NPR News Now — December 10, 2025, 5AM EST

Host: Dave Mattingly
Length: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise update on major domestic and international headlines, including recent U.S. military actions near Venezuela, the Nobel Peace Prize awarded in absentia to a Venezuelan opposition leader, President Trump's latest speech in Pennsylvania focusing on affordability and culture war issues, a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University, the historic Miami mayoral election, expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut, and a feature on a record-breaking Nutcracker museum.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Military Activity Near Venezuela

• [00:17] Two U.S. Navy fighter jets conducted a "routine" training flight over the Gulf of Venezuela, lasting over 30 minutes.
• This flight occurs "amid a US military buildup off the coast of Venezuela and the Pentagon having ordered airstrikes on suspected drug boats from Venezuela in the Caribbean."
• Context: Rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela as the U.S. increases military presence in the region.

2. Nobel Peace Prize for Venezuelan Opposition Leader

• Maria Machado, a political opposition leader in Venezuela, is being honored in Oslo but is unable to attend in person.
  • [00:17] "Machado has been in hiding for nearly a year... last seen in public in early January when she was briefly detained at a political protest in Caracas."
  • Her daughter is expected to accept the prize on her behalf, noted by the director of the Nobel Institute.
• Machado recognized for efforts to achieve "a democratic transition" in Venezuela.
• President Maduro’s government barred Machado from politics after her victory in a primary election.

3. President Trump’s Speech in Pennsylvania

• [01:42] Coverage by Danielle Kurtzleben.
• Trump spoke in Mount Pocono, beneath a sign reading “lower prices, bigger paychecks.”
  • He dismissed the Democrats’ “affordability” platform:

  “So they look at the camera and they say this election is all about affordability.” — Donald Trump [01:55]

• Polls indicate high voter anxiety over cost of living, which has increased due to Trump’s tariffs.
• Trump’s address included culture war topics and personal attacks; he targeted Rep. Ilhan Omar, triggering a “send her back” chant from the crowd.
  • Note: The coverage reflects ongoing polarization and contentious rhetoric on the campaign trail.

4. Shooting at Kentucky State University

• [02:23] One person killed, another critically wounded; a suspect is in custody.
• [02:35] Curtis Tate (WEKU) reports:
  • Incident occurred at "Kentucky's only public historically Black college and university."
  • University President Kofi Okakpo, visibly affected:

    “As a parent, I cannot imagine receiving the call I placed to the parents.” — Kofi Okakpo [02:44]

  • Classes and exams cancelled for the week; suspect is not a student.

5. Historic Miami Mayoral Election

• [03:17] Eileen Higgins becomes the first Democrat elected mayor of Miami in nearly 30 years, defeating former city manager and Trump transition team member Emilio Gonzalez.
• Succeeds outgoing Mayor Francis Suarez.

6. Federal Reserve Expected Rate Cut

• [03:42] The Fed is widely anticipated to announce a 0.25% cut in interest rates, following similar cuts in September and October, as focus shifts from inflation to "worries about slowing employment."

7. Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum Feature

• [04:06] Vanessa Romo spotlights the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum in Washington State:
  • The museum holds over 9,000 handcrafted nutcrackers, making it the largest in the U.S.
  • Presided over by 101-year-old founder Arlene Wagner:

    “That was the whole idea of starting the museum was to let other people enjoy what we enjoy.” — Arlene Wagner [04:35]

  • Collection began in 1976; opened to the public in 1995.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Election Affordability Theme

  “So they look at the camera and they say this election is all about affordability.”
  — Donald Trump ([01:55])

• KSU President on Shooting Aftermath

  “As a parent, I cannot imagine receiving the call I placed to the parents.”
  — Kofi Okakpo ([02:44])

• Arlene Wagner on Starting the Nutcracker Museum

  “That was the whole idea of starting the museum was to let other people enjoy what we enjoy.”
  — Arlene Wagner ([04:35])

Important Timestamps

• [00:17] U.S. Navy activity in Venezuela; Nobel Peace Prize situation
• [01:42] Trump’s Pennsylvania speech
• [02:23] KSU shooting and response
• [03:17] Miami mayoral election; Fed rate cut preview
• [04:06] Nutcracker Museum feature

Summary

This fast-moving NPR News Now episode covers urgent global events—the U.S. military’s posture near Venezuela and the Nobel Prize awarded to a Venezuelan dissident—as well as hot-button domestic issues, like President Trump’s campaign rhetoric and voter concerns about the cost of living. The program also spotlights moments of tragedy and resilience at Kentucky State University and underlines milestones in Miami’s politics. Ending on a whimsical note, listeners hear about the unique Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, a testament to one woman's lifelong passion turned public treasure.