NPR News Now – December 9, 2025, 6PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

In this concise, five-minute news roundup, NPR provides updates on President Trump's economic messaging, developments surrounding congressional redistricting in Missouri and Indiana, abortion trends in the U.S., political instability in West Africa, a breakthrough in bionic prosthetics, and a major paleontological discovery in Bolivia.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. President Trump’s Economic Messaging

[00:18–01:10]

• President Trump is set to address affordability at a rally in Pennsylvania.

• Insight from NPR’s Domenico Montanaro: Trump has minimized issues of cost of living, calling affordability concerns a “con job” by Democrats, but polling shows most Americans disapprove of his economic stewardship, a reversal from his first term.

• Tariffs and Economic Policy: Trump's tariffs are cited as raising prices and business costs.

• Timing: The White House is making a public effort now, as the economy becomes a pivotal issue approaching the 2026 midterms.

  "People know what they're paying, and most people think that Trump is making things worse."
  — Domenico Montanaro [00:41]

  "Presidents often get more credit and blame than they deserve on the economy."
  — Domenico Montanaro [00:52]

2. Missouri Congressional Map Referendum

[01:10–02:05]

• New Missouri Map: Opponents of a Trump-supported, GOP-favoring congressional map have submitted over 300,000 signatures for a referendum. If validated, the map will be suspended for the 2026 midterms.

• Political Implications: The map could have added a GOP seat; it now faces possible court challenges by both sides.

• Grassroots Sentiment: Emphasized by Richard von Glahn, People, Not Politicians.

  "Our democracy belongs to us, not to politicians."
  — Richard von Glahn [01:45]

3. Indiana Redistricting Efforts

[02:05–02:29]

• State Senate Committee Progress: Indiana is contemplating a Republican-friendly congressional map; the state Senate may vote Thursday.

4. Abortion Trends Amid State Bans

[02:29–03:10]

• Widening Use Despite Bans: Abortions are up slightly in the first half of 2025, per the Society of Family Planning, largely due to telehealth and medication abortions.

• Telehealth’s Role: 25% of recent abortions occurred via telehealth, including in states with bans.

• Safety Review: The FDA is reviewing mifepristone again, despite its established safety.

• Expert Summary:

  "The We Count findings make clear that abortion bans haven't stopped people from needing or obtaining abortion care."
  — Dr. Allison Norris, We Count [02:50]

5. Global Update: Instability in West Africa

[03:10–03:48]

• State of Emergency: ECOWAS leader warns multiple coups have left the region unstable. Latest coup attempt took place in Benin; similar events have hit Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Burkina Faso.

6. Science & Innovation: AI-Powered Bionic Hand

[03:48–04:29]

• Breakthrough Prosthetics: University of Utah’s new bionic hand uses AI/machine learning to coordinate grasping motions.

• Study Results: Without the system, users crushed or dropped cups; the AI allowed seamless drinking motions.

  "From a cup without the machine assistance, the person just crushed it or dropped it every single time."
  — Marshall Trout [04:14]

7. Paleontology: Record Theropod Footprints in Bolivia

[04:29–04:56]

• Discovery: Over 16,000 theropod dinosaur footprints found in ancient Bolivian waterways, the highest such count worldwide, published in PLOS ONE.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Trump and the Economy:

  "People know what they're paying, and most people think that Trump is making things worse."
  — Domenico Montanaro [00:41]

• On Missouri Map Referendum:

  "Our democracy belongs to us, not to politicians."
  — Richard von Glahn [01:45]

• On Abortion Access:

  "The We Count findings make clear that abortion bans haven't stopped people from needing or obtaining abortion care."
  — Dr. Allison Norris [02:50]

• On Bionic Hand Testing:

  "From a cup without the machine assistance, the person just crushed it or dropped it every single time."
  — Marshall Trout [04:14]

Quick Reference Timeline

| Time | Segment | |----------|---------------------------------------| | 00:18 | Trump’s economic messaging | | 01:10 | Missouri congressional map referendum | | 02:05 | Indiana redistricting efforts | | 02:29 | Abortion trends and study | | 03:10 | West Africa in state of emergency | | 03:48 | AI bionic hand breakthrough | | 04:29 | Dinosaur footprints in Bolivia |

Summary:
This episode delivers a rapid-fire, substantive news rundown, highlighting how political developments, scientific innovation, and shifting social policies are intersecting in the U.S. and abroad. The reporting balances national electoral maneuverings, persistent social issues, global instability, and advances in science with clarity and urgency characteristic of NPR’s news voice.