NPR News Now – December 14, 2025, 5AM EST

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Jael Snyder, NPR
Date: December 14, 2025
Episode Theme:
A concise update of major national and international news, including mass shooting incidents in the US and Australia, a deadly attack on Americans in Syria and the White House’s response, dangerous weather across the US, a historic pregnancy in California, and sports and electoral news.

1. Tragedy at Brown University: Mass Shooting

• Reported at [00:14] by Jael Snyder:

  • At least 2 dead, 9 injured in a mass shooting at Brown University, Rhode Island.
  • Suspect remains at large.

• Field Report ([00:27] – [01:13]):

  • Ben Burke, Ocean State Media:
    • Rhode Island Hospital locked down Saturday night; access restricted.
    • Shooting occurred in a classroom in the university’s engineering and physics building.
    • Brown University President Christina Paxson:
      • “This is the day that one hopes never happens, and it has.” ([00:51] – [00:56])
    • 10 of the 11 victims are students.
    • Video shows suspect in dark clothing fleeing the area; 400+ law enforcement, FBI, and ATF involved in the search.

2. Shooting at Bondi Beach, Australia

• Reported at [01:13] by Jael Snyder:

  • Two people in custody after multiple shots reported at Bondi Beach, Sydney.

• Details ([01:22] – [01:37]):

  • Ben Burke:
    • Several injured; Australia’s Prime Minister condemns as “shocking, distressing.”
    • Shooting interrupted a Hanukkah event; video shows crowds fleeing.
    • Police urge public to avoid the area.

3. Deadly Attack in Syria Kills Americans; White House Reaction

• Reported at [01:37] by Jael Snyder:

  • 2 US service members and an American civilian killed in Syria attack Saturday; 3 others injured.
  • Suspected attacker also killed, per Pentagon.

• White House Coverage ([01:51] – [02:23]):

  • Sage Miller, NPR:
    • Before departing to the Army-Navy football game, President Trump addressed the loss, blaming ISIS.
    • Trump:
      • “We will retaliate.” ([02:11])
    • No details given on potential US response.
    • Trump noted injured are “doing pretty well.”

4. Weather Disasters: Pacific Northwest Flooding & National Cold Blast

• Flooding ([02:23] – [02:50]):

  • Jael Snyder & Ben Burke:
    • Severe flooding after atmospheric river storms in Pacific Northwest.
    • Over a foot of rain in some regions.
    • National Weather Service meteorologist Reid Walcott:
      • “The bottom line is we’re not done. You know, this event is basically partway through at this point in time.” ([02:38] – [02:43])
    • More flooding, tree damage, power outages expected; thousands evacuated.

• Cold Wave ([02:56] – [03:16]):

  • Ben Burke:
    • Arctic air pushes into the US; extreme cold warnings for Illinois and Indiana.
    • Temperatures as far south as Montgomery, Alabama, could drop into the 20s.

5. Chile Presidential Runoff Election

• Reported at [03:16] by Jael Snyder:

  • Chileans voting in a presidential runoff.

• Details ([03:19] – [03:43]):

  • Ben Burke:
    • Communist candidate advanced from first round in November.
    • Hard-right former lawmaker Jose Antonio Cast favored to win.
    • Cast is a hardliner advocating mass deportations—leading in polls after two prior losses.
    • Results expected after polls close tonight.

6. Rare Medical News: Full-Term Abdominal Pregnancy in California

• Reported at [03:43] by Jael Snyder:

  • California woman delivers healthy baby after rare abdominal pregnancy.

• Details ([03:52] – [04:24]):

  • Kevin Tidmarsh, LAS:
    • Suzy Lopez discovered abdominal pregnancy during exam for an ovarian cyst.
    • Delivered baby at Cedars Sinai with no major complications.
    • Lopez:
      • “I just appreciate everything, even if it’s the baby crying because that just means that his lungs work.” ([04:17])
    • Doctors say outcome may be unprecedented.

7. Sports: Heisman Trophy for Indiana

• Reported at [04:30] by Jael Snyder and Ben Burke:

  • Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy—the school’s first ever.

• Details ([04:33] – [04:40]):

  • Led team to a perfect season, including victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.
  • Indiana advances to College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl in January.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is the day that one hopes never happens, and it has.”
  — Christina Paxson, Brown University President ([00:51] – [00:56])
• “We will retaliate.”
  — President Donald Trump ([02:11])
• “The bottom line is we’re not done. You know, this event is basically partway through at this point in time.”
  — Reid Walcott, National Weather Service ([02:38] – [02:43])
• “I just appreciate everything, even if it’s the baby crying because that just means that his lungs work.”
  — Suzy Lopez ([04:17])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:14] Mass shooting at Brown University
• [01:13] Bondi Beach shooting in Australia
• [01:37] US deaths in Syria & Trump’s response
• [02:23] Pacific Northwest flooding
• [02:56] Arctic cold warning in US Midwest/South
• [03:16] Chile presidential runoff
• [03:43] Rare full-term abdominal pregnancy
• [04:30] Indiana QB wins Heisman Trophy

Summary:
This edition delivers breaking updates on violence at home and abroad, US political and military developments, climate and weather emergencies affecting the nation, a remarkable medical story, and major sports and political events, all efficiently packed within a five-minute window, complete with testimony from those at the center of the news.