NPR News: 11-21-2025 6PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: November 21, 2025 – 6PM EST

Brief Overview This NPR News Now episode delivers the top U.S. and international news stories as of November 21, 2025. The five-minute bulletin covers policy changes in the Coast Guard regarding hate symbols, U.S.-Nigeria relations over Christian persecution, vaccination rates before the holidays, a federal lawsuit on in-state tuition for undocumented students, ongoing scrutiny over the Jamal Khashoggi case, claims of cronyism at the Kennedy Center, and a personal moment from Pope Leo XIV. The broadcast maintains the concise, impartial, and detailed tone typical of NPR newscasts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Coast Guard Tightens Policy on Hate Symbols

• [00:18] The Coast Guard faced strong criticism after releasing a new harassment manual that appeared to downgrade the severity of hate symbols like nooses and swastikas, labeling the Confederate flag display as "merely divisive" and removing a dedicated investigation process.

• [00:36] Following public outcry and media attention (Washington Post report), the Coast Guard reversed course. A new policy was issued late Thursday, mandating removal of nooses, swastikas and other hate symbols from all Coast Guard facilities.

• [00:36] Context: The Pentagon is also reviewing its own policies on hazing, bullying, and harassment, but has not issued new guidance yet.

  “Nooses and swastikas and other symbols of hate must be removed from all Coast Guard facilities.”
  — Steve Walsh [00:36]

2. U.S. Pressures Nigeria on Christian Persecution

• [01:16] The U.S. State Department addressed concerns about attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

• [01:28] Earlier in the month, President Trump publicly threatened to withhold aid and intervene militarily if Nigerian authorities did not stop terror attacks targeting Christians.

• [01:28] Nigerian officials sent a high-level delegation to Washington for meetings with Pentagon and State Department leaders, including Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

• [01:28] Republican Congressman Riley Moore described talks as “frank, honest, and productive,” emphasizing the opportunity for deeper U.S.-Nigeria ties contingent on Nigeria’s actions to protect Christians.

  “The Nigerians have a chance to deepen relations with the US if they prioritize the protection of Christians.”
  — Rep. Riley Moore, via Michelle Kellerman [01:28]

3. Low Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Ahead of Holidays

• [02:08] With Thanksgiving approaching, CDC data shows vaccination rates remain low:

  • Only about 14% of adults and less than 6% of children have received updated COVID-19 vaccines.
  • About one-third of adults and children have received this season’s flu shot.

• [02:17] Despite low case rates currently, flu is rising and COVID-19 cases are expected to increase post-holiday gatherings.

  “The good news is that so far there aren’t a lot of people catching COVID and flu right now. But flu is on the rise, and Covid is expected to also pick up soon.”
  — Rob Stein [02:17]

4. Federal Lawsuit Against California’s Tuition Policy for Undocumented Students

• [02:54] The Trump administration is suing California over its provision of in-state tuition to undocumented students.
• [02:54] Supporters argue most beneficiaries were brought to the U.S. as children and consider themselves part of the community.
• [02:54] Similar legal challenges have been brought in other states.

5. Khashoggi Case: Calls for Transcript Release and Questions Over U.S.-Saudi Ties

• [02:54] The widow of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi and Democratic lawmakers are demanding the release of a 2019 phone call transcript between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• [02:54] Concerns center on whether President Trump received any favors for his support of the Crown Prince, who U.S. intelligence says authorized Khashoggi’s killing.

6. Senate Investigates Alleged Cronyism at the Kennedy Center

• [03:55] Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has accused the Kennedy Center's leadership, led by Ambassador Richard Grenell, of “millions in lost revenue, luxury spending and preferential treatment for Trump allies.”

• [03:55] Documentation includes letting FIFA use the center rent free for three weeks.

• [03:55] Whitehouse has demanded detailed records by December 4.

• [03:55] Grenell responded on social media, dismissing the allegations as “partisan attacks and false accusations.”

  “His letter is filled with partisan attacks and false accusations.”
  — Richard Grenell, via Elizabeth Blair [03:55]

7. Pope Leo XIV’s Wordle Surprise

• [04:38] In a lighter moment, Pope Leo XIV revealed his daily Wordle strategy—using a different starting word each time—during a virtual dialogue with American youth.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On hate symbols in the Coast Guard:

  “Nooses and swastikas and other symbols of hate must be removed from all Coast Guard facilities.”
  (Steve Walsh, [00:36])

• On U.S.-Nigeria talks:

  “The Nigerians have a chance to deepen relations with the US if they prioritize the protection of Christians.”
  (Rep. Riley Moore, via Michelle Kellerman, [01:28])

• On holiday vaccination rates:

  “The good news is that so far there aren’t a lot of people catching COVID and flu right now. But flu is on the rise, and Covid is expected to also pick up soon.”
  (Rob Stein, [02:17])

• On Kennedy Center allegations:

  “His letter is filled with partisan attacks and false accusations.”
  (Richard Grenell, [03:55])

• On the Pope and Wordle:

  “Pope Leo XIV has revealed he uses a different Wordle start word each day.”
  (Ryland Barton, [04:38])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:18 Coast Guard updates harassment and hate symbol policies
• 01:16 U.S.-Nigeria diplomatic talks on Christian persecution
• 02:08 National vaccination rates for flu and COVID-19
• 02:54 Federal lawsuit over California’s in-state tuition policy for undocumented students
• 02:54 Khashoggi widow, Democrats call for Trump-MBS call transcript
• 03:55 Senate investigation into Kennedy Center leadership
• 04:38 Pope Leo XIV discusses Wordle habits with American youth

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This summary distills the essential news items and notable moments from the 6PM NPR News Now broadcast on November 21, 2025—providing a clear, timestamped guide to the top stories of the hour.

Transcript

[A]

This message comes from Capital One. With the Venture X card, earn unlimited double miles, a $300 annual capital one travel credit and access to airport lounges. Capital One what's IN your wallet? Terms apply [e-mail] live from NPR News.

[B]

In Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The Coast Guard is taking a more firm public stance against the display of nooses, swastikas and other hate symbols. That's after outcry over a new policy that appeared to downgrade the sever. Steve Walsh with member station WHRO in Norfolk has the deals.

[C]

As first reported by the Washington Post. The Coast Guard released a new harassment manual, which labeled things such as displaying the Confederate flag as merely divisive. The manual also eliminates a standalone process for investigating instances of hate. The Coast Guard pushed back at the idea that the policy had been weakened, but late Thursday issued a new policy saying that nooses and swastikas and other symbols of hate must be removed from all Coast Guard facilities. The Department of Defense has been going through a similar process of reviewing hazing, bullying and harassment definitions across the military, but has not released a policy. For NPR News, I'm Steve Walsh.

[B]

The State Department says Nigeria is taking seriously the Trump administration's concerns about attacks on Christians. A Nigerian delegation was in Washington this week. As NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports, Earlier this.

[D]

Month, President Trump warned that he would stop all aid to Nigeria and may go into the country guns a blazing to stop terrorists from killing Christians. State Department officials say the Nigerians heard US Concerns and sent a high level team to Washington to meet Pentagon officials and the deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau. Republican Congressman Riley Moore says he had what he calls from frank, honest and productive talks with the Nigerian delegation, too. He says the Nigerians have a chance to deepen relations with the US if they prioritize the protection of Christians. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[B]

As Americans start traveling for the holidays, the proportion who have gotten their annual flu and COVID 19 vaccinations remains low. NPR's Rob Stein reports.

[E]

Only about 14% of adults and less than 6% of children have gotten one of the updated COVID 19 vaccines, according to the CDC. And only about one third of adults and kids have gotten their annual flu shot. That's despite the fact that the US Is less than a week away from Thanksgiving, when many people will travel and gather with friends and family. The good news is that so far there aren't a lot of people catching COVID and flu right now. But flu is on the rise And Covid is expected to also pick up soon. ROB Stein and Pierre NEWS the Trump.

[B]

Administration is suing California for providing in state college tuition to students who don't have legal status. Backers of the law say students generally were brought to the US when they were children and are as much a part of their communities as US Citizens. Similar lawsuits have been filed against other states. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The widow of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi is calling for the release of the transcript of a 2019 phone call between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. She's joining Democratic lawmakers who are raising questions about what Trump may have received in exchange for his embrace of the crown prince. Trump has dismissed US Intelligence findings that Prince Mohammed authorized Khashoggi's killing. Senate Democrats are investigating leadership at the John F. Kennedy center for the Performing Arts for what it calls cronyism and corruption. The center's president, Ambassador Richard Grenell, refuted the claims. NPR's Elizabeth Blair has more.

[F]

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse claims that current Kennedy center leadership is responsible for, quote, millions in lost revenue, luxury spending and preferential treatment for Trump allies. Documents posted on a Senate committee website appear to support those claims, including letting the soccer organization FIFA take over the center for three weeks rent free. In a letter, White House asked Kennedy Center President Richard Grinnell to turn over do related to the center's financial management expenditures, donors and contracts by December 4th. Grinnell wrote back to White House saying his letter is filled with partisan attacks and false accusations. The letter is posted to the Kennedy Center's social media. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News, Washington.

[B]

Pope Leo XIV has revealed he uses a different wordle start word each day. He divulged his strategy playing the popular New York Times online game during an online encounter with American young people. I'm Ryland Barton. You're listening. Listening to NPR News from Washington.

[G]

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