NPR News: 11-27-2025 8AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now — November 27, 2025, 8AM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Length: ~5 minutes
Purpose: A concise roundup of top news stories for the morning audience on Thanksgiving Day.

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Main Theme

This episode of NPR News Now delivers up-to-the-minute coverage of critical national and international events: a security incident near the White House with major political implications, Pope Leo XIV’s groundbreaking papal trip, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a new congressional map in North Carolina, and a special Thanksgiving aboard the International Space Station.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. West Virginia National Guard Members Shot in D.C.

[00:20] Jeanine Herbst reports:

• Two National Guard members, stationed near the White House, were critically injured in a shooting.
• An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakhanwal, is in custody—he was also wounded.
• President Trump has labeled the attack as “ambush style” and announced deployment of additional National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.
• As a result, the administration has halted all immigration requests from Afghan nationals indefinitely.

[00:50] Dia Hadid’s report:

• The shooter was identified through an announcement on X (formerly Twitter) by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Lakhanwal entered the U.S. under a post-Afghanistan resettlement program.
• This policy change affects around 35,000 Afghan nationals and their families, especially those who assisted the U.S. during its 20-year involvement in Afghanistan.
• Quote: “Advocates for Afghans say the decision to suspend immigration requests is likely to impact the claims of some 35,000 Afghan nationals and their families who are in the asylum pipeline.” — Dia Hadid [01:20]

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2. Pope Leo XIV’s First Overseas Papal Visit

[01:38] Jeanine Herbst sets up coverage:

• Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, begins a six-day pilgrimage to Turkey and Lebanon.

[01:50] Ruth Sherlock, traveling with the pope:

• The pope greets journalists on the plane, mentioning Thanksgiving:
  • Quote: “Buongiorno. Atuti bene. To the Americans here, Happy Thanksgiving and it’s a wonderful day to celebrate.” — Pope Leo XIV [01:55]
• In Turkey, Leo will meet President Erdogan; the trip seeks to improve relations after the conversion of Hagia Sophia back into a mosque in 2020.
• He will also visit Iznik, site of the historic Council of Nicaea, emphasizing Christian unity.
• Quote: “Pope Leo said he hopes this trip inspires all people to greater unity and harmony.” — Ruth Sherlock [02:33]

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3. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

[02:36] Jeanine Herbst previews:

• The annual parade in New York is set to begin, featuring 34 giant balloons (2-4 stories tall), floats, and celebrities.
• Performance highlights: Lil John and Cynthia Erivo.
• [03:00] Catherine Wright (Macy’s Studios):
  • Describes balloon flight analysis in preparation for wind conditions:
  • Quote: “All of our balloons have this flight analysis that tells our balloon teams how high they can fly the balloons in different wind conditions.” — Catherine Wright [03:00]

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4. North Carolina Congressional Map Ruling

[03:10] Jeanine Herbst:

• A three-judge panel approves a new congressional map favoring Republicans in 11 out of 14 districts, including targeting Rep. Don Davis’s swing seat.
• North Carolina is among key states revising boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections, reflecting President Trump’s efforts for mid-cycle changes.

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5. Thanksgiving Aboard the International Space Station

[04:02] Nell Greenfield Boice reports:

• Astronaut Mike Fink celebrates his second Thanksgiving in orbit, joined by an international crew.
• Fink shares a meal featuring turkey and cranberry sauce—specifically Russian cranberries.
  • Quote: “So we have like the traditions of turkey. There’s some cranberry sauce here.” — Mike Fink [04:16]
  • Quote: “It’s actually kind of Russian cranberries. So it’s kind of neat to have that up here, because that’s one of my favorite parts.” — Mike Fink [04:24]
• The crew also enjoys holiday treats sent from Earth, such as candy and lobster.
• Fink expresses mixed feelings:
  • Misses family at home but cherishes celebrating with his “space family.” [04:40]

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6. Additional Briefs

• Wall Street is closed for the holiday; commences with a shortened trading day on Friday. [04:48]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump: “Ambush style attack” (reported by Jeanine Herbst) [00:20]
• Dia Hadid: “Advocates for Afghans say the decision to suspend immigration requests is likely to impact the claims of some 35,000 Afghan nationals...” [01:20]
• Pope Leo XIV: “To the Americans here, Happy Thanksgiving and it's a wonderful day to celebrate.” [01:55]
• Catherine Wright: “All of our balloons have this flight analysis that tells our balloon teams how high they can fly the balloons in different wind conditions.” [03:00]
• Mike Fink: “It’s actually kind of Russian cranberries. So it’s kind of neat to have that up here because that’s one of my favorite parts.” [04:24]
• Mike Fink: Shares the importance of his "space family" during the holiday [04:40]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• D.C. National Guard attack and Afghan immigration policy: 00:20–01:37
• Pope Leo XIV’s trip: 01:38–02:36
• Macy’s Parade preview: 02:36–03:10
• North Carolina congressional map: 03:10–04:02
• Thanksgiving on the ISS: 04:02–04:48
• Holiday Market Brief: 04:48–04:58

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This episode provides a snapshot of Thanksgiving Day’s critical events — balancing urgent hard news, major international developments, beloved American traditions, and a touch of holiday spirit.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

I'm Jeanine Herbst. Two members of the West Virginia National Guard shot yesterday blocks from the White House remain in critical condition. Authorities say an Afghan national is in custody and was also wounded. President Trump is calling it an ambush style attack and says he's deploying hundreds more National Guard members to Washington, D.C. as a result. NPR's Dia Hadid reports. The Trump administration also says all immigration requests from Afghan nationals are being halted indefinitely.

[Dia Hadid]

The U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services made the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter. It came as the Department of Homeland Security identified the shooter as an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakhanwal. He entered the US Under a program that helped resettle Afghan refugees after the Taliban overran Kabul and triggered the chaotic exit of US Forces from the country. Advocates for Afghan say the decision to suspend immigration requests is likely to impact the claims of some 35,000 Afghan nationals and their families who are in the asylum pipeline. That's through a program for those who served alongside Western forces during America's two decades of involvement in Afghanistan. Dear Hadid, NPR News, Mumbai.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Pope Leo is in Turkey on the first foreign trip of his papacy. The first American pope's six day pilgrimage will also take him to Lebanon. NPR's Ruth Sherlock is traveling with the pope.

[Ruth Sherlock]

Shortly after taking off from Rome, Pope Leo XIV came to greet the journalists on board.

[Pope Leo XIV]

Buongiorno. Atuti bene. To the Americans here, Happy Thanksgiving and it's a wonderful day to celebrate.

[Ruth Sherlock]

The first stop is Turkey, where he'll meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an opportunity to smooth relations with a leader who in 2020 turned the Hagia Sophia heritage site, important for Christians and Muslims, into a mosque. And Leo will travel to Iznik, where 1700 years ago the Council of Nicaea developed the fundamental Christian creed still recited by Christians of different denominations today. Pope Leo said he hopes this trip inspires all people to greater unity and harmony. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Ankara, Turkey.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade gets underway in about a half an hour in New York City. Dozens of floats, clowns, marching bands and, of course, the giant balloons will float down the street in Manhattan to the Macy's store in Herald Square. There will be 34 giant balloons, each one between two to four stories tall. Catherine Wright with Macy's Studios says there ready for any wind problems.

[Catherine Wright]

All of our balloons have this flight analysis that tells our balloon teams how high they can fly the balloons in different wind conditions.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Lil John and Cynthia Erivo are among those scheduled to appear. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A three judge panel says North Carolina can use a newly redrawn congressional map designed to give Republicans an additional U.S. house seat. The map would give the GOP an advantage in 11 of the 14 congressional districts and it targets the state's only swing seat held by Democratic Rep. Don Davis, representing over 20 northeastern counties. North Carolina is among several states where President Trump has pushed for mid decade map changes ahead of the 2026 elections. Thanksgiving in orbit is nothing new for a veteran NASA astronaut, Mike Fink. As NPR's Nell Greenfield, voice reports, it's the second time he's spent the holiday onboard the International Space Station.

[Nell Greenfield Boice]

Mike Fink has been living on the orbiting outpost since August. The station's crew includes other NASA astronauts and astronaut from Japan and Russian cosmonauts. In a video message, Fink said they'd share a festive meal.

[Mike Fink]

So we have like the traditions of turkey. There's some cranberry sauce here.

[Nell Greenfield Boice]

A can of cranberry sauce floated next to him.

[Mike Fink]

It's actually kind of Russian cranberries. So it's kind of neat to have that up here because that's one of my favorite parts.

[Nell Greenfield Boice]

They'll also eat other holiday treats. NASA sent up packages of everything from candy to lobster. Fink said he was going to miss his family back on Earth, of course, but that it was awesome to get to celebrate with what he called his space family. Nell Greenfield Boice, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Wall Street's closed today for the Thanksgiving holiday, and it will have a shortened trading day tomorrow. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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