NPR News: 12-13-2025 6PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: December 13, 2025 – 6PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Length: 5 minutes
Theme: The latest headlines, covering breaking news, national policy updates, legal challenges, social issues, and a cultural milestone.

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Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise coverage of major headlines as of December 13, 2025. The broadcast spotlights a developing active shooter situation at Brown University, U.S. military action and policy overseas, key healthcare developments in Congress, a consequential legal battle over immigration policy, a new fair housing investigation, and reflects on Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Providence Active Shooter Situation

[00:14–00:53]

• Incident Details:
  • Active shooter reported near Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
  • Multiple people have been shot; police urge residents to shelter in place or avoid the area.
  • Multiple law enforcement agencies on site; no suspect in custody.

Quote:

"Police in Providence say there's an active shooter situation in the Brown University area and that multiple people have been shot."
— Jeanine Herbst [00:16]

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2. US Promises Retaliation After Syria Attack

[00:53–01:33]

• Event Summary:
  • ISIS gunman attacked near Palmyra, Syria, killing two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter; three other soldiers wounded.
  • U.S. forces in Syria remain to guard against ISIS resurgence.
  • The Syrian partners killed the gunman on scene.
  • President Trump vows retaliation.

Quote:

"The Pentagon said a lone gunman with the Islamic State, or ISIS, carried out the shooting ambush near the ancient desert city of Palmyra."
— Greg Myre [00:54]

Key Insight:

• Despite a decade-long campaign and claimed defeat of ISIS, U.S. troops still face lethal risks in Syria.

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3. Affordable Care Act Tax Credits Debate

[01:33–02:14]

• Legislative Impasse:
  • Senate failed to pass plans addressing the imminent expiration of ACA healthcare tax credits.
  • Expected consequence: millions may see premiums increase in January.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson introduced a last-minute GOP plan enhancing employer-sponsored plans.
  • Democrats, led by Hakeem Jeffries, reject the plan as inadequate and plan to make it a central campaign issue.

Quote:

"Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it completely unserious. But I guarantee you Democrats will keep this issue front and center in the midterms."
— Don Gagne [02:09]

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4. States Sue Over H1B Visa Fee Hike

[02:14–03:09]

• Legal Challenge:
  • 20 states, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, sued to block a new $100,000 fee on H1B visas (formerly a few thousand dollars).
  • Lawsuit claims the fee violates federal law.
  • This is the third major lawsuit (others by business and labor groups).
  • Administration argues the policy protects American workers.

Quote:

"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."
— Matt Bloom [02:33]

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5. HUD Investigates Boston for Housing Discrimination

[03:09–03:56]

• Investigation Details:
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development probing Boston for alleged discrimination against white residents in housing programs favoring Black or Latino families.
  • HUD Secretary Scott Turner criticizes the city's approach as based on "ideological commitment to DEI rather than merit or need."
  • Boston officials defend their record on affordable housing.

Quote:

"HUD says Boston discriminated with programs that target black or Latino families in buying or renting home. HUD Secretary Scott Turner calls it an ideological commitment to DEI rather than merit or need."
— Jeanine Herbst [03:18]

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6. Dick Van Dyke Turns 100

[03:56–04:48]

• Milestone Tribute:
  • Reflection on the Broadway and TV beginnings of Dick Van Dyke, star of "Mary Poppins," "Bye Bye Birdie," and "Diagnosis Murder."
  • Clips reference his optimism and love for performing.

Quotes:

"Gray skies are gonna clear up, put on a happy face."
— Bob Mondello's colleague, quoting from Bye Bye Birdie [04:06]

"All of us involved say the Dick Van Dyke show was the best five years of our lives."
— Dick Van Dyke (archival), via Bob Mondello [04:34]

"We were like otters at play."
— Dick Van Dyke (archival), via Bob Mondello [04:40]

"Dick Van Dyke still playing at the age of 100."
— Bob Mondello [04:41]

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Providence Shooting: Heightened tension as a breaking, unresolved situation unfolds live.
• ACA Tax Credit Debate: Hakeem Jeffries' promise to prioritize the issue in midterms (“front and center”).
• Visa Fee Lawsuit: The extraordinary hike in the H1B fee ($100,000) and broad legal resistance.
• Fair Housing Investigation: HUD’s sharp criticism of Boston's policies signals a shift in federal scrutiny.
• Cultural Spotlight: Warm tribute to Dick Van Dyke, with archival memories underscoring a lifetime of joy in performance.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:14] — Providence active shooter situation
• [00:53] — Attack on U.S. forces in Syria and Trump administration response
• [01:33] — Senate gridlock over ACA health care tax credits
• [02:14] — State-led lawsuit over H1B visa fee increase
• [03:09] — HUD's housing discrimination investigation in Boston
• [03:56] — Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday tribute

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Summary Tone

Straightforward, concise reporting with occasional human-interest warmth (especially in the cultural segment); language remains respectful and neutral, except where speakers’ original emphases or criticism are quoted for balance.

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Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News, I'm Jeanine Herbst in Rhode Island. Police in Providence say there's an active shooter situation in the Brown University area and that multiple people have been shot. They're asking people to shelter in place or avoid the area. Police say it is an active situation and that no one's custody. The school says multiple law enforcement agencies are on site. President Trump says the US Will retaliate after an ISIS militant shot and killed two American soldiers and one U.S. civilian in central Syria. NPR's Greg Myre reports. This marks a rare attack on the US Forces that still remain in the country.

[Greg Myre]

The Pentagon said a lone gunman with the Islamic State, or isis, carried out the shooting ambush near the ancient desert city of Palmyra. The gunman killed the two soldiers as well as a U.S. civilian interpreter and also wounded three U.S. troops. The Americans were on a joint mission with Syrian forces and the Syrians killed the ISIS gunman. The Pentagon said US Forces were sent to Syria a decade ago to combat isis. The Americans defeated the group, but remnants still carry out periodic attacks. US Forces have remained in Syria to guard against a resurgence of isis. Greg Myhre, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

This week, the Senate rejected competing plans over the soon to expire tax credits for the Affordable Care act health care plans. That means millions of Americans are expected to see their premiums soar in January. House leaders say they hope to bring a plan to the floor next week before they leave for their holiday recess. And Piers Don Gagne has more.

[Piers Don Gagne]

Last night, House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a last minute Republican plan. It would enhance employer sponsored health care plans. Democrats skeptical. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it completely unserious. But I guarantee you Democrats will keep this issue front and center in the midterms.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Don Gagne reporting. A group of 20 states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's plan to dramatically hike visa fees for foreign workers. 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.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The Department of Housing and Urban Development is investigating the city of Boston for alleged housing discrimination against white people. It's the latest move and a big shakeup of the Fair Housing Enforcement. HUD says Boston discriminated with programs that target black or Latino families in buying or renting home. HUD Secretary Scott Turner calls it an ideological commitment to DEI rather than merit or need. Boston officials say they've made historic progress in boosting affordable housing across the city. Hollywood icon Dick Van dyke is turning 100 years old today. He starred in everything from Mary Poppins to Diagnosis Murder. And as he celebrates the second part of his the start of his second century, NPR's Bob Mondello reflects on his.

[Bob Mondello]

Beginnings on Broadway 65 years ago. He was doing his best to prompt a smile.

[Interviewee or Colleague of Bob Mondello]

Gray skies are gonna clear up, put on a happy face.

[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.

[Interviewee or Colleague of Bob Mondello]

It's a Jolly Holiday with Mary.

[Bob Mondello]

Van Dyke would star in dozens of other projects, from Bedknobs and Broomsticks to a guest appearance on Days of Our Lives a couple of years ago at 96. But as he told NPR's Wait, wait.

[Interviewee or Colleague of Bob Mondello]

Don'T tell me, all of us involved say the Dick Van Dyke show was the best five years of our lives.

[Matt Bloom]

It was.

[Interviewee or Colleague of Bob Mondello]

We were like otters at play.

[Bob Mondello]

Dick Van Dyke still playing at the age of 100. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And I'm Jeanine Herbst. And you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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