NPR News Now – Summary

Episode: NPR News: 12-13-2025 12PM EST
Host: Windsor Johnston, NPR
Date: December 13, 2025
Length: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

In this concise newscast, NPR presents the top news stories from around the world. Major headlines include U.S. military actions against drug traffickers in Latin America, the political disillusionment of young American voters, an American journalist’s call for an investigation after being wounded by Israeli fire, deadly violence involving U.S. personnel in Syria, the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, and a widespread cold snap across the United States.

Key News Stories & Discussion Points

1. U.S. Military Strikes on Drug Operations in Latin America

[00:17–01:03]

• President Trump's Statement:
  • Announces plans for U.S. land strikes against drug traffickers in Latin America, with Venezuela specifically mentioned.
  • No details on timing or targets revealed.
  • Quote (Trump):

    "It's not only land strikes, Venezuela, it's land strikes on horrible people that are bringing in drugs and killing our people."
    — [00:30]

• Background:
  • Recent U.S. strikes targeted boats suspected of smuggling, reportedly killing over 80 people.
  • U.S. forces also seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.

2. Washington State Flooding

[01:03–01:12]

• Situation:
  • Floodwaters remain high after days of heavy rain.
  • Rivers may stay elevated with more rainfall expected.

3. Young Voters' Disenchantment with U.S. Politics

[01:12–02:12]

• University of Chicago Survey:
  • More than 5,000 Americans aged 18–42 surveyed.
  • Dramatic unease and dissatisfaction with both major parties.
  • 6 in 10 young Americans hold unfavorable opinions of both parties.
  • Kathy Cohen (GenForward):
    • Economic anxiety is a driving factor.
    • Quote (Cohen):

      "The poll finds that nearly nine in 10 young people are concerned about the price of food and the cost of health care, plus, about a third think they're going to be worse off financially than their parents."
      — [02:00]

  • Young voters widely feel that politicians are failing them.
    • Quote (Michael Sullivan):

      "There is a real sense that these individuals and these parts of the administration are not delivering."
      — [01:54]

4. U.S. Journalist Wounded in Israeli Strike Calls for Inquiry

[02:12–03:12]

• Incident:
  • Dylan Collins, an American video journalist, was wounded in Lebanon by Israeli tank fire in 2023. The attack killed a Reuters cameraman and was captured on video.
  • Collins is pressing for a U.S. investigation, characterizing the official reaction as "deafening silence."
    • Quote (Collins):

      "I thought that when an American citizen is wounded in an attack carried out by the US's greatest ally in the Middle east that we'd be able to get some answers. But for two years I'd been met by deafening silence."
      — [02:42]

  • The IDF states the incident is still under examination; they deny targeting journalists.
  • Committee to Protect Journalists: 59 journalists and media workers killed by the Israeli military since October 2023.

5. U.S. Casualties in Syria Following ISIS Attack

[03:12–03:36]

• Details:
  • Two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian killed.
  • Three more service members injured in Syria by an ISIS gunman (who was subsequently killed).

6. Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict Despite Ceasefire Claims

[03:36–04:33]

• Situation:
  • President Trump claimed via Truth Social to have brokered a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia.
  • Despite this, fighting continues—confirmed by Thai military officials, with Cambodia accused of using heavy weapons and Thailand retaliating.
    • Quote (Michael Sullivan):

      "Clashes had continued across seven border provinces on Saturday, with Cambodia using heavy weapons, forcing Thailand to retaliate."
      — [03:51]

  • Cambodia accuses Thailand of targeting infrastructure.
  • Thai PM vows to protect the country until all threats are removed.

7. Severe Cold Snap in the United States

[04:33–04:56]

• Weather Alert:
  • Bitter Arctic cold spreading across much of the U.S.
  • Some regions will see the coldest temperatures of the season.

Notable Quotes

• President Trump on drug traffickers:

  "It's not only land strikes, Venezuela, it's land strikes on horrible people that are bringing in drugs and killing our people."
  — [00:30]

• Kathy Cohen on young voters:

  "The poll finds that nearly nine in 10 young people are concerned about the price of food and the cost of health care, plus, about a third think they're going to be worse off financially than their parents."
  — [02:00]

• Dylan Collins (journalist injured in Israeli strike):

  "I thought that when an American citizen is wounded in an attack carried out by the US's greatest ally in the Middle east that we'd be able to get some answers. But for two years I'd been met by deafening silence."
  — [02:42]

• Michael Sullivan on Thailand-Cambodia conflict:

  "Clashes had continued across seven border provinces on Saturday, with Cambodia using heavy weapons, forcing Thailand to retaliate."
  — [03:51]

Important Timestamps

• [00:17] — Start of news; Trump on land strikes
• [01:12] — Young voters losing faith in U.S. politics
• [02:25] — Journalist wounded in Israeli strike demands answers
• [03:12] — U.S. casualties in Syria from ISIS attack
• [03:51] — Fighting continues between Thailand and Cambodia
• [04:33] — National weather update: Arctic cold outbreak

Tone:
Straightforward, urgent, and factual—typical of NPR's fast-paced headline news format.

This summary captures the critical stories and themes from the December 13, 2025, 12PM EST edition of NPR News Now, providing context, insights, and key quotes for listeners who want to stay informed.