NPR News Now: 11-24-2025 6PM EST — Episode Summary

Main Theme:
This five-minute NPR News Now episode offers a brisk but thorough roundup of the day’s major U.S. and world events: legal battles involving high-profile political figures, military and Congressional controversy, international peace talks, Thanksgiving travel forecasts, emerging public health findings, and a significant auto recall.

1. Legal Setback for the White House: Judge Tosses Indictments (00:01 – 01:01)

• Federal judge dismisses cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both critics of the current administration.
• Reason: The judge ruled President Trump had not legally appointed Lindsey Halligan as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, invalidating indictments she secured.
• White House Response: Press Secretary Caroline Levitt vows to appeal, stating:
  • "[Lindsay Halligan] is extremely qualified for this position, but more importantly, was legally appointed to it." (Caroline Levitt, 00:37)
• Background on Cases:
  • Comey faced charges of obstructing justice and making false statements to the Senate.
  • Letitia James indicted for bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.
  • Both have pleaded not guilty.

2. Pentagon Probes Senator Mark Kelly After Troops Statement (01:01 – 01:48)

• Investigation launched into Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers.
  • Allegation: They told troops not to follow illegal orders—a core principle of military education.
  • Political escalation: President Trump calls it “treason” and suggests the death penalty.
• Administration faces scrutiny over:
  • Legality of deploying National Guard troops to cities.
  • Deadly airstrikes on boats allegedly used for drug smuggling in the Caribbean.
• International note: President Trump claims “big progress” in Ukraine peace talks, telling supporters, “don’t believe it until you see it.”

3. Ukraine Peace Talks: Cautious Optimism Amid Pressure (01:48 – 02:27)

• President Trump remarks: “Something good just may be happening.” (Franco Ordonez, 01:48)
  • Posted after receiving a Geneva talks update.
  • A joint U.S.-Ukraine statement says the 28-point plan for peace has been refined, but more work remains.
• Plan Details:
  • Early proposals—cutting military size, giving up territory, and rejecting NATO membership—are contentious and mostly rejected by Ukraine.
• Cautious outlook: Both sides express hope while emphasizing unresolved issues.

4. Thanksgiving Travel Surge—the Busiest in 15 Years (02:27 – 02:56)

• FAA expects 18 million airline passengers and 360,000 flights over Thanksgiving.
• Not everyone flying: AAA’s Axa Diaz says “at least 73 million people” will take to the roads (02:46), possibly even more, as some avoid airports due to crowding and delays.
  • “There may be some people who said, you know what? I want to avoid airports altogether. I'm going to drive my own vehicle and I'm going to do a road trip instead.” (Axa Diaz, 02:46)
  • Tuesday and Wednesday are projected to be the peak travel days.

5. Health Watch: GLP1 Weight Loss Drugs and Pregnancy Complications (02:56 – 04:05)

• New findings (published in JAMA): Women who stopped taking popular GLP1 drugs (like WeGovy) just before or during early pregnancy faced higher risk of:
  • Preterm birth
  • Excess weight gain
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Hypertensive disorders
• Research scope: Study reviewed nearly 1,800 pregnancies, mostly in women with obesity.
• Researcher’s note: More studies needed to understand risks/benefits for women of childbearing age.
  • “They found that Women who stopped GLP1 medications right before or early in pregnancy also had a higher risk of gaining excess weight, developing gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders compared to women who did not take these drugs.” (Maria Godoy, 03:17)

6. Major Auto Recall: Kia & Hyundai Tank Melting Hazard (04:05 – 04:40)

• NHTSA recall: Over 335,000 Kia and Hyundai vehicles may have gas tanks that melt due to a faulty purge control check valve.
• Details:
  • Affected models: 250,000+ Kia K5 sedans (2021-2024), 85,000 Sonata non-hybrids (2020-2023)
  • Risk of meltdown or fuel leak, potential for dangerous situations.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt: “The Department of Justice will be appealing very soon, and it is our position that Lindsay Halligan is extremely qualified for this position, but more importantly, was legally appointed to it.” (00:37)
• President Trump (social media): “Something good just may be happening.” on Ukraine peace prospects (01:48, paraphrased in reporting)
• AAA’s Axa Diaz on holiday travel: “I'm going to drive my own vehicle and I'm going to do a road trip instead. So we're projecting at least 73 million people, but that number could end up [being higher].” (02:46)
• NPR’s Maria Godoy on GLP1 study: “Women who stopped GLP1 medications right before or early in pregnancy also had a higher risk of gaining excess weight, developing gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders.” (03:17)

Episode Timeline

• 00:01 – 01:01: White House legal setback and response
• 01:01 – 01:48: Pentagon investigates Senator Kelly; Trump’s comments; legal/military controversies
• 01:48 – 02:27: Ukraine peace talks update; Trump’s cautious optimism
• 02:27 – 02:56: Thanksgiving travel rush; road vs. air stats
• 02:56 – 04:05: Study on discontinuing GLP1 weight loss drugs before pregnancy
• 04:05 – 04:40: Kia & Hyundai recall due to gas tank defect

This summary covers all newsworthy topics and relevant details in the episode, providing context and direct quotations for clarity.