NPR News Now – December 22, 2025, 10PM EST

Host: Louise Schiavone

Date: December 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this rapid-fire five-minute news roundup, NPR brings updates on U.S. Coast Guard action against a Venezuelan oil tanker, the Trump administration's halt on offshore wind projects, legal battles over the CFPB's funding, holiday travel forecasts, FDA drug approval news, the release of an immigration activist, and an incoming ban on foreign-made drones. Each segment delivers concise, critical national news relevant to policy, law, technology, and daily life.

Key News Segments and Insights

1. U.S. Coast Guard Pursues Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tanker

[00:17–00:53]

• The Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker identified by the Trump administration as part of Venezuela’s "dark fleet"—vessels allegedly used to evade U.S. sanctions.
• The White House claims it's flying under a false flag and is under a U.S. judicial seizure order.
• Context: This action is part of ongoing efforts to enforce sanctions against Venezuela.

2. Immediate Pause on Offshore Wind Project Construction

[00:53–01:37]
Reporting by Barbara Moran (WBUR Boston)

• The Trump administration has ordered a halt to five offshore wind projects in the Northeast, citing concerns about radar interference from turbines.
• Notable Quote:

  "The Department of the Interior says the massive turbine blades and reflective towers of offshore wind farms could create radar interference that obscures moving targets or generates false targets."
  — Barbara Moran [00:53]

• Projects halted are located in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and Virginia.
• Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum states the pause addresses "vulnerabilities created by large scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers."
• Context: This comes a week after a federal judge ended the previous moratorium; demonstrates Trump administration opposition to offshore wind energy.

3. States Sue Over CFPB Funding Refusal

[01:37–02:36]
Reporting by Rafael Naem

• 21 states and D.C. are suing the Trump administration regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) funding.
• Acting Director Russell Vogt interprets the law to mean the CFPB can only receive funding from Federal Reserve "profits"—since the Fed is currently losing money, CFPB claims it can't request funding.
• The states argue that “combined earnings” means all incoming funds to the Fed, not just profits.
• Notable Quote:

  "The states…say that's an unlawful definition and combined earnings really means the wider money coming into the Fed. Therefore, the states say the CFPB has to accept the funding because otherwise it's on course to run out of money in January."
  — Rafael Naem [02:19]

• This legal fight could impact consumer financial oversight funding in the coming year.

4. Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Amid Winter Weather Warnings

[02:36–03:04]
Soundbite: Aisha Diaz, AAA spokesperson

• Midwest travelers are getting an early start due to winter weather concerns; the East is expecting snow and wintry mix.
• AAA reports over 122 million Americans are expected to travel, breaking previous records.
• Memorable Moment:

  "We only look at domestic travel when we're talking about the forecast, and more than 122 million Americans traveling. It's going to set a new record."
  — Aisha Diaz [02:52]

• Emphasis on increasing holiday travel despite weather challenges.

5. Heavy Storms Hit California; S&P Market Update

[03:04–03:17]

• "Another atmospheric river is drenching Northern California. Heavy mountain snow is forecast for the Sierra Nevada."
• The S&P closed up 43 points.

6. FDA Approves Wegovy Pill for Weight Loss

[03:17–03:44]

• FDA approves the "Wegovy pill," the first oral GLP1 therapy for weight management.
• Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk. Highlights growth in pharmaceutical options for weight loss.

7. Immigration Activist Jeanette Vizquera to Be Released

[03:44–04:28]
Reporting by Allison Sherry (Colorado Public Radio)

• Jeanette Vizquera, longtime activist and undocumented immigrant in Colorado, is being released from federal detention after a judge granted bond.
• Vizquera has lived in the U.S. since 1997, previously sheltered in a church to avoid deportation; named one of Time's most influential people.
• Notable Quote:

  "But earlier this year, she was taken into immigration custody and has been there ever since. A judge has now granted bond, which her family says it will pay, so she should be released within a day or two."
  — Allison Sherry [04:11]

• She still lacks a clear path to legal status.

8. Ban Looms for Foreign-Made Drones

[04:28–04:56]

• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to ban foreign-made drones, following Congressional concerns over national security, especially with Chinese-manufactured models.
• These drones are widely used in sectors like agriculture, law enforcement, mapping, and filmmaking.
• The FCC’s review found drones from several countries pose "unacceptable risks to US national security."

Selected Notable Quotes

• Barbara Moran on Offshore Wind Pause:

  "…the massive turbine blades and reflective towers of offshore wind farms could create radar interference that obscures moving targets or generates false targets." [00:53]

• Rafael Naem on CFPB lawsuit:

  "…the CFPB is defining that [funding] to mean profits and arguing that since the Fed is losing money, the agency cannot request the funding." [01:52]

• Aisha Diaz on Holiday Travel:

  "…more than 122 million Americans traveling. It's going to set a new record…" [02:52]

• Allison Sherry on Vizquera’s Release:

  "…a judge has now granted bond, which her family says it will pay, so she should be released within a day or two." [04:11]

Concluding Segment

[04:28–04:56]
Louise Schiavone closes with the drone ban update, emphasizing the FCC's findings and the broad implications across industries.

For anyone who missed this episode, NPR’s five-minute summary provides urgent, top-of-mind developments across government policy, consumer safety, weather, markets, and societal issues, with concise reporting and key voices from across the nation.