NPR News Now: December 20, 2025, 11PM EST

Main Theme

This five-minute NPR News Now episode, anchored by Dale Willman, brings listeners the latest national and international headlines, including developments in the Jeffrey Epstein files, the ongoing war in Ukraine, a rising U.S. flu season, a massive power outage in San Francisco, a significant appointment in the Catholic Church, and college football results.

Key Discussion Points

1. Release of Jeffrey Epstein Files

• Summary: The Justice Department released thousands of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Journalists and the public have begun reviewing the documents.
• Details:
  • Many pages have heavy redactions; the total number of files remains unclear ([00:29], Casey Morell).
  • Named individuals include former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Bill Gates.
  • At least 16 files appear to be missing, including one photo with President Trump ([01:03], Dale Willman).
• Notable Quote:

  "There are pages and pages released that are just completely blacked out... What’s in the docs that we do know? President Trump’s name is there, but it’s not often. There are photographs of and references to a number of other notable individuals."
  — Casey Morell ([00:29])

2. Russian Strikes on Odessa, Ukraine

• Summary: President Zelenskyy demands stronger air defense after Russian missile attacks kill at least 8 and severely impact Odessa.
• Details:
  • Russian strikes left parts of Odessa without electricity or water.
  • Zelenskyy accuses Russia of targeting infrastructure to sow chaos.
  • He stresses holding air defense officials accountable, with continued calls on the U.S. for pressure on Russia ([01:30], Joanna Kakisis Pazar).
• Notable Quote:

  "No matter how difficult it is for us to react to these attacks, we must find a way to protect people as much as possible."
  — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (via Joanna Kakisis Pazar, [01:30])

3. Rising U.S. Flu Cases and Pediatric Deaths

• Summary: Flu cases surge nationwide; three pediatric deaths confirmed, including one in Colorado.
• Details:
  • Colorado: child from metro Denver passes away; over 300 flu hospitalizations, tripling last year's number ([02:27], John Daly).
  • CDC notes most flu-related pediatric deaths occur in unvaccinated children.
  • Dr. Suchitra Rao calls this "an unprecedented season" ([02:57]).
• Notable Quote:

  "This year has been this unprecedented season where we’re seeing a lot of influenza activity."
  — Dr. Suchitra Rao ([02:57])

4. San Francisco Power Outage

• Summary: Over 130,000 homes and businesses in San Francisco are affected by a power outage.
• Details:
  • Possible cause: fire inside a substation, but no official cause confirmed ([03:09], Dale Willman).

5. Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach Appointment

• Summary: Pope Leo appoints Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez, a pro-immigrant priest, to lead the Palm Beach diocese.
• Details:
  • Rodriguez currently serves a mostly Latino congregation in Queens, New York; originally from the Dominican Republic ([03:37], Jason DeRose).
  • This appointment is seen as the Vatican’s challenge to the Trump administration's immigration policies.
  • More than 4 in 10 U.S. Catholics are immigrants or children of immigrants (Pew Research).
• Notable Quote:

  "Pope Leo is willing to go toe to toe with the administration’s crackdown on immigration."
  — Jason DeRose ([03:37])

6. College Football Highlights

• Summary: College football results from around the country.
• Details:
  • Ole Miss defeats Tulane 41-10; QB Chablis passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns ([04:18], Dale Willman).
  • Miami narrowly beats Texas A&M 10-3.
  • Oregon leads James Madison 48-26 in an ongoing game.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Epstein Files Release:
  • "What’s in the docs that we do know? President Trump’s name is there, but it’s not often." — Casey Morell ([00:29])
• Ukraine Crisis:
  • "No matter how difficult it is for us to react to these attacks, we must find a way to protect people as much as possible." — President Zelenskyy ([01:30])
• Flu Surge:
  • "This year has been this unprecedented season where we're seeing a lot of influenza activity." — Dr. Suchitra Rao ([02:57])
• Vatican Immigration Stance:
  • "Pope Leo is willing to go toe to toe with the administration's crackdown on immigration." — Jason DeRose ([03:37])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Epstein Files Update: [00:14]–[01:17]
• Ukraine / Odessa Attacks: [01:17]–[02:17]
• U.S. Flu Season & Pediatric Deaths: [02:17]–[03:09]
• San Francisco Blackout: [03:09]
• Catholic Church Appointment: [03:37]
• College Football Roundup: [04:18]–[04:53]

This NPR News Now episode delivers a tightly packed update on major global and national stories with clear, concise reporting and attribution, offering listeners a sharp overview of the day’s events.