NPR News Now – December 15, 2025, 7PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: December 16, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode provides listeners with a rapid-fire update on the day’s most pressing national and international headlines. Major stories include the homicide investigation into the deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner, a foiled New Year’s Eve bombing plot in Los Angeles, ongoing negotiations to end the Ukraine war, a mass shooting in Australia targeting a Hanukkah celebration, peace talks in Colombia amidst an armed rebel strike, the bankruptcy of iRobot (maker of Roomba), and alarmingly low snowpack levels in the western United States.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Rob & Michelle Reiner Homicide Investigation

[00:14 – 00:49]

• Ryland Barton announces that Nick Reiner, the younger son of director Rob Reiner, has been taken into custody following the deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner at their Los Angeles home.
• Detectives are treating the incident as a homicide.
• Rob Reiner, noted for classic films like This Is Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men, was 78.
• Memorable quote:

  “Rob Reiner was known for directing films that spanned comedy to drama, including This Is Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men. He was 78.” (Ryland Barton, [00:32])

2. Foiled LA New Year’s Eve Bomb Plot

[00:49 – 01:34]

• Ryan Lucas reports four suspects—Audrey Carroll, Zachary Page, Dante Gaffield, and Tina Lay—were charged with conspiracy and possession of unregistered destructive devices.
• The group is identified as the "Turtle Island Liberation Front," described as radical anti-government and driven by aims of “liberation through decolonization and tribal sovereignty.”
• Alleged plot: To set off pipe bombs at Los Angeles businesses during New Year’s Eve; the suspects were arrested while testing an explosive device in the desert.
• Notable segment:

  “An FBI affidavit says the group is dedicated to liberation through decolonization and tribal sovereignty.” (Ryan Lucas, [01:09])
  “Officials say the alleged plotters were arrested while trying to test an explosive device out in the desert.” (Ryan Lucas, [01:27])

3. Jimmy Lai Convicted Under National Security Law

[01:34 – 02:12]

• Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, age 78, convicted of sedition and foreign collusion.
• He is a longstanding critic of China’s Communist Party and was arrested in 2020 after pro-democracy protests.
• Political context: President Trump claims to have advocated for Lai’s release with Xi Jinping.

4. Ukraine Peace Negotiations Progress

[02:12 – 02:52]

• Deepa Shivaram reports President Trump is highlighting progress in Ukraine-Russia peace talks following direct conversations with Putin, Zelensky, and other European leaders in Berlin.
• U.S. officials say proposals are on the table for Ukraine to receive certain NATO protections—short of full membership.
• Memorable 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.” (Unidentified reporter/analyst, [02:29])

5. Australia Tightens Gun Laws After Mass Shooting

[02:52 – 03:25]

• Australian leaders respond to a mass shooting at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, Sydney, which killed at least 15.
• Proposals under review: limiting number of guns per person, scrutinizing grandfathered gun licenses.

6. Colombia Peace Talks Amid Rebel Strike

[03:25 – 03:46]

• Colombian government is negotiating with ELN (National Liberation Army) rebels, who called an armed strike in reaction to a U.S. military naval buildup in the Caribbean.
• The strike confines civilians, restricts commerce, and imposes threats on defiance.

7. iRobot (Roomba) Bankruptcy & Chinese Takeover

[03:46 – 04:30]

• Alina Selyuk details the bankruptcy of iRobot, famed creator of Roomba vacuums.
• Company was founded in 1990 by MIT researchers; faced increasing competition from cheaper foreign robotics.
• Failed Amazon merger and new tariffs exacerbated financial woes.
• iRobot will be acquired by a Shenzhen-based main supplier; current devices will continue to operate.
• Memorable quote:

  “Irobot has been losing money. It owes nearly $100 million to its main supplier, based in Shenzhen. And that firm has agreed to take over Irobot, assuring that devices will keep operating as normal.” (Alina Selyuk, [04:17])

8. Western U.S. Snowpack at Historic Lows

[04:30 – 04:54]

• Western states face their lowest snow levels since at least 2001; only about a third of average coverage for early December.
• California's Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Range are especially affected.
• Reported by the Deseret News.

Notable Quotes

• Ryland Barton [00:32]:
  “Rob Reiner was known for directing films that spanned comedy to drama, including This Is Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men. He was 78.”

• Ryan Lucas [01:09]:
  “An FBI affidavit says the group is dedicated to liberation through decolonization and tribal sovereignty.”

• Unidentified Reporter/Analyst [02:29]:
  “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.”

• Alina Selyuk [04:17]:
  “Irobot has been losing money. It owes nearly $100 million to its main supplier, based in Shenzhen. And that firm has agreed to take over Irobot, assuring that devices will keep operating as normal.”

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• [00:14] – Rob & Michelle Reiner homicide investigation
• [00:49] – LA New Year’s Eve bomb plot charges
• [01:34] – Jimmy Lai conviction
• [02:12] – Ukraine peace talks progress
• [02:52] – Australia mass shooting & gun law reform
• [03:25] – Colombia armed strike/peace talks
• [03:46] – iRobot bankruptcy and Chinese acquisition
• [04:30] – Western snowpack crisis

This summary covers the main news developments and provides key context and direct quotes from the episode, ensuring that listeners and non-listeners alike have a comprehensive understanding of major current events reported on December 15, 2025.