NPR News Now: December 11, 2025, 3AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens (NPR News Anchor)
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This tightly-packed NPR News update delivers the latest breaking stories from U.S. domestic politics, legal developments, international affairs, scientific discoveries, and notable oddities. The episode's main theme is to keep listeners swiftly informed of key events, with focus on U.S. actions in Venezuela, state-level political maneuvers, high-profile legal cases, a groundbreaking archaeological find, and an unusual criminal incident in South Carolina.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Off Venezuelan Coast

• (00:21-01:00)
  • U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announces the seizure of a crude oil tanker by the FBI and Coast Guard near Venezuela. The vessel was allegedly used to circumvent U.S. oil sanctions.
  • President Trump publicizes the operation, emphasizing the size and significance of the seizure.
    • Quote:
      • "We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, large tanker, very large." — President Donald Trump (00:40)
      • "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 with some other vehicle." — President Donald Trump (00:49)
  • NPR notes that this move escalates U.S. pressure on Venezuela's leadership, whom Trump labels a "major drug trafficker."
  • The Venezuelan government condemns the operation as "international piracy."

2. Indiana Redistricting Battle Amid Swatting Incidents

• (01:00-02:10)
  • Indiana Senate prepares to consider a congressional redistricting plan advocated by President Trump; the plan could help Republicans flip two Democratic seats.
  • Senate Republicans in Indiana remain split; local lawmaker Greg Good, impacted by a swatting hoax, expresses uncertainty.
    • Quote:
      • "I intend to keep an open mind until the very end." — Greg Good (01:46)
  • Trump and Governor Mike Braun threaten to support primary challenges against Republicans not backing the redistricting.
  • States like Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina are also mentioned as following similar efforts.

3. University of Michigan Fires Football Coach Amid Scandal

• (02:10-02:53)
  • Head coach Sharon Moore is fired following an internal investigation revealing an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
  • Hours later, Moore is involved in an alleged assault; police respond but withhold much detail.
    • Summary:
      • Moore had a winning record but brought controversy, including past NCAA sanctions.

4. Epstein Case Grand Jury Transcripts to be Released

• (02:53-03:19)
  • Federal judge Richard Berman in New York authorizes the release of transcripts from the 2019 Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking grand jury.
  • The judge asserts there are "no new revelations" in the material but is following a new law requiring public disclosure regarding Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

5. Legal Setback for National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles

• (03:19-03:38)
  • Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco orders the end of the Trump administration's National Guard deployment to Los Angeles, marking another legal defeat for the administration's urban troop stationing strategy.

6. Archaeologists Rewrite Human Fire History

• (03:38-04:30)
  • Archaeologists in Britain find the oldest evidence of fire-making by early humans: a 400,000-year-old hearth and fire-starting tools.
  • Discovery implies Neanderthals may have started fires 350,000 years earlier than previously believed.
    • Quote:
      • "The ability to start fires was a major evolutionary tool that we continue to benefit from today." — Nate Rott (03:54)
      • Details published in the journal Nature.

7. Drone Delivers Contraband to South Carolina Prison

• (04:30-04:58)
  • Department of Corrections investigating a drone drop of steak, crab legs, cigarettes, and marijuana to Lee Correctional Institution yard.
  • Flying a drone near a prison is a misdemeanor; delivering contraband is a felony carrying up to 10 years in prison.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump, on the Venezuela oil tanker seizure:

  • "Largest one ever seized, actually, and other things are happening..." (00:49)

• Indiana lawmaker Greg Good, on redistricting:

  • "I intend to keep an open mind until the very end." (01:46)

• Nate Rott, on fire discovery:

  • "The ability to start fires was a major evolutionary tool that we continue to benefit from today." (03:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:21 — Seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker; Trump announces escalation
• 01:25 — Indiana Senate to decide on redistricting; swatting threat to lawmakers
• 02:10 — University of Michigan coach fired over scandal and pending assault charges
• 02:53 — Epstein grand jury transcripts to be released
• 03:19 — Judge blocks National Guard deployment in Los Angeles
• 03:38 — Game-changing fire discovery in British archaeology
• 04:30 — Drone delivers illegal goods to South Carolina prison

Brief Conclusion

This edition of NPR News Now covers a spectrum of pressing topics, from bold geopolitical moves and domestic political strategies to personal downfalls, legal proceedings, scientific breakthroughs, and bizarre crime in just five minutes—without missing the urgency, complexity, and human interest at the heart of each story.