NPR News Now – December 14, 2025, 3AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Length: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode provides a concise update on major national and global news events. Key topics include a campus shooting at Brown University, a deadly ISIS attack on U.S. personnel in Syria, severe flooding in Washington state, Israel’s ongoing military action in Gaza, a notable political prisoner release in Belarus, and a historic sports moment by skier Lindsey Vonn.

Key Stories, Insights, and Quotes

1. Shooting at Brown University

• Details:
  • Location: Outside the Barris and Holly Building (Engineering & Physics Departments), Brown University
  • Time: ~4pm, during final exams
  • Casualties: 2 killed, 9 in critical but stable condition
  • Suspect: At large, described as a "male dressed in black"
  • Actions: Shelter-in-place order for university and surrounding areas
• Notable Quotes:
  • "[We are] utilizing every resource possible to find this suspect."
    – Dale Willman (00:52)
  • "A shelter in place. Order remains active for the university and surrounding areas."
    – Lydia Calitri (00:56)
• Reporting: Lydia Calitri
• Timestamps: 00:17–01:04

2. ISIS Attack on U.S. Forces in Syria

• Details:
  • Attack: ISIS militant kills 2 U.S. soldiers & 1 American civilian interpreter near Palmyra, central Syria
  • 3 additional U.S. troops wounded
  • Attack occurred during a joint mission with Syrian forces; gunman killed by Syrians
  • U.S. has maintained a military presence in Syria to suppress ISIS resurgence
• Notable Quotes:
  • "The Americans defeated the group, but remnants still carry out periodic attacks."
    – Greg Myre (01:46)
• Reporting: Greg Myre
• Timestamps: 01:04–02:00

3. Historic Flooding in Washington State

• Details:
  • Skagit River crests at record levels; major flooding north of Seattle
  • Hundreds rescued from homes, rooftops, and cars
  • Thousands evacuated; some returning as water recedes
  • Ongoing assessment of damage; more rain forecasted
• Personal Stories:
  • Jocelyn Alm unable to re-enter house, friend reports:
    • "All your couches are floating. All your stuff is just floating. He goes, your bananas are floating. And I said, oh, well, God, if we lost our bananas, we lost everything." — Jocelyn Alm (02:41)
  • "We had in this back bedroom, there was pictures that we had forever." — Kenneth Alm, Jocelyn's husband (02:53)
• Reporting: Scott Greenstone (KUOW), with contributions from Lydia Calitri and Greg Myre
• Timestamps: 02:00–03:12

4. Israel-Hamas Conflict Update

• Details:
  • Israeli military reports killing Raid Saad, described as a Hamas architect of the October 2023 attacks
  • Saad was allegedly working to rebuild Hamas; killed in a civilian vehicle near Gaza City
  • Four killed, three wounded in this strike, per Gaza officials
  • Since the latest ceasefire, Israeli strikes have reportedly killed over 380 Palestinians
• Timestamps: 03:12–03:55

5. Belarus Political Prisoner Release

• Details:
  • Belarus releases 120+ political prisoners as part of a U.S.-brokered deal
  • In exchange: U.S. lifts trade sanctions on Belarusian potash exports
  • High-profile releases: Nobel Peace laureate Ales Belyatsky, former presidential candidate Victor Bobrico, protest leader Maria Kolesnikova
  • The Trump administration pursued sanctions relief to encourage prisoner releases; ~1,200 political prisoners believed to remain
• Notable Quotes:
  • "It means long sought freedom for many of the most high profile critics of the regime..."
    – Charles Maynes (03:55)
• Reporting: Charles Maynes
• Timestamps: 03:55–04:34

6. Lindsey Vonn’s Historic Return to Skiing

• Details:
  • Lindsey Vonn, 41, finishes second in World Cup downhill at St. Moritz
  • The day prior, Vonn became the oldest winner in circuit history after almost six years in retirement; recently had partial knee replacement
• Timestamps: 04:34–04:57

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Oh, well, God, if we lost our bananas, we lost everything.”
  — Jocelyn Alm, Washington flood survivor (02:41)

• "The Americans defeated the group, but remnants still carry out periodic attacks."
  — Greg Myre, on ISIS in Syria (01:46)

Key Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|---------------| | Brown University Shooting | 00:17–01:04 | | ISIS Attack in Syria | 01:04–02:00 | | Washington Floods | 02:00–03:12 | | Israel-Hamas Conflict Update | 03:12–03:55 | | Belarus Political Prisoner Release | 03:55–04:34 | | Lindsey Vonn’s World Cup Downhill Result | 04:34–04:57 |

For those who missed the episode, this brief news round-up provides critical updates from the U.S. and around the world, with emotional personal stories, evolving conflicts, diplomatic developments, and notable sports achievement.