NPR News Now – 11-22-2025 2AM EST

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

Episode Overview

This succinct NPR News Now bulletin covers the day's top headlines, focusing on the unexpected resignation of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, the unveiling of President Trump's Ukraine peace proposal, immigration enforcement actions in North Carolina, a violent incident at a Christmas tree lighting, positive market performance, an unusual meeting between President Trump and NYC's new mayor-elect, a new standard for crash test dummies, and college football coaching news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marjorie Taylor Greene to Resign from Congress

[00:16 - 01:04]

• Headline: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she will leave Congress on January 5th.
• Context: Known for supporting President Trump, Greene has become increasingly estranged from him, especially over differences concerning the Epstein files.
• Quote [00:38]:

  “I refuse to be a battered wife, hoping it all goes away and gets better. If I am cast aside by the president and the MAGA political machine and replaced by Neo Khan's, big pharma, big tech, military, industrial war complex, foreign leaders and the elite donor class that can never, ever relate to real Americans, then many common Americans have been cast aside and replaced as well.”
  — Marjorie Taylor Greene

• Greene expressed exhaustion over being labeled "traitor and wacky" and suggested the GOP is poised to lose the upcoming midterms.

2. President Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan Met With Skepticism

[01:04 - 01:53]

• Headline: Trump presents a 28-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine.
• Concerns: International observers warn about problematic elements, notably the idea of Ukraine ceding land to Russia.
• Expert Input [01:39]:

  “For both Presidents Putin and Zelensky, the details really matter. That's why you have to have them or their representatives in the room working these issues in detail if you want to get something that will stick.”
  — Sam Cherup, RAND Corporation

• Context: Kyiv remains adamant about territorial integrity and security guarantees from the West, while Russia demands more territory.

3. Immigration Enforcement in Charlotte, NC

[02:09 - 02:48]

• Headline: Border Patrol operation winds down after 370 arrests in Charlotte.
• Details: Activists note a decrease in patrol sightings but warn the immigrant community to remain cautious.
• Government Response:
  • Senator Thom Tillis pushes for public release of detainee information.
  • Quote [02:36]:

    “I want to make sure that Homeland Security can provide me with the definitive list of people who were detained, how long they were detained, whether or not they were released and when property was damaged, whether or not they've been provided proper restitution.”
    — Senator Thom Tillis

• Authorities confirm at least 44 of those detained have criminal records and two are suspected gang members.

4. Shooting at Christmas Tree Lighting in Concord, NC

[02:58 - 03:18]

• Incident: Four people shot, three critically injured, during a tree lighting event.
• Details: The motive remains unclear, and police have not detained a suspect.

5. Stock Market Recovers After Volatility

[03:18 - 03:38]

• Summary: Markets experienced turbulence, but major indices closed on a high note.
  • S&P 500: +1%
  • Dow Jones: +1.1%
  • Nasdaq Composite: +1.1%

6. Trump’s Surprising Meeting With NY Mayor-Elect Zoran Mandami

[03:38 - 04:02]

• Notable Event: Trump and Mandami, a Democratic Socialist whom Trump previously called “a 100% lunatic and total nutjob,” met and expressed shared goals for New York City post-meeting.
• Quote [03:44]:

  “Trump said he was surprised by what he called a great meeting and said the Democratic socialist will also surprise some conservative people.”

7. New Crash Test Dummy Reflecting Female Body

[04:02 - 04:25]

• Background: The Trump Administration published designs for crash test dummies based on female anatomy, addressing concerns safety tests have ignored women’s vulnerabilities.
• Quote [04:18]:

  “It was designed around what injuries a female would have, not just what a small male would have.”
  — Chris O'Connor, CEO of Humanetics

• Note: Regulatory approval is still required before the design becomes standard.

8. College Football Update: Lane Kiffin's Next Move

[04:38 - 04:55]

• News: Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin plans to announce his future after the Egg Bowl.
• Context: Kiffin, whose Rebels are ranked fifth, is being pursued by other top college teams.

Notable Quotes & Segments (with Timestamps)

• Marjorie Taylor Greene on leaving Congress: [00:38]
• Sam Cherup on Ukraine peace plan: [01:39]
• Sen. Thom Tillis on detainee information: [02:36]
• Chris O’Connor on female crash test dummy development: [04:18]
• Trump remarks on meeting Mayor-elect Mandami: [03:44]

Tone & Style

The episode retains NPR's hallmark of concise, direct, and impartial reporting, blending urgent political updates with community, economic, and public safety news. The language used by speakers, notably Greene and Trump, highlights strong personal viewpoints and, in some cases, surprising moments of bipartisanship or candor.

For listeners who missed the episode, this recap delivers the breadth of news covered, with major headlines, in-depth context, direct quotes, and all critical timings for quick reference.