NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-04-2025 3PM EST

Episode Date: January 4, 2025

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Noor Rahm Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noor Rahm. The nation began six days of observance today for former President Jimmy Carter, who died last Sunday at the age of 100. A motorcade is bringing him to the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta to lie in repose. Marissa Mecki from member station WABE has more. Marissa Mecki The motorcade carrying the late president's remains is traveling today from

Americus, Georgia, stopping at Carter's Boyhood Farm in Plains, and then arriving in Atlanta. At Georgia's Capitol building, Governor Brian Kemp and other state leaders will honor Carter with a moment of silence. Then, Carter's remains will arrive at the Carter Presidential Center for a celebration of his life, including remarks from Carter's son, Chip Carter, and grandson Jason Carter. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects at the Carter Center beginning Saturday evening through early Tuesday morning. For NPR News, I'm Marisa Mecki in Atlanta.

Carter's remains will be brought to Washington next week to Lyon State in the Capitol Rotunda until his funeral Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral. President Biden is to deliver eulogy. For his final time as president, Biden awarded the Medal of Freedom today at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. It's the nation's highest civilian honor.

He called the recipients truly extraordinary people who gave their sacred effort to shape the culture and the cause of America. Collecting the people of different backgrounds, beliefs and talents from different generations and different genders using the remarkable gifts and unwavering passion to strengthen our resolve as one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Recipients included former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Bono, the frontman for the rock band U2, and Bill Nye, the science guy. Investigators are examining notes from a phone found in the Tesla cyber truck

that exploded in Las Vegas Wednesday. Joe Shaneman of member station KNPR reports. In a note-taking app, Matthew Littlesberger, an active duty special forces sergeant, complained about the country's leadership, said the explosion was not a terrorist attack and wrote quote, I needed to cleanse my mind of the brothers I've lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took. Las Vegas police sheriff Kevin Mcmahill said Littlesberger appeared to have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

So I think, A, we need to really pay attention to those individuals, pay attention to what mental health in America looks like, and I think this is just one more incident that brings that to the forefront. Police, the FBI and ATF all said they're still working to learn more about Littlesburger's motivation. For NPR News, I'm Joe Shaneman in Las Vegas. The FBI says it believes the man who drove a truck into a crowd in New Orleans on New Year's Day was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group.

He killed 14 people before he was shot dead by police. This is NPR News. The National Weather Service is predicting a major winter storm this weekend with heavy snow, significant ice, and freezing rain. The storm is expected to affect millions of residents in the eastern two-thirds of the country. Drivers who enter the busiest parts of Manhattan will soon have to pay more, the nation's first congestion toll.

From member station WNYC, John Campbell reports. The congestion toll is designed to reduce traffic and generate billions for New York City's public transit system. A federal judge cleared the way for the toll to take effect Sunday, rejecting a last-minute challenge from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. Jan O'Lieber chairs the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that runs New York City subways and buses. We're doing something to deal with the reality of the way that congestion is hurting our

city and costing people time and money. The toll will be $9 for passenger vehicles during peak hours and more for trucks and tour buses. An attorney for the New Jersey governor vowed to appeal. For NPR News, I'm John Campbell in New York. AMNA NAWAZ...German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he finds it worrying that billionaire Elon Musk supports the far-right Alternative for Germany party in that country's parliamentary election next month. Musk, an adviser to President-elect Trump, called Scholz a fool when his coalition government collapsed in November.

In a magazine interview published today, Schultz says there is nothing new in criticism by rich media entrepreneurs who do not appreciate social democratic policies. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News.