NPR News Now: December 16, 2025, 5PM EST

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Ryland Barton
Date: December 16, 2025
Episode Overview:
This five-minute NPR News episode delivers concise updates on a range of significant national and international stories. Coverage includes breaking legal news in Los Angeles, national security concerns regarding ISIS, economic issues facing Pennsylvania residents, a major automotive settlement, a provocative church nativity scene, and celebrations for Jane Austen’s 250th birthday.

1. Murder Charges Against Nick Reiner

• [00:00] Ryland Barton: Reports the arrest and charging of Nick Reiner for the murder of his parents, director Rob Reiner and Michelle Reiner, who were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home.
• [00:17] Nathan Hockman (L.A. District Attorney):
  • Quote: "These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. No decision at this point has been made with respect to the death penalty."
• Nick Reiner’s mental illness and drug addiction are noted, with prosecutors indicating evidence about his mental state will emerge during court.
• Arrest took place peacefully near USC.

2. Expansion of U.S. Travel Ban & Recent Terror Attacks

• [00:30] Ryland Barton: Announces President Trump’s travel ban expanded to five more countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria.
• The decision follows terror attacks:
  • Hanukkah celebration in Australia: 15 killed
  • Separate attack in Syria: 2 U.S. service members and a civilian killed
  • Both believed to be ISIS-inspired
• [01:16] Scott Newman (NPR):
  • Sheds light on questions around an ISIS resurgence, introducing insights from a security expert.
• [01:16] Aaron Zellin (Washington Institute for Near East Policy):
  • Quote: "ISIS never gives up. As long as they continue to have the will to fight, they'll use any means necessary to accomplish what they're trying to do." [01:39]
  • Though weakened, ISIS is still using social media to inspire violence.
  • Pentagon estimates around 2,500 ISIS fighters remain in Syria and Iraq.

3. White House Economic Policy & Pennsylvania Voters

• [01:57] Ryland Barton: Vice President J.D. Vance visits Pennsylvania to promote the Trump administration’s economic record.
• [02:12] Jackson White (WITF):
  • Reports that many Pennsylvanians aren't feeling the so-called economic boom.
• [02:12] Yoleen Scott (Healthcare worker, Allentown, PA):
  • Quote: "It's like you can't live anymore. Electric bill is high, Gas prices are high. It's like you're just working to pay bills, but then you can't even eat." [02:20]
  • Describes financial struggles despite supporting Trump and earning $25/hour.
  • Hopes to benefit from Trump’s tax cut on overtime pay.

4. Hyundai & Kia Settlement Over Car Theft

• [02:49] Ryland Barton: Announces major settlement by Hyundai and Kia to equip vehicles with anti-theft technology at a cost over $500 million.
• Motivation: surge in thefts due to models' security vulnerabilities (could be stolen using household items).

5. Modern Nativity Scene in Dallas

• [03:30] Markita Fornoff (KER): Reports on Oaklawn United Methodist Church’s unconventional nativity scene.
• Scene features:
  • Mary and Joseph behind chain link fencing with razor wire
  • Halos from bicycle wheels, manger made from a tire
  • Burn bins and an old shopping cart
• [03:59] Reverend Rachel Griffin Allison:
  • Quote: "Putting this installation out is not adding politics, it's removing the filters that maybe made the story feel safe in the first place, because it never was."
  • Intention: highlight the vulnerability of immigrants, refugees, and the unhoused.
• Hopes to challenge and expand audiences’ notions of holiness.

6. Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday

• [04:18] Ryland Barton: Briefly marks global celebrations on the bicentennial-and-a-half of Jane Austen’s birth.
• Events include church services and house tours in her home village.
• Mentions enduring relevance of classic novels like Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion.

Notable Quotes

• Nathan Hockman (L.A. District Attorney):
  "These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty..." [00:17]

• Aaron Zellin (Washington Institute for Near East Policy):
  "ISIS never gives up. As long as they continue to have the will to fight, they'll use any means necessary to accomplish what they're trying to do." [01:39]

• Yoleen Scott (Healthcare worker, PA):
  "It's like you can't live anymore. Electric bill is high, Gas prices are high. It's like you're just working to pay bills, but then you can't even eat." [02:20]

• Reverend Rachel Griffin Allison (Oaklawn United Methodist Church):
  "Putting this installation out is not adding politics, it's removing the filters that maybe made the story feel safe in the first place, because it never was." [03:59]

Key Timestamps

• 00:00: Nick Reiner charged with parents’ murder
• 00:30: Trump’s travel ban expansion and terror attacks
• 01:16: ISIS analysis and security expert commentary
• 01:57: Economic issues in PA; VP Vance visit
• 02:49: Hyundai/Kia anti-theft settlement
• 03:30: Dallas nativity scene reflecting modern-day marginalization
• 04:18: Jane Austen’s 250th birthday commemorations

This episode delivers rapid, essential updates on prominent legal, security, economic, societal, and cultural stories, with direct voices from officials, analysts, affected individuals, and community leaders.