NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-04-2025 6PM EST

Episode Date: January 4, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Family, friends, and members of the military gathered at a memorial service to honor the late President Jimmy Carter in Atlanta tonight. The former president's grandson, Jason Carter, spoke about his grandfather's legacy. Celebrating this incredible life and a life that I think we can all agree is as full and powerful as any life can be. As someone said, it's amazing what you can cram into a hundred years. President Carter's funeral motorcade started in southern Georgia today where he was born

and raised on a farm in Plains. The procession is scheduled to arrive in Washington D D.C. on Tuesday, where he will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol building. His official state funeral will be held at the National Cathedral on January 9. Intentional vehicular attacks, like the one that killed 14 people in New Orleans this week, are not new. NPR's Emma Bowman reports they become a more frequent tactic used by terrorist groups and individuals in major Western cities.

Emma Bowman, NPR News, New Orleans, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New

York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New around the temporary barricades that were in place. The attack has been a wake-up call for both public safety officials and private companies, said Brian Stevens with consultancy Tenio. He helps businesses mitigate these kinds of threats.

I am hearing from a lot of clients and a lot of partners that they have the need to revisit what they've done in the past. University of Iowa law professor Greg Schill says, reducing car dependency in cities could help but that even modest proposals to pedestrianize a street are often met with fierce opposition. He says it's a complex problem with no cut and dried solution. Emma Bowman, NPR News. Ceasefire talks to end the war in Gaza

have resumed. NPR's Carryary Kahn reports negotiations have stalled in recent weeks, with both sides blaming each other for a lack of a deal. In a rare video statement in English posted on social media, senior Hamas leader Bassem Naim says Palestinians in Gaza are suffering greatly under endless Israeli airstrikes. He called for a permanent ceasefire now to secure. And deliver the necessary needs to confront the tragic circumstances, especially in the face of the cold winter season.

Israel says Hamas is holding up a deal and has not released a full list of hostages it is holding in Gaza, along with other demands. It says any ceasefire must be temporary. National Security Advisor John Kirby says the U.S. will stay engaged in the talks until President Biden leaves office later this month. Kari Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. This is NPR News. Jeff Baena has died. The film director, screenwriter and husband of actress Aubrey Plaza was found dead at his home in Los Angeles yesterday. He was 47 years old. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports the Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the cause of his death.

Jeff Baena's family has not confirmed the filmmaker's death, but a medical examiner's death certificate lists a man with Boehner's name and date of birth dying at a residence in Hollywood. According to a spokesperson for the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office, the cause and manner of death have yet to be determined. Boehner is best known for directing indie films like The Little Hours and for co-writing I Heart Huckabees. He frequently collaborated with actress and producer Aubrey Plaza. The longtime couple got married in 2021. Plaza has not yet publicly commented about the death. Bayner was born in Miami in 1977. He graduated from

New York University and worked for filmmakers Robert Zemeckis and David O. Russell. Chloe Veltman, NPR News. A large part of the country is preparing for a major winter storm. The National Weather Service says the system is expected to move into the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic states on Sunday after dumping heavy snow and ice today in the central plains. Heavy snowfall is expected from central Kansas to Ohio and its warning of blizzard conditions. The storm could make travel extremely difficult in some areas and could impact air travel. I'm Windsor Johnston, and you're listening to NPR News

from Washington.