NPR News Now: December 19, 2025, 3AM EST

Host: NPR News Anchor, Shea Stevens
Episode Length: ~5 Minutes
Main Theme: Top national and international headlines, including developments in a mass shooting investigation, healthcare subsidy expirations, humanitarian updates from Gaza, a high-profile fatal plane crash, and the latest on TikTok's U.S. operations.

Key Stories and Discussions

1. Brown University Shooting Suspect Found Dead

[00:20–01:19]

• Summary: The suspect in the Brown University mass shooting, Claudio Neves Valente, was found dead in a New Hampshire storage unit. He is also linked to the murder of an MIT professor in Boston.
• Details:
  • Claudio Neves Valente, 48, is a Portuguese national and former Brown University student.
  • His familiarity with the building suggests he spent significant time on campus.
  • He attended the same school in Portugal as the slain MIT physics professor.
  • The investigation progressed after a tip about a car linked to Valente, corroborated by rental company images and paperwork with his real name.
  • Authorities continue to seek a motive.

Notable Quotes:

• “We got him, the FBI said. And as Providence Mayor Brett Smiley put it, our Providence neighbors can breathe a little easier.” — Tovia Smith, NPR Reporter [00:38]
• “Authorities say they’re still investigating motive.” — Tovia Smith, NPR Reporter [01:16]

2. Congress Unlikely to Renew Affordable Care Act Subsidies

[01:19–02:19]

• Summary: Congress is preparing for recess without extending key ACA subsidies set to expire December 31, 2025. Millions may lose or reduce coverage.
• Details:
  • Many, like Tennessee farmhand Robert Sory, are planning to pay cash for medical treatment or go uninsured in 2026.
  • Sory faces out-of-pocket psychiatry costs to maintain his prescriptions, and a $70/month insurance premium is unaffordable after job loss.
  • An estimated 4 million Americans may lose or reduce coverage.

Notable Quotes:

• “I’m not somebody who gets sick super often, thank God. And if I do, generally I go to an emergency room where they’re gonna bill me later and I can get on a plan, you know what I mean?” — Robert Sory, interviewee [01:46]
• “Up to 4 million Americans are estimated to do the same for 2026.” — Blake Farmer, NPR Reporter [02:12]

3. Gaza Humanitarian Update: Supply Crossings Opened

[02:19–03:16]

• Summary: Israel has opened two new crossings into Gaza, increasing supply flows. Despite this, the UN World Food Program (WFP) says much more is required for long-term recovery and self-sufficiency.
• Details:
  • WFP official Ant Bernard reports that while food access has improved, prices remain prohibitive for most Gazans.
  • Bernard urges diplomatic efforts to move into phase two of the U.S.-led peace process, emphasizing economic revitalization over continuing relief.

Notable Quotes:

• “We need to make sure that we have a more vibrant private sector and job creation into Gaza. That’s the main message I’m getting from people on the ground. We need to move beyond handouts.” — Ant Bernard, World Food Program [02:52]
• Upcoming U.S. envoy meetings with diplomats from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey are scheduled in Miami [03:10].

4. Plane Crash Claims NASCAR Star Greg Biffle and Family

[03:16–04:23]

• Summary: Retired NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his wife, and two children were among seven people killed in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport, North Carolina.
• Details:
  • The Cessna Citation 550 business jet owned by Biffle crashed during landing.
  • The FAA is conducting an investigation; the airport remains closed.
  • The Biffle family were well-known local figures.

Notable Quotes:

• “Biffle was one of those seven deceased occupants due to not only the information of those occupants … but also visual from aircraft or from staff that was here at the airport that he was one of the occupants that was on the plane at the time.” — Sergeant Christopher Knox [03:49]
• The Biffle family's presence was confirmed by airport staff and manifest records [03:56].

5. TikTok’s U.S. Operations to Be Spun Off

[04:23–04:58]

• Summary: ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has agreed to spin off U.S. operations following repeated deadlines to divest due to national security concerns.
• Details:
  • The new U.S. entity: nearly half owned by a group of largely U.S. investors, including Oracle.
  • One third will remain with existing investors; ByteDance retains the video-sharing app’s core algorithm.
  • The structure results from U.S. government pressure over data security and foreign ownership.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

- “We got him, the FBI said. And as Providence Mayor Brett Smiley put it, our Providence neighbors can breathe a little easier.” — Tovia Smith [00:38]

- “I’m not somebody who gets sick super often, thank God. And if I do, generally I go to an emergency room where they’re gonna bill me later and I can get on a plan, you know what I mean?” — Robert Sory [01:46]

- “We need to move beyond handouts.” — Ant Bernard, World Food Program [02:52]

Important Timestamps

• Brown University Shooting Update & MIT Professor Link: [00:20–01:19]
• ACA Subsidies Expiry & Real-Life Impact: [01:19–02:19]
• Gaza Humanitarian Situation and Diplomatic Progress: [02:19–03:16]
• Greg Biffle Plane Crash Coverage: [03:16–04:23]
• TikTok U.S. Operations Spin-off Details: [04:23–04:58]

NPR News Now delivers key headlines with direct reporting and relevant voices. This episode highlighted urgent national and global events, with a human-centered tone and a clear commitment to factual, up-to-the-minute reporting.