NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-18-2024 5PM EST

Episode Date: November 18, 2024

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On NPR's Wild Card podcast, comedian Seth Meyers talks frankly about his early career. I was far more temperamental when I was younger and things ran very hot at S&L. And there were definitely times where my instincts were to say something that would have been relationship ending to people. I'm Rachel Martin. Seth Meyers is on Wild Card, the show where cards control the conversation. Meyers is on Wild Card, the show where cards control the conversation. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Biden will now let Ukraine fire U.S. ballistic missiles deeper into Russia.

That's according to a U.S. official who spoke to NPR. NPR's Greg Meyers explains Ukraine has long sought that permission. President Biden's decision will allow the Ukrainians to use the missiles, known as Atacams, against Russian and North Korean forces in ongoing heavy fighting. Ukraine is trying to hold territory it captured inside Western Russia back in August. Ukraine has long argued that Russia moves troops and weapons freely behind the front lines on the Russian side of the border because Ukraine can attack from long distance.

Biden had resisted this move, saying Ukrainian attacks with U.S. weapons inside Russia could lead to an escalation in the war. But the Biden administration has been signaling that it wants to do what it can to help Ukraine during his final months in office. Greg Myrie, NPR News, Washington. President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be the next defense secretary paid a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her so that she would not file a lawsuit that could harm his career. That's according to Pete Hedgeseth's attorney, who spoke to NPR. The 44-year-old Hedgeseth, a former Fox News host, has denied the woman's allegations.

His attorney, lawyer Timothy Parlatore, says Hegseth reached a settlement with his accuser, issuing a payment in return for a non-disclosure agreement, a deal meant to stop her from following a lawsuit and to protect his job. The accuracy of quotes attributed to him first reported by the Washington Post was confirmed by Hexs's lawyer. President-elect Trump has picked a new chief for the Federal Communications Commission. NPR's David Falkenflick reports it's Brendan Carr, a veteran Republican member of the FCC. Allies and adversaries tell NPR that Brendan Carr is smart, personable, and highly qualified to become the next FCC chairperson.

For years, Carr took a classic Republican line in favor of sweeping away regulations that limit the consolidation of media ownership. More recently, he has embraced Trumpian positions on regulating big tech companies and punishing broadcast television networks for how they covered the presidential race. Carr also authored the FCC portion of Project 2025, a blueprint written by pro-Trump Republicans. The FCC is considered a semi-autonomous agency. Trump says he'll bring it under more direct White House control, which would almost certainly prompt litigation.

David Folkenflick, NPR News. The pink slips are starting to go out at airplane builder Boeing. The company announcing today it's laid off about 2,200 employees in Washington state, part of a job cutting round that will eventually involve about 17,000 workers across the company. Boeing made the announcement today and are filing with the State Employment Security Department. Boeing in October announced plans to trim its workforce by around 10 percent. A mixed close on Wall Street today, the Dow fell 55 points, the NASDAQ was up 111 points. This is NPR.

The private company SpaceX says it will try again tomorrow to carry out the next test launch of its massive Starship rocket from its facility in southern Texas. The rocket is nearly 400 feet tall. Texas Public Radio's Jerry Clayton reports it has been on five previous test flights. SpaceX says the launch window will begin at 4 p.m. Central Time Tuesday at the facility in far south Texas at Boca Chica. The test flight will focus on ship and booster capabilities, as well as the chopsticks the company is using to catch its boosters.

The main spacecraft will continue towards a planned splashdown in the Indian Ocean after its suborbital flight. The sixth flight test was originally scheduled for Monday but was pushed forward a day. SpaceX did not reveal the reason for the change in test launch dates. I'm Jerry Clayton in San Antonio. NASA hopes to use Starship to land astronauts on the moon. Some of the nation's biggest retailers hoping to capitalize on inflationary pressures are offering the equivalent of Thanksgiving dinner bundles. Walmart, Target and Aldi's all competing for a place at the holiday table

by offering more for less. Walmarters bundle together the makings of a meal for eight with a total of 29 items coming in for less than $55. Target offers a version for four people costing just $20. That's $5 less than last year's Thanksgiving meal deal. According to a market research firm, a 15-item Thanksgiving meal will cost about $65.51, down from last year but 42% above 2019's price. Crude Oil futures prices moved higher, oil up $2 a barrel today. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.