NPR News Now – Detailed Summary

Episode: NPR News: 11-25-2025 7PM EST
Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Dan Ronan

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News update delivers the latest coverage on key topics impacting the US and the world, including Thanksgiving travel trends, the evolving US-Russia diplomacy over Ukraine, a Pentagon investigation of Senator Mark Kelly, federal education policy affecting nurses, and Americans' shifting economic confidence.

Key Discussion Points

1. Thanksgiving Travel Sets Records

[00:11–01:11]

• Main Points:

  • Thanksgiving travel is poised to hit a 15-year high, per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
  • FAA Administrator Brian Bedford likened the holiday travel rush to the aviation system's "Super Bowl."
  • Despite record travel numbers predicted by AAA (73 million by car), advance air bookings are down 4% from last year, possibly due to altered plans during the government shutdown.

• Notable Quote:

  • Brian Bedford (FAA Administrator):

    "The airlines, airports, TSA, FAA, especially for us, this week is our Super Bowl."
    [00:39]

2. US-Russia Diplomacy and the Ukraine Peace Plan

[01:11–02:03]

• Main Points:

  • Russia is likely to reject any US peace plan for Ukraine that doesn’t meet the Kremlin’s demands, as stated by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
  • Russia favors the earlier version of the plan, criticized as being pro-Russian, and awaits the revised US plan involving Ukraine and European input.
  • The announcement coincides with continuing fighting: heavy Russian attacks on Kyiv and Ukrainian drone strikes in Russia.

• Notable Moments:

  • The diplomatic process moves to the United Arab Emirates for continued talks.

3. Pentagon Investigation into Senator Mark Kelly

[02:03–02:59]

• Main Points:

  • Senator Mark Kelly, a decorated veteran and former astronaut, is investigated by the Pentagon for possible breach of military law.
  • Alongside other lawmakers (all military/CIA backgrounds), Kelly appeared in a video urging troops to disobey "illegal orders."
  • The Pentagon’s review is set for completion by December 10, targeting Kelly due to his retired military status.
  • Kelly sharply criticizes President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing them of misunderstanding the law.

• Notable Quote:

  • Mark Kelly:

    "He’s certainly outrageous and unpredictable. I don’t think he understands the Constitution. I’m not so sure Pete Hegseth does either. Neither of them seem to understand the Uniform Code of Military Justice because we recited what is in the Uniform Code of Military Justice and now he wants to court martial me under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It just doesn’t make any sense."
    [02:37]

4. Federal Policy and Nursing Graduate Degrees

[03:27–04:15]

• Main Points:

  • The Department of Education may delist nursing concentrations from its list of professional degrees, halving federal loan caps for nurses pursuing advanced degrees.
  • Nurses will be limited to $100,000 in total federal loans, versus the previous $200,000 cap.
  • Dr. Lou Bartalo (Maryland Nurses Association) warns this jeopardizes the nursing workforce and education, making it especially hard for those undertaking extensive clinical hours.
  • The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects a shortage of over 100,000 advanced-degree nurses by 2027.

• Notable Quote:

  • Dr. Lou Bartalo:

    "They also have many hours, hundreds of hours of clinicals that have to be attained as well. And in order to do that, some of them cannot work."
    [03:54]

5. Declining US Economic Confidence

[04:15–04:53]

• Main Points:
  • The Conference Board reports the lowest US consumer confidence since April, amid global tariffs, prolonged government shutdown, rising prices, and slow job growth.
  • The Commerce Department noted only a modest 0.2% rise in September retail and restaurant sales.
  • Public concern centers on affordability issues.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Brian Bedford on aviation during the holidays:

  "This week is our Super Bowl."
  [00:39]

• Mark Kelly rebuking Pentagon investigation:

  "Neither of them seem to understand the Uniform Code of Military Justice..."
  [02:37]

• Dr. Lou Bartalo on nursing education hardship:

  "...hundreds of hours of clinicals that have to be attained as well. And in order to do that, some of them cannot work."
  [03:54]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Thanksgiving Travel Update: 00:11–01:11
• US-Russia-Ukraine Diplomacy: 01:11–02:03
• Mark Kelly Investigation: 02:03–02:59
• Nursing Graduate Loan Policy: 03:27–04:15
• US Economic Confidence: 04:15–04:53

Summary

In this edition of NPR News Now, listeners receive a concise yet comprehensive overview of top national and international stories: a record-breaking Thanksgiving travel forecast amid a recent government shutdown; US-Russia wrangling over Ukraine peace; political and legal drama surrounding Senator Mark Kelly; concerning changes in nursing education financing; and a dip in consumer confidence linked to economic instability. The episode is marked by direct quotes from key figures and a sense of urgency in each developing story.