NPR News Now – December 8, 2025, 7PM EST

Brief news roundup anchored by Ryland Barton, covering U.S. political developments, international affairs, economics, science, and media.

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now segment delivers a rapid-fire roundup of the day's most pressing stories. Major topics include President Trump's evolving stance on military video release, legislative scrutiny of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, EU-NATO meetings with President Zelensky, U.S. farmer relief amid tariffs, a landmark archdiocese abuse settlement, explosive new data on species discovery, and late-night television shakeups.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Administration & Military Video Release (00:13 - 01:12)

• Background: President Trump altered his position on whether to release footage of a U.S. strike in the Caribbean that killed two survivors of an earlier attack on a vessel suspected of carrying drugs.
• Reporting: NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben outlines Trump’s original openness to releasing the video and his reversal, now deferring the decision to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
  • Quote:
    President Trump: “Whatever Hegseth wants to do is okay with.” (00:47)
  • When pressed if he would order the release, Trump reiterates, “Whatever he decides is okay with me.” (00:54)
• Trump insulted a reporter, labeling her “obnoxious and a terrible reporter.” (00:56)
• Hegseth faces increased scrutiny as Congress has viewed the second-strike video behind closed doors.

Legislative Response (01:12 - 01:43)

• A defense funding bill provision would limit part of Hegseth’s office travel funds until unedited video of the strikes is released.
• The House is expected to vote on this bill soon.

2. Ukraine, EU, and NATO: Funding with Russian Assets (01:43 - 02:16)

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is headed to Brussels for a meeting with EU and NATO leaders at the home of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
• Reporting: Terry Schultz details a major agenda point: using over $100 billion in frozen Russian assets from Belgium-based institutions as collateral for loans to help Ukraine.
  • Funds could eventually be returned to Moscow only if Russia compensates Kyiv for war damages.

3. Farm Aid Amid Ongoing Trade War (02:16 - 02:56)

• The White House drafts a new $12 billion aid package for farmers hit hard by the ongoing tariff war.
• Reporting: Drew Hawkins interviews Louisiana farmer James Davis, who underscores the plan's importance:
  • Quote:
    James Davis: “It is hard to make crop loans work on paper. So it’s imperative and very imperative that the Trump administration get these payments out as soon as possible.” (02:33)
• Davis calls the move a "bailout" and warns that, without it, many farmers—“gonna go belly up”—won’t survive. (02:43)
• Context: Trump’s earlier term saw $22 billion in similar aid due to trade tensions with China.

4. Settlement for Clergy Abuse Victims in New Orleans (02:56 - 03:47)

• A federal judge approved a settlement enabling the New Orleans Archdiocese to pay at least $230 million to victims of clergy sexual abuse.
• Negotiations since 2020; agreement includes new policies for abuse prevention and enhanced transparency regarding church handling of abuse claims.

5. Study: Humans in a Golden Era of Species Discovery (03:47 - 04:28)

• NPR’s Nate Rott highlights a new study (Science Advances) showing humans have so far catalogued 2.5 million unique species, discovering on average 17,000 more each year.
• Estimates for total global species range from “low hundreds of millions... to the trillions.”
  • Quote:
    Nate Rott: “Earth continues to be a poorly known planet.” (04:28)
• Technological advances like DNA analysis are accelerating discovery.

6. Media News: Kimmel Returns Despite Trump’s Criticism (04:28 - 04:56)

• ABC extends Jimmy Kimmel’s contract through at least May 2027, despite President Trump's repeated calls for his show’s cancellation.
• Context: Kimmel’s briefly suspended after controversial comments but was reinstated following public backlash.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on video release:
  “Whatever Hegseth wants to do is okay with.” (00:47)
• James Davis on farm aid relief:
  “It is hard to make crop loans work on paper. So it’s imperative and very imperative that the Trump administration get these payments out as soon as possible.” (02:33)
• Nate Rott on species discovery:
  “Earth continues to be a poorly known planet.” (04:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Military video controversy: 00:13 - 01:12
• Defense funding bill & Hegseth: 01:12 - 01:43
• Zelensky EU/NATO meeting: 01:43 - 02:16
• Farm aid package & interview: 02:16 - 02:56
• Archdiocese abuse settlement: 02:56 - 03:47
• Golden era of species discovery: 03:47 - 04:28
• Kimmel contract extension: 04:28 - 04:56

This five-minute update delivers concise, headline-driven reporting with voices and perspectives from policymakers, journalists, and citizens, marking ongoing shifts in domestic policy, global diplomacy, social justice, scientific discovery, and media culture.