NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-10-2024 4PM EST

Episode Date: November 10, 2024

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This is Ira Glass with This American Life, each week on our show. We choose a theme, tell different stories on that theme. All right, I'm just going to stop right there. You're listening to an NPR podcast, chances are you know our show. So instead, I'm going to tell you, we've just been on a run of really good shows lately. Some big epic emotional stories, some weird funny stuff too. Download us, This American Life. weird, funny stuff to download us this American life. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. President-elect Donald Trump has completed his sweep of the seven key swing states. The Associated Press called Arizona for Trump last night.

And with Congress returning to Capitol Hill this week, the last major question following Tuesday's election is control of the House. Several key congressional races have yet to be called. NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports on the power dynamic in Washington if Republicans keep control of the House. Could there be disagreements and factions within the conference? Absolutely. But remember, they are mostly unified by President-elect Trump and the mandate that came from him winning by the margins

that he did. They're going from being the one Republican controlled element of government under the Biden administration to being potentially part of unified government. And that's a big culture shift and it's a completely different power dynamic. And PR's Barbara Sprott reporting. Russia says its air defense downed more than 30 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow, injuring at least one civilian. The attacks appear to be Kiev's largest attack on the Russian capital since the Kremlin launched its initial invasion of Ukraine two and a half years ago. NPR's Charles Maines has details.

The drone attacks forced the temporary shutdown of three of Moscow's four main airports with passenger flights diverted or delayed. Social media posts also appear to show several houses on the outskirts of the city that caught fire from fell debris. Russia's Defense Ministry says its air defenses destroyed another 36 drones over regions of Western Russia. While the Ukrainian capital Kyiv is regularly targeted by Russian drone and missile strikes, Ukrainian responses have mostly focused on Russian energy infrastructure. Attacks on Moscow are relatively rare.

Two Ukrainian drones struck buildings inside the Kremlin walls in May of 2023, after which President Vladimir Putin ordered his top brass to beef up the city's air defenses. Charles Maynes in PR News. On both the East and West Coast of the United States, it has been an autumn of high wildfire risk. In the Northeast, there are concerns about air quality. Across the country, outside Los Angeles, firefighters have managed to gain ground on a wildfire that's destroyed dozens of homes.

NPR's Amy Held has details. For years, the Western U.S. has dealt with drought and wildfires. Now in much of the East, October has gone down as the driest month on record. Blazes have broken out in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In New York City, hundreds of brush fires have burned in all five boroughs in recent weeks. And the city smells like smoke, Mayor Eric Adams spoke Saturday. Those who are dealing with respiratory issues, we're asking you to stay indoors or have an air filter. In Orange County, New York, a park's

worker was killed battling a forest fire. But in California, conditions are improving outside of LA where easing winds are helping firefighters contain a wildfire that's burned more than 20,000 acres. Amy Held, NPR News. This is NPR. In Maryland, a federal judge has set the date for when parties suing the owners of the ship that hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore will have their moment in court. Scott Massiani from member station WYPR reports. The initial trial is set for June 2026. That proceeding will only determine if Grace Ocean Private, which owns the Daliali will be eligible for limited liability The company is asking the courts to limit its payout to 44 million dollars

After that case is resolved another trial will be scheduled to determine how much Grace Ocean will have to pay out to the victims The ship destroyed the key bridge killing six construction workers on the bridge at the time Baltimore the state of Maryland multiple, and the families of those killed are among those suing. Grace Ocean has already settled its suit with the U.S. Justice Department for the cleanup cost of the key bridge collapse for more than $100 million. For NPR News, I'm Scott Massione in Baltimore. Eastern Cuba was rocked by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake earlier today, according to the

U.S. Geological Survey. Buildings shook in Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city on the island. It's still early for reports of major damage or injuries. Cuba is already on its heels after Hurricane Rafael hit Western Cuba Wednesday and power was knocked out island-wide. In South Carolina, officials say they've captured one of 43 escaped monkeys bred from medical research at the Alpha Genesis facility. About an hour away from Charleston, the others are located near the property but have not been caught. The rhesus macaques fled through an open door during a feeding.

I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.