NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-28-2024 8AM EST

Episode Date: November 28, 2024

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Here and Now Anytime is a podcast with fresh takes on the biggest stories of the day and also a little something you weren't expecting from a news show. One thing we're wondering lately, is Black Friday a ripoff? Peel back the marketing blitz and what do you have left? That's coming up on Here and Now Anytime, wherever you listen to podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Herbst. Listen to Podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Herbst. As the Israel Hezbollah 60-day ceasefire in Lebanon enters its second day, some are wondering

if the same deal could happen in Gaza. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says they're making every effort to get a Gaza ceasefire before President Biden leaves office. But Aaron David Miller, an author and diplomat now with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, says Hezbollah charted its own course and he doesn't think a Gaza deal is likely because Gaza is different for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Benjamin Netanyahu was able to do the Lebanon deal because there was no danger. The vote in the cabinet was 10 to 1. There was no danger

that the ceasefire agreement would crater the coalition. So I think the sun and the moon and the stars just aren't aligned right now for a comprehensive deal. Danielle Pletka Speaking there to NPR's Morning Edition. One of the largest Thanksgiving dinners in the country is set to take place in San Antonio. Texas Public Radio's Jerry Clayton has more. The Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner started as an annual event in 1979, serving a few hundred seniors. This year, the nonprofit will serve 25,000 people at the city's convention center.

Chef Noe Martinez oversees preparation of 550 turkeys and all the traditional sides. Six thousand pounds of green beans, six thousand pounds of yams, six thousand pounds of stuffing, three thousand pounds of cranberry, and 195 gallons of gravy. Raul's daughter Patricia Jimenez has made sure the tradition continues after the death of her father in 1998 and welcomes anyone who can't afford a meal or just doesn't want to be alone on Thanksgiving Day. I'm Jerry Clayton in San Antonio. This morning's annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City that starts in a half hour

will be a rainy one and chilly, too. Tar Dustin with member station WPLN says among the college marching bands that'll be taking part in the parade is one from East Tennessee State University. When Joe Moore became ETSU's band director ten years ago, he had to start from scratch. That meant buying instruments, designing uniforms, and visiting high schools in the region to recruit. The band quickly became known for elaborate shows

that told a story. Moore says he's now sharing the Macy's Day spotlight with schools that are much better known. Those are flagship schools for their states, and we're a regional school. I'm just really proud of my kids for achieving this. The band is 360 members strong, outnumbering the one at the much larger University of Tennessee,

Knoxville. For NPR News, I'm Char Dastin in Nashville. The parade features 22 big balloons, including new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse ones, along with 34 floats and stars, including Jennifer Hudson, performing. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Some Amazon workers around the world plan to strike or hold protests tomorrow, Black Friday through Cyber Monday. It's the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Organizers of the action, Uni Global Union, a Swiss-based labor federation and the grassroots activist

group Progressive International, say Amazon pursues profits at the cost of workers, the environment and democracy. Amazon defends its treatment of workers, saying it's proud of offering competitive pay, benefits and a safe working environment. It's the fifth year of action. In years past, protesters marched outside Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos' house in New York.

The federal student loan application for prospective college students in the U.S. is now open. Imperial's Jonica Mehta reports this year's FAFSA has been revised following the last cycle's problematic rollout. Jonica Mehta, FAFSA Director, Federal Financial Aid Forum Maybe if you're sitting around digesting your Thanksgiving meal, you can take a few minutes to fill out the new and improved FAFSA. The Federal Financial Aid Forum is a lifeline for more than 17 million college

hopefuls every year in this country. Last cycle, the system failed miserably with dozens of glitches and many delays. This time, things are going more smoothly. The U.S. Department of Education says more than 500,000 students have successfully submitted their FAFSAs. Here's Maura Lee Keller of the National College Attainment Network. Maura Lee Keller, National College Attainment Network Hopefully students being able to now start their FAFSAs is Here's Maura Lee Keller of the National College Attainment Network. Hopefully students being able to now start their FAFSAs is going to result in things like earlier award letters, more time to make decisions. Decisions informed by where students can afford to go. Janaki Mehta, NPR News. And I'm Janine Herbst, NPR News in Washington.