NPR News: 12-15-2025 4PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: December 15, 2025, 4 PM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Episode Theme:
A concise update on breaking national and international news, including a high-profile murder in Los Angeles, security concerns for Jews worldwide after a Sydney shooting, economic updates after the U.S. government shutdown, legal developments in Hong Kong, and labor unrest at the Louvre Museum.

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1. Murder Investigation in Los Angeles

• [00:17] Windsor Johnston reports that Nick Reiner, son of Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner, has been arrested for the murder of Rob and Michelle Reiner.
  • Jim McDonnell (LA Police Chief) [00:39]:

    "LAPD responded to a residence of Rob and Michelle Reiner. At that location, they found two deceased adults, a male and a female... they were able to identify them definitively as Rob and Michelle Reiner."

• Rob Reiner's Legacy:
  • His storied career as director included classics like When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and A Few Good Men.

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2. Global Jewish Security Concerns After Sydney Mass Shooting

• [00:57] Following a deadly attack in Sydney, Israel issues global warnings to its citizens about attending unsecured Hanukkah events.
  • Daniel Estrin (NPR Correspondent) [01:19]:

    "Israel's National Security Council is warning of copycat attacks and is calling on Israelis globally not to attend Jewish gatherings without security guards."

  • Israel's Mossad is supporting the investigation; Israeli PM Netanyahu blames Australian leadership for the tragedy.
  • Benjamin Netanyahu [01:44]:

    "Your government did nothing to stop the spread of anti-Semitism in Australia, and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today."

  • Australia had previously severed diplomatic ties with Iran over alleged anti-Semitic incidents.

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3. Deadly Shooting at Brown University

• [02:04] Rhode Island police hunt for a suspect after a shooting at Brown University left at least two dead and nine injured.
  • Investigators released a previously detained person of interest.

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4. Economic Data Delays Post-Government Shutdown

• [02:30] Due to a recent six-week government shutdown, crucial reports on inflation and jobs were disrupted.
  • Scott Horsley (NPR Correspondent):

    "Timely reports on inflation and the job market were disrupted... Some of that information will come dribbling out this week."

  • October and November jobs reports will be released imminently, but gaps will persist in economic series.
  • Notable business headline: Roomba-maker iRobot files for bankruptcy, to be absorbed by its main contract manufacturer.

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5. Jimmy Lai Convicted in Hong Kong

• [03:09] Publisher and activist Jimmy Lai is found guilty of national security charges.
  • Emily Fang (NPR Correspondent) [03:31]:

    "Claire Lai says her father is an ailing 78-year-old and he's seen a precipitous decline in health over the last years of his five year imprisonment so far."

  • Claire Lai [03:41]:

    "He has heart issues, he has skin problems, he has infections, back issues, waist problems."

  • Sentencing expected in January; Lai could face life in prison.
  • Judge claims Lai "harbored resentment and hatred towards China"—a characterization his daughter strongly disputes.
  • Claire Lai [03:53]:

    "Despite what the judgment says, there is no room for hate and there is no... hate in my father's heart."

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6. Louvre Museum Strike Shuts Down Paris Landmark

• [04:15] Louvre workers strike over poor conditions and lack of renovations, closing the prominent museum.
  • Recent issues included theft of gems and a water leak damaging ancient documents.

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7. Market Update

• [03:09 & 04:15]
  • Dow Jones down 41 points
  • NASDAQ down 137 points
  • S&P 500 down 10 points

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Notable Quotes

• Jim McDonnell [00:39]:

  "They were able to identify them definitively as Rob and Michelle Reiner."

• Benjamin Netanyahu [01:44]:

  "Your government did nothing to stop the spread of anti-Semitism in Australia..."

• Claire Lai [03:53]:

  "There is no room for hate and there is no... hate in my father's heart."

• Scott Horsley [02:30]:

  "For the first time, there will be gaps in those long running series."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Rob and Michelle Reiner Murder – [00:17-00:57]
• Sydney Shooting & Israel Security – [00:57-01:53]
• Brown University Shooting – [02:04]
• Economic Updates/Post-Shutdown – [02:30-03:09]
• Jimmy Lai Verdict in Hong Kong – [03:09-04:01]
• Louvre Strike – [04:15]

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Episode Summary:
This episode delivers major headlines from legal, global security, and cultural fronts, highlighting the tragic murder of two Hollywood icons, international Jewish community risks, economic uncertainty in the U.S., political repression in Hong Kong, and worker protest at a leading cultural institution.

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Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Police in Los Angeles have arrested the son of Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner for murder. Nick Reiner is being held on $4 million bail after authorities discovered two bod inside of the Reiner home on Sunday afternoon. Louisiana Police Chief Jim McDonnell formally identified the victims today.

[Jim McDonnell]

LAPD responded to a residence of Rob and Michelle Reiner. At that location. They found two deceased adults, a male and a female, through the night. Working with the coroner's office, they were able to identify them definitively as Rob and Michelle Reiner.

[Windsor Johnston]

Rob Reiner's career as a director spanned decades and included a number of blockbuster hits, including the film When Harry Met Sally, the Princess Bride and A Few Good Men. Israel is warning its citizens around the world to avoid unsecured Hanukkah parties following a mass shooting in Sydney on Sunday. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports. At least 15 people were killed.

[Daniel Estrin]

Israel's National Security Council is warning of copycat attacks and is calling on Israelis globally not to attend Jewish gatherings without security guards. Israel's Mossad intelligence agency is helping investigate the Australia attack. That's according to a person briefed on the matter who spoke to NPR on condition of anonymity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday blamed Australia's prime minister.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

Your government did nothing to stop the spread of anti Semitism in Australia, and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today.

[Daniel Estrin]

The Australian prime minister cut diplomatic ties with Iran this summer, accusing it of organizing two anti Semitic attacks in Australia last year. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Windsor Johnston]

Police in Rhode island are searching for the suspect who carried out a deadly shooting at Brown University Saturday. At least two people were killed and nine others were injured. Investigators have released a person of interest who was taken into custody over the weekend. Investors will get some overdue economic Data this week. NPR's Scott Horsley reports on what markets hope to learn about prices and jobs.

[Scott Horsley]

Timely reports on inflation and the job market were disrupted this fall by the six week government shutdown. But some of that information will come dribbling out this week. The Labor Department reports tomorrow on job gains for October and November. We'll also get a look at November's inflation rate on Thursday. Some of the missing data will not be made up, though furloughed federal workers were unable to conduct price checks or tally the unemployment rate for October. So for the first time, there will be gaps in those long running series. The maker of Roomba, the self driving vacuum cleaner, is filing for bankruptcy. The company, called Irobot, will be sucked up by its main contract manufacturer. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Windsor Johnston]

On Wall street, the dow was down 41 points. This is NPR News. The daughter of Hong Kong publisher and activist Jimmy Lai says she was not surprised when a national security court found him guilty on all charges today. NPR's Emily Fang reports she's still hoping her father will be released soon.

[Emily Fang]

Claire Lai says her father is an ailing 78 year old and he's seen a precipitous decline in health over the last years of his five year imprisonment so far.

[Claire Lai]

He has heart issues, he has skin problems, he has infections, back issues, waist problems.

[Emily Fang]

The lead judge in his case said Lai harbored, quote, resentment and hatred towards China, which his daughter denies.

[Claire Lai]

When you're guided by the Holy Spirit there, you know, despite what the judgment says, that there is no room for hate and there is no, no hate in my father's heart.

[Emily Fang]

Coming from a family of devout Catholics, the younger Lai says she has faith. Her father's case can be dealt with by political negotiation. Sentencing is expected for mid January, and Lai faces up to life in prison. Emily Fang, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Workers at the Louvre museum in Paris have voted to strike, forcing the popular tourist destination to close today. Employees say poor working conditions and long delayed renovations have pushed them to walk out. The strike follows a string of recent incidents, including a daylight theft of priceless gems in October and a water leak earlier this month that damaged hundreds of ancient documents. At last check on Wall street, the Dow Jones Industrial average was down 41 points, the NASDAQ composite down 137, the S&P 500 down 10 points. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

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