NPR News Now — November 29, 2025, 4AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: Major national and global news stories, including a high-profile memorial, Congressional debates over healthcare, political turmoil in Ukraine, international scandals, and updates on significant crime cases.

Main Stories and Key Discussion Points

1. Memorial for National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom

[00:18–01:02]

• Details:

  • Memorial was held in Webster Springs, West Virginia, for Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old National Guard specialist shot and killed in Washington, D.C.
  • Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf was also critically injured in the same shooting.
  • The suspect, an Afghan national granted U.S. asylum, has been arrested on multiple charges, including murder.
  • Senator Robbie Morris spoke at the service, expressing the community’s grief and noting the pain of tragedies around the holidays.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Robbie Morris: “The loss that we are all feeling, the anger, the devastation.” [00:46]
  • “There's never a good time for something like this to happen, but it seems to hit harder around the holidays.” — Robbie Morris [00:54]

2. Congressional Debate on Health Care Subsidies

[01:02–01:49]

• Details:

  • Congress returns next week to debate extending Affordable Care Act tax credits, set to expire December 31.
  • Some Republicans support the extension but want income caps; conservatives generally oppose any extension.
  • If no action is taken, over 20 million Americans could see significant health premium increases.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Dieter Walsh, NPR: “Even if a bipartisan deal clears the Senate, it's unclear whether House Speaker Mike Johnson would allow a vote.” [01:35]
  • “Unless Congress acts quickly, more than 20 million Americans will see sponsors spikes in health care premiums.” — Dieter Walsh [01:44]

3. Resignation of Ukrainian President’s Chief of Staff Amid Corruption Probe

[01:49–02:39]

• Details:

  • Andrei Yermak, chief of staff to Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, resigned amidst a widening corruption investigation.
  • $100 million allegedly siphoned from the Ukrainian state nuclear power agency.
  • The development comes just as Ukraine heads into peace talks with the Trump administration.
  • Zelenskyy emphasizes unity and focus on defense, stressing that “there will be no mistakes.”

• Notable Quotes:

  • Zelenskyy (via Eleanor Beardsley): “Anti-corruption officials searched Yermak's house...” [02:13]
  • “Russia wants Ukraine to make mistakes, said Zelensky. There will be no mistakes on our part.” — Eleanor Beardsley [02:34]

4. President Trump’s Criticism Over Biden’s Use of Autopen

[02:39–03:09]

• Details:
  • Trump criticizes Biden’s use of an autopen for signing documents, alleging misuse without evidence.
  • Notes autopens have been used by leaders of both parties, and Trump himself has acknowledged their use.

5. International Updates

[03:09–04:34]

• Hong Kong Apartment Fire:

  • Death toll at 128, with many unaccounted for. [03:09]

• Trump to Pardon Former Honduran President:

  • Trump announces intention to pardon Juan Orlando Hernandez, convicted in the U.S. on drug and weapons charges. [03:20]

• South African Political Scandal (Mercenaries in Donbas):

  • Judy ZelisiMbudla Zuma resigns her parliamentary seat after allegations of trafficking South Africans to Russia.
  • She claims she believed men were being recruited as bodyguards, not fighters in Ukraine.
  • South African government working to repatriate 17 men, investigation ongoing.
  • WhatsApp messages reveal the men’s fear and confusion, indicating they did not know they’d be sent to fight.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “She claims she thought the men were being sent to Russia to train as bodyguards and return to work for her political party.” — Kate Bartlett [04:10]
  • “NPR has seen terrified WhatsApp messages from the men saying they had no idea they were going to be fighting in a war.” — Kate Bartlett [04:26]

6. Louvre Museum Robbery Arrests

[04:34–04:57]

• Details:
  • Paris police have arrested the final of four suspects involved in last month’s robbery at the Louvre.
  • The stolen items included France's crown jewels.
  • The latest suspect faces charges of robbery by an organized crime group and could be sentenced to 15 years.

Memorable Moments

• The somber and reflective tone during the West Virginia memorial segment, with local leaders voicing the deep pain of the community.
• Direct, concise descriptions of international controversies, notably the Ukrainian corruption investigation and the mercenary scandal in South Africa.
• Clear reporting style, typical for NPR News Now — tightly focused updates, fast-paced but detailed.

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:18–01:02 Memorial for Sarah Beckstrom
• 01:02–01:49 Congressional health care debate
• 01:49–02:39 Ukrainian chief of staff resignation
• 02:39–03:09 Trump attacks Biden’s autopen use
• 03:09–03:20 Hong Kong fire update
• 03:20–03:50 Trump to pardon Honduran president
• 03:50–04:34 South African mercenary/trafficking scandal
• 04:34–04:57 Louvre museum robbery arrests

Overall Tone and Style

• Concise, urgent, and authoritative, with brief direct quotes for local color and emotional context.
• Coverage reflects the pressing issues of the day, from domestic tragedy to international intrigue, in NPR’s signature objective voice.

This summary covers all major news stories from the episode, with segment breakdowns, notable quotes, and clear attribution for readers who did not listen to the broadcast.