NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-12-2025 11PM EST

Episode Date: January 13, 2025

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Matt Wilson spent years doing rounds at children's hospitals in New York City. I had a clip-on tie. I wore Heelys, size 11. Matt was a medical clown. The whole of a medical clown is to reintroduce the sense of play and joy and hope and light into a space that doesn't normally inhabit. Ideas about navigating uncertainty. That's on the TED Radio Hour podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. In Los Angeles, where much of the area has been devastated by wildfires since Wednesday, they're now bracing themselves for a new series of Santa Ana winds, Steve Futterman reports. The increased winds, which are by far the biggest concern

right now, are in the forecast through Wednesday. LA County Fire Chief Anthony Morrone. These winds will keep the fire threat in Los Angeles County very high. Fire crews are getting ready for any new fires. Ryan Wimmer with CAL FIRE has been examining fire hydrants. I was just double checking, making sure that that hydrant here along the main road is in service and available for use. I want to make sure our people have the resources they need to be successful. The strongest of the winds are forecast for Tuesday. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles. The LA County Medical Examiner's Office meanwhile says it's

investigating 24 deaths from the fires in and around Los Angeles. That's a 50% increase in total over Saturday's numbers. Most of those deaths have come in the Eaton Fire. Animal rescue groups are transporting hundreds of dogs and cats out of fire-devastated California. As Elise Hue reports, it's part of an effort to relieve local animal shelters that are being overwhelmed by ongoing Los Angeles County fires. From cats and birds to tortoises and horses, a network of rescue groups are caring for animals throughout the Los Angeles area.

But all these pet evacuees need space. To make room at Kennels, a multi-state operation is underway to transport adoptable pets to other states. Brittany Thorn heads the nonprofit Best Friends Animal Society. Over the past three days, we have done ground transport and a flight to Utah. Yesterday we loaded up about over a hundred animals to get on a plane. Californians available to foster cats and dogs have also stepped up to alleviate capacity at shelters. For NPR News, I'm Elise Hue in Los Angeles.

Deductions for state and local taxes or SALT as Congress now refers to them, are on the table. As House Republicans tackle new federal tax legislation, NPR's Luke Garrett has the details. Representative Mike Lawler of New York met with Trump on Saturday to talk taxes. Here's Lawler on Fox News. The only red line I have is that if there is a tax bill that does not lift the cap on SALT, I would not support that. SALT deductions allow some taxpayers to deduct state and local taxes from their federal tax

payments. The issue is a sticking point for a number of House Republicans and underlines their fragile majority in the House. Lawler worries crafting two separate bills on taxes and immigration will lead to legislative chaos. I fundamentally believe that is best accomplished in one bill because the reality is our margin in the House is too small to screw around. Last week, Trump met with Senate Republican leaders who favor two bills.

Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington. And you're listening to NPR News. Saudi Arabia is asking top European diplomats to lift sanctions against Syria. They say it will help that country to rebuild after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in December. The US and European countries have been reluctant to lift those sanctions because of concern over the Islamist roots of Syria's new leaders. European leaders say removing sanctions depends on the progress of the political transition and what form the new government takes. Officials in Georgia are urging Metro Atlanta commuters to use caution as they drive throughout the day following a recent snowfall in that state. For Member Station WABE in Atlanta, Dormiah Vance has more. More than two inches of snow fell Friday morning in the metro Atlanta region creating icy roads

for drivers. Power outages and flight delays from the winter storm lasted into the weekend. But by Sunday, warmer temperatures and sunny skies were helping melt remaining ice on the roads. Temperatures today are also expected to help with melting. Still, officials with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency say drivers should use caution on their commutes as slick spots may persist. Temperatures are expected to reach a high in the mid-40s, later dropping below freezing by the evening. For NPR News,

I'm Dormai Evans in Atlanta. Jalen Hurts threw two touchdown passes in his first game since a late-season concussion as the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers in a wild card game on today 22 to 10, Hertz threw for 131 total yards and an Orchard Park, New York, Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and James Cook scored on a five yard run as the Bills beat Denver 31 to seven. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News. The Indicator is a podcast where daily economic news is about what matters to 7. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.