NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-16-2024 8AM EST

Episode Date: November 16, 2024

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. House Democrats are warning that they'll push back against any far-right plans when President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is blasting some of Trump's cabinet picks. Are some of these nominations a real path forward to solving problems for everyday Americans? That's the question that I've been grappling with. Trump has nominated former Congressman Matt Gaetz to be the nation's next attorney general. Gaetz was the subject of an investigation by the House Ethics Committee stemming from allegations of sex trafficking and drug use.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is urging the panel not to release the report. President-elect Donald Trump is turning once more to the stars of Fox News to stalk his second administration. NPR's David Falkenfleck reports the former and future president is a close watcher of television news. Pete Hegseth to the Pentagon. He's been a close watcher of television news. Pete Hegseth to the Pentagon. He's been a host of Fox and Friends Weekend. Trump's pick for the director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. Sure, she was a Democratic member of the House of Representatives, but she became a paid Fox commentator. Trump's

choice over Homeland Security, Tom Homan, also a commentator. Ambassador to Israel designate Mike Huckabee had a weekly show after his unsuccessful run for the White House in 2012, while others have effectively auditioned on Fox. Trump selected cable news warrior Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general. And Robert F. Kennedy popped up on Fox repeatedly to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris from the left. Now, Kennedy's the Trump choice to run the Department of Health and Human Services. David Falkenflich, NPR News. A Southwest Airlines flight that was preparing to take off from Dallas on Friday night was struck by a bullet on the runway. NPR's Dave Mistich reports an investigation is underway to determine the origin of the

gunshots. Southwest Airlines says Flight 2494 was preparing for takeoff when a bullet apparently struck the plane near the flight deck on its right side. A spokesperson for the airliner says the plane taxied safely back to the terminal and has been removed from service. Southwest says passengers were being accommodated on another flight. Love Field officials say the runway was temporarily shut down but has since reopened. No injuries were reported

in the incident, and officials with Southwest in the airport say law enforcement has been notified. Dave Mistic, NPR News. LORRAINE CINK, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, TRNN-TV Tropical storm Cera is moving through Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. It brought torrential rain and flooding to the northern coast of Honduras on Friday. Forecasters say it could also bring mudslides to parts of Central America. The National Weather Service says the storm is expected to track over Belize, Guatemala, and southeast Mexico before fizzling out.

This is NPR News. Hundreds of hospitality workers are off the job after contract negotiations broke down on Friday. The strike at Virgin Hotels marks the first open-ended work stoppage in more than 20 years for the Culinary Workers Union, the largest labor union in Nevada with about 60,000 members. Michael Renick is frustrated with his employer for not agreeing to a livable wage. This place makes money. This place has concerts and shows.

I mean, it's Las Vegas. Stuff's happening all the time. I think they should just rip off the Band-Aid and give people what they deserve. Union employees are demanding a new five-year deal. Boxing fans are criticizing last night's bout, where former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was beaten by YouTuber-turned YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul.

There were boos at the arena in Texas at the end of the matchup between 58-year-old Tyson and his opponent who's nearly 30 years younger. The BBC's boxing expert Steve Bunn says it was a huge anti-climax. It was 100 percent about the money. There was no, I want to test myself against the new generation. There was no, I just want to see if I've got this left. There was no, I need this all in the health. No, it was, I need this, my bank account, I got 31 million guaranteed. It was purely a financial transaction.

The BBC's Steve Bunch. Officials say a wildfire burning along the New York-New Jersey border is now mostly contained. The blaze has burned about 7.5 square miles since it broke out more than a week ago. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News in Washington.