NPR News: 12-13-2025 3PM EST

Summary

---

NPR News Now — 3PM EST, December 13, 2025

Host: Windsor Johnston

---

Overview

This five-minute NPR News update summarizes key headlines from the U.S. and around the world. Main topics include a deadly ISIS ambush in Syria, an Israeli airstrike on a senior Hamas commander, a legal battle over California National Guard troops, severe flooding in Washington State, record cold weather in the Midwest, the death of actor Peter Greene, and an upcoming Heisman Trophy Ceremony.

---

Key News Stories and Discussion Points

1. Deadly Ambush in Syria (00:17)

• Incident: U.S. Central Command announced that two American soldiers and one civilian were killed by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria. Three other service members were wounded.
  • The attack is described as an ambush, with President Trump offering brief remarks.
• Quote:
  • President Donald Trump:

    “So we mourned the loss of three great patriots in Syria. You know how it happened? It was an ambush.” [00:38]

  • Dana Cronin (response):

    “Terrible.” [00:47]

• Follow-Up: The Pentagon noted the mission was a counterterrorism operation. The attacker was killed by partner forces (local allies).
• Significance: Highlights ongoing instability and U.S. involvement in the region.

2. Israeli Airstrike on Hamas Commander (01:12)

• Event: The Israeli military targeted and claimed to have killed Re' Ad Saad, a senior Hamas official and the second-in-command of the group’s military wing, in Gaza City.
  • A video released by the military purported to show the assassination via airstrike.
  • Hamas condemned the strike on a “civilian vehicle” but did not confirm the death or identify the vehicle’s occupants.
• Quote:
  • Hadil Al Shalchi (NPR):

    “Saad's killing would be the highest profile assassination of a Hamas leader by the Israeli military since a ceasefire deal was reached in October.” [01:41]

• Context: Saad was close to Azzedine al Haddad (current Hamas military leader after Mohammed Sinwar was killed in May).

3. California National Guard Court Ruling (01:56)

• Legal Development: Federal appeals court issued a partial stay in the ongoing dispute between California and President Trump regarding federal control over National Guard troops.
  • California Attorney General Rob Bonta interpreted the ruling as a temporary win, stating that troops stationed in Los Angeles will no longer be deployed for now as litigation continues.
  • The Ninth Circuit granted the Trump administration’s request to maintain federal control during the appeal.
• Quote:
  • Dana Cronin (KQED):

    “In a statement, Bonta celebrated the ruling, calling it, quote, 'gratifying and a hard fought step in the right direction.'” [02:32]

4. Severe Weather: Floods and Cold Weather (02:39)

• Flooding in Washington State:
  • Rivers remain high after record rainfall, and risks of landslides are escalating.
• Quote:
  • Scott Greenstone (KOUW):

    “It could be, unfortunately, that more damage is coming because right now with all the deeply saturated earth from all this rainfall... There's a high risk of landslides across the region. A couple landslides have already closed some regional highways for periods of time.” [02:53-03:08]

• Record Cold in Midwest:
  • National Weather Service warns near-record low temperatures in Minnesota and North Dakota.
  • Snow expected to move into the Ohio Valley and further into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

5. Obituary: Peter Greene (03:54)

• Death of Actor: Peter Greene, known for villainous roles in “Pulp Fiction” and “The Mask,” was found dead in his New York City apartment at age 60.
• Quote:
  • Chloe Veltman (NPR):

    “The tall, angular character actor excelled at playing bad guys, sometimes in comedies.” [03:54]

  • (Archive from The Mask, character quote):

    “The police are looking for the Mask, so we’ll give them the mask.” [04:06]

  • Chloe Veltman (NPR):

    “That same year, Green played a ruthless security guard in the gangster movie Pulp Fiction and went on to work steadily in movies and on TV.” [04:13]

• Career Note: Greene was recently narrating a documentary, “From the American People: The Withdrawal of USAID.”

6. Sports: Heisman Trophy Update (04:37)

• Highlight: Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the heavy favorite for the prestigious Heisman Trophy, to be awarded in New York City tonight.

---

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The tone is urgent and succinct, characteristic of NPR headline bulletins.
• The President’s brief, somber statement on the Syria attack stood out as a significant moment.
• The reflection on Peter Greene’s legacy, including a brief in-character sound bite, added a human interest angle amid hard news.

---

Notable Quotes

• “So we mourned the loss of three great patriots in Syria. You know how it happened? It was an ambush.”
  — President Donald Trump [00:38]

• “Saad's killing would be the highest profile assassination of a Hamas leader by the Israeli military since a ceasefire deal was reached in October.”
  — Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR [01:41]

• “In a statement, Bonta celebrated the ruling, calling it, quote, 'gratifying and a hard fought step in the right direction.'”
  — Dana Cronin, KQED [02:32]

• “It could be, unfortunately, that more damage is coming... There's a high risk of landslides across the region.”
  — Scott Greenstone, KOUW [02:53]

• “The tall, angular character actor excelled at playing bad guys, sometimes in comedies.”
  — Chloe Veltman, NPR [03:54]

---

Timeline of Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:17 | Syria ISIS ambush, Trump’s statement | | 01:12 | Israeli airstrike targets Hamas commander | | 01:56 | California National Guard court ruling | | 02:39 | Washington flooding, Midwest cold snap | | 03:54 | Obituary: Actor Peter Greene | | 04:37 | Heisman Trophy update |

---

This concise NPR News episode covers rapidly unfolding domestic and international headlines, using clear, neutral reporting with brief moments of emotion and reflection, especially on lives lost and individuals remembered.

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. U.S. central Command says two U.S. soldiers and one civilian were killed in an ambush by a single ISIS gunman in Syria today. The three other service members were wounded in the attack. President Trump spoke about the incident on his way to Baltimore just a short time ago.

[President Donald Trump]

So we mourned the loss of three great patriots in Syria. You know how it happened? It was an ambush.

[Dana Cronin]

Terrible.

[Windsor Johnston]

The Pentagon says the soldier's mission was in support of counterterrorism operations in the region. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegsett said the attacker was killed by partner forces. The Israeli military says it has killed a senior Hamas commander, one of the architects of the October 7 attacks on Israel. NPR's Hadil Al Shouji reports. The strike took place near Gaza City today.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

The Israeli military said it has killed Re' Ad Sa', Ad, a Hamas senior official who Israel says was the second in command of the group's military wing. A video released by the Israeli military showed an airstrike on a vehicle they said Saad was riding in. Hamas did not confirm Saad's killing, but in a statement condemned an Israeli strike on what they called a civilian vehicle west of Gaza City. Hamas did not say who was in the vehicle. Saad's killing would be the highest profile assassination of a Hamas leader by the Israeli military since a ceasefire deal was reached in October. He was a close ally of Azzedine al Haddad, who took over Hamas's military wing after Israeli forces killed Mohammed Sinwar last May. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Windsor Johnston]

A federal appeals court has issued a partial stay in an ongoing court battle between California President Trump over the state's National Guard troops. Dana Cronin from member station KQED reports. The stay goes into effect on Monday.

[Dana Cronin]

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says the ruling means that the troops who have been stationed in Los Angeles for the last six months, will no longer be deployed, at least as the case continues to play out. The Ninth Circuit granted a request by the Trump administration to keep the troops under federal control for now. In a statement, Bontas celebrated the ruling, calling it, quote, gratifying and a hard fought step in the right direction. For NPR News, I'm Dana Cronin in San Francisco.

[Windsor Johnston]

Floodwaters are slowly receding across parts of Washington state after days of record rainfall. Scott Greenstone of member station KOUW reports. Rivers are expected to stay high for several more days.

[Scott Greenstone]

It could be, unfortunately, that more damage is coming because right now with all the deeply saturated earth from all this rainfall. Right. There's a high risk of landslides across the region. A couple landslides have already closed some regional highways for periods of time.

[Windsor Johnston]

That's Scott Greenstone reporting. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. As the Pacific Northwest faces the threat of more flooding. The National Weather Service is warning of near record cold temperatures in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota as snowfall moves into the Ohio Valley today. Forecasters say parts of the Mid Atlantic region and parts of the Northeast could also see snow tomorrow. The actor Peter Green has died. He was known for playing villains in movies like Pulp Fiction and the Mask. He was found dead in his apartment in New York City yesterday, according to his manager. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports. Greene was 60 years old.

[Chloe Veltman]

The tall, angular character actor excelled at playing bad guys sometimes in comedies. Here Green is hamming it up as Jim Carrey's nemesis in 1994 slapstick superhero movie the Mask.

[Scott Greenstone]

The police are looking for the Mask, so we'll give them the mask.

[Chloe Veltman]

That same year, Green played a ruthless security guard in the gangster movie Pulp Fiction and went on to work steadily in movies and on TV. Peter Green was born in New Jersey in 1965. He started pursuing acting in his twenties. His upcoming projects include the documentary from the American People, the Withdrawal of usaid, which he was narrating. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the heavy favorite heading into tonight's Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York City. The Heisman is college football's most prestigious prize. I'm Windsor Johnston, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[Commercial Announcer]

This message comes from Carvana. The Carvana Value Tracker shows you your car's worth. Check at any time, track changes and sell when the timing feels right. Use Carvana Value Tracker to track your car's value today.