NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-02-2024 10AM EDT

Episode Date: November 2, 2024

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Today marks the fourth day in a row that Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will be campaigning in the same state. The two will be in North Carolina today, Harris in Charlotte and Trump in Gastonia and then Greensboro later in the evening. They each rallied supporters in the Milwaukee area last night. Housing costs are a top concern for many voters. NPR's Earl Walmsley reports that Trump and Harris have proposed different ideas for addressing the country's housing problems.

Harris and Trump agree on a few ideas to bring down housing costs, including building more homes, cutting red tape, and opening up some public lands for housing. Harris is calling for 3 million new homes, and tax credits that would encourage building more affordable apartments and starter homes. She also wants to give $25,000 in down payment assistance to first-time home buyers who qualify, though economists warn that those payments could push some home prices higher. Trump, meanwhile, says he will slash inflation to bring down mortgage rates. Many economists, though, say his proposals would drive inflation higher.

Laurel Wamslee, NPR News, Washington. US intelligence officials say a video that purports to show election fraud in Georgia is fake and the work of what they call Russian influence actors. The video shows a man claiming to be a Haitian immigrant talking about voting multiple times. A dual US-Russian national who lives in New Jersey has pleaded guilty to acquiring sensitive dual-use electronics for Russia's military and spy services. The case is part of the Justice Department's efforts to target individuals illegally supporting

Russia's war on Ukraine. MPR's Ryan Lucas reports. Vadim Yermolenko pleaded guilty to multiple criminal counts, including conspiracy to violate U.S. export controls and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. According to court papers, Yermolenko worked with a network of individuals under the direction of Russia's intelligence services to obtain advanced electronic components for Russia's military. U.S. officials say some of the components Yermolenko helped acquire can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons as well as quantum computing. He faces up to 30 years in prison.

The case was coordinated by a Justice Department task force focused on enforcing sweeping U.S. sanctions on Russia, following the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington. Federal jury last night delivered the first conviction of a Louisville, Kentucky police officer who was involved in the raid that killed Breonna Taylor. Her mother, Tamika Palmer, spoke outside the Courthouse after the jury convicted Brett Hankison of violating Taylor's civil rights by using excessive force. I'm grateful. I'm grateful to God. It took a lot of patience. It took a lot of time. 1,694 days. Hankison faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. He'll be sentenced in March. The same jury acquitted Hankison of violating the civil rights of three neighbors who lived in an

adjacent apartment that sustained gunfire. You're listening to NPR News. Some 64 million voters have cast their ballots early so far for this fall's election. And as MPH Hanze Lo Wang reports, today is the last chance for eligible voters in the swing state of North Carolina to vote early in person and get registered in this election. Eligible voters in North Carolina who missed last month's deadline for registering online or by mail to vote in this fall's election have hours left to sign up in person to cast a ballot before 3 p.m. Eastern. That's when early voting sites are set to close. In two other swing states, Michigan and Nevada, in-person

voter registration continues through Election Day. And in Wisconsin, Ellsworth voters who haven't signed up yet have one last chance on November 5th when they can register and vote at the polls. 19 other states plus Washington DC offers same-day voter registration on Election Day. If you're voting by absentee ballot and haven't returned it yet, it may be too late for it to be delivered on time by mail. Election officials are urging absentee voters to return their ballots at an official drop-off location in person. Hansi Lawong, NPR News. Iran's supreme leader is threatening Israel and the US with what he said would be a crushing response

over attacks on Iran and its allies. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke today in a video released by Iranian state media. He did not elaborate on the timing or scope of such an attack a week ago. Israel targeted military bases in other locations in Iran. The World Health Organization is resuming the emergency polio vaccination campaign for Palestinian children today, but only in Gaza City, as towns further north remain inaccessible World Health Organization is resuming the emergency polio vaccination campaign for Palestinian children today, but only in Gaza City, as towns further north remain inaccessible because of the Israeli siege in parts of the region, Israel says Hamas has regrouped there.

I'm Jai El-Snyder. This is NPR News.