NPR News Now: November 30, 2025, 1AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Length: 5 Minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers urgent updates across major national and international news headlines, including a mass shooting in California, new Trump administration policies toward Venezuela, the escalating death toll in Gaza, a multi-million dollar settlement with Northwestern University, US shopping trends during Thanksgiving weekend, and college football scores—all in a concise, five-minute bulletin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stockton, California Shooting

• Summary:
  A shooting at a family celebration in Stockton left four dead and ten wounded, including both adults and children.

  • Law enforcement believes it may have been a targeted attack.
  • The incident remains under investigation.

• Quote:
  (No direct quote in this section)

• Timestamp: [00:14]

2. US Policy Toward Venezuela

• Summary:
  President Trump closed US airspace over Venezuela, intensifying the administration's pressure campaign against Maduro's government.

  • Recent weeks have seen US airstrikes on Venezuelan boats.
  • “Trump has also declared Maduro...to be a narco terrorist, which Maduro disputes.”
  • Ongoing military training flights are reported, but no imminent military action expected.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “The Trump administration has justified deadly airstrikes on Venezuelan boats in recent weeks as necessary to protect the American people from drug smuggling.”
    — Tamara Keith [00:51]
  • “People aren't wanting to be delivering by sea and we'll be starting to stop them by land. Also, the land is easier.”
    — Patrick Morrissey [01:11]
  • “...there's no indication military action against Venezuela is imminent.”
    — Tamara Keith [01:19]

• Timestamp: [00:14] – [01:33]

3. Vigil for National Guard Member Sarah Beckstrom

• Summary:
  A vigil was held in West Virginia for Sarah Beckstrom, a National Guard member fatally shot in Washington, DC.

  • Governor Patrick Morrissey spoke at the event.
  • Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf also remains in critical condition.

• Notable Quote:

  • “To honor the life, the courage, and the spirit of Sarah Beckstrom.”
    — Patrick Morrissey [01:49]

• Timestamp: [01:33] – [01:57]

4. Gaza War: Rising Death Toll

• Summary:
  The Palestinian death toll in Gaza surpasses 70,000 according to local health officials.

  • More than 350 deaths occurred during the ceasefire.
  • Bodies previously buried in rubble are still being recovered.
  • Israel disputes civilian targeting and the accuracy of reported figures; the UN finds the Gaza Health Ministry's data credible.
  • International studies suggest the real toll may be even higher.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Throughout the war, Israel has repeatedly denied targeting civilians and the accuracy of the figures from Gaza. The United Nations often cites the Gaza Health Ministry numbers and says they're credible."
    — Kat Lansdorf [02:14]

• Timestamp: [01:57] – [02:51]

5. Northwestern University Federal Funding Settlement

• Summary:
  Northwestern agreed to pay $75 million to resolve federal investigations and restore hundreds of millions in federal research funding.

  • Earlier, President Trump had cut off $790 million in grants.

• Quote:
  (No direct quote in this section)

• Timestamp: [02:51] – [03:24]

6. Thanksgiving Shopping Weekend

• Summary:
  The holiday sees the biggest retail turnout yet this year, with nearly 170 million shoppers projected for Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

  • Online sales are up more than 9% compared to last year, despite inflation and tariffs.
  • Notable scene: Intergenerational shopping at New Orleans’ Lakeside Shopping Center.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Take your grandma to the mall and make memories with her because it's the best thing to do. It's all about memories.”
    — Sandra or Lacey Lemoine [03:40]

• Timestamp: [03:24] – [04:13]

7. College Football Results

• Summary:
  Updates on NCAA football games:

  • Ohio State beats Michigan 27–9 and advances to Big Ten Championship.
  • Oklahoma over LSU, Oregon over Washington, Vanderbilt over Tennessee, Louisville routs Kentucky, Mount Union tops Muhlenberg.

• Quote:
  (No direct quote in this section)

• Timestamp: [04:13] – [04:53]

Notable Quotes

• “The Trump administration has justified deadly airstrikes on Venezuelan boats in recent weeks as necessary to protect the American people from drug smuggling.”
  — Tamara Keith [00:51]

• “People aren't wanting to be delivering by sea and we'll be starting to stop them by land. Also, the land is easier.”
  — Patrick Morrissey [01:11]

• “To honor the life, the courage, and the spirit of Sarah Beckstrom.”
  — Patrick Morrissey [01:49]

• “Throughout the war, Israel has repeatedly denied targeting civilians and the accuracy of the figures from Gaza. The United Nations often cites the Gaza Health Ministry numbers and says they're credible."
  — Kat Lansdorf [02:14]

• “Take your grandma to the mall and make memories with her because it's the best thing to do. It's all about memories.”
  — Sandra or Lacey Lemoine [03:40]

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The report is urgent and concise, maintaining a serious and respectful tone, particularly when addressing violence and global conflicts.
• Human stories—such as the New Orleans shopping anecdote and Governor Morrissey's tribute—offer brief moments of warmth amid a heavy news cycle.