NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-20-2024 2AM EST

Episode Date: November 20, 2024

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Shae Stevens. 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 else. Autograph Collection is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotel brands. Find the unforgettable at autographcollection.com. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shae Stevens. TheCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS

ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS U.S. Senators are now weighing in on the issue. The House Ethics Investigation into Gates is looming over the Senate, particularly over the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings on Gates' nomination. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is in line to lead the panel when the GOP takes a majority in January. If they want a speedy consideration of this nomination, there's, we've got to have as much transparency as we can have." The current Democratic chair of the Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin of Illinois, says Gates's decision to step down from Congress last week was designed to stop the public release of the report.

The House Ethics Committee has been looking into accusations including illicit drug use and sex trafficking, allegedly involving a 17-year-old. Gates denies any wrongdoing. Trial Snider, NPR News. President-elect Trump has tapped billionaire wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to oversee the Department of Education. Trump wants Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick to become U.S. Commerce Secretary. Trump says he'll nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

Services. As NPR's Selena Simmons-Dutton reports, Oz is a heart surgeon and former TV personality who's been criticized for promoting unproven theories. Dr. Mehmet Oz has a medical degree. He's a cardiothoracic surgeon. He built his fame and fortune by promoting alternative therapies like unproven diet products, cleanses, and detoxes. He first became famous as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show. That led to a radio show and daytime TV's The Dr. Oz Show.

That ended in 2022 when Oz ran as the Republican candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania. He narrowly lost to John Fetterman in that race. If he's confirmed by the Senate, he'll be overseeing an enormous health agency that spends about $1.5 trillion a year. That's more than the Department of Defense. Selena Simmons-Duffin and PR News, Washington. A powerful storm carrying strong winds threatens to drench parts of northern California and the Pacific Northwest. The so-called Atmospheric river is expected to impact the region over the next several days.

National Weather Service forecaster Bob Oruvek says some areas could see more than a foot of rainfall before it's over. Bob Oruvek, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service

forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National Weather Service forecaster, National and mudslides and debris flows and also some very serious flooding issues. Lyle McHugh, NPR Reporter Forecasters say this atmospheric river is more like a bomb cyclone because of how quickly it has intensified. U.S. futures are higher in after-hours trading on Wall Street.

This is NPR. A Republican plan to include Bible teaching in the curriculum at Texas public schools has received preliminary approval from the state school board. The curriculum was designed by the state's public education agency, which oversees primary and secondary education. Federal police in Brazil have arrested five officers who are suspected of plotting to kill that country's president, vice president, and Supreme Court justice. As NPR's Carrie Cahn reports, the arrest came on the final day of the G20 summit in Rio. The alleged plan to kill Brazil's top leaders took place in 2022 following Lula's narrow electoral

victory over far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. Police say among the five arrested are four members of the military, including a former top aide to Bolsonaro. They're among the five arrested are four members of the military, including a former top aide to Bolsonaro. They're all charged with criminal association to plan a coup to prevent Lula's inauguration. Supporters of former president Bolsonaro ransacked government offices in the capital, Brasilia, right after Lula took power. The assassination attempt was uncovered during prosecution of the rioters. Bolsonaro has denied any plans to plot a coup despite ongoing investigations into his possible role in attempting to hold onto power. Kari Kahn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai has testified at his national security trial for the first time. The pro-democracy leader told the court about his meetings with U.S. officials in 2019 during the Hong Kong's anti-government protests. Lai faces up to life in prison if convicted of colluding with foreign sources. He is the founder of the now-defunct tabloid, Apple Daily. This is NPR News.