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Episode Date: January 1, 2025

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The Indicator is a podcast where daily economic news is about what matters to you. Workers have been feeling the sting of inflation. So as a new administration promises action on the cost of living, taxes, and home prices, The S&P 500 biggest post-election day spike ever. Follow all the big changes and what they mean for you. Make America affordable again. Listen to The Indicator, the daily economics podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan.

Poland assumes the presidency of the European Union for the next six months with security at the top of its agenda. More details from the BBC's Sarah Rainsford. Poland inherits the EU presidency with its voice louder, more listened to in the bloc than ever. And its strong support for Ukraine will remain a top priority. The government here will continue to push Moscow to end its full-scale invasion, whilst pushing the EU to maximise military and financial aid to Kiev as Donald Trump is expected to

cut support from America. Poland also wants to increase the economic pressure on Russia by adding new sanctions and trying to stop it sidestepping those already in place. The BBC's Sarah Rainsford. 2025 means modest wage increases for millions of low paid workers across the country. 21 states in the District of Columbia are raising the minimum wage. Bruce Kohnweiser reports from New York which has one of the highest minimum rates in the District of Columbia are raising the minimum wage. Bruce Kohnweiser reports from New York, which has one of the highest minimum rates in the country. Workers across New York State will now see their hourly wages increase by 50 cents.

That means a minimum of $15.50 per hour. But here in New York City and three surrounding counties, workers will get at least $16.50 per hour. Wages were raised similarly at the start of 2024. Going forward, the minimum wage will be raised annually in accordance with the consumer price index, but the government will have opt-out options in the event of unusually bad budget circumstances. Across the country, Washington State now has the highest minimum wage at $16.66, while

California has upped its minimum to $16.50. For NPR News, I'm Bruce Convizor in New York. Valley fever cases are up 20 percent above last year's numbers in California. The disease can be fatal in the worst cases. It is still rare enough it is often misdiagnosed. NPR's Alejandra Burunda has more. Valley fever is caused by inhaling spores of a particular fungus that lives in dirt and soil. When the dirt gets disturbed, the fungus can fly into the air where people can

breathe it in. The disease was rare in California 20 years ago, but the fungus has spread and multiplied over that time, along with the number of cases. They've increased by a factor of six since the early 2000s, according to state health data. Scientists think the fungus' range is expanding because of climate change. It thrives in conditions like those the state has gone through in recent years, with extremely wet winters

coming on the heels of extreme drought. Alejandra Burunda, NPR News. President-elect Donald Trump says he will attend former President Jimmy Carter's funeral on January 9th at the Washington, D.C. National Cathedral. Speaking with reporters at a New Year's Eve party at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, he said, I'll be there. Mr. Trump had previously been critical of Mr. Carter. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. the IR News from Washington.

The people of Syria are welcoming 2025 with a sense of optimism after the unexpected collapse of the Al-Assad government and his fleeing to Moscow with his family. It's the first time in more than 50 years that Syrians have not been under the rule of the Assad family. Many in the capital of Damascus say they are celebrating, but they're cautiously optimistic that the rebels that overthrew Assad will be able to form a new government. New Year's Day will be packed with college football, including three games in the new playoffs.

NPR's Russell Lewis previews the quarterfinals. The day's first contest pits Texas against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. The Sun Devils snagged one of the four buys in the playoffs while Texas advanced to this game with a victory over Clemson. The Rose Bowl, host of the day's second quarterfinal, is a rematch of Big Ten powers Oregon and the Ohio State University. The top ranked Ducks are unbeaten this season, including a one point win over the Buckeyes. The third quarterfinal is in New Orleans. The Southeastern Conference champion Georgia Bulldogs will take on Notre Dame, which cruised over in-state rival Indiana to reach the Sugar Bowl.

This is the first year of the 12-team playoff, which expanded from four teams. The semifinals begin next week. Russell Lewis, NPR News. Authorities in New York City say they have identified the woman who was burned to death aboard a subway train car on December the 22nd. She is 57-year-old Debrina Kawam. City officials say at one time she

had worked for a pharmaceutical company but had recently lived in a homeless shelter. From Washington, this is NPR News. Support. What's in store for the music, TV, and film industries for 2025? We don't know, but we're making some fun, bold predictions for the new year. Listen now to the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR.