NPR News Now: Episode Summary – December 30, 2024

Published on December 30, 2024

1. Passing of Former President Jimmy Carter

[00:19] Jeanine Herbst opens the episode with the poignant news that former President Jimmy Carter has passed away in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100 after nearly two years in home hospice care. Carter holds the distinction of being the longest-lived American president and the one who lived the longest post-office tenure.

[00:40] Ron Elving elaborates on Carter’s enduring legacy:

"Jimmy Carter left the White House in defeat in January 1981, handing the keys to the man who had defeated him, Ronald Reagan. But in a post-presidential career that spanned nearly four decades, Carter set a new standard for achievement by a former chief executive."

Elving highlights Carter's founding of the Carter Center in 1982, his extensive peacekeeping and hunger relief missions across more than 80 countries, and his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Despite battling liver and brain cancer in his later years, Carter remained active, teaching Sunday school and building houses with Habitat for Humanity into his 90s.

[01:28] Jeanine Herbst shares tributes from current leaders:

• President Joe Biden commends Carter as "a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism," expressing confidence that Carter and his late wife Rosalynn are reunited.
• President Elect Donald Trump conveys warm thoughts, stating, "He and Melania are thinking warmly of the Carter family at this difficult time."

2. Syria’s Path Forward Under New Leadership

[01:53] Dia Hadid reports on the comments made by Syria's new leader, Ahmed al Sharar, who took control after leading rebels to oust President Bashar al Assad in early December. Speaking to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya, Sharar outlined his vision for Syria’s future.

Sharar indicated that organizing elections could take up to four years due to the absence of a recent census and the need to draft a new constitution. He expressed his intention to hold a national conference with Syrian representatives to set the political agenda. Notably, Sharar stated:

"At the conference, I'll dismantle the group I lead, HTS or Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham."

He emphasized the transition from revolution to nation-building:

"The time of the Syrian revolution is over and the time of nation building has begun."

3. Opening of the 119th Congress and Speaker Contention

[02:39] Jeanine Herbst transitions to U.S. politics, noting that the 119th Congress is set to open on Friday. A primary agenda is the selection of a Speaker for the House of Representatives. Uncertainty looms over whether Rep. Mike Johnson can retain his position amid internal party tensions.

[03:01] Republican Congressman Mike Lawler addresses criticisms directed at the leadership:

"I'm not going to bend to their will. So if they think somehow that they are going to end up in a stronger position by removing Mike Johnson, they're not."

Lawler's stance reflects broader frustrations among hardline Republican lawmakers concerning Johnson's recent support for a short-term funding bill, suggesting potential challenges to his speakership.

4. Navigating the Holidays as a Caregiver for Dementia Patients

[03:12] The episode also touches on the emotional challenges faced by caregivers during the holiday season, particularly those caring for individuals with dementia.

[03:37] Stephanie Columbini from WUSF interviews Melissa Malone, a caregiver from Tampa, about her strategies for celebrating holidays with her late mother afflicted by dementia. Malone shares her thoughtful approach:

"Melissa Malone cooked her mom's favorite food and put on music and movies she grew up loving, just to jog any bit of memory that she had."

She emphasizes creating a comfortable environment:

"She didn't overwhelm her mom."

Malone also discusses practical methods to reduce confusion and maintain a positive atmosphere:

"Malone staggered guests' arrivals. They tried to stick to yes or no questions to limit confusion and didn't shame her if she said something that didn't make sense."

Additionally, Malone advises fellow caregivers to prioritize their well-being:

"Malone encourages caregivers to take breaks and ask for help when they need it."

5. Holiday Weekend Box Office Highlights

[04:13] Jeanine Herbst provides an overview of the weekend’s box office performance, highlighting three standout family films:

• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 leads with an estimated $38 million in ticket sales.
• Mufasa, a sequel to The Lion King, closely follows with $37 million.
• Hor Nosferatu, an R-rated film, surprises audiences with a robust $21 million, defying expectations for a Christmas release typically dominated by family-friendly blockbusters.

Herbst notes that releasing an adult-oriented film during the holidays was a calculated risk that successfully attracted the 18 to 34-year-old demographic.

6. Market Brief: US Futures Trading

[04:13] Briefly, Herbst touches on financial markets, mentioning that US futures contracts are trading lower, with Dow futures down by one-tenth of a percent.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on December 30, 2024. For full context and additional details, listeners are encouraged to tune in to the original podcast.