NPR News Now: December 7, 2025, 2AM EST

Host: Doua Lisa Kowtow
Producer: NPR News
Length: ~5 Minutes

Overview

This fast-paced NPR News Now update covers overnight breaking news and top stories: U.S. military strikes on alleged drug smugglers, controversy over a prominent government official’s portrait, a tweak in penalties after Southwest Airlines’ 2022 meltdown, a major sports victory for Inter Miami, and ongoing elections and mourning in Hong Kong. Each story is delivered in succinct, matter-of-fact news tone, aiming to get listeners up to speed.

Key Stories & Segments

1. U.S. Military Strikes & Pentagon Accountability

• [00:15] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addresses criticism of recent U.S. military strikes targeting "alleged drug smugglers," emphasizing the ongoing mission against those bringing in lethal narcotics.
• The strikes are controversial, particularly since a past operation killed survivors of an initial attack.
• Hegseth at the Reagan National Defense Forum rebuffs allegations of direct "kill order" involvement.
  • Quote:

    "Of course not. Anybody that's been in the Situation Room or been in the war room there, the secretary's office knows you don't walk in and say kill him. It's just patently ridiculous."
    — Pete Hegseth, [00:54]

• Hegseth leaves open the question of whether the Pentagon will release video evidence.
• Calls out the potency of narcotics as "tantamount to chemical weapons."
• Some Democrats have criticized the attacks as potentially illegal.

2. Portrait of Transgender Health Official Altered

• [01:27] NPR’s Selena Simmons Duffin reports exclusively that the official portrait of Admiral Rachel Levine, the first transgender person confirmed by the Senate at any federal agency, was altered at Health and Human Services headquarters.
• The change involved updating the name under the photograph to a former name, a move seen as a rollback on recognition.
• Levine's succinct response indicates the move’s pettiness.
  • Quote:

    "I'm not going to comment on this type of petty action."
    — Admiral Rachel Levine, via Selena Simmons Duffin, [01:35]

• HHS’s statement claims this reflects “biological reality” guiding public health policy.
• Levine’s successor is Admiral Brian Christine, a urologist from Alabama.

3. Southwest Airlines’ Penalty Partially Forgiven

• [02:08] The Trump Administration forgives the last part of a record fine imposed on Southwest for its 2022 holiday meltdown.
• Recounts the cancellation chaos: over 15,000 flights canceled around Christmas due to a storm and outdated software.
• The $140 million fine was imposed by the Biden administration; $11 million of it is now being waived after Southwest improved operations and technology.
• Transportation officials frame this as an incentive for other airlines to upgrade.
  • Quote:

    "The department said the move will incentivize other airlines to make investments that benefit customers."
    — Matt Bloom, [02:50]

4. Louisiana Jail Escape Update

• [03:04] Brief update: Authorities still searching for the last of three escaped inmates. No further details given.

5. Inter Miami Claims Its First MLS Championship

• [03:15] Inter Miami wins its first Major League Soccer Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1.
• Argentine star Lionel Messi, along with Rodrigo De Paul (the goal scorer), led the effort.
• This is a significant milestone for the franchise, which has existed for only six years.
• Longtime Messi teammates Sergi Busquets and Jordi Alba will retire after this season.
• Messi extends contract, expected to play with Argentina in the next World Cup defense.
  • Quote:

    "The decisive goal for Miami was scored in the 71st minute by Rodrigo De Paul, also a World cup winner with Argentina."
    — Kayvon Antonio Hidari, [03:41]

6. Hong Kong’s Legislative Elections Amid Grief

• [04:15] Live check-in: Polls are open for Hong Kong’s “patriots only” legislative election, with about half a day of voting left.
• The city continues to mourn after nearly 160 deaths in a devastating fire last month—the region’s deadliest in a century.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Anybody that's been in the Situation Room... knows you don't walk in and say kill him. It's just patently ridiculous."
  —Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, [00:54]
• "I'm not going to comment on this type of petty action."
  —Admiral Rachel Levine (via NPR), [01:35]
• "The decisive goal for Miami was scored in the 71st minute by Rodrigo De Paul..."
  —Kayvon Antonio Hidari, [03:41]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:15 — U.S. Military Strikes Controversy & Hegseth’s Statements
• 01:27 — Transgender Health Official's Portrait Altered at HHS
• 02:08 — Southwest Airlines Penalty Forgiven
• 03:04 — Brief: Louisiana Jail Escape Update
• 03:15 — Inter Miami Wins First MLS Cup
• 04:15 — Hong Kong Elections & Grief After Deadly Fire

Summary Tone:
Factual, direct, and brisk, as is typical of NPR’s hourly news summaries. The episode gives clear headlines, brief context, and moves rapidly between international and national news—providing a snapshot of overnight developments for listeners starting their day.