NPR News Now: 12-13-2025 6AM EST

Host: NPR (Giles Snyder)
Date: December 13, 2025
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of national and international news headlines, including updates on Justice Department lawsuits over voter data, high-level diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine, an ongoing legal case in New York, renewed border clashes in Southeast Asia, a noted Iranian human rights arrest, severe flooding in Washington state, and the 100th birthday of Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke.

Key News Stories and Insights

1. DOJ Sues States for Voter Registration Data

[00:13–01:14]

• Summary:
  The Justice Department has filed new lawsuits against several primarily Democratic-led states—specifically Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Nevada—demanding access to complete voter registration lists, including sensitive personal data (driver’s license numbers and parts of Social Security numbers).
• Purpose:
  The DOJ says this data is needed to check state compliance with federal laws and to ensure voter rolls are accurate.
• Resistance:
  Most states refuse on the grounds of privacy laws and restrictions.
• Wider Context:
  This is part of a total of 18 states now facing DOJ lawsuits. The report also references a separate lawsuit, filed by the Trump administration, attempting to force election officials in Georgia to turn over ballots and records from the 2020 election.
• Notable Moment:
  • Hansi Law: “The Justice Department has been demanding certain states turn over complete copies of their voter registration lists… But most states have refused, citing privacy restrictions.” [00:32]

2. High-Level Meetings in Berlin Over Ukraine Ceasefire

[01:14–01:44]

• Summary:
  U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to meet with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders in Berlin to discuss new proposals for a Ukraine ceasefire.
• Context:
  No further details provided in this segment about the content or expected outcome of these negotiations.

3. Mangione Trial Evidence Hearings in New York

[01:44–02:25]

• Summary:
  The pretrial hearings for Luigi Mangione continue. Police testimony and body camera footage show officers searching Mangione’s backpack—containing a 9mm handgun, a loaded magazine, a silencer, and a notebook with writings.
• Defense Argument:
  Attorneys argue the search was warrantless and therefore illegal, making any evidence or statements (made before Mangione received his Miranda rights) inadmissible in court.
• Notable Moment:
  • Sarah Ventri: “Prosecutors say the backpack contained a .9 millimeter handgun, large loaded magazine, silencer and a red notebook with writings in it. But Mangione's lawyers say that backpack was searched without a warrant...” [01:56]

4. Ongoing Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes

[02:25–03:13]

• Summary:
  Despite President Trump’s claim of brokering a renewed ceasefire, fighting continues between Thailand and Cambodia over a disputed border.
• On the Ground:
  • Thai Prime Minister insists military actions will continue until there are “no more threats to our land and people.”
  • Reports of overnight clashes with claims of Cambodian use of heavy weapons and Thai retaliation.
  • Both sides accuse each other of targeting civilians and infrastructure; neither side’s statements could be independently verified.
• Notable Moment:
  • Michael Sullivan: “Thailand will continue its military action until there are, in his words, no more threats to our land and people.” [02:45]

5. Nobel Laureate Arrested in Iran

[03:13–03:42]

• Summary:
  Human rights groups condemn the reported arrest of a Nobel Peace Prize winner in Iran, allegedly detained while attending a memorial for a recently deceased human rights lawyer.
• Details:
  The Nobel Committee demands clarification from Iranian authorities, but the government has yet to confirm the arrest.

6. Record Flooding Threatens Washington State

[03:42–04:08]

• Summary:
  Authorities in Washington warn that high water caused by successive “atmospheric river” storms could persist for days, following record-setting flooding. More rain is on the way.

7. Dick Van Dyke Turns 100

[04:08–04:52]

• Summary:
  NPR's Bob Mondello commemorates Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday, reflecting on his career from Broadway’s Bye Bye Birdie, through The Dick Van Dyke Show, to recent appearances well into his late 90s.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Bob Mondello: “He took a week off from Bye Bye Birdie to audition for a TV sitcom. Carl Reiner was cooking up the Dick Van Dyke show. And once that was established, Disney tapped him to play a chimney sweep opposite Julie Andrews.” [04:17]
  • Dick Van Dyke (to NPR): “All of us involved say the Dick Van Dyke show was the best five years of our lives. We were like otters at play.” [04:41]
• Memorable Moments:
  • Montage of iconic musical numbers and performances.
  • Tribute to his continued vitality and career longevity: “Dick Van Dyke, still playing at the age of 100.” [04:47]

Important Timestamps Overview

• 00:13: DOJ lawsuits over voter data
• 01:14: Berlin meetings on Ukraine ceasefire
• 01:44: Luigi Mangione evidence hearings
• 02:25: Thailand-Cambodia border conflict
• 03:13: Iranian Nobel laureate arrested
• 03:42: Washington State flooding
• 04:08: Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday

Tone & Language:
The episode maintains NPR’s succinct, fact-driven tone, balancing serious national and international news with a touch of human interest in the Dick Van Dyke tribute. Direct language and quotations highlight both the gravity and breadth of current events.