NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-10-2024 10PM EST

Episode Date: November 11, 2024

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Herbst. Congress returns to Washington this week. Newly elected members of the next Congress arrive for orientation, and parties in both chambers elect leaders to reflect the coming shift in power. NPR's Deidre Walsh has more. Senate Republicans picked up at least three seats and will elect a majority leader on Wednesday to begin implementing President-elect Trump's agenda in January. Mitch McConnell, the current GOP leader, is stepping down. There is a three-way race between South Dakota Senator John Thune, Texas Senator John Cornyn, and Florida Senator Rick Scott. Results in many House races are

still pending. Republican leaders say they're confident they will keep their narrow majority, but House Democrats aren't ceding anything yet. Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to gain another term during the GOP closed-door election on Wednesday. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News, Washington. The U.S. pumped a record amount of oil under the Biden administration, and President-elect Donald Trump says the country will produce even more during her second term. And here's Michael Copley has more.

Trump isn't just promising to help the fossil fuel industry. He also says he'll go after renewable energy subsidies passed under the Biden administration. But Trump won't be able to stop a shift toward cleaner sources of energy. That's according to activists like Mindy Luber. She runs an advocacy group called Ceres. There are an inordinate number of companies and investors who see this as a risk, as something they have to deal with. Still, analysts at Capstone DC say that renewable energy and electric vehicle industries could face serious challenges with Republicans controlling the White House and potentially both chambers

of Congress. Michael Copley, NPR News. It's been just over 400 days since Hamas militants based in Gaza seized some 240 hostages as part of an attack on Israel that also left more than 1,200 dead. Families, loved ones, and supporters of the captives gathered in central Tel Aviv this weekend to keep up pressure on the Israeli government to negotiate a release. And PR Scott Newman has more. Hundreds of people turned up to a place that's come to be known as Hostages Square for music and speakers in support of freedom for the captives taken at the start of the war in

Gaza. Ramos Aloni, whose daughters and granddaughters were freed as part of a brief ceasefire deal last year, expressed concern about the well-being of those still in captivity. We don't know how many survive or their physical and mental condition after 400 days of suffering and horrific conditions, in dark tunnels without air or daylight, uncertain if they'll survive another day, he says. Israeli authorities say that of the 101 hostages still in Gaza, about a third are confirmed dead. Scott Newman, NPR News, Tel Aviv. US futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The famed children's musician Ella Jenkins has died. Her music helped

kids learn about different cultures around the world. She was 100 years old, and Pierce Andrew Limbong has more. Ella Jenkins' signature sound, whether she was playing her ukulele or some drums, was the call and response she'd have with her audience. Ella Jenkins was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1924. Her family eventually moved to Chicago, where she started her music career. Her discography was long and prolific and often took her listeners across the globe. In 2013, she was on NPR encouraging people to take the songs they loved and repeat them

with care. Do it in a way that when you're sharing it, someone else is going to think it's beautiful, too. Andrew Limbong and Per News. It's Veterans Day tomorrow, the federal holiday to honor the men and women who have served this country. In Pennsylvania, 101-year-old Corporal Benjamin Berry attended the Philadelphia Vets Day Parade today. In World War II, he

was one of several thousand black service members to fight alongside white soldiers at the Battle of the Bulge. I have no regrets, only that the younger generation will remember what we sacrificed to do for them, and they will do it for the next generation. He later helped liberate the Daco concentration camp. I'm Janene Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington. Support for this podcast and the following message come from Dignity Memorial. When your celebration of

life is prepaid today, your family is protected tomorrow. Planning ahead is truly one of the best gifts you can give your family. For additional information, visit DignityMemorial.com.