NPR News Now – November 29, 2025, 11PM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers rapid-fire updates on major global and national news, from escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela, to Northwestern University's settlement with the federal government, Russia's crackdown on Human Rights Watch, a tribute to art collector Dorothy Vogel, weather updates, and the latest college football results.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US–Venezuela Airspace Tensions

• [00:20–01:22]
  • President Trump declared Venezuelan airspace "closed" to pilots, citing safety concerns.
  • Venezuela's Response: Foreign Ministry denounced Trump's statement as a "colonialist threat against their sovereignty" and "another extravagant, illegal and unjustified aggression against the Venezuelan people."
  • Venezuela suspended all flights deporting Venezuelan migrants and revoked operating rights for six major airlines.
  • The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) had previously warned of hazardous situations over Venezuela, prompting airlines to suspend flights.
  • US military pressure is increasing, with Trump hinting at targeting "alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers on land very soon."
  • Notable Quote:
    • Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry called Trump’s comments, “another extravagant, illegal and unjustified aggression against the Venezuelan people.” — Julia Cornero [00:41]
  • The White House has not clarified the intent behind Trump's statement.

2. Northwestern University–Federal Settlement

• [01:22–02:23]
  • Settlement Details: Northwestern to pay $75 million over three years to restore $790 million in frozen research funding.
  • Background: Funds were withheld after accusations of racial discrimination; the controversy contributed to the university president’s resignation.
  • Implications: Restores academic freedom and ends ongoing federal investigations.
  • Part of a trend: similar agreements with Cornell, Brown, and Columbia universities.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “The agreement allows the college to retain full academic freedom and says the Trump administration will end all open investigations into the school.” — Alyssa Nadworny [02:05]

3. Russia Expels Human Rights Watch

• [02:23–03:15]
  • Human Rights Watch has been designated an “undesirable organization” by Russia’s Justice Ministry.
  • Penalties up to four years in prison for anyone associated with HRW, with even harsher potential sentences for leadership.
  • HRW denounces this as symptomatic of deepening repression in Russia.
  • Joins a list of organizations forced to leave amid the war in Ukraine; independent media and NGOs have also been targeted.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “The undesirable label means criminal penalties up to four years in prison for anyone affiliated with Human Rights Watch. The group’s leadership could face even stiffer sentences.” — Charles Maynes [02:42]

4. Remembering Dorothy Vogel

• [03:15–04:16]
  • Dorothy Vogel, celebrated art collector, passed away at 90.
  • Together with her husband Herb, assembled a renowned collection of conceptual art on modest civil servant salaries.
  • Approach: Purchased what they could physically carry, paid in cash, focused on up-and-coming artists.
  • Their collection was donated to the National Gallery of Art and distributed to museums nationwide.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “In those days, if you wanted to collect art, pop art was already too expensive and so was abstract expressionists. So if you wanted to buy art, the only thing that we could afford would be the minimal.” — Dorothy Vogel (archive tape) [03:43]
  • Bob Mondello offers an appreciation.

5. Weather and Sports Updates

• [04:16–04:59]
  • Weather: Major storm system in the Midwest and Great Lakes, up to 1 inch of snow per hour, leading to traffic slowdowns and flight delays.
  • Saturday Report: Northern Iowa saw 8 inches of snow by Saturday morning.
  • College Football Results:
    • Ohio State beat Michigan 27–9; advances to Big Ten Championship.
      • “Michigan was held to just 100 rushing yards and 63 yards through the air. The Buckeyes now move on to the Big Ten championship against Indiana next weekend.” — Dale Willman [04:38]
    • Other scores:
      • Oregon 26–14 Washington
      • Texas Tech 49–0 West Virginia
      • Oklahoma 17–13 LSU
      • Barry 18–14 LaGrange

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Venezuela’s Response:
  “Another extravagant, illegal and unjustified aggression against the Venezuelan people.”
  — Julia Cornero quoting Venezuela Foreign Ministry [00:41]

• On Academic Freedom at Northwestern:
  “The agreement allows the college to retain full academic freedom and says the Trump administration will end all open investigations into the school.”
  — Alyssa Nadworny [02:05]

• On Russian Crackdown:
  “The undesirable label means criminal penalties up to four years in prison for anyone affiliated with Human Rights Watch.”
  — Charles Maynes [02:42]

• On Minimal Art Collecting:
  “If you wanted to buy art, the only thing that we could afford would be the minimal.”
  — Dorothy Vogel (archive tape) [03:43]

Important Segment Timestamps

• US–Venezuela Airspace Crisis: 00:20–01:22
• Northwestern Settlement: 01:22–02:23
• Russia Bans HRW: 02:23–03:15
• Dorothy Vogel Tribute: 03:15–04:16
• Weather and Sports: 04:16–04:59

Overall Tone

Factual, concise, and urgent—reflecting the “news in five minutes” format. The tone remains objective, with brief but poignant tributes and direct reporting from NPR correspondents.

This summary covers all the major stories in the episode, offering a concise yet detailed overview of the latest U.S. and world news as presented by NPR’s reporting team.