NPR News Now — November 25, 2025, 6PM EST

Host: Dan Ronan
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on key national and international stories for the evening of November 25, 2025. Topics include U.S.-led negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Thanksgiving travel forecasts, the U.S. military’s break from Scouting, local developments in Virginia and Washington, D.C., and an ICE-related arrest involving a White House official’s relative.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Push for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal

[00:15-01:10]

• President Trump has directed senior administration members to engage directly with Russian and Ukrainian leaders in pursuit of a peace agreement.
• Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with Putin in Moscow.
• Secretary of the Army Dan Driskal will meet with Ukrainian officials.
• Trump stated he would only meet with Putin or President Zelensky if a deal is close to finalization.
• Last month’s anticipated Trump-Putin meeting in Hungary was canceled amid new sanctions.
• Trump has expressed frustration over the prolonged war, insisting, “the war between Ukraine and Russia should have been easier to end.”

Quote:

"Trump was supposed to meet with Putin last month in Hungary, but the meeting was scrapped, with Trump announcing new sanctions on Russia."
— Deepa Shivaram, [00:31]

2. Thanksgiving Travel Forecasts

[01:10-01:53]

• AAA projects 82 million Americans will travel for Thanksgiving—a 1.6 million increase from 2024—with 90% traveling by car.

• Despite economic fluctuation and job losses, gasoline prices are low and not discouraging travel.

• Patrick DeHaan (GasBuddy): “74% of respondents to our survey said gas prices are not impacting their travel plans this year. But still, there's a lot of jitter within consumers.” [01:33]

• FAA expects the busiest Thanksgiving air travel in 15 years, scheduling 360,000 flights.

• Secretary Sean Duffy notes air traffic control staffing is back to normal.

Quote:

"Gas prices relatively low. For their part, 74% of respondents to our survey said gas prices are not impacting their travel plans this year. But still, there's a lot of jitter within consumers."
— Patrick DeHaan, [01:33]

3. U.S. Military Ends Partnership with Scouting

[01:53–03:11]

• Defense Secretary Hegseth is moving to end the 102-year partnership with the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts.
• Claims involve concerns over national security and resource allocation, specifically related to border security.
• Hegseth criticizes the Scouts' shift toward DEI and gender inclusivity.
• Draft orders bar Scout troops from military bases and eliminate rank advantages for Eagle Scouts enlisting.
• Pentagon declined to comment on the still-unverified documents.

Quote:

“He also condemns scouting for promoting DEI, saying it rebranded to be genderless and attack boy-friendly spaces.”
— Graham Smith, [02:23]

4. Virginia High School Football Coach Missing Amid Charges

[03:11–03:56]

• Police in southwest Virginia are searching for missing coach Travis Turner, who is wanted on multiple counts of child pornography and soliciting a minor.
• Turner disappeared before law enforcement could arrest him; his undefeated team continues to play in state playoffs without him.
• The school district is cooperating with authorities.

5. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Not Seeking Reelection

[03:56–04:34]

• Mayor Bowser announced she will not seek reelection after serving since 2014.
• Cites accomplishments such as securing a new stadium deal and leading post-pandemic recovery.
• Her tenure has been marked by clashes with President Trump, including his takeover of the city's police force.
• Advisers say fatigue from dealing with federal interventions influenced her decision.

Quote:

“We also brought our city back from the ravages of a global pandemic and summoned our collective strength to stand tall against bullies who threaten our very autonomy.”
— Muriel Bowser (via announcement video), [04:15]

6. ICE Arrest Related to White House Press Secretary

[04:34–04:54]

• A relative of White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt was arrested by ICE in Boston.
• The woman is currently in custody in Louisiana.
• Michael Levitt, the Press Secretary’s brother, reportedly had a relationship with the detained woman.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Patrick DeHaan on consumer sentiment:
  “But still, there's a lot of jitter within consumers.” [01:33]

• Graham Smith describing military withdrawal from Scouting:
  “…stop offering advanced rank to Eagle Scouts who enlisted.” [02:23]

• Bowser’s message on D.C. resilience:
  “We also brought our city back from the ravages of a global pandemic…” [04:15]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:15] Russia-Ukraine peace initiative news
• [01:10] Thanksgiving travel forecast starts
• [01:53] Scouting and military partnership breakdown
• [03:11] Virginia high school football coach investigation
• [03:56] Bowser re-election announcement
• [04:34] ICE arrest related to White House official

This episode provides critical updates on pressing political, security, and social stories as Americans prepare for Thanksgiving week 2025.