic spike in the number of people in the area pointing lasers at airplanes flying overhead, the FAA said, which is illegal and potentially dangerous. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[Shea Stevens]

In remarks to the United Nations Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a $230 million aid package for war torn Sudan. Blinken says a humanitarian crisis continues to play out amid atrocities across vast parts of the northeast African nation.

[Antony Blinken]

We continue to see war crimes and crimes against humanity committed across vast parts of Sudan. In Zamzam, people have resorted to eating grass and peanut shells. By some estimates, a child There dies every two hours for lack of food.

[Shea Stevens]

Blinken says the U.S. aid package includes funding for food, shelter and health care, plus $30 million to help Sudan transition back to a democratic form of government. This is NPR News. A winter weather advisory remains in effect for parts of the nation's upper Midwest. A powerful weather system is dumping heavy snow, ice, gusty winds and bitter cold on parts of Minnesota and North Dakota. The Twin Cities could receive up to 7 inches of snow. The National Weather Service says another storm will bring light to moderate snowfall to the Northeast overnight and into Saturday. New York will soon require schools to relocate students if classroom temperatures become too hot. As Rebecca Redelmeier from member station WSKG reports, the move comes amid an increase in the number of days of sweltering heat during the school year.

[Rebecca Redelmeier]

The new legislation requires New York schools to take action if classroom temps reach 82 degrees. That means turning on fans or providing water breaks. If classrooms reach 88 degrees, schools must take steps to relocate students and staff. A few states, such as California, Minnesota and Nevada, also have heat protection laws that apply to schools, but there are no federal regulations for this. Researchers have found that students don't learn as well in hot classrooms, but in New York and nationwide, many schools have limited access to air conditioning. New York's largest teachers union has welcomed the new legislation. For NPR News, I'm Rebecca Redelmeier In.

[Shea Stevens]

Ithaca, N.Y. amazon says a strike by union workers will not impact deliveries over the holidays. Workers set up picket lines at seven Amazon facilities early Thursday, claiming that the online retailer ignored a Sunday deadline for contract talks. US Futures are lower in after hours trading on Wall street following Thursday's losses. This is NPR.

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