NPR News: 12-13-2025 11AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – December 13, 2025, 11AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Episode Length: ~5 minutes
Main Theme: The latest global and national news highlights, focusing on U.S. domestic challenges, international crises, legal developments, and sports accomplishments.

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1. Flood Damage in Washington State

[00:17–01:20]

• Overview:
  Floodwaters have started to recede across parts of Washington after days of record rainfall. While there have been no reported fatalities, significant damage, especially to the agricultural sector, has occurred.

• Agricultural Impact:

  • Over 1,000 acres of blueberries and raspberries are now underwater in Skagit and Whatcom counties.
  • The flood may kill some berry plants or completely uproot others.
  • Key Concern: Drip tape (used for irrigating blueberries) is at risk—if clogged with sediment or ruined, it could cost thousands of dollars per acre to repair:
    • Anna King: “Most blueberries are irrigated with drip tape or tube. When submerged in floodwaters loaded with sediments, they can get clogged or ruined. That could cost thousands of dollars per acre to replace or fix.” [00:47]
  • Dairy cattle have been moved to higher ground.
  • The only feed mill for dairies in Whatcom County has flooded.

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2. Health Care Bills Fail in the Senate

[01:20–02:00]

• Summary:
  Two opposing health care bills, one from Democrats and one from Republicans, were rejected by the U.S. Senate—setting the stage for further uncertainty and likely increases in healthcare premiums for over 20 million Americans.

• Political Dynamics:

  • The impasse is a setback for President Trump, who faces resistance even within his own party.
  • Insightful Quote:
    • Don Gonyea: “The Affordable Care Act has always been a place where Democrats and Republicans butt heads, but this current fight… gets to the core of these differences. So Republicans would rather have health savings accounts or give money directly to individuals to use on the healthcare of their choice. And we're just at an impasse.” [01:40]
  • Democrats suggested a three-year extension of enhanced ACA subsidies.
  • Republicans proposed letting funding expire, favoring expansion of healthcare savings accounts and market reforms.

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3. Legal Challenge to U.S. Visa Fee Hike

[02:00–03:12]

• Summary:
  Twenty states, led by California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s dramatic increase in H1B visa fees for foreign workers.

• Key Details:

  • The lawsuit, submitted to federal court in Boston, targets a new $100,000 fee per worker (up from several thousand dollars previously).
  • Plaintiffs argue the hike violates federal law.
  • It is at least the third ongoing legal challenge to this policy, with opposition from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, unions, and employers.
  • President Trump justifies the fee as a protectionist measure for American workers.

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4. Russia Targets Ukraine’s Power Infrastructure

[03:12–03:48]

• Summary:
  Fresh Russian missile strikes have left parts of Ukraine without electricity. Attacks hit at least five regions, including the strategic port city of Odesa.

• Broader Context:

  • Ukraine accuses Russia of deliberately trying to cripple the power grid.
  • These strikes come as U.S.-led peace talks are underway.

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5. Famine and Funding Crisis in Sudan

[03:48–04:28]

• Summary:
  The UN World Food Programme is set to cut food rations in Sudan due to a severe lack of funding.

• Key Points:

  • $2.9 billion is urgently needed to aid 20 million people.
  • Ongoing fighting between the RSF and Sudanese army continues after more than two years, now creating the world’s largest displacement crisis.
  • Famine was declared in two Darfur cities after 18 months under siege.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Michael Kaloki: “The reduction in food rations… is as a result of severe funding shortages. The United Nations recently issued an appeal for funds, noting that $2.9 billion is required to provide… aid to 20 million people.” [03:53]

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6. Lindsey Vonn’s Comeback in Alpine Skiing

[04:28–04:56]

• Summary:
  American skiing star Lindsey Vonn, aged 41, continues her return to the World Cup circuit after knee surgery.

• Highlights:

  • Placed second in a downhill race in Switzerland just after a historic performance.
  • Downhill is described as “the fastest and most dangerous event in Alpine skiing” by Windsor Johnston [04:44].

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Anna King on Berry Crop Losses:
  “Most blueberries are irrigated with drip tape or tube. When submerged in floodwaters loaded with sediments, they can get clogged or ruined. That could cost thousands of dollars per acre to replace or fix.” [00:47]

• Don Gonyea on Health Care Gridlock:
  “And we're just at an impasse.” [01:59]

• Michael Kaloki on Sudan Crisis:
  “The United Nations recently issued an appeal for funds, noting that $2.9 billion is required to provide the life saving aid to 20 million people.” [03:55]

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For Listeners

This brief but information-packed episode covers urgent weather events, ongoing U.S. political gridlock, high-stakes legal battles, global conflict, humanitarian crises, and notable sporting achievements—offering a concise but detailed snapshot of December 13, 2025, at 11AM EST.

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

This message comes from Capital One with the Venture X card. Earn unlimited double miles, a $300 annual capital one travel credit and access to airport lounges. Capital One what's IN your wallet? Terms apply [e-mail].

[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Floodwaters are starting to recede across parts of Washington state after days of record rainfall. The governor says no one has died, but damage is widespr, including to the state's crucial farming industry. Anna King from Northwest Public Broadcasting reports.

[Anna King]

It's estimated more than 1,000 acres of blueberries and raspberries are underwater in Skagit and Whatcom counties. Some plants might die, others might be uprooted by floodwaters. And then there's the drip tape. Most blueberries are irrigated with drip tape or tube when submerged in floodwaters loaded with sediments that they can get clogged or ruined. That could cost thousands of dollars per acre to replace or fix. Berry experts say dairy cattle, too, are having a tough time. Many have been moved to higher ground. And the only feed mill in Whatcom county for dairies is flooded out. For NPR News, I'm Anna King.

[Windsor Johnston]

The Senate rejected two competing health care bills this week, a move that could push healthcare premiums higher for more than 20 million Americans early. Don Gagne reports. The setback adds to a growing list of challenges for President Trump, who's facing pushback from his own party.

[Don Gonyea]

The Affordable Care act has always been a place where Democrats and Republicans butt heads, but this current fight over whether to extend existing subsidies gets to the core of these differences. So Republicans would rather have health savings accounts or give money directly to individuals to use on the health care of their choice. And we're just at an impasse.

[Windsor Johnston]

That's NPR's Don Gonyea reporting. Democrats proposed extending enhanced Affordable Care act subsidies for three more years. Republicans pushed a plan that would have allowed that funding to expire while expanding health care savings accounts and reshaping the insurance marketplaces. A group of 20 states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's plan to dramatically hike visa fees for foreign workers. And NPR's Matt Bloom reports on this latest legal challenge against the policy.

[Matt Bloom]

The new lawsuit was filed by a group of state attorneys general led by California's Rob Bonta. The suit, filed in federal court in Boston, seeks to block President Trump's $100,000 fee on new H1B visas. Trump announced the policy this fall, raising the fee from just a few thousand dollars per worker. In their suit, the attorneys general argue that the price hike violates federal law. The new suit is at least the third to challenge the policy, which Trump says is meant to protect American workers. Similar challenges from the U.S. chamber of Commerce and U.S. unions and employers are also pending. Matt Bloom, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is NPR News in Washington. Ukraine is without power in parts of the country after new Russian strikes targeting energy infrastructure. Officials say attach attacks hit at least five regions, including the port city of Odesa. Kyiv accuses Moscow of trying to cripple the power grid as U S Led peace talks continue. As fighting continues in Sudan, the United Nations World Food Program says it will be forced to cut food rations for people already facing famine. Michael Koloki has more from Nairobi.

[Michael Kaloki]

According to the World Food Programme, the reduction in food rations due to commence next year is is as a result of severe funding shortages. The United nations recently issued an appeal for funds, noting that $2.9 billion is required to provide the life saving aid to 20 million people. In Sudan, fighting between the paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces, or rsf, and the Sudanese armed forces has been going on for more than two years now. Last month, famine was declared in two cities in the country's Darfur region following an 18 month siege by the RSF of Al Fasher and Kadougli. The UN warns that the conflict in Sudan has created the world's largest displacement crisis. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaloki.

[Windsor Johnston]

In Nairobi, American skier Lindsey Vonn is extending her comeback on the World cup circuit. Just a day after making history. The 41 year old finished second in a downhill race in Switzerland. Vaughn returned to competition last season after knee surgery. Downhill is considered the fastest and most dangerous event in Alpine skiing. I'm Windsor Johnston and you're listening to news from Washington.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Windsor Johnston]

Com.