NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-13-2025 11PM EST

Episode Date: January 14, 2025

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Okay, so does this sound like you? You love NPR's podcasts, you wish you could get more of all your favorite shows, and you want to support NPR's mission to create a more informed public. If all that sounds appealing, then it is time to sign up for the NPR Plus bundle. Learn more at plus.npr.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shae Stevens. The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County has now consumed nearly 40,000 acres. Fire crews spent Monday surrounding and containing the Palisades Fires, ahead of another big windstorm that's expected to hit the region in the next few days. NPR's Nate Perez says that wind gusts could reach up to 70 miles per hour.

Crews were able to make progress during a two-day break from heavy winds, but the Santa Ana winds are expected to return and likely continue until Wednesday. LA Fire Chief Kristen Crowley is warning people here not to let their guard down. We urge the public to stay diligent, to stay ready, as the danger has absolutely not passed. Please adhere to any evacuation warning and orders immediately and prioritize your safety. Things could improve by Thursday or Friday. That's when the winds are expected to power down dramatically, bringing cooler weather and higher humidity.

Nate Badez, NPR News, Los Angeles. The Biden administration says negotiators are close to a ceasefire deal in the Gaza War that could lead to the return of hostages. As NPR's Osama Khalid reports, the White House has been talking about this deal for several months. President Biden first outlined the proposal back in late May, but now his national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, is showing a renewed optimism. We are close to a deal and it can get done this week. I'm not making a promise or a prediction, but it is there for the taking and we are going to work to make it happen. The White House says it's been coordinating with the incoming Trump administration to present a united message to get the deal done as quickly as possible. The president-elect has said that if the hostages are not

released by his inauguration, quote, all hell will break out. Asma Khalid, NPR News, The White House. The US Supreme Court is refusing to hear a Utah case involving control of millions of acres of federal land. Details from NPR's Kirk Siegler. Utah's case was always considered a long shot. A litany of prior court rulings has upheld the federal government's right to own and manage federal public lands in the West.

But the current court's willingness to overturn precedent had legal experts saying Utah could have a shot. State Republican leaders who filed the suit say they're disappointed, but add they think federal land managers under the incoming Trump administration will be more favorable to the concerns of locals. Coal and oil and gas companies have accused the Biden administration of being too restrictive. Environmental groups say the Supreme Court's refusal will ensure that federal public lands in the West aren't sold off to developers.

Kirk Sigler, NPR News. The Supreme Court has also declined to hear a challenge to lawsuits seeking to hold the oil and gas industry liable for climate change. The companies say the suits present a serious threat to their industry. This is NPR News. The Biden administration is proposing export limits on advanced computer chips used in the development of artificial intelligence. The U.S. already restricts chip exports to China and to Russia.

The new restrictions would affect some 120 nations, including Mexico and Israel, if followed through by the next administration. Commerce Secretary Gina Vermondo said the move is needed to protect U.S. leadership in A.I. and other technologies, but some members of the chip industry have expressed concern that the new rules would limit access to existing chips that are tied to data centers and video games. The Labor Department says Meatpacker JBS has agreed to pay $4 million to help address child labor violations within the industry. Details from NPR's Scott Horsley.

The agreement comes after a government investigation found a JBS contractor illegally hired children to perform dangerous clean-up work overnight at the company's slaughterhouses in Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. JBS has agreed to include a zero tolerance policy towards child labor with contractors in the future and set up a hotline for reporting suspected violations. The company also agreed to provide scholarships and other assistance to young people and communities adversely affected by past employment practices. A Labor Department official says companies like JBS have enormous leverage to prevent

child labor. She credited the meatpacker for accepting responsibility and taking steps to remedy the problem. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. On Wall Street stocks closed mixed, the Dow Jones industrials gained 358 points, the Nasdaq lost 73. This is NPR News. The Indicator is a podcast where daily economic news is about what matters to you. 73. This is NPR News.