Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. Federal immigration agents have made dozens of arrests in New Orleans this week. The city is the latest target of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. As NPR's Matt Bloom reports, local leaders are demanding more transparency in the operation.
Department of Homeland Security officials have declined to share precisely how many arrests they've made in their operation underway in southern Louisiana. In a press conference, Mayor-elect Helena Moreno said she and other local leaders sent a letter to U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino requesting data on people detained.
We've constantly heard on the news claims that this operation is about going after rapists, pedophiles, and murderers. But is it really casting a much wider net?
Bovino, who's in charge of the sweep, has made comments to local media saying his goal is to make as many arrests as he possibly can. Matt Bloom, NPR News, New Orleans.
Next week, the Federal Reserve holds its final policy meeting of the year. Some analysts think the Fed is likely to cut its benchmark interest rate by another quarter point, which would make it a little cheaper to buy a car or a large appliance. Increased demand would boost the economy, but it may not cut rates this time. NPR's Scott Horsley has more.
They're really in a tough spot, you know, because inflation is still well above their target. And ordinarily, the central bank would try to curb inflation by keeping interest rates high.
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Chapter 2: What recent immigration actions have taken place in New Orleans?
But the Fed's also worried about that softening job market. And the way it usually deals with that is by lowering interest rates. So there's a real tug of war here. The Fed did cut rates at its last two meetings, but minutes show there were strongly differing views about whether a third cut would be warranted this month.
NPR's Scott Horsley reporting. The Trump administration has selected a new architect for President Trump's White House ballroom. This comes just a few months after a different architect was announced with much fanfare. NPR's Tamara Keith has more on the story.
Since the president's ballroom project was announced in late July, his ambitions have grown to a $300 million budget and a much larger seating capacity. White House spokesman Davis Ingle described the shift to a new architect as necessary as the project transitions into the next stage of development.
Quote, the administration is excited to share that the highly talented Shalom Baranis has joined the team of experts to carry out President Trump's vision. Trump has taken a very active role in the ballroom. Baranis has long worked in the nation's capital, including on high-profile projects like rebuilding the Pentagon after 9-11. Tamara Keith, NPR News.
And you're listening to NPR News in Washington. Authorities are searching for a man who escaped from a Louisiana jail on Wednesday. He and two others got out by removing concrete blocks from a deteriorating wall in St. Landry Parish. One inmate was captured yesterday. The third was found Thursday, dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The 24-year-old man still at large faces a charge of second-degree murder. The lineup for next summer's FIFA World Cup is set. The U.S. national soccer team will open the tournament with a pair of rematches. NPR's Becky Sullivan reports.
The draw sorted all the teams who've qualified for the tournament into 12 groups of four. After each team plays the others, the top two or three from each group will move on to a knockout round. The U.S. got a favorable draw. They'll face Paraguay and Australia, both of whom the Americans beat in friendly matches this fall. Their third opponent is TBD.
It'll be the winner of a four-team playoff set for next March between Turkey, Kosovo, Slovakia and Romania. The favorites to win the World Cup are Spain, England, France, and Brazil. Of them, France got perhaps the toughest draw. Kylian Mbappe and company have to face Norway in their star striker, Erling Haaland.
But with the tournament's expansion to 48 teams, it will be easier than ever to reach the knockout stage. Becky Sullivan in PR News.
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