NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-31-2025 6AM EST

Episode Date: January 31, 2025

NPR News: 01-31-2025 6AM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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 Janene Herbst. Investigators have retrieved the flight data recorders from the American Airlines regional passenger jet that crashed with an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C. Wednesday, killing all on board both aircraft.

MPHR's Frank Langfit reports. Military helicopters are a common sight in the skies around Washington. At a news conference, National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman explained how they navigate the crowded airspace here. They're actually helicopter zones, if you will, or tracks, and this one was transiting, I believe, from track one to four as part of their normal procedure. Inman said the aircraft's recording devices should provide their altitude when they collided.

An important piece of data as investigators try to figure out what led to the crash that left 67 people dead. Frank Langford, NPR News, Reagan National. President Trump says without evidence, the Biden administration's DEI policies could be to blame for the crash. But Biden's former transportation secretary says Trump fired and suspended key safety personnel. Meanwhile,

in Wichita, people are grieving. Celia Hack from member station KMUW has more. CELIA HACK, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KMUW, KM service here, local elected officials and religious leaders spoke about rising above division and grief. Ryan Beatty, a Republican, is chair of the Sedgwick County Commission. All eyes are on Wichita in many regards. When they see Wichita, what I hope they see is they see a community rising above those conversations, kicking out politics. Wichita Mayor Lilly Wu, a Libertarian, said she was proud that residents from a diversity of backgrounds, religions and races came together at the prayer service to mourn.

For NPR News, I'm Celia Hack in Wichita. Cash Patel, President Trump's pick to run the FBI, made his case to lead the bureau at his contentious Senate confirmation hearing yesterday, trying to assure lawmakers he wouldn't pursue retribution of rivals. And here's Elena Moore reports. Cash Patel told senators that national security is at risk both internally and externally. If confirmed as the next FBI director, I will remain focused on the FBI's core mission. That is to investigate fully wherever there is a constitutional factual basis to do so."

Patel has argued the agency is mismanaged and has been politicized against Trump. Republicans on the Judiciary Committee have broadly backed Patel's pledge to make changes at the FBI, but Senate Democrats have urged him to clarify how he'll keep the agency independent. Some pressed him on past statements in which he appeared to sympathize with those previously incarcerated for rioting at the Capitol on January 6th. Patel said his words were taken out of context. Alaina Moore, NPR News. U.S. futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. Dow futures up about three-tenths of a percent. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. UPS says it will deliver fewer packages from its largest customer, Amazon.

Marlin Hyde from Member Station WABE reports the company says it's about profitability as UPS released its 2024 Q4 earnings report. UPS reported revenue of more than $25 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, a 1.5% increase from the previous year. The company says it plans to reduce volume with its largest customer, Amazon, by 50% in the second half of 2026. It's part of an initiative to cut costs and save UPS around $1 billion.

Here's CEO Carol Tome. Amazon is our largest customer, but it's not our most profitable customer. Its margin is very dilutive to the U.S. domestic business. UPS expects sales of about $89 billion for 2025. For NPR News, I'm Marlon Hyde in Atlanta. In California, a star-studded benefit took place last night, including Billie Eilish, to raise money for relief efforts for those affected by the devastating wildfires in and around Los Angeles.

Billie Crystal, who lost his home in Pacific Palisades, wore the same shirt that he was in when he fled his home. Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, and Olivia Rodrigo were among the entertainers taking the stage. The fires have destroyed more than 16,000 homes and businesses and killed at least 29 people. U.S. futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. I'm Janene Herbst, NPR News in Washington.