NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-21-2024 7PM EST

Episode Date: December 22, 2024

NPR News: 12-21-2024 7PM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Herbst. The Senate has approved the House-passed short-term funding bill, and President Biden signed it, avoiding a shutdown and keeping the government running until March 14th. NPR's Susan Davis has more on what's in the bill. It's a slimmed down version of the original bipartisan deal that was derailed earlier in the week after Trump and one of his newest top lieutenants, billionaire businessman Elon Musk, came out in opposition to it after it had been negotiated. It still keeps the government on autopilot until mid-March, so don't worry, they get to do this all over

again in the spring. It still includes about $100 billion for states still recovering from natural disasters like North Carolina and Hawaii, and it still extends farm programs for about a year. Danielle Pletka NPR, Susan Davis reporting. Nevada's election officials say they investigated a record number of allegations of voter fraud this year. Ahead of this year's presidential election, activists around the country flooded election administrators in various swing states with reports of alleged violations. But NPR's Ashley Lopez reports those efforts led to minimal confirmed cases in Nevada.

Nevada's Secretary of State's office says election officials received a major increase in reports of alleged voting violations ahead of the election. As of September, officials received 527 reports this year. That's compared to just 44 last year. So far, only four actual violations were found by state investigators, and almost 500 cases so far have been closed without civil or criminal charges. Nevada was one of several closely watched swing states that dealt with an influx of scrutiny from activists challenging the results of the 2020 election. Nevada officials say this was the first election cycle where they had to hire a dedicated investigative team to look into a record number of election reports. Ashley Lopez, NPR News. A memorial service was held in central Germany today for the victims of a deadly attack on a Christmas market yesterday. At least five

people were killed. More than 200 were injured when a man drove into a crowd at a high rate of speed. Officials say the attacker used a route planned for emergency responders. The BBC's Anna Foster has more from the scene in Magdeburg. There are still a lot of people coming out into the center of this city tonight. They've been here all day in various numbers through the bitterly cold wind, through the rain at times, coming out to leave flowers and candles. You can see still on the floor some of the detritus. There are plastic gloves that have been used to treat people. There are blankets that have been used to keep some of the injured warm last night and really

all we've seen moving through this part of the market today, instead of those usual crowds and people celebrating, have been police officers who've been here in very large numbers today to try and make people here feel safer. The BBC's Anna Foster. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The 14-year-old victim of last week's school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, was buried today. As Wisconsin Public Radio's Anya Van Wogden Tonk reports,

Ruby Vergara is being remembered for her creativity and kindness. Vergara's uncle, Andy Ramis, asked mourners to celebrate the life of his young niece. If something is funny that's said about a memory of Ruby, laugh. And if you need to clap in confirmation, clap. If this is truly a celebration of life, then let's do it. Speakers honored Vergara's love of music and animals and her handmade gifts.

Abby Stamm said her daughter and Vergara had been inseparable best friends since preschool. I thought they'd grow up and do something amazing with all their creative ideas together. Vergara was a freshman at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison when it became the site of Wisconsin's deadliest school shooting. The tight-knit religious community says they're leaning on faith to process their grief. For NPR News, I'm Anjelie Wagtendonk in Madison. All-of-fame Major League Baseball outfielder Ricky Henderson has died. He spent most of his career with the team then known as the Oakland A's, now called the A's as they prepare to move to Las Vegas. Henderson holds the career record

for stolen bases with 1,406 and he stole more than 130 bases in one season, a modern baseball record. In a statement, his family says he died yesterday at the age of 65. No cause of death was given. I'm Janene Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington. This message comes from Wondery Kids and the number one kids science podcast, Wow in the World. Be wowed by fascinating companion audio stories that come exclusively with each Wow in the World STEM toy. Shop the full collection today at Amazon.com slash Wondery Kids.