NPR News Now – December 14, 2025, 1AM EST

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode, hosted by Dale Willman, delivers concise updates on major national and international developments, including a campus shooting in Rhode Island, a U.S. response to a deadly attack in Syria, a lawsuit from California against the Trump administration over transportation grants, harsh winter weather sweeping the U.S., a humanitarian crisis in Sudan, escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, and the historic Heisman Trophy win by Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Key Stories and Highlights

1. Providence, Rhode Island Campus Shooting

• Summary:

  • Police are searching for a man who shot and killed two people and wounded nine others at Brown University.
  • Residents are advised to stay indoors, but no further threats are anticipated.

• Details:

  • The suspect: Male, dark clothing, captured on security video but face is hidden.
  • Mayor Brett Smiley reassures residents:

    “We have no reason to believe that there are any additional threats at this time.” (Mayor Brett Smiley, 00:35)

  • All recent 911 calls unrelated to the incident.

2. Deadly Attack in Syria – US Response

• Summary:

  • Two U.S. service members and one American civilian killed in an ambush in Syria; Trump vows retaliation.

• Details:

  • President Trump publicly blames ISIS, expresses condolences, and promises action but does not specify details.

    “We will retaliate.” (Donald Trump, 01:36)

  • Three others injured but are “doing pretty well.”
  • Report by NPR’s Sage Miller from the White House:

    “…Trump said he is mourning the loss… He added that it's an attack on Syria and the United States, and Trump doesn't plan to sit idly by.” (Sage Miller, 01:18)

3. California Sues Trump Administration Over Federal Grants

• Summary:

  • California sues after $33 million in commercial vehicle safety grants are revoked; dispute centers on English proficiency enforcement for truck drivers.

• Details:

  • U.S. DOT claims California isn’t meeting federal requirements.
  • California defends its testing procedures and calls the funding cancellation “arbitrary,” warning of driver safety risks.

    “Lawyers for the state say the grant termination was arbitrary, imperils the safety of drivers in California, and they're calling for the courts to restore the funding.” (Juan Carlos Lara, 02:05)

4. Major Winter Weather Across the US

• Summary:

  • A blast of cold air from Canada is bringing record cold and hazardous wind chills to the northern U.S.

• Details:

  • Grand Forks, ND: Felt like -36°F on Saturday.
  • Chicago and Minneapolis: Dangerous wind chills.
  • Winter advisories extend as far south as Alabama and Georgia.
  • Pacific Northwest: Residents watch for landslides after heavy rain.

5. Sudan Food Crisis Amid Ongoing Conflict

• Summary:

  • The UN World Food Program warns funding shortages will cut food aid for millions in Sudan, a country facing famine amid prolonged conflict.

• Details:

  • $2.9 billion needed to serve 20 million people; shortfalls will reduce food rations next year.
  • Famine declared in besieged Darfur cities.

    “The UN warns that the conflict in Sudan has created the world's largest displacement crisis.” (Michael Kaloki, 03:25)

6. Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict

• Summary:

  • Despite U.S. claims of a ceasefire, fighting between Thailand and Cambodia escalates with Thai airstrikes.

• Details:

  • Thailand’s foreign minister denies the effectiveness of President Trump’s purported ceasefire agreement.
  • Fighting began December 7; over half a million people displaced.

    “Thailand's foreign minister criticized Trump comments and called them inaccur.” (Dale Willman, 04:06)

7. Sports: Historic Heisman Trophy Win

• Summary:

  • Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy, a first for the university since the award’s inception.

• Details:

  • Mendoza beats out contenders from Ohio State, Vanderbilt, and Notre Dame.

    “…the first Hoosier to win the most prestigious award in college football since the awards inception in 1935.” (Dale Willman, 04:44)

Notable Quotes

• Mayor Brett Smiley (regarding the Providence shooting):
  “We have no reason to believe that there are any additional threats at this time.” (00:35)
• President Donald Trump (on retaliation in Syria):
  “We will retaliate.” (01:36)

Timeline of Key Segments

• [00:14] – Providence shooting update, Mayor's statement
• [00:54] – Description of Providence suspect
• [01:18] – Trump responds to Syria attack (featured quote at 01:36)
• [01:48] – California sues Trump admin over safety grants
• [02:43] – Winter weather affecting northern and southern US
• [03:25] – Sudan conflict and food aid crisis
• [04:06] – Thailand-Cambodia border conflict escalates
• [04:44] – Fernando Mendoza wins Heisman Trophy

Tone and Presentation

The episode maintains NPR’s hallmark calm, factual, and concise tone while covering urgent and consequential global and domestic developments. Direct quotes and succinct updates ensure listeners grasp the headlines efficiently.

End of Summary.