NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-06-2024 1AM EST

Episode Date: November 6, 2024

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Support for this podcast and the following message come from the NPR Wine Club, which has generated over $1.75 million to support NPR programming. Whether buying a few bottles or joining the club, you can learn more at nprwineclub.org slash podcast. Must be 21 or older to purchase. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. The race for the White House is being decided in the seven key swing states. According to the Associated Press, former President Donald Trump has now won Georgia

and North Carolina, but the outcome remains uncertain in Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. And NPR's Windsor Johnston has been watching Pennsylvania. Well, Giles, Pennsylvania has been one of the most closely watched states in this election and in past elections and it's a state that could still go either way. Both Canada's former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have been campaigning heavily for the Commonwealth in its 19 electoral votes. It's the biggest prize among the seven

swing states. County officials have been urging residents all day to remain patient because it will take some time to count the votes. Remember, this is one of two states that by law can't even start counting votes until election day. And just a short time ago, Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro spoke to the press saying that the goal is to get it right. I also want to respectfully ask all Pennsylvanians and Americans and those in the media who are interested in these election results to be patient. And in past elections, Democratic strongholds like Philadelphia and its surrounding counties have taken longer than other parts of the

state to report final results. So we'll keep a close watch on the state as the night goes on. All right. Thanks, Windsor. In the meanwhile, NPR has learned that Vice President Harris will not speak at a watch party tonight at Washington, D.C.'s Howard University. The Harris campaign says there are still votes to count in states that have not been called. She's now expected to speak tomorrow. Republicans have won back control of the Senate. The GOP won the majority with the re-election of Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer.

The party also flipped two Senate seats, including in West Virginia. Voters handed Republican Governor Jim Justice the open seat, being vacated by Democrat-turned-independent Joe Manchin in his victory speech, Justice took aim at the political climate on Capitol Hill. And we are divided like you can't imagine. It's a food fight all the time between Republicans and Democrats, absolutely all the time. Who's gonna one-up one another? We've gotten to where we can't even talk to one another. Law enforcement officials looking into bomb threats at polling sites and election offices.

Here's NPR's Hansi Lo Wong. Pennsylvania officials say the bomb threats pose no credible threat to the public, but they did result in building evacuations and state judges ordering voting hours to be extended in one part of the Philadelphia suburb of Chester County and in Clearfield County in central Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's Secretary of the Commonwealth, Al Schmitz Schmidt says investigation now involves both local and federal law enforcement. The threats were conveyed via email message to multiple counties in Pennsylvania. You're listening to NPR News. Florida voters have rejected adding abortion rights to the state

constitution keeping a ban on abortion after the first six weeks of pregnancy in place. Most voters supported the measure, but have failed to attract the required 60 percent, making it the first defeat of a statewide ballot question since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Meanwhile, voters in Colorado, New York, and Maryland passed measures to protect abortion rights. In New York, voters have approved an amendment to protect abortion access, and Maryland pass measures to protect abortion rights in New York. Voters have approved an amendment to protect abortion access and it also bars various forms of discrimination. Ian Pickes of Member Station WAMC reports. The Equal Rights Amendment was a response to the overturning of Roe

versus Wade. The amendment does not include the word abortion but it holds that no one can face discrimination based on sex, including pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health care. Shelley Hegan is president and CEO of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood. I just am really elated that we passed this. I think it makes New York the leader in protection of people's basic rights. Republicans campaigned against the measure, claiming it would enshrine rights for transgender women to compete in women's sports and for minors to receive gender-affirming care without

parental consent. For NPR News, I'm Ian Peckes in Albany. Hurricane Rafael is passing through the Cayman Islands on its way to landfall in western Cuba. Forecasters say Rafael strengthened into a Category 1 storm Tuesday. It's expected to be over Cuba after dumping heavy rain on Jamaica and the Caymans. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington. 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 comes 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 autografecollection.com.