NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-05-2025 3PM EST

Episode Date: January 5, 2025

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Nora Rahm Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. In New Orleans, federal, state and local officials held a news conference today on their investigation in the attack early on New Year's Day. A man identified as Shamsuddin Jabbar drove a pickup truck into a crowd killing 14 people. He was shot dead by police. The FBI special agent in charge, Lionel Murrthal, says Jabbar had visited New Orleans in October. He was in town at least two days. During that time, Jabbar, using meta glasses, recorded

a video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle. He said meta glasses look like regular glasses, but allow the user to record video and photos hand-free. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is calling for a swift confirmation process of President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet picks following the terrorist attack in New Orleans, but Thune is holding off on publicly endorsing members of Trump's security team. NPR's Luke Garrett reports. Luke Garrett, NPR Newsreel Reporter, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times Senator John Thune of South Dakota points to the attack on Bourbon Street as reason

to get Trump's security cabinet picks confirmed and fast. We're going to get the president, his people as quickly as possible. Trump has tapped Cash Patel to lead the FBI, an agency that investigates domestic terrorism. Patel says he'd shut down the FBI headquarters in D.C. on day one and send agents across the country. NBC's Kristen Welker asked Senate Majority Leader Thune if Patel is the right pick. I think that he understands what his mission would be if he is successful in getting confirmed to that position at the FBI. Thune says Patel could rebuild trust in the FBI but withheld a public endorsement.

Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington. Tomorrow is January 6th when Congress convenes to certify the results of the November election. No problems are expected this time. Four years ago, supporters of then-President Trump stormed the Capitol to disrupt the proceedings, falsely claiming that Joe Biden did not win. Supporters and opponents of impeached South Korean President Yoon Sung-yeol

held vigils outside his residence overnight amid his stalemate. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports that Yoon's security detail thwarted attempts to arrest him Friday. Police separated the two opposing camps of protesters who braved snow and freezing temperatures and shut down a major north-south artery in Seoul on Sunday. The week-long arrest warrant for Yoon is valid through Monday, but it's not clear if prosecutors and police will make another attempt to arrest Yoon. Yoon has defied three summonses to appear

for questioning on charges of insurrection related to his brief imposition of martial law on December 3rd. Yoon sought a court injunction against the warrant but the court rejected his request. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to discuss the ongoing crisis on a visit to Seoul Sunday and Monday. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul. This is NPR News in Washington. Residents of Santa Cruz are celebrating the reopening of their wharf, two weeks after record swells battered the California coast and sheared off 150 feet of the wooden pier. Nick Altenberg from member station KQED reports. The wharf was bustling with people just hours after reopening Saturday.

The nearly half-mile pier is important for the local economy and beloved by locals. The section that broke off was in the middle of repairs stemming from damage caused by last winter's storms. Norm Daley is one of three workers who were inspecting the repair work when nearly 20-foot waves picked up the end of the pier and tore it off. He says the effects of climate change present a challenge for the city. I think the wharf is well suited to survive most impacts. It's hard to tell exactly what those impacts are going to be. But in the moment the wharf is 100% safe.

City leaders say the wharf may need to be reimagined with climate change top of mind. For NPR News, I'm Nick Altenberg in Santa Cruz, California. The Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta will be open around the clock until Tuesday morning to give members of the public the chance to pay their last respects to Jimmy Carter, who is lying in repose. Jason Carter said his grandfather may be gone, but his work continues. And to the people at the Carter Center, you continue the vibrant living legacy of what is my grandfather's life's work, really. Carter's to lie in state this week at the

Capitol Rotunda in Washington before his funeral Thursday morning. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.