NPR News Now: 11-24-2025 5AM EST

Host: Dave Mattingly
Date: November 24, 2025
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of major global and domestic news, covering diplomatic efforts in Ukraine, escalating violence in the Middle East, an alarming criminal plot in Haiti, Thanksgiving travel projections, a box office update, and college football rankings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine–Russia Peace Talks in Geneva

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio reports optimism after diplomatic talks in Geneva focused on ending the Russia–Ukraine conflict, citing progress on the Trump administration’s 28-point peace plan.
  • Rubio Quote:

    "I don't want to declare victory or finality here. There's still some work to be done, but we are much further ahead today at this time than we were when we began this morning and where we were a week ago. For certain." (Marco Rubio, 00:40)

  • Ukrainian officials echo the sentiment—progress, though problems remain, and Rubio calls the areas of disagreement "not insurmountable."

2. Middle East Tensions: Beirut Airstrike

• Israeli forces killed senior Hezbollah commander Haitham Ali Tabatabai in Beirut’s southern suburbs, amid ongoing hostilities despite a year-old U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
  • Correspondent Report:
    • "Hezbollah announced that Haitham Ali Tabatabai was killed... The group described him as one of the founders of resistance against Israel." (Jane Araf, 01:16)
    • The airstrike also killed four others and wounded dozens; Lebanese President Joseph Ayoun urges international intervention.
    • Hezbollah’s response signals a potential for further escalation, with one official calling the strike "a new red line."

3. Violent Plot in Haiti: U.S. Indictments

• Two Texas men, Gavin Weissenberg and Tanner Thomas, face federal indictment for planning to violently seize Ganav Island, Haiti.
  • Details of the Plot:
    • Alleged plans included mass murder and sexual enslavement, recruiting homeless people in Washington, D.C., and acquiring military and emergency training for the operation.
    • "The indictment says Thomas enlisted in the Air Force to get military training... Weisenberg's attorney tells NPR the Justice Department's claims have, quote, some limited factual basis but are wildly misleading." (Kristen Wright, 02:09)
    • Both men are pleading not guilty.

4. Thanksgiving Travel Surge

• AAA projects a record-setting 82 million people traveling within the U.S. over Thanksgiving, primarily on roads.
• The Federal Aviation Administration anticipates the busiest Thanksgiving for U.S. airports in 15 years.
  • "The Federal Aviation Administration expects this to be the busiest Thanksgiving holiday at airports across the US in 15 years." (Dave Mattingly, 02:54)

5. Florida Shooting Incident

• A suspect involved in the fatal shooting of a sheriff's deputy (and the wounding of another) near Vero Beach, Florida, has died from injuries after exchanging fire during an eviction notice.
  • • Incident also led to the death of a wounded locksmith.

6. Entertainment: Box Office Success of ‘Wicked for Good’

• "Wicked for Good", the sequel to the Wizard of Oz origin story, tops the North American box office.
  • "It’s doing very well, but the story isn’t as well known in other countries... their combined box office will reach a billion dollars in the next few days." (Bob Mondello, 03:54)
  • Major U.S. opening at $150 million; $75 million overseas.

7. Sports: College Football Rankings

• The AP Top 25 college football rankings remain unchanged at the top:
  1. Ohio State
  2. Indiana
  3. Texas A&M
• All three teams are undefeated.
  • "Ohio State is number one, followed by Indiana and Texas A and M. All three are undefeated." (Dave Mattingly, 04:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Diplomatic Progress:

  "There’s still some work to be done, but we are much further ahead today... than we were when we began this morning and where we were a week ago."
  (Marco Rubio, 00:40)

• Hezbollah Funeral and Escalation:

  "Haitham Ali Tabatabai was killed in an Israeli attack... described as one of the founders of resistance against Israel."
  (Jane Araf, 01:16)

• Federal Charges:

  "Prosecutors say the two also planned to recruit homeless people... painstakingly planning, researching weapons and learning Haitian Creole."
  (Kristen Wright, 02:09)

• Box Office Commentary:

  "Wicked for Good... was expected to do well here with what looks like a $150 million opening weekend... their combined box office will reach a billion dollars."
  (Bob Mondello, 03:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Peace Talks – 00:19 to 00:51
• Israeli Airstrike in Beirut – 00:51 to 01:57
• Haiti Plot Indictments – 01:57 to 02:54
• Thanksgiving Travel Projections – 02:54 to 03:12
• Florida Shooting Incident – 03:12 to 03:54
• ‘Wicked for Good’ Box Office – 03:54 to 04:41
• AP College Football Rankings – 04:41 to 04:58

Tone

The newscast is fast-paced, factual, and measured—characteristic of NPR’s concise hourly updates. The reporting is sober and direct, relaying significant national and international developments with clarity, gravity, and minimal commentary.

For those who missed the episode, this summary captures the morning’s essential headlines and insights as presented by NPR’s experienced news team.