NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-16-2025 1PM EST

Episode Date: January 16, 2025

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This message comes from NPR sponsor Paramount Pictures new film September 5. Based on the true story of reporters covering the Munich Olympics, when the unthinkable happens, four outsiders will report from the inside, now playing in select theaters everywhere January 17th. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. TikTok is on the cusp of getting banned in the U.S., affecting tens of millions of users in this country alone. NPR's Bobby Allen reports on where the legal and political battle stands surrounding the Chinese-owned video sharing app, including the possibility of the Supreme Court stepping in. Bobby Allen Many of the 170 million Americans on TikTok are confused about what happens next, and

it's hard to blame them. The Supreme Court is set to rule soon on whether the divest or ban law stands. The justices appear likely to uphold the law, but will the court delay the start date? That remains to be seen. Also uncertain is whether TikTok will go dark on Sunday. There are mixed reports about that. And now the Washington Post is reporting that Trump is considering an executive order to save the Chinese-owned app, but it's not clear how because that order would not override an act of Congress. In short, TikTok's future is up in the air and the service being shut down is on the table. Bobbi Allen, NPR News. The U.S. Senate is holding more confirmation hearings today for cabinet nominees ahead

of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration Monday. One is Lee Zeldin, tapped to oversee the Environmental Protection Agency. The American people need leaders who can find common ground to solve the urgent issues we face. I want my daughters, your loved ones, and every child across our country to thrive in a world with clean air, clean water, and boundless opportunity. If confirmed, I pledge to enthusiastically uphold the EPA's mission. The former New York congressman is facing questions about the future of the EPA.

The Trump administration is widely expected to roll back many of President Biden's climate action policies. Other key nominees facing lawmakers today include Scott Besant, who's up for Treasury Secretary. It is a busy day for space billionaires, NPR's Jeff Brumfield tells us. Two rockets are being launched by two of the world's richest men. The first launch was of a rocket built by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. It took off from Florida in the early hours of the morning.

Lift off. Ah! Ha ha ha ha! Later today, Elon Musk's company SpaceX is scheduled to launch another massive rocket from Texas. Carissa Christensen is CEO of the space analysis firm Bryce Tech. She says these billionaires see these huge rockets as part of their legacy. Jeff Bezos talks about colonies orbiting the earth and Elon Musk of course talks about Mars as a destination. Both rockets may also be

used by NASA which may soon be run by another billionaire. President Trump has nominated entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead the agency. Jeff Brumfield, NPR News. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 16 points at 43,205. From Washington, this is NPR News. Now to Southern California, where more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed in wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Many of the structures destroyed are homes. One local artist is offering victims a free drawing of their house as a keepsake. For remember station KCRW,

Megan Jamerson has details. Asher Bingham was at a loss for words when she learned the fires destroyed the homes of several friends. So the illustrator began creating line drawings of each house as a gift. Word spread on social media and soon she had nearly 1,000 requests from strangers. She got to work. I can just create them a memory and maybe it's something slightly nice in this really horrific time. She now has the help of four other artists who are using photos and Google Earth to complete

the drawings. Some families told Bingham they lost everything, so this drawing will be the only keepsake they have. For NPR News, I'm Megan Jamerson in Los Angeles. New economic data out today show homebuyers on the hunt for affordable loans in a climate of high consumer prices are finding fixed mortgage rates hovering around 7% for 30-year loans. Freddie Mac notes it had not seen that since early May.

The housing finance giant also finds the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, popular with a lot of owners who want to refinance, is up to 6.27%. Mortgage rates have risen for five straight weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is now down slightly at 43.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.