NPR News: 12-05-2025 4PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: 12-05-2025 4PM EST

Date: December 5, 2025

Host: Lakshmi Singh

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Episode Overview

This concise five-minute episode from NPR News Now delivers up-to-the-minute reports on major national events and cultural headlines. Key topics covered include developments at the Supreme Court regarding birthright citizenship, updates on the Capitol pipe bomb case, a review of infant hepatitis B vaccinations, an important court ruling on presidential powers, the death of architect Frank Gehry, and an unusual crime story inspired by James Bond.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court to Weigh Birthright Citizenship Changes

[00:21]

• Lakshmi Singh reports that the Supreme Court will address President Trump’s attempt to narrow automatic birthright citizenship. The proposed change would limit citizenship to those with at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • This marks a significant challenge to longstanding interpretations of the 14th Amendment.

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2. Pipe Bomb Suspect in Federal Court

[00:21-01:30]

• Ryan Lucas details the federal court appearance of Brian Cole Jr., accused of transporting explosive devices near the Capitol before the January 6th attack.
  • Cole faces charges of attempting to kill using explosives and malicious destruction.
  • He appeared subdued, responding "yes" to the judge’s questions about understanding the charges.
  • Prosecutors mention Cole spoke with law enforcement for four hours post-arrest, but did not disclose what was said.
  • A detention hearing is set for later in December.

  "He stared at the table in front of him as the magistrate judge read the charges against him, and Cole answered yes when asked if he understood."
  — Ryan Lucas [01:09]

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3. CDC Revisiting Infant Hepatitis B Immunization Guidelines

[01:30-02:15]

• Rob Stein explains the CDC advisory committee is considering dropping the universal recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth, prompted by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
  • There is debate over whether universal infant immunization is necessary, since hepatitis B is mostly transmitted via sex or intravenous drug use.
  • Safety of vaccinating at such an early age is questioned by some.

  "Some members of this CDC committee argue that there's insufficient evidence that giving all newborns the vaccine when they're so young is really necessary..."
  — Rob Stein [01:54]

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4. Appeals Court Expands Presidential Power Over Agencies

[02:15-03:14]

• Andrea Hsu covers a 2-1 appellate decision affirming President Trump's authority to fire certain independent agency members at will.
  • Trump's dismissal of officials at the NLRB and Merit Systems Protection Board deemed lawful despite existing federal law.
  • Court determined a prior 1935 Supreme Court precedent limiting such removals did not apply.
  • The Supreme Court is set to hear a related case soon, possibly redefining executive branch powers.

  "The appeals court found that a 1935 Supreme Court decision limiting the president's power to remove officers... doesn't apply here because both agencies wield substantial executive power."
  — Andrea Hsu [02:38]

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5. Market Update

[03:14, 04:52]

• Brief notes that the Dow ended the day up by over 100 points.

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6. Death of Architect Frank Gehry

[03:22-04:19]

• Milton Gavada reports on the death of celebrated architect Frank Gehry at age 96.
  • Gehry, known for iconic buildings including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, died in Los Angeles from respiratory illness.
  • He was recognized for embracing "wavy and weird" forms and for being "obsessed with movement," influenced by sailboats and fish.

  "A building for music and performance should be joyful, should be a great experience and should be fun to go to."
  — Frank Gehry (quoted), [03:49]

  • Gehry received the Pritzker Prize and Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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7. Odd News: ‘Octopussy’ Pendant Swallower

[04:19-04:50]

• A New Zealand man inspired by James Bond film ‘Octopussy’ stole and swallowed a $19,000 Fabergé pendant in an attempted theft.
  • Police waited six days for nature to take its course, successfully retrieving the pendant.

  "The pendant's free. The suspect not so lucky."
  — NPR News Anchor [04:44]

  • The suspect remains in police custody with a scheduled hearing.

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Notable Quotes

• Frank Gehry:

  "A building for music and performance should be joyful, should be a great experience and should be fun to go to."
  — [03:49]

• Ryan Lucas (on Brian Cole Jr.):

  "He stared at the table in front of him as the magistrate judge read the charges against him, and Cole answered yes when asked if he understood."
  — [01:09]

• Rob Stein (on vaccine debate):

  "Some members of this CDC committee argue that there's insufficient evidence that giving all newborns the vaccine when they're so young is really necessary..."
  — [01:54]

• NPR News Anchor (on 'Octopussy' pendant):

  "The pendant's free. The suspect not so lucky."
  — [04:44]

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Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Supreme Court & Birthright Citizenship | 00:21 | | Capitol Pipe Bomb Suspect Update | 00:56-01:30 | | CDC Revisiting Hepatitis B Newborn Vaccine | 01:30-02:15 | | Appeals Court on Presidential Firing Powers | 02:15-03:14 | | Frank Gehry Obituary and Legacy | 03:22-04:19 | | ‘Octopussy’ Inspired Pendant Swallowing Theft | 04:19-04:50 |

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Tone & Style

Direct, succinct, and impartial, the newscast maintains NPR’s signature professional tone while offering brief moments of levity, particularly in the odd news segment.

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Transcript

[Pop Culture Happy Hour Host]

It's been a great year for tv, movies and music, and we are highlighting the best of the best, including K Pop, Demon Hunters, Sinners and Severance. We're talking about our favorite moments of the year, including some of the best pop culture you might have missed. Listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The Supreme Court will weigh in on President Trump's bid to roll back automatic birthright citizenship for nearly everyone born on IW soil. Trump wants to limit it to those who have at least one parent who is a permanent resident or citizen. The man accused of planting two pipe bombs near the US Capitol the night before a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building nearly five years ago was in federal court today in Washington, D.C. this was Brian Cole Jr. S first court appearance since his arrest yesterday. Here's NPR's Ryan Lucas.

[Ryan Lucas]

Brian Cole Jr. Is charged with transporting an explosive device with intent to kill and with attempted malicious destruction with explosive materials. At his initial court appearance, Cole was dressed in a beige jumpsuit and glasses. He stared at the table in front of him as the magistrate judge read the charges against him, and Cole answered yes when asked if he understood. Prosecutors said Cole had spoken with law enforcement for more than four hours Thursday following his arrest, but they didn't provide any details in court on what he said. The judge set a detention hearing for later this month. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Advisors are recommending the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do away with a blanket guidance to immunize all babies against hepatitis B within the first 24 hours of life. NPR's Rob Stein reports on why the advisory panel decided to reexamine the long established vaccinations for infants.

[Rob Stein]

This committee was put together by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Who has long questioned many vaccines and has launched a major review of all childhood vaccinations. Some members of this CDC committee argue that there's insufficient evidence that giving all newborns the vaccine when they're so young is really necessary, given that the hepatitis B vaccine is often spread through sex or drug use. They also question whether it's safe to immunize babies so early in life.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Rob stein reporting. The D.C. circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the president does have the constitutional power to fire members of two.

[NPR News Anchor]

Independent agencies at will, despite federal laws to the contrary. More from NPR's Andrea Hsu.

[Andrea Hsu]

In a 2 to 1 decision, the court ruled that President Trump's firings of National Labor Relations Board member Gwen Wilcox and merit Systems Protection Board member Kathy Harris were lawful despite federal laws that state they can only be fired for cause. The appeals court found that a 1935 Supreme Court decision limiting the president's power to remove officers at multi member independent agencies like theirs doesn't apply here because both agencies wield substantial executive power. On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a similar case. The Trump administration has asked the court to strike down that 1935 precedent and recognize that the president has unlimited power to remove those who assist him in carrying out his duties. Andrea Hsu, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Dow is up more than 100 points.

[NPR News Anchor]

This is NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Architect Frank Gehry has died at the age of 96.

[NPR News Anchor]

He's known for designing whimsical buildings around the world. NPR's Milton Gavada reports. Gary died at his home in Los Angeles after a brief respiratory illness.

[Milton Gavada]

One of Frank Gehry's most famous works is the Walt Disney Concert hall in Los Angeles. Like many of his buildings, it's wavy and weird.

[Frank Gehry (quoted)]

A building for music and performance should be joyful, should be a great experience and should be fun to go to.

[Milton Gavada]

He told NPR he was obsessed with movement, drawing inspiration from sailboats and fish. Gary was born Frank Goldberg in 1929 but later changed his name. His awards include the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Gary's goal was to create buildings that inspire emotion. Milton Guevara, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The 1983 James Bond film Octopussy may have made a bigger impression on a New Zealand man than he anticipated. Local authorities say he stole a $19,000 Faberge pendant inspired by the movie and swallowed it, hoping to smuggle it out of the jewelry store.

[NPR News Anchor]

Police caught him and waited for six.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Days for nature to take its course.

[NPR News Anchor]

The pendant's free. The suspect not so lucky.

[Lakshmi Singh]

He is in police custody and has.

[NPR News Anchor]

A court hearing on Monday.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks have ended the day higher.

[NPR News Anchor]

The Dow closed up more than 100 points. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.

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