NPR News Now – December 17, 2025, 6AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman (NPR)
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: The latest major national and international news headlines and brief updates on politics, public health, violence, and economic activity.

Overview

This newscast from NPR News Now offers concise reporting on several pressing and diverse topics: Congress’s impasse on health care subsidies, an upcoming address by President Trump, developments in two mass shootings (in Rhode Island and Australia), a U.S. blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers, Maryland’s advance on a reparations study, and significant measles outbreaks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. House Republican Health Care Bill and Expiring ACA Subsidies

• [00:19 – 01:17]

  • The House is expected to vote on a Republican-backed bill targeting health care costs but not extending enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies set to expire at month’s end.
  • Speaker Mike Johnson’s bill includes policies Republicans favor, but omits any relief for premium spikes facing ACA users.
  • Some Republicans, particularly those in competitive districts, are frustrated by the refusal to allow a subsidies vote and are exploring parliamentary workarounds.
  • With Congress about to leave for the holidays, the lapse of subsidies seems inevitable.

  Quote:
  "The Johnson backed bill packages a few health policies Republicans have long favored but would not stave off the premium spikes many people on Obamacare plans will face in January."
  — Sam Greenglass, [00:43]

2. President Trump’s National Address Announcement

• [01:17 – 01:35]
  • President Trump announced he will deliver a nationally broadcast address tonight, with White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stating Trump will highlight “historic” accomplishments and plans for the remainder of his term, though no specifics were provided.

3. Brown University Mass Shooting Investigation

• [01:35 – 02:19]

  • Rhode Island officials released new surveillance footage of a male suspect in last weekend’s mass shooting at Brown University.
  • Providence Police Chief Oscar Peres urged community members to check home and vehicle video as far back as a week before the attack to assist the investigation.
  • Discovery: The suspect was in the neighborhood the morning before the attack.

  Quote:
  "We actually learned that this individual was in that neighborhood around 10:30 in the morning. We also know in this profession that many criminals will case out an area weeks and days prior."
  — Chief Oscar Peres, [02:10]

  • Casualties: 2 killed, 9 injured.

4. Bondi Beach Mass Shooting Victim Memorials (Australia)

• [02:19 – 03:08]

  • Funerals took place under heavy police presence for some of the 15 victims killed at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach.
  • Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the first named victim, leaves behind a wife and five children.

  Memorable moment:
  "It is unthinkable, Eli, to talk about you in the past tense."
  — Rabbi Yehoram Ullman (father-in-law), [02:48]

5. Stock Market Update

• [03:08 – 03:15]
  • U.S. premarket trading saw Dow and Nasdaq futures trending higher.

6. U.S. Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Tankers

• [03:15 – 03:55]
  • President Trump announced a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela, calling it the “largest armada ever.”
  • Alleged (without evidence) that Venezuela is “stealing oil, land and other assets” from the U.S.

7. Maryland Reparations Study Bill Override

• [03:55 – 04:39]

  • Maryland’s Democratic legislature overrode Governor Wes Moore’s veto, pushing forward a study on reparations for slavery and segregation.
  • Moore argued a study wasn’t needed, citing alternative actions like cannabis pardons. Supporters of the veto said it was “well-intentioned but divisive.”
  • Delegate Janelle Wilkins, who chairs Maryland's Legislative Black Caucus, emphasized diversity of opinion and the significance of community dialogue.

  Quote:
  "People who are passionate about our community can have different perspectives on how to move forward."
  — Delegate Janelle Wilkins, [04:28]

  • A commission will now study reparations and make recommendations.

8. U.S. Measles Outbreaks

• [04:39 – 04:58]
  • South Carolina reported 138 measles cases, with health authorities concerned about further spread, especially in unvaccinated households.
  • Additional outbreaks noted in Arizona and Utah.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On ACA Subsidies:
  "Would not stave off the premium spikes many people on Obamacare plans will face in January."
  — Sam Greenglass, [00:43]

• On the Brown University Investigation:
  "Many criminals will case out an area weeks and days prior."
  — Chief Oscar Peres, [02:10]

• On Memorializing Victims:
  "It is unthinkable, Eli, to talk about you in the past tense."
  — Rabbi Yehoram Ullman, [02:48]

• On Reparations Debate:
  "People who are passionate about our community can have different perspectives on how to move forward."
  — Delegate Janelle Wilkins, [04:28]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:19] ACA Subsidies & House Health Bill Update
• [01:17] Trump National Address Announcement
• [01:35] Brown University Mass Shooting Investigation
• [02:19] Bondi Beach Shooting Memorials
• [03:08] Stock Market Futures Update
• [03:15] Venezuelan Oil Blockade Announcement
• [03:55] Maryland Reparations Study Legislation
• [04:39] Measles Outbreaks in the U.S.

This summary brings together the urgent headlines and concise analyses heard in this NPR News Now episode, capturing the serious and factual tone of the bulletin.