NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-05-2025 6PM EST

Episode Date: January 5, 2025

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Amy Held, NPR News in Washington. President Biden will be in New Orleans tomorrow to pay tribute to the 14 people killed and dozens injured in a New Year's Day attack. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports the FBI says the man who rammed a truck into Revelers on Bourbon Street after pledging his allegiance to ISIS had recently visited the city at least twice. Debbie Elliott, NPR News in Washington. The FBI is giving a more detailed timeline of Shamsuddin Jabbar's

activities ahead of the deadly attack. New Orleans special agent in charge Lionel Murthel says Jabbar made trips to the city in October and November, seemingly scouting his target. During that time Jabbar, using meta glasses, recorded a video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle. Metaglasses appear to look like regular glasses but they allow a user to record videos and photos hand-free. Agents say the evidence still indicates that Jabbar acted alone but they're unsure why he targeted New Orleans. Debbie Elliott, NPR News. Millions are in the path of a major New Orleans Debbie Elliott NPR news Millions are in the path of a major US winter storm NPR's Chandeliers duster has more

Winter storm warnings are in effect with snow ice and freezing rain already falling in Great Plains states Washington DC will see snow starting Sunday evening Wintry weather is causing weather travel conditions. Kansas Trooper Ben Gardner says to more than 200 calls fo since saturday morning. A crash. We have first res and responding to calls t

out here trying to get th salting and blading the r continue to do so as the storm moves through our state. Officials are warning those in the path of the storm to stay home and follow weather alerts. Chandelis Duster, NPR News. Despite a D.C. snow emergency, Congress is set to meet to certify President-elect Donald Trump's election win tomorrow.

Later, the Senate is also set to hold confirmation hearings for Trump's cabinet picks. And Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is still meeting with skeptical senators. NPR's Luke Garrett has this report. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana says he hasn't made up his mind on R.F.K. Jr. as HHS secretary. Cassidy, who was a medical doctor, tells Fox News Sunday he plans to interview Kennedy this week. I agree with him on some things and disagree on others. The food safety, I think the ultra-process food is a problem. Vaccinations he's wrong on.

Before entering politics, Cassidy created a free immunization program in the Baton Rouge area that vaccinated tens of thousands of children and adults against hepatitis B. R. F. K. Jr. ran for president as an independent and campaigned against vaccine use. But after the election, Kennedy told NPR, quote, We are not going to take vaccines away from anybody, end quote. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington. This is NPR News. The national tribute for the late President Jimmy Carter moves to Washington this week after ceremonies in his home state of Georgia began this weekend. Tuesday, he will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol ahead of a national funeral service

Thursday, before Carter is brought to his final resting place in Plains, Georgia. The extended farewell traces Carter's journey from the Depression-era South all the way to the White House, the 39th president died December 29th at the age of 100. Residents of Santa Cruz, California are celebrating the reopening of their wharf, two weeks after record swells battered the coast and sheared off 150 feet of the wooden pier. But Nick Altenberg from member station KQED reports climate change means the wharf may still be vulnerable. 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 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. I'm Amy Held and this is NPR News.