NPR News Now: December 10, 2025 – 4PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Summary by: NPR Team

Episode Overview

This five-minute news update highlights significant national and global headlines from December 10, 2025. Main topics include escalating US military actions near Venezuela, the public release of Jeffrey Epstein's grand jury materials, new deportation procedures within the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates, and major personnel changes at CBS News. The tone remains urgent and factual, reflecting the rapid pace of developing stories.

Key News Segments and Insights

1. Escalation of US Military Operations off Venezuela

• [00:22] Lakshmi Singh opens with breaking news about US military activities near Venezuela.
• President Trump's Announcement:
  • [00:32-00:49] President Trump claims, “Seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. Large tanker, very large. Largest one ever seized actually. And other things are happening. So you'll be seeing that later and you'll be talking about that later…”
    • Remarks hint at ongoing and possibly future operations.
  • Context: US military strikes on vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean, allegedly targeting drug trafficking. Dozens killed; controversy over legality.
  • Lakshmi Singh notes: “Some legal experts say the strikes may violate international law.” ([00:49])
• Political Fallout:
  • Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela’s opposition leader, receives backlash for supporting Trump amid her Nobel Peace Prize award. She was unable to attend the ceremony; her daughter accepted on her behalf.

2. Release of Jeffrey Epstein Grand Jury Materials

• [01:49] Ryan Lucas reports on a federal judge's order to release previously confidential grand jury files.
  • The Epstein Files Transparency Act (Congress, November) compels the DOJ to release nearly all investigative documents by Dec. 19, 2025.
  • Judge Richard Berman's ruling ensures the release while protecting victim identities.
  • “Now all three judges overseeing Epstein related grand jury materials have signed off on making those records public while also ensuring that victim related personal information remains protected.” – Ryan Lucas [02:12]

3. Department of Homeland Security Buys Jet Fleet for Deportations

• [02:28] NPR’s Joel Rose covers DHS plans to spend $140 million purchasing six Boeing 737s for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation flights.
  • Previously, ICE relied on charter services; now it will operate its own jets via a contract with Daedalus Aviation.
  • DHS claims this will “save taxpayers money,” in part through more efficient flight patterns.
  • Under Trump, ICE has run more than 1,700 deportation flights – the highest in five years.

4. Federal Reserve Lowers Interest Rates Again

• [03:22] The Fed cuts its key rate for a third time since September—by 0.25%.
  • Fed Chair Jerome Powell:
    • “The outlook for employment and inflation has not changed as much since our meeting in October. Conditions in the labor market appear to be gradually cooling and inflation remains somewhat elevated.” ([03:29])
  • Complicating matters: delayed economic data due to a prolonged government shutdown.
  • The Dow Jones closes up nearly 500 points at 48,057.

5. CBS Names Tony Decouple as New Evening News Anchor

• [04:18] David Folkenflik reports Tony Decouple is named CBS Evening News anchor—the first major move by new Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss.
  • Folkenflik’s commentary:
    • “Tony Ducopel says that CBS Evening News is the oldest, boldest and most battle scarred show, and he's not wrong on at least two of those.”
  • Bari Weiss's mandate: steer CBS to appeal more to conservatives.
  • Broader media implications: CBS’s new owners are seeking to acquire CNN’s parent company, possibly combining newsrooms and implementing widespread cuts.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump [00:32-00:40]:
  • “Seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. Large tanker, very large. Largest one ever seized actually.”
• Lakshmi Singh [00:49]:
  • “Some legal experts say the strikes may violate international law.”
• Ryan Lucas [02:12]:
  • “Judges ... have signed off on making those records public while also ensuring that victim related personal information remains protected.”
• Jerome Powell [03:29]:
  • “The outlook for employment and inflation has not changed as much since our meeting in October. Conditions in the labor market appear to be gradually cooling and inflation remains somewhat elevated.”
• David Folkenflik [04:18]:
  • “Tony Ducopel says that CBS Evening News is the oldest, boldest and most battle scarred show, and he's not wrong on at least two of those.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:22] — US escalates military action in Venezuela (Lakshmi Singh, President Trump)
• [01:49] — Judge orders release of Epstein Files (Ryan Lucas)
• [02:28] — DHS to purchase jets for deportations (Joel Rose)
• [03:22] — Federal Reserve rate cut (Jerome Powell)
• [04:18] — CBS names new anchor; possible newsroom mergers (David Folkenflik)

This episode delivers a rapid, nuanced snapshot of major developments affecting international relations, US domestic policy, economics, and the media landscape—all within five minutes and with characteristic NPR clarity.