NPR News: 12-18-2025 10PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: December 19, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode delivers the day’s top stories as of 10PM EST, covering a major development in the Brown University shooting, a surprising corporate merger involving Trump’s Truth Social, legislative action on infrastructure permitting, President Trump’s executive order on marijuana, celebrity clemency, a unique MLB-acquisition in the arts, and fresh Hubble discoveries. The segment is tightly packed with updates, direct reports, and expert commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brown University Shooting Suspect Found Dead ([00:18] – [00:53])

• Incident Update:
  The suspect in the fatal Brown University shooting, Claudio Neves Valente—a 48-year-old student and Portuguese national—was found dead by suicide in Salem, New Hampshire.
• Law Enforcement Statement:
  FBI special agent Fred Docks stresses ongoing investigation demands and victim care.
  • Quote:
    "Even though the suspect was found dead tonight, our work is not done. There are many questions that need to be answered. There's a lot of evidence that needs to be processed and most importantly, the victims and their families deserve special care and consideration."
    — Fred Docks, FBI ([00:39])

2. Trump’s Truth Social Merges with Fusion Power Company ([00:53] – [01:58])

• Corporate Surprise:
  Parent company Trump Media pivots from social media and crypto to nuclear fusion, aiming to build the world's first utility-scale fusion power plant after a $6 billion merger.
• Industry Context:
  Fusion tech attracts big names like OpenAI’s Sam Altman, with hopes it will meet the energy needs of AI data centers, despite Truth Social's stock falling 70% in the past year.
  • Quote:
    "It was a surprise and somewhat head scratching announcement. Trump's social media and crypto company will now become one of the first ever publicly traded fusion firms."
    — Bobby Allen, NPR ([01:14])

3. House Passes Permitting Reform Bill ([01:58] – [02:52])

• Legislative Movement:
  The House approves the "Speed Act" to streamline project permitting, with clear partisan stakes: Democrats focus on renewables, Republicans on pipelines and power plants.
• Industry Reaction:
  Oil lobbyists are pleased, renewable groups frustrated; the bill now goes to the Senate.
  • Quote:
    "Permitting reform sounds kind of dry, but if you've ever seen a community fight over a proposed pipeline or solar farm or data center, then you know that permitting inspires passion and it can halt projects in their tracks."
    — Camilla Dominoski, NPR ([02:13])

4. Presidential Executive Order on Marijuana ([02:52] – [03:07])

• Policy Change:
  President Trump signs an executive order downgrading marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, easing federal restrictions for research and medical use—without legalizing recreation.
• Market Note:
  Brief mention of U.S. stock market rise.

5. Tennessee Governor Pardons Country Star Jelly Roll ([03:07] – [03:34])

• Personal Redemption:
  Jelly Roll, a Nashville musician, pardoned for past drug and robbery felonies, facilitating his ability to tour internationally.

6. San Francisco Giants Purchase Historic Theater ([03:34] – [04:30])

• Business & Arts Crossover:
  The MLB team acquires the Curran Theater; Broadway SF will continue operations. Notably, other pro teams, like the Atlanta Braves, are also arts venue landlords.
• Performer’s Perspective:
  Darcy Drollinger, actor and director, shares uncertainty but hopes to keep performing at the iconic venue.
  • Quote:
    "I'm not sure what the future holds exactly, but I hope that we can continue continue to do the show there because it is such a magic experience being able to be in that theater."
    — Darcy Drollinger ([04:03])

7. Hubble Telescope Solves a Cosmic Mystery ([04:30] – [04:56])

• Astronomical Insight:
  Hubble helps scientists determine that bright blobs previously thought to be planets near a young star were actually debris cloud remnants from two major cosmic collisions.

Notable Quotes

• Fred Docks, FBI:
  "Even though the suspect was found dead tonight, our work is not done. ... The victims and their families deserve special care and consideration." ([00:39])
• Bobby Allen, NPR:
  "It was a surprise and somewhat head scratching announcement. Trump's social media and crypto company will now become one of the first ever publicly traded fusion firms." ([01:14])
• Camilla Dominoski, NPR:
  "Permitting reform sounds kind of dry, but ... permitting inspires passion and it can halt projects in their tracks." ([02:13])
• Darcy Drollinger, Performer:
  "I hope that we can continue to do the show there because it is such a magic experience being able to be in that theater." ([04:03])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Brown University Shooting Update: [00:18] – [00:53]
• Trump Media Fusion Merger: [00:53] – [01:58]
• Permitting Reform Act: [01:58] – [02:52]
• Marijuana Executive Order: [02:52] – [03:07]
• Jelly Roll Pardon: [03:07] – [03:34]
• Giants Buy Curran Theater: [03:34] – [04:30]
• Hubble Cosmic Mystery: [04:30] – [04:56]

Episode Tone & Style

The reporting is brisk, factual, and densely packed, offering essential information from multiple fields—crime, policy, business, science, and the arts—with on-the-ground quotes and direct source attribution, true to the classic NPR newscast style.