NPR News Now – 6PM EST – December 14, 2025

Host: Jeanine Herbst

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode delivers the top headlines and developments as of early evening, December 14, 2025. The major stories include a tragic mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia; an update on the Brown University shooting; severe flooding in Washington state; legal trouble for a Wisconsin judge; and Disney's major content deal with OpenAI's Sora platform. The episode maintains an urgent yet measured tone, giving listeners snapshots of critical global and domestic events in under five minutes.

Key News Stories and Discussion Points

1. Sydney Hanukkah Shooting – Rising Death Toll

• [00:14–01:11]
  • At least 16 people killed, including one child and one of the gunmen, during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, Sydney.
  • The alleged shooters were a father (50, killed by police) and his 24-year-old son (in custody, hospitalized).
  • Authorities emphasize no third suspect is at large; investigation ongoing.
  • New South Wales Police and federal agencies are involved.
  • Quote:
    • "It's important for the community to have the reassurance that New South Wales police, working with our commonwealth partners, will not stop until we understand the reasons behind this senseless incident."
      – Mal Lanyon, New South Wales Police Commissioner [00:49]
  • Over three dozen people received hospital treatment following the attack.

2. Brown University Shooting – Suspect in Custody

• [01:11–02:11]
  • Rhode Island police report a man in his 20s, identified as Benjamin Erickson, is in custody after the Brown University shooting.
  • The incident resulted in at least two deaths and nine injuries.
  • President Trump offered public condolences and support.
    • Quote:
      • "To the nine injured, get well fast and to the families of those two that are no longer with us, I pay my deepest regards and respects from the United States of America."
        – President Trump [01:38]
  • Campus underwent a prolonged lockdown; remaining classes and exams are canceled for the semester.
  • Motive under investigation.

3. Historic Flooding in Washington State

• [02:11–03:05]
  • Blue skies allowed responders in Monroe, north of Seattle, to assess flood damage from the air.
  • Representative Kim Schreier describes the devastation:
    • Quote:
      • "It was practically unfathomable to think near where we were standing, there was water that would have been five feet over my head."
        – Kim Schreier, U.S. Congresswoman [02:37]
  • Major impacts to dairy farmlands; one fatality reported (kayaker accident outside the flood zone).
  • National Weather Service warns of more rain.

4. Federal Trial for Milwaukee Judge on Immigration Charges

• [03:05–04:14]
  • Federal trial commences for Judge Hannah Dugan, accused of concealing an undocumented man (Eduardo Flores Ruiz) to prevent his arrest.
  • Allegations include obstruction of justice and knowingly sheltering Flores Ruiz after leading authorities away and facilitating his exit via a non-public door.
  • Dugan has pleaded not guilty.
  • Flores Ruiz was later arrested and charged with unlawful re-entry.

5. Disney's $1 Billion Deal with OpenAI’s Sora Platform

• [04:14–04:45]
  • Disney signs a $1 billion agreement to allow its iconic characters on OpenAI's Sora, a video-generating platform, starting in 2026.
  • Users will be able to create videos using characters like Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Captain America, and more from the Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars universes.
  • The deal does not include character likenesses or voices.
  • Disney will leverage OpenAI technology for product development; some user-generated Sora content will stream on Disney platforms.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Mal Lanyon, reassurance to Sydney residents:
  • "It's important for the community to have the reassurance..." [00:49]
• President Trump’s message to Brown University victims:
  • "To the nine injured, get well fast..." [01:38]
• Rep. Kim Schreier on flooding's scale:
  • "It was practically unfathomable to think... water that would have been five feet over my head." [02:37]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Australia Bondi Beach Hanukkah Shooting: 00:14–01:11
• Brown University Shooting Update: 01:11–02:11
• Washington State Flooding: 02:11–03:05
• Wisconsin Judge Federal Trial: 03:05–04:14
• Disney-OpenAI Sora Deal: 04:14–04:45

In Summary:
This episode offers a swift yet comprehensive overview of major news: a devastating shooting in Sydney, a university tragedy in Rhode Island, natural disaster in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, a high-profile legal case, and a groundbreaking tech-media merger. Each story is crisply presented, with direct quotes and a clear sense of the events' impact and ongoing developments.