NPR News Now: December 15, 2025, 11PM EST

Host: Shea Stevens
Theme: Latest U.S. and global news updates.
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode summarizes breaking national and international stories. Major headlines include a mass shooting in Sydney, movement in Ukraine peace talks, a new California public health initiative by a former CDC director, the arrest in the Reiner murder case, religious affiliation trends in America, and flash floods in Washington State.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mass Shooting During Hanukkah Celebration in Sydney

• Incident Details:

  • 16 people killed, including one of two suspected shooters.
  • Suspects were a father and son; the son (survivor) was previously known to intelligence agencies.

  Quote:

  "Australia has requested help from the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, which are part of the so-called Five Eyes group."
  — Cristina Kukola (Reporter, [00:39])

  PM Anthony Albanese Speaks:

  "Certainly reaching out to Five Eyes partners, our security partners internationally as well, to see precisely if there are any links there."
  — Anthony Albanese (Australian PM, [00:53])

  • The son had been evaluated in 2019 and was deemed not a threat.

2. Brown University Mass Shooting & Reward Offer

• Details:

  • FBI offering $50,000 reward.
  • 2 dead, 9 injured in a mass shooting over the weekend.

  Quote:

  "The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to a suspect..."
  — Shea Stevens (Host, [01:23])

3. Progress in Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks

• President Trump’s Role:

  • Trump positions himself as a global peacemaker.
  • Indicates progress following talks in Berlin with President Putin.
  • U.S. officials suggest Ukraine may receive some NATO protections without full alliance membership.

  Quote:

  "They're closer now. We had numerous conversations with President Putin of Russia, and I think we're closer now than we have been ever."
  — President Trump (via reporter, [02:00])

  Quote:

  "US Officials say that as part of the peace deal, Ukraine could get some NATO protections, though they would not be joining the alliance. But that and other measures are still under discussion."
  — Deepa Shivaram (Reporter, [02:09])

4. Former CDC Director Leads California Public Health Initiative

• Public Health Network Innovation Exchange:

  • New California initiative headed by Susan Menarez (former CDC director) and Dr. Deb Howery.
  • Response to weakening federal public health infrastructure.
  • Funded with $4 million from California’s budget.

  Quote:

  "We're not trying to replicate anything at scale. We're not naive about the size of the federal government. It's not a shadow CDC we're creating, but it's a shield to what's going on."
  — Governor Gavin Newsom ([02:42])

  • The initiative focuses on state collaboration for faster detection and response to health threats and maintaining public trust in science-based policy.

5. Arrest in Rob and Michelle Reiner Murder Case

• Arrest Details:

  • Actor/director Rob Reiner, 78, and wife Michelle Singer Reiner, 68, found dead.
  • Son, Nick Reiner, arrested and held on $4 million bail.
  • President Trump faces criticism for negative remarks about Rob Reiner, a noted Democratic supporter.

  Quote:

  "Authorities ... have arrested the couple's son, 32 year old Nick Reiner, ... hours after his parents were found..."
  — Shea Stevens (Host, [03:16])

6. Pew Study: Trends in Religious Disaffiliation

• Key Findings:

  • Most Americans leaving childhood religions do so before age 30.
  • Main reasons: Loss of belief, scandals involving clergy.
  • Majority who left have become "nones" (no religious affiliation).
  • People raised as Hindus, Muslims, and Jews most likely to stay in their childhood faiths; Catholics, Latter-Day Saints, and Buddhists less likely.

  Quote:

  "More than three-quarters of those say it’s because they believe they can be moral without a religion."
  — Sarah Ventri (Reporter, [04:04])

7. Washington State Flash Floods

• Current Situation:

  • Ongoing evacuation orders due to heavy rain and damaged levees near Seattle.
  • Crews working to shore up defenses.

  Quote:

  "Evacuation orders remain in effect in Washington State amid the threat of flash flooding ... crews have been using sandbags to shore up damaged levees south of Seattle."
  — Shea Stevens (Host, [04:45])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Anthony Albanese:
  "Certainly reaching out to Five Eyes partners... to see precisely if there are any links there." ([00:53])

• President Trump:
  "They're closer now. We had numerous conversations with President Putin of Russia, and I think we're closer now than we have been ever." ([02:00])

• Governor Gavin Newsom:
  "It's not a shadow CDC we're creating, but it's a shield to what's going on." ([02:42])

• Sarah Ventri:
  "More than three-quarters of those say it's because they believe they can be moral without a religion." ([04:04])

Timeline of Major Segments

• Sydney Mass Shooting Coverage: [00:21] – [01:23]
• Brown University Shooting & Ukraine Talks: [01:23] – [02:23]
• California Health Initiative: [02:23] – [03:16]
• Reiner Murder Case & Religion Study: [03:16] – [04:45]
• Washington State Flooding: [04:45] – [04:59]

Summary

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise, up-to-the-minute coverage on significant domestic and global events—including acts of violence, major public health initiatives, diplomatic breakthroughs, and social trends. The episode notably blends urgent updates (Sydney, Brown University, the Reiner murders) with data-driven journalism (Pew religious study) and responses to both political and natural crises.