NPR News Now: 12-17-2025 7PM EST

Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Ryland Barton | Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode brings listeners the latest national and international headlines. Key topics include a rare bipartisan move in the House to protect ACA subsidies, the confirmation of Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator, controversial White House plaques, a suspected cyberattack on a French ferry, American theater milestones, and the rising influence of faith-based films in Hollywood.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. House Republicans Join Dems to Force ACA Subsidies Vote

• [00:14 – 01:12]
  • Four House Republicans support a Democratic petition to force a vote extending Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies, otherwise set to expire.
  • The move comes as millions face higher premiums, especially those in Republican-led states.
  • Selena Simmons Duffin:

    “Partly, Republicans don't like the Affordable Care act and they don't want to vote to shore it up. They say the enhanced subsidies are just papering over the high cost of health insurance.” (00:41)

  • Only ~7% of Americans rely on ACA plans; most use employer insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare.
  • Political calculus: GOP bets that impacts on their voters won't hurt them.

2. Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator

• [01:12 – 02:12]
  • Jared Isaacman, private astronaut and businessman, confirmed as new head of NASA at a pivotal moment.
  • Isaacman has experience flying to space with SpaceX, including the first private spacewalk.
  • Notably, he was twice nominated by President Trump, with a withdrawal and then a re-nomination.
  • NASA faces pressure to send astronauts around the moon next year, in a new US-China "moon race."
  • Nell Greenfield Boyce:

    “Isaacman has said that it's vital for a US landing to happen before arrival. China gets astronauts to the lunar surface.” (02:01)

3. White House Installs Controversial Presidential Plaques

• [02:12 – 03:08]
  • New plaques beneath presidential portraits at the White House Walk of Fame contain derogatory remarks, attributed to President Trump.
  • Examples include calling Joe Biden “by far the worst president in American history.”
  • Hillary Clinton referenced as “President Clinton's wife.”
  • Ronald Reagan described as a Trump supporter before Trump’s presidency.
  • Tamara Keith:

    “The plaques are eloquently written descriptions of each president and the legacy they left behind… Many were written directly by President Trump himself.” (02:33, quoting Staff Sec. Caroline Levitt)

4. French Ferry Cyberattack Investigation

• [03:08 – 03:51]
  • French authorities believe an international passenger ferry was hit by a cyberattack.
  • The attack tool could have enabled remote control over ferry computers.
  • A Latvian crew member is detained, facing charges of acting for a foreign power, possibly linked to Russia.

5. American Theatre Magazine’s Most Influential Plays/Musicals

• [03:51 – 04:32]
  • Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda named most influential US stage work of the century, followed by August: Osage County (Tracy Letts) and Topdog/Underdog (Suzan-Lori Parks).
  • 37 plays, 13 musicals make the unranked list based on input from over 350 theatre professionals.
  • Chloe Veltman:

    “There are 37 plays and 13 musicals on the list. The magazine says it asked members of the theatre community to share the titles of 10 works that premiered in the US since the year two…” (04:06)

6. Faith-Based Films’ Growing Success

• [04:32 – 04:54]
  • Angel Studios’ animated biblical film David surpasses $14 million in ticket pre-sales.
  • The Chosen, a Jesus-centered drama, grosses over $116 million since 2023.
  • Signals robust market for faith-based entertainment in Hollywood.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Selena Simmons Duffin (on Republican logic):

  "Republicans seem to be making the calculation that even if some of their voters are on the hook for these higher premiums, it might not be enough to hurt the party politically." (01:02)

• Nell Greenfield Boyce (on US vs. China moon race):

  "Isaacman has said that it's vital for a US landing to happen before arrival. China gets astronauts to the lunar surface." (02:01)

• Tamara Keith (on White House plaques):

  "The plaques are eloquently written descriptions of each president and the legacy they left behind as a student of history. Many were written directly by President Trump himself." (02:33, quoting Caroline Levitt)

Timestamps of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------| | 00:14 | House GOP joins Dems on ACA subsidies | | 01:12 | Jared Isaacman confirmed as NASA head | | 02:12 | Controversial presidential bio plaques in White House | | 03:08 | French ferry cyberattack investigation | | 03:51 | Most influential US plays and musicals | | 04:32 | Rising popularity of faith-based films |

This fast-moving episode delivers a cross-section of political shifts, cultural highlights, and international intrigue, reflecting NPR’s commitment to current, comprehensive reporting.