NPR News Now – December 16, 2025, 10AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode Title: NPR News: 12-16-2025 10AM EST
Date: December 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This succinct five-minute news update provides listeners with the latest developments in U.S. economic trends, high-profile criminal cases, public health strategies, labor controversies, and a historic tribute to a civil rights activist. The tone is factual, calm, and informative, characteristic of NPR’s reporting style.

Key News Stories and Discussion Points

1. U.S. Job Market Shows Signs of Weakness

• Report by: Scott Horsley

• Segment Start: [00:13]

  • November saw only 64,000 jobs added, with unemployment rising to 4.6%.
  • October’s net job loss was influenced by the official removal of federal workers who took early buyouts.
  • Reporting delays were caused by a six-week government shutdown.
  • Sectors with Change:
    • Gains: Health care and construction
    • Losses: Factories and delivery companies
  • Rising unemployment has slowed wage growth; average wages rose just 3.5% year-over-year in November.

  “The softening job market means employers are not having to raise wages as fast as they were.”
  – Scott Horsley [00:57]

2. Brown University Mass Shooting Investigation

• Segment Start: [01:10]

  • Authorities released new suspect photos related to a mass shooting at Brown University last weekend.
  • The attack killed two people and injured nine during a study group.
  • Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Narona said that law enforcement is making progress, tracing the suspect’s movements and expects to release more video evidence soon.

  “We can and have been able to trace his movements … we are making progress and we expect as more tips are coming in … to push out … more video evidence.”
  – Peter Narona [01:28]

3. Hollywood Director and Wife’s Homicide Case

• Segment Start: [01:51]
  • Los Angeles police are set to turn over the homicide case of director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle to prosecutors.
  • Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, is the main suspect, held without bail, pending charges and court appearance.
  • No direct quotes in this segment, but the reporting is brief and somber.

4. California’s New Public Health Initiative

• Report by: Ping Huang

• Segment Start: [02:30]

  • Governor Gavin Newsom hires Susan Menarez, fired CDC director, and Dr. Deb Howery to lead the launch of the Public Health Network Innovation Exchange.
  • Initiative responds to weakening federal public health systems; designed to boost state-level collaboration and science-based policy trust.
  • Initial funding: $4 million from California’s budget.

  “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…”
  – Governor Gavin Newsom (as quoted by Peter Narona) [02:39]

5. UPS Sued for Wage Theft of Seasonal Workers

• Report by: Melissa Fato
• Segment Start: [03:11]
  • New York Attorney General Letitia James sues UPS for allegedly stealing $45 million in pay from seasonal holiday workers.
  • Allegations: workers clocked in late, unpaid for lunch breaks skipped, insufficient compensation for various categories of employees.
  • The lawsuit seeks back pay, penalties, and orders to end “off the clock” work.
  • UPS Response: Denies allegations, claiming industry-leading pay for over 26,000 New York employees.

6. Capitol Tribute to Civil Rights Activist Barbara Rose Johns

• Segment Start: [04:19]
  • Lawmakers to unveil new capitol statue of Barbara Rose Johns, recognizing her pivotal teenage leadership in Virginia school strikes against segregation.
  • Her activism prompted the NAACP investigation leading to Brown v. Board of Education, ending segregated schools.
  • Statue captures her as a teenager; Johns passed away in 1991.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Scott Horsley, on job growth:

  “Average wages in November were up 3.5% from a year ago.” [00:57]

• Peter Narona, AG of Rhode Island, on active manhunt:

  “…piecing that evidence together, you know, we are making progress and we expect as more tips are coming in…” [01:28]

• Governor Gavin Newsom, on new public health initiative:

  “…but it’s a shield to what’s going on.” [02:39]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• U.S. Job Market Update: [00:13] – [01:10]
• Providence Mass Shooting Investigation: [01:10] – [01:51]
• Rob Reiner Homicide Case: [01:51] – [02:30]
• California’s Public Health Response: [02:30] – [03:11]
• UPS Holiday Worker Lawsuit: [03:11] – [04:19]
• Barbara Rose Johns Statue: [04:19] – [04:56]

Summary

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a quick but comprehensive briefing on significant national stories: economic uncertainty with slow job growth, the continued fallout and pursuit of justice after a tragic campus shooting, high-profile violence in Hollywood, state-level health responses to federal changes, labor rights litigation during the busy holiday season, and long-overdue civil rights recognition. For listeners seeking a reliable, fact-driven understanding of the most pressing headlines, this episode provides concise updates across multiple domains.