NPR News Now – December 15, 2025, 9PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst, NPR
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: A concise update on major national and international news events, with a focus on recent violence, legal developments, and social trends.

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode presents key headlines from the US and around the world. The report covers the aftermath of a mass shooting at Brown University, a deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia, the start of a high-profile federal trial in Milwaukee, a decisive Chilean election, the representation of abortion in TV storylines, and a quick snapshot of U.S. financial futures.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Brown University Mass Shooting Investigation

• [00:12 – 01:05]
• The aftermath of a mass shooting at Brown University is the primary story.
  • Casualties: At least 2 dead, 9 injured (8 still hospitalized).
  • Person of Interest: Benjamin Erickson, in his twenties, taken into custody at a hotel 20 miles from campus.
  • Community Impact: Regular holiday events (Christmas and menorah lighting) converted into a memorial for victims.
  • Institutional Response: Brown cancels final exams and classes.
• Quote:
  • "There are more school shootings happening than days in our year, and that's really an issue."
    – Natalia Cabral, student at Brown [00:56]

2. Hanukkah Celebration Shooting in Sydney, Australia

• [01:05 – 02:08]
• Event: Two suspected gunmen, a father and son, carried out a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach.
  • Casualties: At least 15 dead, dozens wounded.
  • Context: Significant spike in anti-Semitic attacks reported in Australia since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
  • Recent Statistics: Over 3,600 anti-Jewish incidents in Australia recorded in two years.
• International Context: Other countries have seen a comparable rise in anti-Semitic attacks. Australian recognition of Palestinian statehood is discussed as a potential factor.
• Quote:
  • "Other countries have seen a similar rise in anti Semitic attacks. Jewish leaders from around the world convened in Sydney this month to highlight the mounting concern."
    — Scott Horsley, NPR reporter [01:27]

3. Federal Criminal Trial of Milwaukee County Judge

• [02:08 – 03:11]
• Defendant: Judge Hannah Dugan faces federal charges for allegedly helping someone avoid arrest by ICE agents in her courtroom.
  • Charges: Obstructing a proceeding and concealing an individual.
  • Jury Focus: Whether Judge Dugan was intentionally impeding federal authorities or simply upholding courtroom protocols and independence.
• Quote:
  • "Whether she was trying to impede an obstructive proceeding or whether she was trying to do what she thought was her job, run her courtroom, deal with her cases, and try to keep from having the Department of Homeland Security interfere with that."
    — Lori Levinson, Loyola Law School professor [02:40]

4. Chile’s Presidential Election

• [03:11 – 04:05]
• Outcome: Jose Antonio Kast, a far-right politician and Pinochet supporter with Nazi family lineage, wins the second round by a substantial margin (potentially 20 points).
  • Voters’ Concerns: Rising crime, migration, and economic uncertainty are highlighted as key election issues.
  • Political Significance: Marks a sharp rightward shift for Chile, though results are not yet officially confirmed.

5. Abortion Depictions on Television

• [04:05 – 04:47]
• Study Findings: Number of TV plotlines involving abortion dropped 14% over two years.
• Research Details: UC San Francisco's "Abortion On Screen" report monitored 65 plotlines in 2025.
  • Most abortions depicted occur within first trimester; very few mention abortion pills, despite being common in the US.
  • Increased portrayal of abortion as shameful.
• Quotes:
  • "Only three, including the Pit on HBO, brought up abortion pills as a way to end a pregnancy, even though that's the most common method in the United States."
    — Neta Ulibi, NPR reporter [04:12]
  • "The Pit was also one of the few contemporary shows that depicted how hard getting an abortion can be."
    [04:12]
  • "The report says it found a significant rise in television shows that depict abortions as shameful, as well as a drop in abortion plotlines generally."
    — Neta Ulibi [04:30]

6. U.S. Financial Snapshot

• [04:47 – 04:56]
• Update: U.S. futures trading higher, Dow futures up about 0.2%.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "There are more school shootings happening than days in our year, and that's really an issue."
  — Natalia Cabral, Brown student [00:56]

• "Jewish leaders from around the world convened in Sydney this month to highlight the mounting concern."
  — Scott Horsley, NPR [01:27]

• "Whether she was trying to impede an obstructive proceeding or... do what she thought was her job... and try to keep from having the Department of Homeland Security interfere..."
  — Lori Levinson, Loyola Law [02:40]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Brown University Shooting: [00:12–01:05]
• Sydney Hanukkah Shooting: [01:05–02:08]
• Milwaukee Judge Federal Trial: [02:08–03:11]
• Chile Election: [03:11–04:05]
• Abortion on TV Report: [04:05–04:47]
• Financial Update: [04:47–04:56]

Tone:
Succinct, factual, and urgent, with short, first-person testimonies adding human context to major headlines.