Jack Spear

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen hedge fund manager Scott Besson to be Treasury Secretary, one of the last major unfinished cabinet nominations of the incoming administration. Trump announced it moments ago on his social media platform. Besson has become a key economic advisor to Trump's team and has in the past advocated for both

tax reform, and deregulation. If confirmed, the 62-year-old Besant would have the job of helping turn some of Trump's campaign promises into reality, including the idea of putting in place across-the-board tariffs on U.S. imports. A challenge to the Texas law that outlaws abortion after a so-called fetal heartbeat is detected could be dismissed after a ruling from the state Supreme Court.

tax reform, and deregulation. If confirmed, the 62-year-old Besant would have the job of helping turn some of Trump's campaign promises into reality, including the idea of putting in place across-the-board tariffs on U.S. imports. A challenge to the Texas law that outlaws abortion after a so-called fetal heartbeat is detected could be dismissed after a ruling from the state Supreme Court.

Talawani Osibamblo of member station KERA reports the law, which uses medical-sounding terms— misleading, according to some doctors.

Talawani Osibamblo of member station KERA reports the law, which uses medical-sounding terms— misleading, according to some doctors.

Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz says he will not return to Congress next year despite the fact he's withdrawn his name as President-elect Trump's attorney general nominee. Gaetz took his name out of consideration as the nominee amid mounting fallout over allegations of sexual misconduct against him, allegations Gaetz has denied.

Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz says he will not return to Congress next year despite the fact he's withdrawn his name as President-elect Trump's attorney general nominee. Gaetz took his name out of consideration as the nominee amid mounting fallout over allegations of sexual misconduct against him, allegations Gaetz has denied.

For decades, fluoride has been added to drinking water in many U.S. communities, but Florida Surgeon General Joseph LaDupo wants that to stop. Stephanie Columbitti of member station WUSF reports he's issued guidance advising against adding fluoride to the water.

For decades, fluoride has been added to drinking water in many U.S. communities, but Florida Surgeon General Joseph LaDupo wants that to stop. Stephanie Columbitti of member station WUSF reports he's issued guidance advising against adding fluoride to the water.

On Wall Street, the Dow is up 426 points. This is NPR. The only emperor penguin ever known to have crossed from Antarctica to Australia is now homebound. NPR's Amy Held reports the penguin, known as Gus, wandered into the hearts of Australians during his three-week rehab.

On Wall Street, the Dow is up 426 points. This is NPR. The only emperor penguin ever known to have crossed from Antarctica to Australia is now homebound. NPR's Amy Held reports the penguin, known as Gus, wandered into the hearts of Australians during his three-week rehab.

A major weather system moving through northern California has left record rainfall and downed trees in its wake. The storm system has also prompted evacuations and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people in Washington state and Oregon.

A major weather system moving through northern California has left record rainfall and downed trees in its wake. The storm system has also prompted evacuations and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people in Washington state and Oregon.

The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch for areas north of San Francisco as a plume of moisture known as an atmospheric river continues to flow. Up to 16 inches of rain is forecast in northern California and southwestern Oregon. Crude oil futures prices continue to move higher in part due to escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch for areas north of San Francisco as a plume of moisture known as an atmospheric river continues to flow. Up to 16 inches of rain is forecast in northern California and southwestern Oregon. Crude oil futures prices continue to move higher in part due to escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Oil up $1.14 a barrel to settle at $71.24 a barrel. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.

Oil up $1.14 a barrel to settle at $71.24 a barrel. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The House Ethics Committee deadlocked on whether to release its report into former Congressman Matt Gaetz. The panel met today while Gaetz met with senators about his controversial nomination to be attorney general. More from NPR's Lexi Shapiro.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The House Ethics Committee deadlocked on whether to release its report into former Congressman Matt Gaetz. The panel met today while Gaetz met with senators about his controversial nomination to be attorney general. More from NPR's Lexi Shapiro.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is banning transgender people from using bathrooms that correspond with their gender on the House side of the Capitol. NPR's Windsor Johnston reports the move comes several days after Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace introduced a resolution prohibiting transgender women from using women's restrooms.