NPR News Now – 9AM EST, November 25, 2025

Main Theme

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on major legal, political, international, and health developments, as well as a human-interest story, offering listeners a quick overview of the day’s most significant headlines.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Legal Setback for Trump Administration (00:14 – 01:11)

• Federal Judge Dismisses Charges:
  • Charges against former FBI Director Jim Comey and NY Attorney General Letitia James are dismissed because prosecutor Lindsey Halligan was appointed illegally at Trump's urging.
• Constitutional Scholar Weighs In:
  • Kim Whaley points out uncertainty for prosecutors, explaining that dismissals on these grounds mean there is likely “no six month grace period,” and that prosecutors are likely to seek a new grand jury.
    • Quote: “There was no actual indictment. There was no valid indictment for Letitia James... So I expect they'll just go back with a new grand jury and she'll be facing a similar process.” – Kim Whaley, 00:46

2. Latinos’ Growing Concerns Over Economy and Immigration (01:11 – 02:05)

• Pew Research Study Results:
  • Over 5,000 Latinos polled; 70% disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy.
  • 61% believe Trump’s policies have worsened conditions.
  • On immigration, two-thirds disapprove, and the majority believe Trump is too aggressive on deportations.
  • Notably, one-third have contemplated leaving the U.S. due to these concerns.
    • Quote: “Overall, a majority say they have serious concerns about their place in America, and one in three say they've contemplated leaving the country.” – Domenico Montanaro, 01:54

3. Brazil: Bolsonaro Faces Imminent Prison Term (02:05 – 03:05)

• Former President Jair Bolsonaro’s Status:
  • Supreme Court panel unanimously supports Bolsonaro’s preemptive arrest; he could begin serving a 27-year sentence at any time.
  • His lawyers declined further appeals.
  • Arrest involved him tampering with his ankle monitor, citing hallucinations and suspicion of a wiretap.
    • Quote: “The court argued that tampering with the device indicated flight risk and a blatant violation of precautionary measures set by the judiciary under custody.” – Julia Carneiro, 02:36

4. U.S. Retail Sales Update (03:05 – 03:18)

• Retail Sales in September:
  • Government reports a 0.1% increase.
  • The report was delayed by the government shutdown.

5. Reduced Social Media and Improved Mental Health (03:18 – 04:19)

• New Study on Young Adults:
  • Study tracked 400 young adults’ social media use.
  • A one-week “detox” dramatically reduced symptoms of anxiety (16%), depression (24%), and insomnia (14%).
    • Quote: “We had 80% of participants opting to do detox.” – Dr. Ilambe Conrad, 03:58

6. Passing of a Beloved Zoo Resident (04:19 – 04:57)

• San Diego Zoo’s Galapagos Tortoise Dies:
  • “Grandma”, estimated to be 141 years old, dies after nearly a century at the zoo.
  • She was known for her gentle, shy personality and called “the queen of the Zoo” by keepers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kim Whaley on Legal Aftermath:

  “There was no actual indictment. There was no valid indictment for Letitia James... So I expect they'll just go back with a new grand jury and she'll be facing a similar process.”
  – Constitutional Scholar Kim Whaley (00:46)

• Domenico Montanaro on Latino Sentiment:

  “Overall, a majority say they have serious concerns about their place in America, and one in three say they've contemplated leaving the country.”
  – Domenico Montanaro, NPR (01:54)

• Julia Carneiro on Bolsonaro’s Situation:

  “The court argued that tampering with the device indicated flight risk and a blatant violation of precautionary measures set by the judiciary under custody.”
  – Julia Carneiro, NPR (02:36)

• Dr. Ilambe Conrad on Social Media Detox:

  “We had 80% of participants opting to do detox.”
  – Dr. Ilambe Conrad (03:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:14] – Charges Dismissed Against Comey & James
• [00:46] – Legal Expert Kim Whaley’s Analysis
• [01:30] – Pew Research Latino Poll Results
• [02:22] – Bolsonaro’s Imminent Sentence in Brazil
• [03:05] – U.S. Retail Sales Update
• [03:29] – Social Media Use and Mental Health Study
• [04:19] – Death of San Diego Zoo’s Galapagos Tortoise “Grandma”

Tone and Language

• The reporting is concise, neutral, and factual, consistent with NPR’s signature style.
• Subject matter experts and correspondents provide lucid analysis and synthesize complex legal and social issues succinctly.

This episode delivers a brisk yet comprehensive update on legal controversies, immigration and economic anxieties among Latinos, significant international justice events, mental health research, and a notable obituary, all within a tightly packed format suitable for on-the-go listeners.