NPR News: 12-21-2024 3PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 21, 2024 | 3PM EST

Hosted by Dwahlisa Kautau

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Senate Passes Stopgap Funding Bill, Avoiding Government Shutdown

Timestamp: [00:18]

In a critical move to keep the government operational, the U.S. Senate approved the House-passed Stopgap funding bill, effectively avoiding a midnight shutdown and ensuring government functions continue until March 14. This decision came after a tumultuous week on Capitol Hill, marked by intense negotiations and political maneuvering.

Susan Davis reported on the intricacies of the bill:

"The slimmed-down agreement includes key provisions of the original bipartisan deal derailed by President Elect Donald Trump and billionaire businessman Elon Musk. It allocates approximately $100 billion for natural disaster recovery efforts and provides a one-year extension of federal farm programs."
[00:37]

The passage of the bill highlights the ongoing struggle over the debt ceiling. While House Republicans resisted President Trump's push for an unconditional increase in the nation's borrowing limit, they succeeded in excluding the first pay raise for lawmakers in 16 years from the final agreement.

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Ukraine Launches Drone Attacks Deep into Russia

Timestamp: [01:12]

In a significant escalation, Ukraine launched drone attacks targeting areas deep within Russia, specifically striking the city of Kazan, approximately 600 miles from the eastern front lines. Russian media reported damage to residential buildings, though fortunately, no casualties were reported.

Brian Mann provided detailed coverage from Kyiv:

"Ukraine's latest strike involved at least eight drones hitting Kazan, resulting in explosions that damaged both residential structures and an industrial facility. Meanwhile, Russia responded by sending over 100 drones into Ukrainian territory in the past 24 hours, all of which were either shot down or crashed due to electronic jamming."
[01:28]

The tension remains high as Russia continues its heavy missile strike on Kyiv, which last Friday resulted in the tragic death of a civilian. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly condemned the attack:

"This attack must not be perceived by the world as something routine."
[01:28]

Reports also indicated that the Kazan airport was briefly closed following the attacks but has since resumed operations, as confirmed by Reuters.

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Missouri Judge's Complex Ruling on Abortion Laws

Timestamp: [02:13]

In Missouri, a recent judicial ruling has stirred significant debate around abortion rights. A state judge struck down several restrictive abortion laws while allowing others to remain in effect, despite recent voter support for abortion rights.

Noah Taborda from KCUR delved into the implications:

"Missouri's overall abortion ban, one of the strictest in the country, remains on the books even after voters passed an abortion rights amendment to the state constitution. The judge determined that the ban is not enforceable but upheld certain licensing requirements that Planned Parenthood argues still impede access to abortions."
[02:38]

Planned Parenthood has announced that abortions are currently on hold as they assess their legal options in response to the ruling.

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FDA Bans Amanita Muscaria in Conventional Foods

Timestamp: [03:10]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that the Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric mushroom, no longer meets the safety standards for inclusion in conventional foods. This decision follows a comprehensive review of scientific evidence indicating that compounds within the mushroom may pose harmful effects, despite it not being classified as a controlled substance.

Amanita muscaria, recognizable by its dark red or orange cap adorned with white spots, has long been associated with Christmas folklore and winter rituals. Additionally, it is used in some psychoactive edibles, adding a layer of concern regarding its safety for public consumption.

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Unfavorable Forecast for White Christmas Across Most of the U.S.

Timestamp: [04:11]

As the holiday season approaches, the likelihood of a white Christmas appears bleak for the majority of the United States. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts that only specific regions will experience snowfall sufficient to blanket the ground.

Shonda Lisa Duster reported on the weather outlook:

"Parts of Northern California and Utah are expected to see a blanket of snow on Christmas Day, along with areas around the Great Lakes, New York, and northern New England. In contrast, the rest of the country is anticipated to enjoy milder temperatures than average."
[04:11]

Climate experts caution that warming temperatures could result in fewer white Christmases in the future. Notably, this year has been recorded as the warmest globally, further influencing weather patterns and snowfall expectations.

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For more detailed updates and continuous coverage, visit npr.org.

Transcript

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[Dwahlisa Kautau]

Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Dwahlisa Kautau. The Senate has approved the House Pass Stop Gap funding bill, avoiding a midnight shutdown and keeping the government running until March. The passage capped a tumultuous week on Capitol Hill. As NPR Susan Davis reports, the slimmed.

[Susan Davis]

Down agreement includes key provisions of the original bipartisan deal derailed by President Elect Donald Trump and billionaire businessman Elon Musk. It'll keep the government running until March 14, when Congress will have to do this all over again. The bill includes about 100 billion for natural disaster recovery efforts and a one year extension of federal farm programs. House Republicans rejected Trump's attempt to strong arm into the deal, an unconditional increase in the debt ceiling, the nation's borrowing limit, although he did succeed in removing from the final agreement the first pay raise for lawmakers in 16 years. Susan Davis, NPR News, Washington.

[Dwahlisa Kautau]

Ukraine launched drone attacks into Russia's interior early today, with Russian media and officials reporting damage to residential buildings in the city of Kazan. That's roughly 600 miles from the front lines. NPR's Brian Mann reports from Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.

[Brian Mann]

Much of the grimmest fighting is happening along the front lines in Ukraine's east, but Kyiv and Moscow are also bringing the war deep into enemy territory. Ukraine's latest strike hit Kazan, where local officials said at least eight drones struck the city. There were no casualties, but explosions hit residential buildings and an industrial facility. Russia, meanwhile, sent more than 100 drones into Ukrainian territory in the last 24 hours. All were shot down or crashed after being hit with electronic jammers. Russia did hit Kyiv with a heavy missile strike Friday, killing one civilian. In a statement, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, which he said must not be perceived by the world as something routine. Brian Mann, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Dwahlisa Kautau]

Reports out of Russia say the airport in Kazan was closed immediately after the drone attacks, but Reuters now reports operations are back up and running again. In a complex ruling, a Missouri judge has struck down some laws blocking abortion but allowed some others to stand. The ruling comes weeks after Missouri voters backed abortion rights on the ballot. Noah Taborda of member station KCUR reports. Planned Parenthood leaders say abortions are on hold for now.

[Noah Taborda]

Missouri's overall abortion ban, one of the strictest in the country remained on the books even after voters passed an abortion rights amendment to the state constitution. The judge found the ban is not enforceable, but she is allowing some abortion restrictions to stand. Those include some licensing requirements that Planned Parenthood says still block abortions from taking place. Planned Parenthood says in a statement that it is evaluating its legal options before proceeding. For NPR News, I'm Noah Taborta in Kansas City, Missouri.

[Dwahlisa Kautau]

And you are listening to NPR from New York City. Amanita muscaria, or the fly agaric mushroom, is known to surface under firs and spruce trees just before the winter solstice. The fungus usually has a dark red or orange cap with white spots. Thoughts on them and has long been associated to Christmas stories and winter rituals. It's popular in some psychoactive edibles, but now the Food and Drug Administration says this mushroom no longer meets their standards for use in conventional foods. The FDA made this decision after reviewing scientific evidence determining the mushroom compounds may be harmful, even though Amanita muscaria isn't listed as a controlled substance. Each year the holiday season brings with it visions of snow on the ground on Christmas morning. INPR's Shonda Lisa Duster reports on who will likely see a white Christmas this year and who likely will not.

[Shonda Lisa Duster]

The National Weather Service says the majority of the United States will not wake up to a white Christmas this year. The agency also says the last time a large portion of the US experienced a white Christmas was nearly 15 years ago. Parts of Northern California and Utah are forecast to see a blanket of snow on the ground on Christmas Day. Areas around the Great Lakes, New York and northern New England also have high chances of seeing snow. The National Weather Service says other parts of the country are expected to have temperatures that are milder than average on Christmas Day. Climate experts warn we could see fewer white Christmases because of warming temperatures. This year has been the warmest year on record globally. Chondelyse Duster, NPR News.

[Dwahlisa Kautau]

And I'm Dwahilisa Kaowtao in New York.

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