NPR News Now: December 6, 2025, 7PM EST

Hosted by Jeanine Herbst

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now segment, hosted by Jeanine Herbst, covers a range of the day’s top national and international stories. Key topics include U.S. military activity targeting alleged drug cartel boats, updates on Medicare enrollment for seniors, critical Hong Kong elections under strict management, President Trump’s involvement with the Kennedy Center Honors, a record-setting movie costume auction, and a unique protest at the Tower of London.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strikes on Alleged Drug Cartel Boats

• [00:14 - 01:15]
  • Context: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended recent U.S. military actions against alleged drug cartel vessels during a national security forum.
  • Details:
    • U.S. Southern Command released footage of a boat destroyed by a strike, releasing surveillance video of the vessel in flames.
    • Pentagon confirmed another military action earlier this week in the eastern Pacific.
    • Bipartisan congressional oversight is underway, focusing especially on the use of a second missile that resulted in fatality of survivors on September 2nd.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Pete Hegseth [00:31]:

      "We are tracking them, we are killing them, and we will keep killing them so long as they are poisoning our people with narcotics so lethal that they're tantamount to chemical weapons."

2. 2026 Medicare Enrollment Choices for Seniors

• [01:16 - 02:15]
  • Context: Millions of Americans aged 65 and up are selecting their Medicare plans for 2026.
  • Details:
    • Medicare Advantage plans may be attractive for lower monthly premiums and extra benefits.
    • Analysts anticipate increased premiums and out-of-pocket costs in 2026.
    • Some plans require pre-approvals for medical services, potentially risking delays or denials.
  • Expert Insight:
    • Jeremy Nordquist, Nebraska Hospital Association [01:51]:

      "A lot of Medicare Advantage plans, you may pay less up front, but you are taking a bigger financial risk as you age and move forward."

3. Hong Kong’s Highly Managed Legislative Elections Amid Disaster

• [02:16 - 03:11]
  • Context: Legislative elections proceed under tight control, even as the region recovers from the deadliest fire in a century.
  • Details:
    • Only 20 of 90 legislative seats will be filled by direct election. The remainder are appointed by Beijing-controlled or industrial committees.
    • The outcome is widely seen as a test for Chief Executive John Lee post-fire.
    • Public and media are watching for transparency as Lee seeks a second term.
  • Reporter’s Analysis:
    • Emily Feng [02:33]:

      "[The elections are] a litmus test for the region's chief executive, John Lee. He is under pressure to deliver a transparent investig after the fire, and he's hoping to be chosen for a second term."

4. President Trump and Kennedy Center Honors

• [03:15 - 03:41]
  • Context: President Trump awards this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees at the White House.
  • Details:
    • 2025 honorees include Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, George Strait, Kiss, and Michael Crawford.
    • The ceremony will be taped for broadcast, with Trump predicting high ratings as the show’s host.
  • Memorable Moment:
    • Donald Trump [03:21]:

      "And I'm delighted to welcome to the Oval Office, the world famous, most famous office in the world, most powerful office in the world, our truly exceptional 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees."

5. Will Ferrell’s ‘Elf’ Costume Auction and Film Memorabilia

• [04:07 - 04:45]
  • Context: Film costume for “Elf” sells for over $300,000 in a UK auction.
  • Details:
    • Will Ferrell’s Elf costume is highly sought after due to its rarity.
    • Other memorabilia: Indiana Jones “Temple of Doom” fedora sells for $485,000.
  • Fun Moment:
    • Vicki Barker and Auctioneer exchange:
      • Vicki Barker [04:07]: “Oh, beautiful.”
      • Auctioneer [04:18]: “The green and yellow elf costume was worn by Will Ferrell’s character in a scene where he presses every button in a New York City elevator.”

6. Protest at the Tower of London

• [04:45 - 04:51]
  • Context: Activists manage to close part of the Tower of London.
  • Details:
    • Protesters smeared yellow custard on the display case of the Imperial State Crown, prompting the closure.

Notable Quotes

• Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary [00:31]:

  "We are tracking them, we are killing them, and we will keep killing them so long as they are poisoning our people with narcotics so lethal that they're tantamount to chemical weapons."

• Jeremy Nordquist, Nebraska Hospital Association [01:51]:

  "A lot of Medicare Advantage plans, you may pay less up front, but you are taking a bigger financial risk as you age and move forward."

• Donald Trump, President [03:21]:

  "And I'm delighted to welcome to the Oval Office, the world famous, most famous office in the world, most powerful office in the world, our truly exceptional 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees."

Segment Timestamps

• 00:14 — Defense Sec. Hegseth defends strikes on cartel boats
• 01:16 — 2026 Medicare enrollment and plan choices
• 02:16 — Hong Kong elections amid deadly fire fallout
• 03:15 — Trump hands out Kennedy Center Honors
• 04:07 — Will Ferrell's 'Elf' costume auctioned
• 04:45 — Protest at Tower of London

This NPR News Now episode efficiently delivers key updates and notable moments from the day, mixing hard news, cultural highlights, and international stories reflective of NPR’s concise, accessible style.