NPR News Now — Episode Summary

Episode: NPR News: 12-22-2025 5PM EST
Host: Louise Schiavone
Date: December 22, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This edition of NPR News Now presents a concise update on major national and international stories for the evening of December 22, 2025. Key topics include a high-profile Second Amendment lawsuit against Washington, D.C.'s firearm restrictions, the Trump administration's halt on offshore wind projects, a controversy over Israel’s military radio station, legal action surrounding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a break between a theatre festival and the Kennedy Center, and a production pause at Jim Beam’s Clermont distillery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Second Amendment Lawsuit Against D.C. Police Department

• Time: 00:15
• Summary:
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi files a lawsuit challenging Washington D.C.'s ban on AR-15s and similar firearms.
  • The suit argues that the ban is unconstitutional and that D.C. residents should not be denied Second Amendment rights.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "Living in the nation's capital should not preclude a citizen's Second Amendment right to own the assault style weapon." — Louise Schiavone, summarizing Bondi (00:28)

2. Trump Administration Pauses Offshore Wind Projects

• Time: 00:40
• Reported by: Barbara Moran (WBUR)
• Summary:
  • Immediate pause ordered for five major offshore wind farms in MA, RI, CT, NY, and VA.
  • Cited reasons: radar interference concerns; proximity to population centers on the East Coast.
  • Quotes from Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum about national security vulnerabilities.
  • Federal judge had recently thrown out a previous moratorium on wind projects.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "This action addresses vulnerabilities created by large scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers." — Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, relayed by Barbara Moran (01:16)

3. Israeli Cabinet Shuts Down Military Radio Station

• Time: 01:38
• Reported by: Hadil Al Shalshi (NPR Tel Aviv)
• Summary:
  • Defense Minister Israel Katz orders the closure of Galatz Radio, the military-run broadcaster.
  • All soldiers at the station are reassigned; the move is seen as harming Israeli democracy.
  • Galatz is notable for occasionally critical reporting on the military.
  • Journalists and employees criticize the move as a threat to free speech.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "The Israeli military said the decision was part of a, quote, worrying pattern to harm Israeli democracy." — Hadil Al Shalshi (02:09)
    • "This was the latest example of the government's attempts to clamp down on freedom of speech." — Hadil Al Shalshi (02:28)

4. Lawsuit over Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Funding

• Time: 02:36
• Summary:
  • 21 states and D.C. sue the Trump administration in federal court over CFPB funding.
  • The CFPB, usually funded by the Federal Reserve, faces a cutoff unless the administration requests the release of funds.
  • Acting head Russell Voutt has refused to request necessary funds, threatening agency operations.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "The CFPB says it could run out of operating funds within a few weeks." — Louise Schiavone (02:51)

5. American College Theatre Festival Cuts Ties with Kennedy Center

• Time: 03:20
• Reported by: Jeff London
• Summary:
  • The festival suspends its 58-year relationship, citing recent Kennedy Center leadership decisions.
  • Kennedy Center board, appointed and led by President Trump, has voted to rename the venue “Trump Kennedy Center.”
  • ACTF will skip the venue but continue regional festivals.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "Our affiliation with the Kennedy center is no longer viable due to circumstances and decisions that do not align with our organization's values." — ACTF National Board, read by Jeff London (03:35)

6. Jim Beam Distillery Pausing Production

• Time: 04:14
• Summary:
  • Jim Beam's flagship distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, will halt production as of Jan 1, 2026, to address an oversupply.
  • Owned by Suntory Holdings, the distillery will still operate as a warehouse, bottling site, and visitor center.
  • Pause reflects a broader industry trend of declining alcohol consumption.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "Jim Beam's flagship distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, is halting operations to let the market catch up with an oversupply." — Louise Schiavone (04:18)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Second Amendment Lawsuit:
  • "Living in the nation's capital should not preclude a citizen's Second Amendment right to own the assault style weapon." — Louise Schiavone (00:28)
• Offshore Wind Pause:
  • "This action addresses vulnerabilities created by large scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers." — Doug Burgum via Barbara Moran (01:16)
• Israeli Media Freedom:
  • "The Israeli military said the decision was part of a, quote, worrying pattern to harm Israeli democracy." — Hadil Al Shalshi (02:09)
• Theatre Festival Split:
  • "Our affiliation with the Kennedy center is no longer viable due to circumstances and decisions that do not align with our organization's values." — ACTF Board via Jeff London (03:35)
• Alcohol Industry Struggles:
  • "The wine and spirits business has been struggling with declining alcohol consumption, especially in the post pandemic era." — Louise Schiavone (04:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:15 — Second Amendment lawsuit against D.C. Metropolitan Police
• 00:55 — Offshore wind project pause (report by Barbara Moran)
• 01:38 — Israeli cabinet closes military-run radio station (report by Hadil Al Shalshi)
• 02:36 — CFPB funding lawsuit by states and D.C.
• 03:31 — American College Theatre Festival severs ties with Kennedy Center (report by Jeff London)
• 04:14 — Jim Beam distillery production pause in Kentucky

This NPR News Now episode offered a brisk but comprehensive overview of several developing stories in politics, energy, media, arts, and business, each marked by high-profile announcements and ongoing legal or public controversy.