NPR News Now: December 17, 2025, 5AM EST

Host: Dave Mattingly, NPR
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: The day's top national and international news headlines, with a focus on U.S. politics, economic updates, immigration actions, ongoing criminal investigations, global events, and major sports announcements.

1. Main Theme

This episode delivers a concise update on major developments in U.S. politics—especially public sentiment on the Trump administration’s handling of the economy, new executive actions on immigration, and other top stories including serious crimes and international responses. Global news and sports industry updates are also featured.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. Public Opinion on Economy and President Trump

• NPR/PBS/Marist Poll Highlights

  • Approval for President Trump’s handling of the economy has dropped to a new six-year low (36%).
  • Latino approval is even lower at 32%, indicating demographic shifts.
  • The economy, once Trump’s electoral strength, is now a vulnerability ahead of the 2026 midterms.

  “Just 36% say they approve of the job Trump is doing on the economy. That’s the lowest Marist has recorded for Trump in six years of asking the question.”
  — Dominico Montanaro [00:33]

  “Just 32% of Latinos approve of the job he’s handling the economy. It’s yet another sign of how much the group is moving away from Trump as they feel the pinch of prices...”
  — Dominico Montanaro [00:33]

B. Economic Update & Job Market

• Labor Market Data
  • November: +64,000 jobs
  • October: -105,000 jobs (downward revision)
  • Major U.S. markets closed mostly lower.

C. New Immigration Policies & Legal Impact

• Expanded Travel Restrictions

  • President Trump enacts new restrictions covering an additional 20 countries.
  • Follow-up on a prior pause for 19 nations.
  • Impact: ~2.3 million immigrants awaiting hearings in the U.S. are in limbo.
  • DHS directed to reexamine 200,000 refugee cases admitted under Biden.

  “They are all affected by this freeze… this keeps people who may not qualify for asylum waiting around in limbo, while people who may qualify are not getting their cases adjudicated either.”
  — Sergio Martinez Beltran [01:39]

  • Context: Followed a shooting involving an Afghan national previously granted asylum.

D. Crime & Investigations

• Brown University Shooting, Rhode Island

  • 2 students killed, 9 wounded.
  • Ongoing search for the masked suspect, with new video evidence released.

• Southern California Double Murder Charges

  • Nick Reiner charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the stabbing deaths of his parents: filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer Michelle Singer Reiner.
  • Prosecutors cite “special circumstance” (multiple murders, deadly weapon).
  • Nick Reiner has not entered a plea.

E. International News & Security

• Sydney, Australia: Hanukkah Attack
  • Two attackers targeted Jewish celebrants on Bondi Beach.
  • One suspect (24) charged with 15 counts of first-degree murder (59 charges total, including terrorism).
  • The suspect is hospitalized; his father killed by police. Both reportedly inspired by ISIS.
  • Victims ranged from ages 10 to 87.

F. Sports & Economy

• FIFA World Cup Ticket Backlash

  • FIFA introduces a limited number of $60 tickets for fans from qualifying countries, under 2% of tickets per match.
  • Response to backlash over high prices, which start at $140 and exceed $4,000 for final matches.
  • Access expected to be very limited.

  “Currently, tickets range from at least $140 for some of the initial games to over $200,000 for the US opening game... But the $60 tickets will only be available for fans of the countries that have qualified, and there will only be a limited amount, fewer than 2% of the available tickets for any particular game.”
  — Rafael Nam [04:10]

3. Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On Polling and Latino Voters:

  "It’s a big reason he was able to win again in 2024. Trump promised to bring prices down, and Latinos, for example, crossed over in big numbers to vote for him. But in this survey, just 32% of Latinos approve..."
  — Dominico Montanaro [00:33]

• On the Legal Limbo in Immigration:

  “Some have been waiting for years. Immigration lawyers say this keeps people who may not qualify for asylum waiting around in limbo, while people who may qualify are not getting their cases adjudicated either.”
  — Sergio Martinez Beltran [01:39]

• On FIFA's Ticket Initiative:

  “But the $60 tickets will only be available for fans of the countries that have qualified, and there will only be a limited amount, fewer than 2% of the available tickets for any particular game. In other words, they won’t be easy to get.”
  — Rafael Nam [04:10]

4. Timestamps for Major Segments

• Trump Polling/Economic Approval (NPR/PBS/Marist): [00:17] – [01:14]
• Labor Report & Expanded Immigration Restrictions: [01:14] – [02:20]
• Brown University Shooting & California Legal Update: [02:20] – [03:50]
• Sydney Hanukkah Attack: [03:50] – [04:10]
• FIFA World Cup Ticket News: [04:10] – [04:52]

5. Tone & Style

• Direct, informative, and urgent, consistent with NPR’s concise news summary format.
• Neutral but highlighting the gravity of the economic, political, and public safety issues.

For listeners who want the day's major headlines in a snapshot, this edition covers critical updates on public opinion, immigration, crime, and global events, including responses that may shape policies, markets, and public safety in the months ahead.