NPR News Now – December 19, 2025, 11PM EST

Host: Dale Willman | Date: December 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire update on the evening’s most pressing U.S. news stories. Topics include the DOJ’s incremental release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, a federal court’s intervention in homelessness funding changes, a controversial Pentagon bonus, a substantial jury verdict in the Johnson & Johnson talc case, a study on cheese and dementia risk, and the implosion of a historic bridge. The show closes with updates on a fatal business jet crash involving a NASCAR driver.

Key News Segments and Insights

1. DOJ Releases Jeffrey Epstein Files

[00:17–00:59]

• The Justice Department began releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s case through a new public library on justice.gov.
  • The files comprise court documents, FOIA records, and materials released under a law signed by President Trump in November.
  • Many documents were already public; the full release is expected to roll out over coming weeks.
• Quote:
  • "While the law states all files the government possesses should be released by today, the DOJ says it expects more disclosures in the coming weeks."
    — Stephen Fowler (00:48)

2. Federal Court Blocks Trump Administration’s Homelessness Policy Overhaul

[00:59–01:55]

• Judge Mary McElroy of Rhode Island issued a temporary block against HUD’s late-year funding overhaul.
  • The court found the overhaul “likely unlawful,” siding with critics who argued the changes would force people back into homelessness during winter.
  • HUD planned to cut permanent housing support in favor of more transitional housing, emphasizing mandatory work and treatment.
  • The overhaul's abrupt announcement risks funding gaps, causing potential “irreparable harm.”
• Quote:
  • “If HUD really wants to change policies so dramatically, the judge said, it needs to do the work and go through Congress. Instead, she said, the chaos seems to be the point.”
    — Jennifer Ludden (01:45)

3. Pentagon Redirects Housing Funds to Troop Bonuses ("Warrior Dividend")

[01:55–02:47]

• The Department of Defense repurposes $2.6 billion in housing assistance to provide a one-time $1,776 payment to 1.45 million service members.
  • Framed as the “warrior dividend,” the payment honors the U.S.’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
  • The funds were initially set aside by Congress for augmenting service members’ housing stipends.
• Quote:
  • "The White House is calling it the warrior dividend…President Trump says that the money is in honor of the country's 250th anniversary next year."
    — Steve Walsh (02:10)

4. Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $65.5 Million in Asbestos-Talc Case

[02:47–03:27]

• Minnesota jury awards $65.5M to a woman who alleged prolonged use of Johnson & Johnson talcum powder exposed her to asbestos, leading to cancer.
  • Johnson & Johnson vows to appeal.
  • Verdict represents the latest episode in a long-standing legal battle over talc products.

5. High-Fat Cheese Intake Linked to Lower Dementia Risk — With Caveats

[03:27–04:12]

• New study tracks 28,000 people over 25 years, finding regular consumers of high-fat cheese had a 13% lower risk of dementia.
  • Experts are cautious: results are purely associative and not causal.
  • Dietary data was based on a “snapshot” in time and dementia has many risk factors.
• Quote:
  • "Scientists warn against reading too much into the findings."
    — Allison Aubrey (04:06)

6. Black Hawk Bridge, 95 Years Old, Imploded in Mississippi River

[04:12–04:56]

• The historic Black Hawk Bridge between Lansing, Iowa, and Wisconsin was demolished.

  • The bridge had been closed since October; replacement anticipated in 2027.
  • In the interim, commuters will rely on a ferry service.

• Federal investigators are probing a deadly North Carolina business jet crash that killed NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his family, and three others.

  • The Cessna C550 crashed while attempting to return to its departure airport less than 10 minutes after takeoff.
  • The cockpit voice recorder has been recovered for analysis.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On HUD’s Policy Chaos:
  "The chaos seems to be the point." — Judge Mary McElroy, paraphrased by Jennifer Ludden (01:53)

• On honoring U.S. history with military bonuses:
  "President Trump says that the money is in honor of the country's 250th anniversary next year." — Steve Walsh (02:13)

• On the cheese study's limitations:
  "Scientists warn against reading too much into the findings." — Allison Aubrey (04:06)

Important Timestamps

• [00:17] DOJ’s Epstein documents release summary
• [00:59] Federal court halts HUD homelessness plan
• [01:55] Pentagon issues “warrior dividend” to troops
• [02:47] $65.5M verdict against Johnson & Johnson in talc case
• [03:27] High-fat cheese and dementia study
• [04:12] Black Hawk Bridge implosion; fatal NC jet crash update

Tone:
Factual, succinct, and rapidly delivered, in line with NPR News Now’s established neutral style.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking key U.S. news developments as of late December 19, 2025.