NPR News Now: December 18, 2025, 7AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman

Episode Overview

This five-minute newscast delivers succinct updates on critical national and international events, including the latest legislative actions on health care, developments in the U.S. Coast Guard, a high-profile legal proceeding, leadership changes within the Catholic Church and NASA, and a historic crewed space launch. The tone remains factual and impartial, characteristic of NPR's reporting style.

Key News Stories & Timestamps

1. Health Care Legislation in the House

[00:19–01:09]

• Theme: The House passed a package of GOP-backed health care measures aiming to reduce costs for some, especially small business employees.

• Key Insight: The measures do not extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.

  Selena Simmons Duffin ([00:38]):
  “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. Also, they say that it's a really small portion of the population that relies on these plans, only about 7% of Americans.”

• House Dynamics: Four Republicans joined Democrats in a procedural effort to force a vote on extending subsidies, but no further action is expected until January, after ACA plan costs rise.

2. Coast Guard Leadership Held Up Over Hate Symbols Manual

[01:09–02:21]

• Context: Two Democratic senators placed a hold on the Commandant nominee due to updated Coast Guard policy language on hate symbols, following news reports that ambiguous language was introduced.

• Key Points:

  • Senators Jackie Rosen (NV) and Tammy Duckworth (IL) took issue with a manual describing swastikas and nooses as merely “potentially divisive.”
  • Coast Guard claims revised language “strengthens the ability to report, investigate and prosecute those who violate long standing policy.”

  Quill Lawrence ([01:41]):
  “Lunday released a statement in November that Coast Guard policy prohibits such hate symbols. But this week the manual came out with the ambiguous language.”

3. Nick Reiner’s First Court Appearance in Los Angeles

[02:21–03:06]

• Details: Nick Reiner, accused of killing his parents (director Rob Reiner and wife Michelle), appeared briefly in court; the arraignment was delayed until January 7.

• Key Moment: Reiner was in a suicide-prevention smock and agreed to waive his right to a speedy arraignment.

  Alan Jackson, Reiner’s Attorney ([02:54]):
  “There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case. These need to be thoroughly but very carefully dealt with.”

4. New Archbishop of New York City

[03:15–03:25]

• Headline: Bishop Ronald Hicks from Joliet, Illinois, is named to succeed retiring Archbishop Timothy Dolan in New York, one of the U.S.’s largest Catholic archdioceses.
• Note: Both the incoming and outgoing archbishops hail from Chicago.

5. New NASA Administrator: Jared Isaacman

[03:25–04:36]

• Profile: Billionaire and private astronaut, Jared Isaacman, confirmed as head of NASA.

• Background:

  • Twice flown to space in SpaceX capsules.
  • On one mission, performed the first private spacewalk.

• Significance: Isaacman takes charge as NASA readies for a 2026 lunar flyby, the first such mission in over 50 years.

• Urgency: Isaacman stresses the importance of landing Americans on the Moon before China.

  Nell Greenfield Boyce ([03:48]):
  "Isaacman has said that it's vital to for a US Landing to happen before arrival. China gets astronauts to the lunar surface."

6. Historic Blue Origin Crewed Flight

[04:36–04:58]

• Event: Blue Origin to launch a crewed rocket from Texas.
• Milestone: Crew includes Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace engineer with the European Space Agency, set to be the first wheelchair user in space.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “[00:38] 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.”
  — Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR

• “[02:54] There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case. These need to be thoroughly but very carefully dealt with.”
  — Alan Jackson, attorney for Nick Reiner

• “[03:48] Isaacman has said that it's vital to for a US Landing to happen before arrival. China gets astronauts to the lunar surface.”
  — Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR

Memorable Moments & Reporting Tone

• The episode maintains NPR’s characteristic balanced and succinct delivery, covering significant but complex issues such as health care subsidies, institutional policy on hate symbols, space exploration ambitions, and a high-profile criminal case—each with a focus on clear, compelling facts and minimal editorializing.
• The confirmation of Jared Isaacman, a celebrated private astronaut, as NASA Chief at a pivotal era for lunar exploration stands out, as does the story of an upcoming barrier-breaking astronaut with Blue Origin.

Useful Segment Timestamps

• Health Care Legislation: 00:19–01:09
• Coast Guard Policy Dispute: 01:09–02:21
• Nick Reiner Court Appearance: 02:21–03:06
• New Catholic Archbishop: 03:15–03:25
• NASA Appointment: 03:25–04:36
• Blue Origin Milestone Flight: 04:36–04:58

This NPR News Now episode offers a swift, information-rich update on developing stories in U.S. policy, space advancement, and justice, ideal for listeners seeking a comprehensive morning briefing.