NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-02-2024 2AM EDT

Episode Date: November 2, 2024

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This message comes from Indiana University. Indiana University performs breakthrough research every year, making discoveries that improve human health, combat climate change, and move society forward. More at iu.edu slash forward. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are focusing much of their attention on the critical battleground state of Wisconsin with events there in Milwaukee Friday night. Earlier Harris was in Janesville. She was critical of Trump's record when it came to labor issues. He joked with a

billionaire buddy of his about the mass firing of striking workers. And while he was president, he lowered labor standards and made it easier for companies to break labor laws and then get federal contracts. Former President Barack Obama will be in Milwaukee Sunday at a rally trying to help Harris win that state's 10 electoral votes. In the swing state of North Carolina, the Republican National Committee is asking the state Supreme Court to weigh in on its legal challenge against the ballots of some U.S. citizens living abroad, including those in the military.

As NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reports, Republican groups have also been challenging the ballots of the overseas voters in Michigan and Pennsylvania. The Republican National Committee has been asking North Carolina's courts to order election officials to set aside the ballots of some overseas voters. Two lower courts said no,

including a state judge who pointed out there's no evidence that anyone has ever fraudulently claimed to be an overseas voter and voted in a North Carolina election. In Pennsylvania, a federal judge tossed a similar lawsuit brought by a group of House Republicans. The judge noted they challenged rules for registering overseas voters more than two years after they were released and after the state started mailing out ballots to eligible

military members and other U.S. citizens living abroad. Michigan's state judge reached out a similar lawsuit by the RNC calling it a quote 11th hour attempt to disenfranchise voters. Hansi Lawong, NPR News. A dual U.S. Russian national who lives in New Jersey is pleaded guilty to acquiring sensitive dual use electronics for Russia's military and spy services. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports. Vadim Yermolenko pleaded guilty to multiple

criminal counts including conspiracy to violate US 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. US 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. All three stock indexes closed the trading week down fractionally. Even with a 280-point rally on Friday, the Dow ended down. You're listening to NPR News. At least 205 people are dead and dozens remain missing after floodwaters swept through eastern Spain. NPR's Julia Simon reports

climate scientists see a connection to human-caused global warming. Climate change made this week's intense rainfall in Spain about 12 percent heavier and twice as likely, according to a rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution, an international network of scientists. A hotter atmosphere can hold more water vapor, which can make downpours more intense. In a town near Valencia, a year's worth of rain fell in just eight hours. Spain's floods also have a likely climate connection to super hot oceans. Global warming likely increased temperatures in the part of the Atlantic where most of the moisture contained in the storm originated. Global warming is mostly caused by humans burning oil, gas, and coal. Scientists say

using solar and wind energy plus big batteries can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Julia Simon, NPR News. A federal jury Friday night in Louisville, Kentucky convicted a former police detective of using excessive force. This during the 2020 police raid that left Breonna Taylor dead. The six-man, six-woman jury deliberated for more than 20 hours over three days before reaching a verdict against the former police officer Brent Hackeson. It was the second trial against the officer. In earlier trial last year, he was declared a mistrial. He was also on trial for using excessive force against a neighbor, and a jury found him not guilty on that charge.

From Washington, this is NPR News. Support for this podcast and the following message come from Autograph Collection Hotels, with over 300 independent hotels around the world, each exactly like nothing else. Autograph Collection is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotel brands. Find the unforgettable at autographcollection.com.