NPR News Now – November 24, 2025, 1PM EST

Episode Overview

This five-minute news update provides a concise snapshot of the day's top stories, brought to listeners by host Lakshmi Singh. The episode highlights major legal developments, international diplomacy, sports scandals, notable revelations in music, and pre-Thanksgiving travel forecasts.

Key News Segments and Insights

1. Dismissal of Indictments Against Trump Critics

[00:15 – 01:28]

• Topic: Legal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James were dismissed by a federal judge.
• Reason: The judge ruled Lindsey Halligan, the acting U.S. Attorney who pursued the indictments, was "unlawfully appointed."
• Implication: Dismissal is "without prejudice," which means the DOJ may pursue similar charges in the future.
• Political context: President Trump appointed Halligan after dismissing the previous attorney who hesitated to bring charges.

Notable Quotes:

"The indictments against two of President Trump's most prominent critics, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, are being dismissed today."
—Lakshmi Singh [00:15]

2. Investigation into Senator Mark Kelly

[00:15 – 01:28]

• Topic: The Pentagon is investigating Senator Mark Kelly for "possible military law violations."
• Reason: Kelly advised service members they "do not have to follow illegal orders," aligning with other Democrats from military/intelligence backgrounds.
• Trump’s Response: The President labeled their message traitorous and claimed it was incitement to defy him as commander-in-chief.

3. Progress and Skepticism in Ukraine Peace Talks

[01:29 – 02:09]

• Context: President Trump announced "something good just may be happening" after weekend talks in Geneva.
• Details: The U.S. and Ukraine issued a joint statement indicating updates to their 28-point peace plan, but “more work is needed.”
• Ukraine’s Stance: Previous plans included measures Ukraine has “repeatedly rejected”—such as ceding territory, shrinking the military, and ruling out NATO membership.
• Mood: Cautious optimism but clear unresolved issues.

Notable Quote:

“President Trump said, quote, something good just may be happening. ... Both the United States and Ukraine say more work is needed and express cautious optimism about the direction.”
— Franco Ordonez [01:29]

4. Major Sports Gambling and Corruption Scandal

[02:10 – 03:05]

• Topic: Arraignment of former NBA players Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones on mafia-related gambling charges.
• Details: Conspiracy involved sports betting, poker game rigging, and allegedly sharing confidential player information. Portland Trailblazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones (ex-Cavaliers) were named.
• Scale: Described as “one of the most brazen corruption schemes” since sports betting became widespread in the U.S.
• Defense: All accused deny wrongdoing.

Notable Quote:

“Federal investigators claim it's one of the most brazen corruption schemes since [sports betting] became widely legal in the United States. ... The FBI alleges they took part in sports betting and rigging high stakes poker games with help from the Cosa Nostra crime families.”
— Quil Lawrence [02:22]

5. Childish Gambino Reveals Stroke and Heart Surgery

[03:05 – 03:54]

• Revelation: During his Camp Flog Gnaw festival set, Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) shared he suffered a stroke in 2024, leading to a canceled tour.
• Medical Details: First noticed symptoms in New Orleans; was later told about a hole in his heart, which required surgery.
• Career: Glover's latest (and possibly final) album under the Gambino name is "Bando Stone and the New World" (2024).

Notable Quote:

"He had a bad pain in his head and he couldn't see well. He went to a doctor who told him he had a stroke, and he says further tests revealed he had a hole in his heart which required surgery."
— Andrew Limbong [03:29]

6. Thanksgiving Travel Forecast

[04:09 – 04:54]

• Expectation: The FAA and TSA project the busiest Thanksgiving holiday travel period in 15 years.
• By the Numbers:
  • 360,000+ flights scheduled
  • Nearly 18 million expected at airport checkpoints
  • 82 million people estimated on the roads, a million more than last year
• Stock Market Update: The Dow is up around 300 points, S&P up over 1.5%.

Notable Quote:

“The Federal Aviation Administration projects it could be the busiest Thanksgiving holiday travel period in 15 years...Meanwhile, the Auto Club AAA projects at least 82 million people will be on the roads for Thanksgiving. That's over a million more than last year.”
— Lakshmi Singh [04:09]

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode’s tone is brisk and factual, in keeping with NPR’s concise news bulletins.
• The reporting balances significant national developments (legal/political news, peace talks) with pop culture and lifestyle stories (music, holiday travel) for a well-rounded news hit.
• Notable moments include the rare legal dismissal involving presidential critics, a major sports betting scandal, and Donald Glover’s candid health revelation on stage.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|--------------| | Dismissal of indictments & Kelly investigation| 00:15 – 01:28| | Ukraine peace talks update | 01:29 – 02:09| | NBA gambling scandal | 02:10 – 03:05| | Childish Gambino health news | 03:05 – 03:54| | Thanksgiving travel & market update | 04:09 – 04:54|

This episode succinctly delivers the latest headlines, emphasizing significant political-legal updates, societal trends, pressing international affairs, and notable occurrences in sports and entertainment.