NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-03-2025 12AM EST

Episode Date: January 3, 2025

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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. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. The city of New Orleans reopened its famed Bourbon Street just one day after a driver drove a truck through the area killing 14 people and injuring many more. As member station WWNO's Hallie Parker reports, some people have already returned to party. Less than two days after the attack, live music sounded from local bars and clubs and tourists quickly started to return. More police are stationed throughout the city's historic French Quarter after officials promised to heighten security. For some, the

reopening was more somber. New Orleans native Melvin Jackson Jr. knew one of the 14 victims. Still devastating. It's like it's still surreal to have terrorism happen here in little old New Orleans. He walked down to Bourbon Street to pay his respects For NPR News, I'm Howie Parker in New Orleans The newly elected 119th Congress will be sworn in on Friday when Republicans will control both bodies for the first time since 2019 and in the house, they'll also be voting on a new speaker Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene is urging Republicans to once again vote in current speaker Mike Johnson. Well here's what I'm asking my colleagues to do. Let's put aside our pride, let's put aside our egos, and let's put aside the infighting. It's time to come together

as Republicans. Republicans will control the House by a small four-seat margin so unity is needed in order to avoid a protracted battle over the leadership position. With less than a month before president-elect Donald Trump takes office, China has added dozens of US companies to its export control list. Beijing says it's a step to safeguard China's national security interests. NPR's John Rooch has more on that story. China's commerce ministry added 28 US entities to an export control list, banning them from buying so-called dual-use items from China. That refers to things that can be used for civilian or military purposes.

Among the companies affected are major defense contractors, including General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing Defense. China also separately blacklisted 10 American firms for their role in military sales to Taiwan. Beijing considers the self-governed island a part of China and opposes regular U.S. weapons sales to it. The Chinese government has sanctioned U.S. defense contractors in the past. The practical effect has been limited because few do business with China, but analysts say

trade restrictions like the latest ones send a political signal. John Rewich, NPR News. Venezuela's government has announced a $100,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. Gonzalez claims to have defeated President Nicolas Maduro in last year's election. This latest development comes a week before Venezuela's next presidential term is set to begin. Gonzalez left for exile in Spain in September after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. This is NPR News.

Police in Southern California say two people died Thursday after a small plane crashed through the roof of a furniture manufacturing building. The crash caused a fire and prompted the evacuation of some 200 workers. Ten people were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries. Officials say they don't yet know if the two people who were killed were on the plane or in the factory. Dozens of people remain hospitalized after a deadly explosion of illegal fireworks at a home near Honolulu on Wednesday. Hawaii Public Radio's Pixie Clay reports that police have opened an investigation. People were gathered to ring in the New Year when a lit bundle of aerial fireworks fell

onto its side and shot into nearby crates of illegal fireworks, which set off the explosion just after midnight. Two women were pronounced dead at the scene. A third woman later died from her injuries. Some two dozen adults and several juveniles were transported to multiple hospitals by EMS in critical or serious condition with burns and shrapnel injuries. An unknown number of people with minor injuries were brought to hospitals via private vehicles. Honolulu Police Department's bomb unit recovered additional fireworks that did not explode from the home. For NPR News,

I'm Pixie Clay in Honolulu. Jaden Harrison returned to kick off 98 yards for a touchdown today as Notre Dame beat Georgia 23 to 10. Notre Dame now moves into the playoff semi-finals. Flags were at half-staff outside the Superdome as the game was played. It was delayed by a day because of the attack in the French quarter of New Orleans, and the flags were flown in honor of those who were killed in that incident. In tonight's other game, Ole Miss beat Duke by the score of 52 to 20. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. 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.