NPR News: 12-13-2025 4PM EST

Summary

---

NPR News Now: 12-13-2025, 4PM EST

Summary of Episode
This NPR News Now segment, anchored by Windsor Johnston, delivers a concise, five-minute update on major headlines from December 13, 2025. The episode covers critical national security news, shifting political sentiments among young Americans, regional climate disaster impacts, a Hollywood milestone, an astronomical event, and highlights from the world of sports.

---

Key News Headlines and Insights

1. ISIS Attack in Syria and U.S. Response

• Overview: President Trump vows retaliation after an ISIS gunman killed two American service members and one U.S. civilian in Palmyra, Syria, where U.S. personnel supported counterterrorism operations.
• Details:
  • Attack occurred just over a year after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al Assad.
  • The perpetrator was killed by partner forces; three other U.S. troops injured.
  • The new Syrian president expressed devastation over the incident.
• Quote:
  • President Trump: “This was an ISIS attack on U.S. and Syria.” (Reporter relay, 00:54)
• Timestamps:
  • [00:14] – News introduction
  • [00:36] – Lydia Calitri’s report

---

2. Young Voters Disenchanted Ahead of 2026 Midterms

• Overview: A new University of Chicago survey reveals bipartisan dissatisfaction among young Americans, with economic concerns at the forefront.
• Details:
  • Survey sampled 5,000+ people aged 18-42.
  • About 60% have unfavorable impressions of both major political parties.
  • 90% worry about costs of food and healthcare.
  • Around a third fear they'll be worse off financially than their parents.
• Quotes:
  • Kathy Cohen: "This latest poll finds that roughly 6 in 10 young Americans have unfavorable impressions of both parties." (01:39)
  • Nell Greenfield Boyce: "There is a real sense that these individuals and these parts of the administration are not delivering." (01:53)
• Timestamps:
  • [01:14] – Story introduction
  • [01:39] – Survey results and expert commentary

---

3. Flooding in Washington State Threatens Agriculture

• Overview: Record rainfall has caused significant flooding in Washington state, damaging vital berry crops and impacting dairy operations.
• Details:
  • Over 1,000 acres of blueberries and raspberries are submerged in Skagit and Whatcom counties.
  • Floodwaters can destroy crops and ruin essential irrigation infrastructure like drip tape.
  • Dairy farms are also at risk, with cattle relocated and the main feed mill under water.
• Quote:
  • 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..." (02:27)
• Timestamps:
  • [02:12] – Story introduction
  • [02:27] – Detailed report

---

4. Dick Van Dyke Turns 100

• Overview: The celebrated entertainer marks a full century of life and over seven decades in show business.
• Details:
  • Starred in “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” “Mary Poppins,” “Bye Bye Birdie.”
  • Has received multiple Emmy Awards and a Kennedy Center Honor.
• Timestamps:
  • [03:09] – Milestone mentioned

---

5. Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend

• Overview: Astronomers highlight the annual Geminid meteor shower, known for producing many shooting stars.
• Details:
  • Produced by debris from an asteroid striking the atmosphere.
  • Tips for viewing: Go late at night, allow eyes to adjust, and avoid the moon’s glare.
• Quote:
  • Nell Greenfield Boyce: “If you can brave the cold, find a dark spot and give your eyes plenty of time to adjust, then watch the sky and wait.” (03:43)
• Timestamps:
  • [03:43] – Report by Nell Greenfield Boyce

---

6. Lindsey Vonn’s Remarkable Skiing Comeback

• Overview: The American skier, at age 41, finishes second in a World Cup downhill, just a day after becoming the circuit’s oldest winner.
• Details:
  • Recently returned after nearly six years of retirement due to knee surgery.
  • Won season’s opening race by almost a full second.
• Timestamps:
  • [04:27] – Sports update

---

Notable Quotes

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |--------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:54 | Trump (relayed): | “This was an ISIS attack on U.S. and Syria.” | | 01:39 | Kathy Cohen | "This latest poll finds that roughly 6 in 10 young Americans have unfavorable impressions of both parties." | | 01:53 | Nell Greenfield Boyce | "There is a real sense that these individuals and these parts of the administration are not delivering." | | 02:27 | Anna King | "...drip tape... can get clogged or ruined... cost thousands of dollars per acre to replace or fix..." | | 03:43 | Nell Greenfield Boyce | “If you can brave the cold, find a dark spot and give your eyes plenty of time to adjust, then watch the sky and wait.” |

---

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:14] U.S. to retaliate after ISIS attack in Central Syria
• [01:14] Diminishing support among young voters for both political parties
• [02:12] Washington state flooding impacts berry and dairy farms
• [03:09] Dick Van Dyke’s centennial birthday
• [03:43] Geminid meteor shower viewing tips
• [04:27] Lindsey Vonn makes history in skiing comeback

---

This episode delivers a brisk yet thorough overview of the day’s critical national and cultural events, intermingling urgent breaking news with stories of resilience in sports and entertainment.

Transcript

[Carvana Announcer]

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

[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump is vowing to retaliate after an ISIS gunman killed two American service members and one U.S. civilian in Central Syria today. The Pentagon says the soldiers were supporting counterterrorism operations in the region. NPR's Lydia Calitri reports.

[Lydia Calitri]

The attack, which took place in the city of Palmyra, comes just over a year after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al Assad. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the gunman was killed by partner forces. Three other service members were injured in the attack. Before boarding Marine One, President Trump told.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Reporters the new president of Syria is as they told me, and I'm not surprised. He's devastated by what happened. This was an ISIS attack on U.S. and Syria.

[Lydia Calitri]

Trump says the U.S. will retaliate against ISIS. Lydia Calitri, NPR News, Washington.

[Windsor Johnston]

A new survey shows lawmakers from both parties are losing ground with young voters ahead of next year's midterm elections. The University of Chicago questioned more than 5,000 young Americans between the ages of 18 and 42. NPR's Elena Moore reports. These voters are feeling increasing increasingly unhappy with politics as they struggle with the high cost of living.

[Kathy Cohen]

This latest poll finds that roughly 6 in 10 young Americans have unfavorable impressions of both parties. Kathy Cohen runs the GenForward survey. She argues that the dissatisfaction young people feel is tied to their concerns about the economy.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

There is a real sense that these individuals and these parts of the administration are not delivering.

[Kathy 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. Elena Moore, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Floodwaters are receding across parts of Washington state after days of record rainfall. Damage is widespread, including to the state's crucial farming industry. Anna King from Northwest Public Broadcasting has more.

[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, 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]

This is NPR News in Washington. Legendary actor Dick van Dyke is 100 years old today, marking a century for one of Hollywood's most enduring entertainers. He became a household name through the Dick Van Dyke show and starred in classics like Mary Poppins and Bye Bye Birdie. Van Dyke's career has spanned more than seven decades, earning him multiple Emmy awards and a Kennedy center honor. One of the strongest meteor showers of the year will peak this weekend. NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce reports.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

The annual Geminid meteor shower happens when the Earth passes through a field of tiny particles left behind by an asteroid. That debris hits our atmosphere and produces bright streaks of light. Like the summertime Perseids, this meteor shower produces a good number of shooting stars. It just happens when it's a lot colder outside still. If you can brave the cold, find a dark spot and give your eyes plenty of time to adjust, then watch the sky and wait. Some of the best viewing will be late at night before the crescent moon rises, or once the moon is up. You can keep your back to it so that its light won't swamp out your view. Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

American skier Lindsey Vaughn nearly did it again. She finished second in a World cup downhill in Switzerland today. Yesterday, she became the oldest winner circuit's history. Von is 41, and she won the season's opening downhill by nearly a full second. She returned to skiing last season after nearly six years of retirement following knee surgery. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

[NPR Promo Announcer]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.