NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-04-2025 9PM EST

Episode Date: January 5, 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 in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The late President Jimmy Carter is lying in repose in Atlanta. Steve Futterman reports the first of six days of tributes and services honoring the nation's 39th president got underway today in Georgia. The day started with Carter's flag-draped casket being carried to a hearse by current and former members of his Secret Service entourage.

Then a motorcade with a very emotional stop in front of Carter's boyhood home in Plains. The old bell in front of the home rang 39 times to honor the 39th president. The motorcade later headed to Atlanta to stop in front of the state capitol. There was a moment of silence. Then finally to the Carter Center. For a short service to place, Carter's son Chip spoke. There was a lot of love on the side of the road. Every overpass had people on it. The Morehouse College Glee Club then sang, Carter's body will lie in repose at the center until Tuesday.

For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Atlanta. The largest joint military base in the nation is increasing security in the wake of attacks that occurred on New Year's Day in New Orleans and Las Vegas. Texas Public Radio's Jerry Clayton has more. The Pentagon has suspended the Trusted Traveler program, which allowed some vehicles to pass through security gates at military installations without undergoing normal security screens. A social media post from Joint Base San Antonio states that 100% ID checks will be enforced

for all personnel and visitors entering any JBSA location. All vehicle occupants must show ID. The suspension of the Trusted Traveler Program affects several military bases in the US and comes in the wake of two attacks, one in New Orleans and another in Las Vegas on New Year's Day. Both were carried out by persons connected to the U.S. military.

JBSA employs around 90,000 military and civilian personnel. I'm Jerry Clayton in San Antonio. A federal appeals court struck down the FCC's net neutrality rules. NPR's Emma Bowman reports the ruling ends a 20-year push to regulate Internet service providers like a public utility. The the Obama administration. Without the regulations in place, phone and internet companies have the power to block or favor some content over others. It's a largely partisan issue that has found Democrats on the side of net neutrality in an effort to hold internet providers more accountable for offering fast, safe, and reliable internet for all.

Incoming FCC Chair Brendan Carr celebrated the court's decision and said he would continue to work to unwind the Biden administration's regulations. Emma Bowman, NPR News. This is NPR. 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 Boehner'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. Boehner 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 storm 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 it's warning of blizzard conditions. The storm could make travel extremely difficult in some areas and could impact air travel. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News in Washington. 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.