NPR News Now – 6PM EST – November 29, 2025

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers rapid updates on major U.S. and international news: a tragic shooting involving National Guard members near the White House, changes to U.S. visa policy for Afghans, a major university funding agreement, holiday shopping trends, the passing of renowned playwright Tom Stoppard, and a powerful winter storm disrupting travel in the Midwest.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. White House Shooting and Afghan Visa Freeze

• Incident: A National Guard member remains hospitalized after being shot near the White House; his colleague died Thursday.
• Suspect: Identified as an Afghan national, formerly working for the CIA in Afghanistan.
• Policy Response: The U.S. State Department has now halted issuing visas for all travelers on Afghan passports.
• Afghan Visa Applicants:
  • NPR’s Dia Hadid spoke to Afghans facing uncertainty amid this freeze.
    • “These are really dark days for the sub 265,000 Afghans who advocates say were in the pipeline to come to the US.” – Dia Hadid [00:33]
  • Example: Roshangar, an ex-Afghan military officer, now in hiding and expressing shame over the attacker.
    • “He was ashamed of the Afghan national behind the Wednesday attack in D.C.” – Dia Hadid, paraphrasing Roshangar [00:57]

2. Northwestern University-Federal Government Deal

• Background: Federal research funding (~$790M) was frozen last spring under the Trump administration amid accusations of racial discrimination and antisemitism.
• Resolution:
  • Northwestern agrees to pay $75M over 3 years.
  • In exchange, the federal government restores suspended funding and ends investigations.
  • Similar deals made with other elite universities: Cornell, Brown, Columbia.
    • “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 [01:20]

3. Holiday Shopping Surge

• Event: Strong shopper turnout during the busiest retail weekend in the U.S. despite economic concerns.
• On the Ground: At Lakeside Shopping Center (New Orleans), special events (like “sip and shop”) drew in large crowds.
• Shoppers' Perspectives:
  • “Take your grandma to the mall and make memories with her because it’s the best thing to do. It’s all about memories.” – Shoppers Sandra and Lacey Lemoine [02:23]
• Retail Trends:
  • Nearly 170 million expected to shop in stores/online from Black Friday to Cyber Monday.
  • Online sales up over 9% from last year (Adobe Analytics).
  • “Despite rising living costs and worries over tariffs,” shopping persists. – Matt Bloom [02:30]

4. Tom Stoppard’s Passing

• Obituary: Celebrated playwright Tom Stoppard dies at 88.
• Background:
  • Escaped Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia; naturalized in England.
  • “I’d been turned into a little English boy.” – Tom Stoppard (to NPR, 2022) [03:30]
  • “I was very happy being a little English boy.” – Tom Stoppard [03:32]
• Works:
  • Notable for plays blending intellect and humor—Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, The Real Thing, Leopoldstadt.
  • Won a screenwriting Oscar for Shakespeare in Love (1999).

5. Midwest Winter Storm Disrupts Travel

• Conditions: Heavy snow/high winds affect Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan.
• Impacts:
  • Slow traffic, flight delays and cancellations at Chicago O’Hare and Midway.
  • Forecasters warn of dangerous road conditions heading east into the Great Lakes.
  • Officials urge travelers to check status and allow extra travel time.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dia Hadid (on Afghan visa freeze):
  “These are really dark days for the sub 265,000 Afghans who advocates say were in the pipeline to come to the US.” [00:33]

• Sandra & Lacey Lemoine (on holiday shopping):
  “Take your grandma to the mall and make memories with her because it’s the best thing to do. It’s all about memories.” [02:23]

• Tom Stoppard (on his English upbringing):
  “I’d been turned into a little English boy.” [03:30]
  “I was very happy being a little English boy.” [03:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• White House Shooting & Afghan Visa Changes: 00:01–00:57
• Northwestern University Funding Deal: 00:57–01:57
• Holiday Shopping Trends: 01:57–02:56
• Tom Stoppard Tribute: 02:56–03:59
• Midwest Winter Storm Update: 03:59–end

This concise yet comprehensive episode delivers critical updates from domestic and global perspectives, capturing both major political responses and the human stories behind the headlines.