NPR News Now – December 12, 2025, 6AM EST

Host: Jeanine Hurst
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: Top national and international headlines, including US politics, legal news, floods in Washington, EU action on Russia, and the Paris Agreement anniversary.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delivers a concise roundup of significant news events across politics, law, environment, and world affairs—capturing both immediate crises and broader geopolitical developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Indiana Lawmakers Reject GOP-Backed Congressional Map

[00:14 – 01:16]

• Context: President Trump is urging Republican-led states to redraw maps to secure more House seats before the 2026 midterms.
• Indiana Senate’s Decision: Instead of following the national party strategy, Indiana senators oppose the proposed map for being too partisan.
• Conservative Principles Upheld:

  “Living in a free, constitutional republic means we empower voters to make those decisions and we accept their will no matter what.”
  — Republican State Senator Spencer Deary (00:54)

• Internal GOP Frustration:

  “We’ve cost our nation. We don’t know how much, but we’ve cost our nation.”
  — Republican Senator Mike Young, expressing regret (01:03)

• Outcome: Redistricting cannot be revisited before the midterms, ensuring current congressional districts remain in place for now.

2. Grand Jury Declines to Indict NY Attorney General Letitia James

[01:16 – 02:13]

• Background: Letitia James, a frequent legal opponent of President Trump, was the subject of a mortgage fraud investigation.
• Grand Jury’s Decision: For a second time, Virginia grand juries refused to bring charges.
• Defense Critique:

  “The investigation of James is a stain on the Justice Department and raises questions about its integrity.”
  — Abby Lowell, Letitia James’s lawyer (01:42)

• Prosecution Issues: Some charges were invalidated as Trump’s appointed prosecutor was not legally installed.
• Outlook: The Justice Department could try again, but success is uncertain.

3. Historic Flooding in Western Washington

[02:13 – 03:09]

• Situation: Torrential rains trigger unprecedented flooding; rescues are ongoing in Mount Vernon as the Skagit River surpasses major thresholds.
• Governor’s Warning:

  “The flooding levels we’re looking at are potentially historic in nature.”
  — Governor Bob Ferguson, urging evacuation (02:37)

• Escalating Danger:

  “As the waters come down here, they’re still going to be gaining strength. And as they hit the Burlington, Mount Vernon area, we’re still expecting to see about 2ft higher than record flood level.”
  — Robert Ezell, WA Emergency Management Director (02:54)

• Current Status: Widespread flood watches and warnings, with officials stressing unpredictability ahead.

4. EU Moves to Freeze Russian Assets for Ukraine Relief

[03:09 – 04:05]

• Headline: The European Union is poised to extend the freezing of Russian assets (mainly central bank holdings) until Moscow ends its war in Ukraine and pays reparations.
• Details:
  • $247 billion currently frozen, mainly in Belgium, Hungary, and Slovakia.
  • The EU aims to channel these funds for military and economic support to Ukraine.
• Debate: Some EU leaders oppose further support, citing rising energy costs and sluggish economic growth tied to the conflict.

5. Paris Agreement 10-Year Anniversary

[04:05 – 04:40]

• Context: The landmark Paris Climate Accord was adopted a decade ago.
• Current Status:
  • The US, under President Trump, is in the process of withdrawing from the agreement.
  • Supporters argue that while progress toward renewable energy has been made, it's slower than needed.
• Key Reflection:

  “I really think we’re on a different track, and the test now is not can we get people to buy into this track? It is will we move all of us fast enough and big enough.”
  — John Kerry, former Secretary of State, via Grist (04:28)

• Next Steps: The upcoming climate negotiation summit is set for Turkey, a year from now.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker & Quote | |---|---| | 00:54 | Spencer Deary: “Living in a free, constitutional republic means we empower voters to make those decisions and we accept their will no matter what.” | | 01:03 | Mike Young: “We’ve cost our nation. We don’t know how much, but we’ve cost our nation.” | | 01:42 | Abby Lowell: “The investigation of James is a stain on the Justice Department and raises questions about its integrity.” | | 02:37 | Gov. Bob Ferguson: “The flooding levels we’re looking at are potentially historic in nature.” | | 02:54 | Robert Ezell: “As the waters come down here, they’re still going to be gaining strength. And as they hit the Burlington, Mount Vernon area, we’re still expecting to see about 2ft higher than record flood level.” | | 04:28 | John Kerry: “I really think we’re on a different track, and the test now is not can we get people to buy into this track? It is will we move all of us fast enough and big enough.” |

Important Timestamps

• Indiana redistricting decision: 00:14 – 01:16
• Letitia James grand jury refusal: 01:16 – 02:13
• Washington flood emergency: 02:13 – 03:09
• EU Russian asset freeze plan: 03:09 – 04:05
• Paris Agreement anniversary & climate action: 04:05 – 04:40

Tone & Takeaway

The episode maintains NPR’s signature brisk, factual, and informative style—balancing urgent local crises (flooding in Washington) with major partisan and geopolitical stories shaping the national and international landscape. The use of direct quotes provides the listener with an authentic sense of both the stakes and the emotions within the news.