NPR News Now – December 4, 2025, 3PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now provides a concise roundup of key national news stories, including major updates from the FBI’s January 6th investigation, concerns about Department of Defense information security, updates on CDC vaccine recommendations, new immigration judge firings, a high-profile murder case, and innovative approaches to officer mental health support.

Key News Stories and Insights

1. FBI Makes Arrest in January 6th Pipe Bomb Investigation

• [00:14-00:42]
• After a five-year investigation, the FBI has arrested Brian Cole J. Jr. for placing pipe bombs at the RNC and DNC headquarters on January 5, 2021, the eve of the Capitol insurrection.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest and charges, which include transporting explosive devices across state lines and attempted destruction by explosives.
• Quote:
  "Early this morning, Brian Cole J. Jr. was arrested and charged with placing the pipe bombs at the RNC and the DNC on January 5, 2021." — Attorney General Pam Bondi [00:29]

2. Pentagon Inspector General Criticizes Defense Secretary Hegseth Over Yemen Leak

• [00:42-01:53]
• The Pentagon’s inspector general concluded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth endangered US pilots by sharing classified mission details on a public messaging app before a strike on Houthi forces in Yemen.
• The general's information, marked 'secret', included strike times and was shared publicly 2–4 hours before the mission.
• Hegseth responded on social media, claiming “total exoneration, case closed.”
• Quote:
  "Hegseth used the publicly available signal messaging app to share detailed information on a US airstrike against Houthi forces in Yemen.… The information Hegseth received… was marked secret." — Greg Myhre [01:06]
  "Hegseth responded to the report on X saying total exoneration, case closed." — Greg Myhre [01:40]

3. CDC Vaccine Advisors Delay Hepatitis B Immunization Vote

• [01:53-02:31]
• The CDC panel unexpectedly postponed votes on possible changes to the universal recommendation for immunizing newborns against hepatitis B.
• Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease, with infants at higher risk for severe and chronic outcomes.
• The postponement prolongs the debate on balancing public health policy and parental rights.
• Quote:
  "The hepatitis B virus attacks the liver. The disease has no cure, and chronic infection can lead to serious outcomes such as liver cancer, cirrhosis and death." — Lakshmi Singh [01:58]

4. Trump Administration Fires More Immigration Judges

• [02:31-03:09]
• The administration has fired more than 90 immigration judges to date, with a notable portion of recent terminations targeting judges who had already completed their probationary period.
• This move broadens the scope for potential future firings and exacerbates already significant case backlogs.
• Advocates worry about long delays and adverse effects on due process.
• Quote:
  "Most of the judges this administration fired had still been in their two year probationary period, but many of those in recent terminations had been with the agency for years." — Jimena Bustillo [02:41]

5. Evidentiary Hearing in High-Profile NYC Murder Case

• [03:14-03:37]
• A key court hearing is underway in the murder case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson, killed one year ago.
• Defense attorneys for accused Luigi Mangione are seeking to block critical evidence from being admitted at trial.

6. Supporting Law Enforcement Mental Health—Comedy as Therapy

• [03:37-04:37]
• Police departments nationwide revisit strategies to better support officers facing trauma.
• NPR highlights Vinny Montez, Boulder County Sheriff's Office veteran and standup comic, who copes with job stress—and helps reduce stigma around mental health—through public comedy performances.
• Montez's candid reflections and loss of colleagues underscore the high mental health risks for first responders.
• Quote:
  "I could name over half a dozen deputies that I used to ride with as a young man who later took their life. I think they were all amazing people, but that is a very sobering fact for me and I'm glad I never got to that point." — Vinny Montez [04:21]
• Montez’s story is featured in the documentary “Vinny Isms” and the upcoming episode of NPR’s All Things Considered.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Early this morning, Brian Cole J. Jr. was arrested and charged with placing the pipe bombs at the RNC and the DNC on January 5, 2021.”
  — Attorney General Pam Bondi [00:29]

• "Hegseth responded to the report on X saying total exoneration, case closed."
  — Greg Myhre [01:40]

• "The hepatitis B virus attacks the liver. The disease has no cure, and chronic infection can lead to serious outcomes such as liver cancer, cirrhosis and death."
  — Lakshmi Singh [01:58]

• "Most of the judges this administration fired had still been in their two year probationary period, but many of those in recent terminations had been with the agency for years."
  — Jimena Bustillo [02:41]

• “I could name over half a dozen deputies that I used to ride with as a young man who later took their life. I think they were all amazing people, but that is a very sobering fact for me and I’m glad I never got to that point.”
  — Vinny Montez [04:21]

Financial Markets Update

• [04:37-04:53]
  The Dow is down 120 points at the time of broadcast.

End of episode summary.
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