NPR News Now

Episode: NPR News: 12-06-2025 6AM EST
Host: Luis Schiavone
Date: December 6, 2025

Overview

This concise episode from NPR News Now delivers a brisk roundup of major headlines from across the United States and beyond. Key items include the first court appearance of the accused Capitol pipe bomber, a tense ICE raid witnessed by a congresswoman, former President Biden's return to Washington, changes in infant vaccine guidelines, Olympic qualifying drama in ski mountaineering, and a sweeping proposed energy buildout in Georgia.

Main News Stories & Key Insights

1. Capitol Pipe Bomber’s First Court Appearance

(00:15 – 01:11)

• Accused: Brian Cole Jr., arrested nearly five years after pipe bombs were planted near the US Capitol the night before January 6, 2021.
• Court Appearance: Cole appeared in a beige jumpsuit, responding “yes” when asked if he understood the charges (Ryan Lucas, 00:36).
• Investigation Insight: Cole spoke to law enforcement for four hours after arrest; reportedly influenced by conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.
• Next Steps: Cole is scheduled for a detention hearing later in the month.

"A person familiar with the matter told NPR that Cole told investigators he believed conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was stolen."
— Ryan Lucas (00:54)

2. ICE Raid in Tucson Involving Congresswoman Grijalva

(01:11 – 01:50)

• Incident: Rep. Adelicia Grijalva witnessed and intervened during an ICE raid on a local restaurant in her district in Tucson, Arizona.
• On the Scene: Grijalva confronted ICE agents, telling them to “calm down and get out,” blaming policies on the Trump administration.
• Escalation: ICE used pepper spray, citing crowd control, but Grijalva claims she was directly targeted.

"And that's what they're doing. They're targeting small businesses and people that are helping in our communities in order to try to fill the quota that Trump has given them. This is horrible."
— Rep. Adelicia Grijalva (01:39)

3. Biden’s Speech at LGBTQ Victory Institute

(01:50 – 02:45)

• Context: Former President Biden, in Washington six months after a cancer diagnosis, accepts an award at the LGBTQ Victory Institute.
• Speech Focus: Biden touts his LGBTQ rights record, including his 2022 signing of same-sex marriage legislation.
• Criticism: Biden uses the platform to criticize President Trump and MAGA Republicans for rolling back anti-discrimination protections and threatening LGBTQ equality.

"And the MAGA Republicans are trying to distort and derail our fight for equality. They're trying to turn it into something scary, something sinister."
— Joe Biden (02:35)

4. End of Universal Infant Hepatitis B Vaccination Recommendation

(02:58 – 03:15)

• Policy Change: Federal Vaccine Advisory Committee votes to end routine hepatitis B vaccinations for all newborns in the US.
• New Recommendation: The birth dose is now recommended only for infants whose mothers test positive for the virus.

5. Ski Mountaineering Olympic Qualifier: Team USA vs. Canada

(03:15 – 04:15)

• Event: World Cup ski mountaineering at Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah, to determine which North American country qualifies for the Olympics.
• Details: Ski mountaineering (“ski mo”) debuts as an Olympic sport. Only one North American slot is at stake.
• Athlete Perspective: Griffin Briley, Park City’s star, balances rivalry with sportsmanship.

"They've been pushing us to be our best, and it'd be great to support them if we don't go. But also, we're gonna give it our best shot."
— Griffin Briley (03:56)

6. Georgia’s $15 Billion Utility Expansion Proposal

(04:15 – 04:54)

• Key Decision: Georgia Public Service Commission to vote on a $15+ billion plan to expand electricity capacity by 50% in six years.
• Drivers: Increased demand, notably from energy-intensive data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
• Consumer Angle: Rising energy bills are a significant political issue; regular customers are concerned about financial impacts.

Notable Quotes

• "He stared at the table in front of him as a magistrate judge read the charges and Cole answered yes when asked if he understood."
  — Ryan Lucas (00:41)
• "Put it down... Put it."
  — Rep. Adelicia Grijalva (01:24)
• "Homeland Security said it was for crowd control, but Grijalva says she was targeted and directly pepper sprayed."
  — Luis Schiavone (01:50)
• "Since beginning his current term, President Trump has rolled back many Biden era anti discrimination policies and taken steps to restrict rights for transgender Americans."
  — Elena Moore (02:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:15] Capitol Pipe Bomb Case Update
• [01:11] ICE Raid in Tucson and Grijalva’s Response
• [01:50] Biden’s Speech & LGBTQ Rights
• [02:58] New Hepatitis B Vaccine Policy for Babies
• [03:15] Ski Mountaineering Olympic Qualifier
• [04:15] Georgia Power Utility Expansion Proposal