NPR News Now: November 28, 2025, 10AM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This fast-paced episode delivers a snapshot of major international and domestic news updates. Key topics include President Trump’s response to a fatal shooting involving National Guard members, a devastating fire in Hong Kong’s public housing, Wall Street’s post-holiday rebound, scientific insights about fevers, and weather warnings for the Northern Plains and Great Lakes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Vows Crackdown on Legal Migrants After National Guard Shooting

(00:11 – 01:16)

• Incident: West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom (20) died after a shooting near the White House. The suspect is a 29-year-old Afghan national.
• Response: President Trump calls for aggressive action against legal migrants, particularly those admitted from Afghanistan under the Biden administration.
  • He announced Beckstrom’s death on a conference call with military leaders.

    "Her parents are with her. This just happened. She was savagely attacked. She's dead."
    — President Donald Trump [00:42]

• On social media, Trump advocates for:
  • Pausing migration from what he called “threatened Third World countries.”
  • Deportations of many legal foreign residents.
• Government Action: Federal authorities are re-examining green cards and legal status of residents from Afghanistan and 18+ countries.

2. Hong Kong Public Housing Fire: Death Toll Tops 128

(01:16 – 02:10)

• Update: At least 128 fatalities in a public housing fire; bodies are still being recovered two days after the incident.
• Fire Details:
  • Occurred amid renovations; bamboo scaffolding and netting had initially been suspected, but netting met fire standards.
  • Authorities now blame other construction materials for rapid spread; fire alarms failed to operate.
• Historical Context: One of Hong Kong’s deadliest fires.

  • "Rescue efforts have now shifted to recovery operations. Many of the deceased haven't been fully identified."
    — Charisse Pham [01:31]

3. Wall Street Opens Higher Post-Thanksgiving & Markets Update

(02:10 – 03:00, 03:00 – 03:29)

• Market Movement: Dow up ~140-156 points in early trading; NASDAQ and S&P 500 also rising.
• Technical Glitch: CME futures trading was halted overnight due to data center issues before resuming.
• Additional Business Headlines:
  • Canadian oil pipeline deal with Alberta to reduce US dependency, in response to President Trump’s tariffs.
  • UPS’s MD11 cargo planes remain grounded after a deadly crash, likely affecting holiday shipping.

4. Science Spotlight: Why Fevers Help Fight Infections

(03:29 – 04:10)

• Big Question: How does fever assist the body during viral infections?
• New Study (in Science): Laboratory mice, which don’t naturally get fevers, survived flu better with artificially elevated temperatures.
  • Suggests fever’s heat, not just immune system reactions, thwarts viral infections.

  • "There are two main ideas for how fevers fight infection... The new research... suggests that the heat helped them fight the flu."
    — Jonathan Lambert [03:29]

5. Winter Storms Disrupting the Northern Plains and Great Lakes

(04:10 – 04:54)

• Impact: Major winter storm brings snow and gusty winds, posing travel hazards through the weekend.
• Risks: Snow squalls create low visibility, slippery roads, and below-average temperatures, complicating post-Thanksgiving travel.

  • "Heavy lake effect snow squalls creating low visibility in slippery areas could impact post Thanksgiving travel."
    — Jeanine Herbst [04:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on the loss of Sarah Beckstrom:
  "Her parents are with her. This just happened. She was savagely attacked. She's dead." [00:42]
• Charisse Pham on Hong Kong fire recovery:
  "Many of the deceased haven't been fully identified and more than a dozen burned bodies remain in the buildings, authorities said at a press conference." [01:31]
• Jonathan Lambert on fever research:
  "Mice housed at room temperature got sick after infection, but those housed in conditions simulating a fever fared much better." [03:29]
• Jeanine Herbst on winter storm threat:
  "Heavy lake effect snow squalls creating low visibility in slippery areas could impact post Thanksgiving travel as many make their way out to stores or home from holiday celebrations." [04:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:11 — President Trump’s vow on migrants and Afghan refugee shooting
• 01:16 — Hong Kong fire update
• 02:10 — Wall Street’s open and financial top lines
• 03:29 — Science of fevers and new research
• 04:10 — Winter storm and travel warnings

Episode provides a brisk, informative news summary grounded in the latest major events, with quick transitions between domestic, international, scientific, and weather stories.