NPR News Now: December 15, 2025, 7AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman (NPR)
Length: 5 minutes (Content Summary Below)

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines from around the world in a concise five-minute format. Major stories include the deaths of Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner, a mass shooting in Australia, severe weather and flooding in Washington state, political turmoil and shocking allegations in South Korea, Chile's presidential election, and Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year.

Key News Items & Insights

1. Deaths of Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner

• Details:
  • Director Rob Reiner and producer/photographer Michelle Singer Reiner were found dead in their Los Angeles home.
  • The family released a statement confirming their passing (00:14).
  • LA Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton (clip at [00:42]) announced that law enforcement is not currently seeking any suspects.
  • Case is being treated as "an apparent homicide" (00:53).
• Quote:
  • Alan Hamilton, LAPD:

    "The Los Angeles Police Department is not seeking anyone as a suspect or as a person of interest or in any other manner..." ([00:42])

2. Australia Mass Shooting at Hanukkah Celebration

• Incident:
  • 15 killed, dozens injured at Bondi Beach.
  • Two men opened fire on a Hanukkah crowd; a bystander heroically intervened (01:23).
• Heroic Intervention:
  • An unarmed man, reportedly Ahmed Al Ahmed, disarmed one shooter ([01:23]-[01:55]).
  • Chris Minns, NSW Premier:

    "A man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people. That man is a genuine hero." ([01:40])

  • Suspect outcomes: one killed by police, one seriously wounded (02:07).
• Reporter: Chandelis Duster

3. Washington State Flooding and Weather Emergencies

• Situation:
  • Persistent rain for five days led to severe flooding and mudslides (02:30).
  • Dams under pressure, wind gusts expected up to 50 mph.
  • High landslide and treefall risk due to saturated soil.
• Quote:
  • Reid Wolcott, National Weather Service:

    "We are completely saturated. There are still trees. Submer soils are extremely loose. It does not take 50 mile an hour winds to knock over trees." ([02:49])

• Reporter: Scott Greenstone, KUOW ([02:30])

4. Political Scandal in South Korea

• Allegations:
  • Prosecutors allege impeached ex-president Yun Song Yol tried to provoke a North Korean attack as a pretext for martial law, intending to remove his political rivals (03:11).
• Implication:
  • Highlights serious claims of abuse of power and manipulation at the highest level of South Korean politics.

5. Chile’s Far-Right Election Victory

• Election:
  • Jose Antonio Kast wins presidential runoff, representing a rightward shift (03:44).
  • Ran on public security and anti-immigration platforms; plans emergency government.
  • Kast is open supporter of former dictator Pinochet and will be the first such president since Chilean democracy’s return.
  • March 11, 2026: The deadline he has set for illegal migrants to leave Chile or face deportation.
• Background:
  • Kast’s father: Nazi party member, German WWII veteran who moved to Chile.
  • Kast’s positions signal sharp turn in national rhetoric and policy.
• Reporter: John Bartlett, Santiago

6. “Slop” Named Merriam-Webster Word of the Year

• Definition:
  • “Slop” (AI slop) refers to low-quality digital content produced by artificial intelligence—propaganda, disinformation, odd ads (04:28).
• Context:
  • Chosen due to a spike in AI-generated misinformation and concerns over digital content quality.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 00:42 | Alan Hamilton, LAPD | “The Los Angeles Police Department is not seeking anyone as a suspect or as a person of interest or in any other manner ..." | | 01:40 | Chris Minns, Premier, NSW | “A man walking up to a gunman ... putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people. That man is a genuine hero.” | | 02:49 | Reid Wolcott, National Weather Service | “We are completely saturated. There are still trees. Submer soils are extremely loose. It does not take 50 mile an hour winds to knock over trees.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Rob & Michelle Reiner death reported: [00:14]
• LAPD statement (no suspects): [00:42]
• Australia shooting and hero bystander: [01:23]
• Flooding/Mudslides in WA: [02:30]
• S. Korea impeachment allegations: [03:11]
• Chile election results: [03:44]
• Word of the Year (“Slop”): [04:28]

This episode provides a swift but thorough briefing on overnight international and domestic headlines, highlighting major political events, tragedy, heroic acts, and shifting societal concerns—especially in technology and democracy.