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Episode Date: January 7, 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 Jack Spear. Congress has certified the 2024 election for Donald Trump as NPR's Miles Parks reports the proceedings were routine and calm, a clear contrast to four years ago. In 2021, more than 100 Republican lawmakers objected to the presidential election results, all motivated by Donald Trump's lies about the election process. This time around, not

a single lawmaker objected during the certification. As president of the Senate, Vice President Kamala Harris oversaw the counting of the electoral votes and the certification of the election she lost. Donald J. Trump of the state of Florida has received 312 votes. Kamala D. Harris... Kamala D. Harris of the state of California has received 226 votes. Trump will be inaugurated in two weeks on January 20th. Miles Parks and PR News Washington. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says after nearly a decade in power, he has decided

to resign once a new leader for his Liberal Party's chosen, Trudeau's decision coming amidst rising discontent over his leadership and growing turmoil within his government, including the abrupt resignation of his finance minister. Trudeau in making the announcement said that internal battles mean he cannot be the best option in the next election. A spring election is almost a certainty, with Canada's parliament suspended until March. The Biden administration is granting a higher security threat rating for Mardi Gras in New Orleans after a deadly New Year's attack. MPR's Debbie Elliott reports the city had asked for the upgrade after a man who had

proclaimed support for ISIS rammed a truck into Rebblers on Bourbon Street killing 14 people and injuring dozens more. New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell sought the highest potential threat designation. It's used for events with national or international importance that require extensive federal interagency support. She's also asking the White House to provide a tactical expert to review the city's security plans. Mardi Gras season is underway and the Super Bowl comes to New Orleans next month. City leaders are facing scrutiny for not completing repairs to safety barriers in the French

Quarter before New Year's. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrell is ordering a state investigation into security plans to determine what was done and not done and what needs to change. Debbie Elliott, NPR News. Biden is in New Orleans this evening providing support to victims and their families. Nipah and Steel in US Steel have filed suit challenging the Biden administration's decision to block their proposed nearly $15 billion merger.

Companies in a separate lawsuit also alleged the head of another steel company, Cleveland Cliffs, along with the leader of the United Steelworkers Union worked together to scuttle that deal. On Wall Street a mix closed today the Dow was down 25 points to the Azdak up 243. This is NPR. A judge has found Rudy Giuliani in contempt of court for failing to properly respond in his 148 million dollar defamation case. Judge says the former New York City mayor and one-time personal lawyer for President-elect Donald Trump has failed to properly reply to requests he turn over property he owes

help pay two Georgia election workers who won their defamation case against him. Lawyers representing the poll workers say Giuliani has ignored orders to give up, among other things, his Manhattan apartment and Mercedes convertible and valuable sports memorabilia. A winter storm has dumped snow across large swaths of the U.S., including the Midwest and the South, as Louisville Public Media's April Rickard reports. It's the most snow the Louisville and southern Indiana region has seen in years.

In Jeffersonville, Judith and Fabio Suarez were pretty well-stocked, but Monday morning, they had to venture out for water. Judith is used to this. She's lived in areas that see a lot colder weather. For Fabio, who grew up in Brazil, it was a new experience. But I really like it. We went sledding.

That hill right there is perfect for sledding. And yeah, I actually really like it. I'm looking outside all the time and being like, oh, it's so pretty. State and local officials activated travel warnings and states of emergency related to the storm. And the snow is expected to stick around with temperatures below freezing predicted into the weekend. For NPR News, I'm April Rueckert in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Critical futures prices eased somewhat in volatile trading today. Oil down 40 cents a barrel or roughly one half of one percent to end the session at $73.56 a barrel in New York. I'm Jack Spear, 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.