NPR News Now – November 28, 2025, 3AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder (NPR)
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: Overnight updates on major U.S. and global news events

Episode Overview

This concise, five-minute NPR News Now segment provides updates on a range of pressing news stories—including a targeted shooting of West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., ongoing grief and recovery efforts in Texas following summer floods, the spread of avian flu in Canada, a deadly fire in Hong Kong, France's announcement of voluntary military service in light of the Ukraine war, and an Anchorage earthquake. The episode underscores national tragedy, global crises, and moments of resilience in the face of adversity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. West Virginia National Guard Shooting in D.C.

• President Trump Announcement

  • Confirms the death of Sarah Beckstrom (20) and critical injury to Andrew Wolf (24), both West Virginia National Guard members, after they were shot in Washington, D.C. ([00:19])
  • Trump made the announcement during his Thanksgiving call with U.S. military leaders.
  • Brian Mann reports: Wolf remains in critical condition after surgery. ([00:43])

• Suspect and Political Implications

  • The suspect is described as an Afghan national who was granted asylum during the Biden administration earlier in 2025. ([00:56])
  • Trump vows to "freeze immigration from what he called Third world countries" in reaction—a statement made in his Thanksgiving message, though he did not specifically reference the D.C. attack. ([00:56])

2. Texas Rebuilds After July Floods

• Ongoing Impact on Families ([01:33])

  • Many Texas families are having their first Thanksgiving without loved ones after summer floods that killed at least 138 people.
  • Dominic Anthony Walsh (Houston Public Radio): Focuses on Chloe Childress (18), a summer camp counselor lost in the floods, and how her family is coping with the loss.

• Memorable Quote:

  • Matthew Childress (Chloe’s father), reflecting on the grief:

    “But there's always this sort of dark cloud sort of waiting for you, that reminder that, oh yes, this happened and this is something that we're stuck with, that we can't escape.” ([01:54])

• Context:

  • The state investigation and lawsuits against the camp make moving on difficult for affected families.

3. Canada Faces Outbreak of Avian Flu

• Avian Flu Spreading in Ontario ([02:14])
  • Dan Karpenschuk (Toronto): H4N1 avian influenza identified on three turkey farms near London, Ontario; first case detected two weeks earlier, with two more confirmed in the same week. ([02:25])
  • Approx. 47,000 turkeys affected; strict controls now in place to prevent spread.
  • Migratory birds cited as main vector for the outbreak.

4. Hong Kong Apartment Fire Death Toll Rises

• Major Deadly Fire Update ([03:02])
  • At least 94 confirmed dead, dozens missing.
  • One of the deadliest in Hong Kong’s history.

5. France Launches Voluntary Military Service

• New Defense Measures Amid Russia Tensions ([03:33])

  • Rebecca Rossman (Paris): President Macron announces a voluntary military program for 18-19-year-olds starting next summer to boost defense in light of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

• Memorable Quote:

  • France’s new army chief of staff (recent statement):

    France must be prepared to "lose its children in the event of a potential conflict with Russia"—a phrase that sparked widespread backlash. ([03:33])

• Context:

  • France currently has the EU’s second-largest active force (200,000 personnel); this measure aims to further bolster capabilities.

6. Anchorage, Alaska, Hit by Earthquake

• Thanksgiving Day Quake ([04:15])
  • Anchorage experienced a 6.0-magnitude earthquake, light damage reported.
  • “Shakesgiving” trending on local social media.
  • Mayor reports no public infrastructure issues.

7. Space Station Crew Update

• ISS Thanksgiving Arrival ([04:15])
  • Two Russian cosmonauts and American astronaut Chris Williams arrived at ISS after a three-hour flight from Kazakhstan.
  • Will spend approximately eight months aboard.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There's always this sort of dark cloud … that reminder that, oh yes, this happened and this is something that we're stuck with, that we can't escape.”
  — Matthew Childress, on coping with loss after the Texas floods
  ([01:54])

• “France must be prepared to lose its children in the event of a potential conflict with Russia.”
  — France’s new army chief of staff, referenced by Rebecca Rossman
  ([03:33])

• “Shakesgiving”—Alaskans marking a Thanksgiving earthquake with humor online
  ([04:15])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:19 — West Virginia National Guard shooting update (Giles Snyder, Brian Mann)
• 01:33 — Texas floods aftermath & family coping (Dominic Anthony Walsh)
• 02:14 — Ontario avian flu outbreak (Dan Karpenschuk)
• 03:02 — Hong Kong apartment fire death toll (Giles Snyder)
• 03:33 — France’s voluntary military service proposal (Rebecca Rossman)
• 04:15 — Anchorage earthquake; ISS astronaut update (Giles Snyder)

This episode captures a world rocked by violence, disaster, and political change, with voices of grief and resolve standing out against the backdrop of national and international urgency. The reporting is factual and empathetic, maintaining NPR's calm, clear tone even in the face of tragedy.