NPR News Now – November 26, 2025, 3AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
Length: 5 minutes
Theme: The episode provides a concise, up-to-date overview of major national and international news stories, covering U.S. foreign policy, political controversies, severe weather, legal developments, and urban politics.

Major Themes and Key Discussion Points

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

[00:13 - 01:13]

• President Trump has instructed his administration to advance negotiations between Russia and Ukraine toward a formal peace agreement.
  • Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
  • Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will meet with Ukrainian officials.
  • Trump clarifies he won’t personally meet with the leaders until talks are in their final stages.
  • A previous Trump-Putin meeting in Hungary was canceled, replaced by new U.S. sanctions on Russia.
• Context: Trump expresses ongoing frustration with the protracted conflict, insisting that ending the war "should have been easier."

Quote:
"He repeatedly says the war between Ukraine and Russia should have been easier to end."
— Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, The White House [01:07]

2. Lawmakers Challenge Trump Administration; FBI Inquiry Develops

[01:13 - 01:36]

• Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) responds to news that the FBI is investigating her and five other Democrats with military/intelligence backgrounds.
  • The inquiry is linked to a recent video in which they urged U.S. troops to refuse illegal orders.
  • She denounces any attempts at intimidation:

Quote:
"I am doing my job. I will not be intimidated. I will not be harassed. I will continue to do my job and uphold my oath, and I will never give up the ship."
— Rep. Maggie Goodlander [01:27]

• Background: The Trump administration is accused of attempts to silence dissenting lawmakers, especially those with national security credentials.

3. Trump Administration and Ongoing Legal Controversies

[01:36 - 01:50]

• Senator Mark Kelly (AZ) was allegedly threatened with recall to active duty and potential military charges, highlighting rising tension between the Pentagon and Congress.
• Dismissals of criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and NY Attorney General Letitia James have prompted the Justice Department to announce appeals, contesting the claim that special prosecutor Lindsey Halligan was "illegally appointed."

4. Severe Weather Hits the South and Midwest

[01:50 - 03:13]

• Heavy rain is forecasted for Mississippi to Georgia; snowfall hits parts of the Midwest.
• In Houston, Texas, a tornado damages dozens of homes, leaving debris and displacement but no reported injuries.

Quote:
"I'm probably going to be displaced for like three to six months, according to the insurance. So they put us in a hotel last night. But I mean, we're okay. Just, you know, we might be a little angry, a little, you know, sleep well type stuff, but we're okay."
— Michelle Amaro, Houston Homeowner [02:47]

• Long-term residents report this is the worst storm they've experienced.

5. State Laws and AI Regulation Clash with Federal Policy

[03:13 - 03:52]

• 35 states and D.C. attorneys general send a bipartisan letter to Congress urging them not to block state-level AI governance.
• They warn of "disastrous consequences" if AI is left unregulated, setting up a standoff with the Trump administration.

6. Victim Privacy Laws and Police Accountability

[03:52 - 04:35]

• Ohio Supreme Court expands victim protection laws (Marcy’s Law) to allow redaction of police officers’ identities in the course of duty, arguing they, too, are "victims of crime." The Columbus Fraternal Order of Police sees this as a win.

Quote:
"They were 100% a victim of crimes. You don't all of a sudden not become a victim of crime simply because the uniform you wear."
— Brian Steele, Columbus FOP President [04:07]

• Contrast with Florida Supreme Court decision, which denied such protections in a similar case.

7. Washington D.C. Mayor Will Not Seek Reelection

[04:35 - 04:57]

• Mayor Muriel Bowser announces she will not run for a fourth term, releasing a statement via social media.
• Her tenure was capped by President Trump's declaration of a crime emergency in the capital earlier this year.

Notable Moments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Quote | Speaker | |-----------|----------------|---------| | 00:33-01:13 | Trump pushes new peace talks | Deepa Shivaram | | 01:27 | "I will not be intimidated..." | Rep. Maggie Goodlander | | 02:47 | "I'm probably going to be displaced..." | Michelle Amaro | | 04:07 | "They were 100% a victim of crimes..." | Brian Steele, FOP | | 04:35 | Bowser will not seek reelection | Giles Snyder |

Takeaways

• The U.S. is redoubling diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, with significant political and military figures involved.
• Democratic lawmakers are facing federal investigation after questioning presidential orders, signaling deepening civil-military tensions.
• The Justice Department is not backing down on high-profile dismissed legal cases.
• Severe weather continues to disrupt American communities, but resilience remains apparent.
• The debate over AI regulation escalates, raising questions about state versus federal authority.
• Legal reforms are redefining how privacy laws apply to law enforcement officers, with significant implications for transparency and accountability.
• D.C.’s political landscape will shift as Mayor Bowser steps away after three terms.

This summary delivers a comprehensive, timestamped breakdown of the episode’s news highlights and central discussions, capturing both the facts and the voices behind the stories.