NPR News Now — 12-22-2025, 2AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Date: December 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This 5-minute newscast provides concise updates on major national and international events, including political tensions in US conservative circles, new Israeli settlements in the West Bank, US Coast Guard actions in the Caribbean, major flooding in Washington and California, box office results for the "Avatar" sequel, the passing of actor James Ransone, and a widespread power outage in San Francisco.

Key News Highlights

1. Turning Point USA Conference & GOP Discord

• [00:17–01:14]
• Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a speech at Turning Point USA’s first annual conference since founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in September.
• Theme: Vance called for GOP unity and for conservatives to stop "canceling each other."
• Intraparty controversy:
  • After conspiracy theories about Kirk's death spread, Ben Shapiro publicly criticized right-wing media figures, specifically Tucker Carlson for interviewing Nick Fuentes, known for white nationalist and antisemitic views.
  • Carlson rejected accusations of antisemitism.
  • Party leaders continue to grapple with the amplification of misinformation and antisemitic rhetoric.

Quote:
"We have far more important work to do than canceling each other. We have got to build."
— Vice President J.D. Vance ([00:43])

2. Israeli Settlements in the West Bank

• [01:14–02:03]
• Israel's security cabinet approved 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, bringing approvals in the last three years to 69.
• Announced days after the UN reported settlement expansion at its highest since 2017.
• Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, a known settlement advocate, frames the move as blocking the formation of a Palestinian state.

Notable Detail:
"Israeli settlements in the occupied west bank are considered illegal under international law."
— Shaima Khalil, BBC ([01:46])

3. US Coast Guard Pursuit in the Caribbean

• [02:03–02:38]
• The Coast Guard is pursuing a vessel allegedly violating US sanctions under a "false flag" operation, as part of US efforts against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
• Two ships linked to Venezuelan oil deliveries have already been seized.
• Legal experts argue these detentions likely violate international law.

4. Flooding & Emergency Response in Washington and California

• [02:38–03:26]
• Washington Governor Bob Ferguson deployed National Guard troops to King County after river levees failed, causing historic flooding and damage to hundreds of homes.
• Troops are tasked with levee patrols and surveillance for further risks.
• In Northern California (Shasta County), evacuation orders are underway due to major flooding along the Yuba River.

Quote:
"This natural disaster that we are facing as a state and that we continue to go through is truly historic in nature."
— Governor Bob Ferguson ([02:51])

5. Entertainment: "Avatar 3" Box Office & Film Highlights

• [03:26–04:12]
• "Avatar: Fire and Ash" debuts strongly but underperforms previous installments, taking in $88 million domestically and $257 million internationally in three days (20% less than the previous sequel).
• Faith-based animated film "David" opens with a record $21 million for its genre.
• Timothée Chalamet’s "Marty Supreme" sets this year’s record for per-theater average.

6. Obituary: Actor James Ransone

• [04:12–04:30]
• Actor James Ransone, known for his role as Ziggy Sobotka on "The Wire," has died of suicide at age 46.
• Also appeared in “The Black Phone” series and TV’s "Bosch."
• The Los Angeles medical examiner confirmed the cause of death.

7. San Francisco Power Outage

• [04:30–04:56]
• Most of the 130,000 homes and businesses affected by a major outage in northern San Francisco have had power restored after a substation fire.
• The blackout disrupted transit and local businesses; cause remains under investigation.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Unity urged by VP Vance:
  "We have far more important work to do than canceling each other. We have got to build." ([00:43])
• Governor Ferguson on floods:
  "This natural disaster that we are facing as a state and that we continue to go through is truly historic in nature." ([02:51])
• International Law on Settlements:
  "Israeli settlements in the occupied west bank are considered illegal under international law." ([01:46])

Timestamps & Segment Overview

| Time | Topic | |------------|------------------------------------------| | 00:17–01:14| GOP rift at Turning Point USA conference | | 01:14–02:03| Israeli settlements in West Bank | | 02:03–02:38| US Coast Guard pursues oil vessel | | 02:38–03:26| Flooding: Washington & California | | 03:26–04:12| Movie box office updates | | 04:12–04:30| Actor James Ransone dies | | 04:30–04:56| San Francisco power outage |

For listeners who missed it:
This edition of NPR News Now captured pivotal ongoing issues — from political fractures within the GOP and intensifying Middle East tensions, to US foreign enforcement, severe domestic flooding, and cultural milestones in entertainment and remembrance — all in minutes.