NPR News: 12-18-2025 2PM EST - NPR News Now

Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – December 18, 2025, 2 PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode purpose: A concise update on major national and global news stories as of December 18, 2025.

Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire summary of the day’s most important news developments, touching on a deadly plane crash in North Carolina, Virginia’s ongoing debate over health care costs, high-stakes EU discussions about funding Ukraine, the controversial renaming of the Kennedy Center, updates on a major New York murder case, the aftermath of a mass shooting in Australia, and the latest inflation numbers. The episode maintains NPR’s serious, factual tone throughout.

Key News Stories and Insights

1. Fatal Plane Crash in North Carolina

[00:10] Multiple fatalities reported in a business plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte.
The Cessna C550 crashed on landing; first responders arrived as the wreckage burned.
Contextual Note: The airport is significant for corporate travel, hosting operations for Fortune 500 companies and NASCAR teams.
Quote: “Video shows first responders rushing to the scene as flames burn near the wreckage.”
– Jeanine Herbst [00:16]

2. Virginia Grapples with Expiring Health Care Subsidies

[00:56] Doug Khalil reports on Governor-elect Abigail Spamberger’s proposals to stabilize the ACA marketplace and make health care more affordable.
- Focus on keeping a balanced insurance pool to avoid premium hikes: “The idea is that if it’s only higher risk people in the insurance pool, premiums go up for everyone.” – Doug Khalil [01:09]
- Spamberger also proposes broader affordability initiatives, including energy and housing costs.
A Republican House-passed bill does not extend current health care subsidies.
Virginia faces economic risks from potential federal workforce cuts.
Quote: “This program with its targeted efforts to stabilize, at least here in Virginia, the ACA marketplace, given the chaos we’re seeing out of Washington, is meant to counter those efforts.”
– Jeanine Herbst [01:12]

3. EU Considers Using Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine

[01:44] Ursula von der Leyen, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, and other EU officials convene in Brussels to debate a new financial aid plan for Ukraine.
The focus: potentially using $100+ billion in frozen Russian assets for Ukrainian support.
- Belgium’s PM, whose country holds 90% of the funds, hesitates over the risk of future repayments if Moscow ever pays reparations.
- Zelenskyy personally appeals for more time to reach agreement.
The summit could last as long as needed to secure a deal, underscoring the complexity and unity test for the EU.
Quote: “Repayment would only be due if and when Moscow pays reparations to Kyiv.”
– Terry Schultz [02:05]
“We just need a bit more time, he says.” (on Zelenskyy’s remarks) – Terry Schultz [02:18]

4. Kennedy Center Renaming Controversy

[02:41] The board appointed by President Trump votes unanimously to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the “Trump Kennedy Center.”
White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt announces the decision on social media.
Quote: “The name of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts could be changing to become the Trump Kennedy Center.”
– Jeanine Herbst [02:41]

5. Wall Street Update

[03:02] Major indices report strong midday gains:
- Dow up 147 points
- NASDAQ up 337 points
- S&P 500 up 58 points

6. New York Murder Case: Luigi Mangione

[03:14] After a three-week pre-trial hearing, a judge will rule in May on whether key evidence is admissible.
Mangione faces state charges: murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and forgery, related to the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in NYC.
He also faces a separate federal case; next court appearance next month.
Quote: “The 27-year-old is accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City nearly a year ago.”
– Jeanine Herbst [03:34]

7. Mass Shooting in Australia: Victim Remembrances

[04:03] Funeral held for 10-year-old Matilda, youngest of 15 victims at a Hanukkah celebration shooting in Sydney.
Eulogy paints Matilda as “righteous and kind”; her casket adorned with a toy bumblebee.
The oldest victim, Alex Klaitman (87), Holocaust survivor, also honored.
Family statement: Klaitman “will be remembered as a fascinating person with an unwavering spirit.”
Quote: “The rabbi who delivered her eulogy said the death of the girl who came to Australia from Ukraine with her family was cruel and unfathomable.”
– Cristina Kukola [04:18]

8. U.S. Inflation Eases

[04:42] The U.S. Labor Department reports a cooling of inflation:
- Consumer prices rose 2.7% over the past year (as of November).

Memorable Moments and Notable Quotes

“This program with its targeted efforts to stabilize, at least here in Virginia, the ACA marketplace, given the chaos we’re seeing out of Washington, is meant to counter those efforts.”
– Jeanine Herbst [01:12]
“Repayment would only be due if and when Moscow pays reparations to Kyiv.”
– Terry Schultz [02:05]
“The rabbi who delivered her eulogy said the death of the girl who came to Australia from Ukraine with her family was cruel and unfathomable.”
– Cristina Kukola [04:18]

Timeline of Key Segments

[00:10] NC plane crash with fatalities
[00:56] Virginia health care proposals
[01:44] EU/Ukraine funding talks
[02:41] Kennedy Center to be renamed
[03:02] Wall Street update
[03:14] Mangione murder case developments
[04:03] Sydney mass shooting funerals
[04:42] Inflation update

This episode captures a turbulent and consequential news day, blending breaking events, politics, international affairs, and human stories into a clear, no-nonsense briefing.

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Transcript10 lines

[00:01]
A
This message comes from Carvana. Selling doesn't need to be stressful. With Carvana, it's quick, easy and all online. Enter your license plate, get a real offer and get paid. Visit Carvana.com to sell your car today. Live from NPR News, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Multiple media reports say there are fatalities in a business plane crash in North Carolina this morning. The FAA says a Cessna C550 crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport about 45 miles north of Charlot. Video shows first responders rushing to the scene as flames burn near the wreckage. That airport provides corporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and NASCAR teams. States around the country are looking at ways to keep health care costs low in the face of expiring health care subsidies. Doug Khalil of VPN News reports on where Virginia's incoming governor wants that support to be targeted.
[00:57]
B
Abigail Spamberger ran on lowering the cost of living on Thursday. She showcased over a dozen policy proposals to do. Among them is a proposal to keep people in the health care marketplace. The idea is that if it's only higher risk, people in the insurance pool, premiums go up for everyone.
[01:13]
A
This program with its targeted efforts to stabilize, at least here in Virginia, the ACA marketplace, given the chaos we're seeing out of Washington, is meant to counter those efforts.
[01:25]
B
A health care bill passed through The Republican controlled U.S. house of Representatives Wednesday, but but didn't include extensions of the subsidies. The affordability proposals Spamberger shared address energy and housing costs, too. She faces the challenge of risks to Virginia's economy due to federal workforce cuts. For NPR News, I'm Jad Khalil in Richmond.
[01:45]
A
European Union leaders and the Ukrainian president are meeting in Brussels as the Europeans try to hash out a deal that will provide financial support for Ukraine for the next two years. Terry Schultz reports EU officials are hoping a controversial plan plan to use frozen Russian assets can be agreed upon.
[02:03]
C
The main question is Whether more than $100 billion worth of Russian funds frozen in EU financial institutions can be used for Ukraine. It's seen as a test of EU unity and support for Ukraine. Repayment would only be due if and when Moscow pays reparations to Kyiv. 90% of the frozen funds are held in Belgium. And the country's prime minister says he's not willing to risk having to pay back the loan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to Brussels to try to push the plan over the finish line. We just need a bit more time, he says. EU officials warn leaders the summit will last as long as it takes to get a deal. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels.
[02:41]
A
The name of the John F. Kennedy center for the Performing Arts could be changing to become the Trump Kennedy Center. This after the board appointed by President Trump voted today for that name change. White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt says on social media that the vote was unanimous. Wall Street's trading higher at this hour. The dow is up 147 points. The NASDAQ is up 337 points. The S&P 500 is up 58 points. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. After three weeks of testimony, Luigi Mangione's pre trial hearing has wrapped up in his New York state case where he faces char of murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. The judge will rule in May on whether key pieces of evidence will be admissible in his state trial, the date of which hasn't been set yet. The 27 year old is accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City nearly a year ago. His next court appearance is scheduled for next month in his federal case, which is separate from the state case. A funeral has been held in Australia for the youngest victim of last Sunday's mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration. 10 year old Matilda was the youngest of the 15 people killed. Christina Kukula has more.
[04:03]
D
Mourners gathered at a memorial centre in East Sydney to bid farewell to the little girl described as righteous and kind. Matilda's casket was adorned with a toy bumblebee. The rabbi who delivered her eulogy said the death of the girl who came to Australia from Ukraine with her family was cruel and unfathomable. Earlier in the day, surrounded by a heavy police presence, family and friends held a funeral for the oldest victim, 87 year old Holocaust survivor Alex Klaitman. In a statement, his family says he will be remembered as a fascinating person with an unwavering spirit. For NPR News, I'm Cristina Kukola in Sydney.
[04:42]
A
Inflation cooled a bit in November. The Labor Department says consumer prices slowed to 2.7% from a year ago. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.
[04:54]
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