Summary4 min read

NPR News Now: November 22, 2025, 12AM EST

Host: Dale Wilman
Duration: ~5 minutes
Publication Date: November 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode covers major breaking and developing stories from U.S. politics, international affairs, public safety, and sports. Topics include Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation, President Trump's remarks on Democratic lawmakers, Vladimir Putin's response to a U.S. Ukraine peace proposal, a shooting at a public event in North Carolina, an investigation into the Kennedy Center, and NCAA gambling violations.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Marjorie Taylor Greene Announces Resignation

[00:16] Dale Wilman reports on Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) announcement that she will resign from Congress in January 2026.
[00:30] Stephen Fowler provides context around Greene’s changing relationship with President Trump — from staunch ally to outspoken critic.
[00:44] Marjorie Taylor Greene’s own words:

"Enough and I do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president that we all fought for, only to fight and win my election. While Republicans will likely lose the midterms." (Marjorie Taylor Greene, 00:44)
[00:59] Fowler notes that Greene joins a historic wave of departing legislators: 40 House members and 10 Senators, mostly Republicans, who’ve said they will not seek re-election after 2026.

2. President Trump Accuses Lawmakers of Sedition

[01:11] President Trump recently accused several Democrats of “sedition.”
Context: These lawmakers publicly urged the military to “uphold the Constitution and defy illegal orders,” especially from President Trump.
[01:22] Trump’s comments on Fox News Radio, referencing harsh historical punishments:

"That is a really serious charge. I'll tell you what what they said is, and it was, I mean, I don't know about the modern day things because, you know, modern day is a lot softer. But in the old days if you said a thing like that, that was punishable by death." (Donald Trump, 01:22)
[01:37] Trump claims he isn’t threatening lawmakers but later posts:

"Hang them, George Washington would."

3. Putin Responds to US Ukraine Peace Proposal

[02:02] Charles Maines covers Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first public comments on a U.S. peace plan for Ukraine.
Putin sees potential for the plan to serve as a resolution starting point, “but he also suggested that much remains to be worked out.”
Putin says the White House has not yet discussed the plan in detail with Russia and implies Ukraine has not been convinced to accept the terms. Moscow is committed to achieving its goals, citing recent battlefield advancements.
U.S. plan criticized as too favorable to Russia:

“Critics of the US Plan say it tilts heavily in Russia's favor with calls for Ukraine to cede territory, cap its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO.” (Charles Maines, 02:36)

4. Shooting at North Carolina Christmas Tree Lighting

[02:42] Dale Wilman reports breaking news from Concord, NC:
- Four people shot at a Christmas tree lighting event.
- Three injured critically; one in stable condition.
- Police responded rapidly as they were already present at the scene.
- Public urged to submit event-related videos or photos.

5. Quick Updates

Stock Market

[03:21] The Dow Jones surged 493 points; NASDAQ up 195.

San Pedro, California Fire

[03:23] All crew accounted for, no injuries after a container ship fire carrying hazardous materials.

6. Kennedy Center Leadership Investigation

[03:31] Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, launch an investigation into alleged “cronyism and corruption” at the Kennedy Center.
Accusations:
- Millions in lost revenue, excessive spending, preferential treatment for Trump allies.
- Example: Soccer organization FIF reportedly used the Center for three weeks rent-free.
[03:51] Sen. Whitehouse demands President Richard Grenell turn over documents by December 4th.
Grenell’s response:

"His letter is filled with partisan attacks and false accusations." (Grenell, 03:59)
Public exchange posted to Kennedy Center’s social media.

7. NCAA: Temple Basketball Gambling Scandal

[04:24] Former Temple guard Heiser Miller found to have placed 42 bets on Temple games (total $473), including three against his own team.
NCAA Action: Miller is declared permanently ineligible.
Other staff members also violated rules but did not bet on Temple games.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Marjorie Taylor Greene [00:44]:

“Enough and I do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president that we all fought for...”
Donald Trump on "Sedition" [01:22]:

“In the old days if you said a thing like that, that was punishable by death.”
Grenell Responds to Senate Accusations [03:59]:

“His letter is filled with partisan attacks and false accusations.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:16] Greene’s resignation and context
[01:11] Trump accuses Democratic lawmakers of sedition
[02:02] Putin’s response to US peace proposal
[02:42] Shooting in Concord, NC
[03:40] Kennedy Center investigation
[04:24] NCAA gambling scandal

NPR News Now delivers fast, high-density reporting on top headlines — ideal for listeners seeking a factual rundown of the day's most important events.

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Transcript13 lines

[00:00]
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[00:17]
Dale Wilman
Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene says she's resigning from Congress in January. NPR's Stephen Fowler reports on the latest development in months of clashes with President Trump.
[00:30]
Stephen Fowler
Marjorie Taylor Greene rose to prominence as one of Trump's biggest defenders and more recently has become one of his biggest critics. In an 11 minute social media video that blasts Republicans House leadership and attacks by the president, she says she's had.
[00:45]
Marjorie Taylor Greene
Enough and I do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president that we all fought for, only to fight and win my election. While Republicans will likely lose the midterms.
[00:59]
Stephen Fowler
Green is now one of a record 40 House members and 10 senators, mostly Republicans, who've indicated they do not plan to return to their seats after the 2026 elections. Stephen Fowler, NPR News, Atlanta.
[01:11]
Dale Wilman
President Trump has accused several Democratic lawmakers of sedition. Earlier this week, the lawmakers called on members of the military to uphold the constitution and defy illegal orders, particularly from President Trump.
[01:23]
Donald Trump
That is a really serious charge. I'll tell you what what they said is, and it was, I mean, I don't know about the modern day things because, you know, modern day is a lot softer. But in the old days if you said a thing like that, that was punishable by death.
[01:37]
Dale Wilman
Trump was speaking on Fox News Radio. Trump said he's not threatening the lawmakers, but in a later post he wrote, hang them, George Washington would. Russian President Vladimir Putin is giving his first public comments on a US Peace proposal to end the war in Ukraine. Putin says the plan could be an toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict, but he also suggested that much remains to be worked out. As NPR's Charles Maines reports, at a.
[02:02]
Charles Maines
Meeting with his Security Council, Putin was asked to comment on widespread media reports of the US Peace plan. The Kremlin leader confirmed Russia had received the US Proposal, adding he thought it could be the basis for a lasting settlement. Yet Putin cautioned that the US had not discussed its ideas substantively with Russia, arguing it likely meant the White House had yet to convince Ukraine to accept terms. Putin also insisted Moscow would achieve its objective objectives in Ukraine either way, pointing to recent Russian gains on the battlefield. Critics of the US Plan say it tilts heavily in Russia's favor with calls for Ukraine to cede territory, cap its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO. Charles Maines, NPR News, Moscow.
[02:43]
Dale Wilman
There's been a shooting at a Christmas tree lighting in Concord, North Carolina. Few details are available right now, but police say four people were hit by gunfire. Three are in critical condition and one is reported to be stable. In a statement, the city says police were already at the event and responded quickly. They're asking the public to share any video or photos they have from the incidents. Stocks did well on Friday. The Dow Jones industrial average up 493 points. The NASDAQ closed up 195 points. You're listening to NPR News. All crew members have been accounted for following a fire on a container ship in San Pedro, California. No injuries have been reported, but officials say the ship is carrying hazardous materials. Senate Democrats are investigating leadership at the John F. Kennedy center for the Performing Arts for what they call cronyism and corruption. The center's president, Ambassador Richard Grenell, has refuted the claims. NPR's Elizabeth Blair has more.
[03:41]
Elizabeth Blair
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 FIF take over the center for three weeks rent free. In a letter, White House asked Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell to turn over documents related to the center's financial management expenditures, donors and contracts by December 4th. Grinnell wrote back to Whitehouse, 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.
[04:25]
Dale Wilman
The NCAA says former Temple basketball guard Heiser Miller placed dozens of bets on Temple games, including some against his own team. The association has made Miller permanently ineligible after finding that he placed 42 parlay bets on Temple games during two seasons. The bets totaled $473. Three of those bets were against the Owls. A former assistant coach and graduate assistant were also found to have broken NCAA rules, but neither bet on Temple games. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.
[04:56]
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