NPR News Now – December 23, 2025, 11PM EST

Host: Dan Ronan
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers rapid updates on top stories from across the globe. The broadcast focuses on the Department of Justice's release of documents in the Jeffrey Epstein case, an investigation into Brown University's response to a deadly campus shooting, a tragic nursing home explosion in Pennsylvania, the death of Libya's military chief in a plane crash, Banksy's holiday London mural, and a Wall Street market update.

Main Stories & Discussion Points

1. Epstein Document Release and DOJ Controversy

[00:14–01:25]

• Summary:
  • The Department of Justice (DOJ) published 30,000 pages of materials relating to the Jeffrey Epstein case, including a controversial handwritten letter.
  • The letter purported to show correspondence between Epstein and Larry Nassar, referencing both their predatory behaviors and implicating former President Trump.
  • The DOJ initially posted, then quickly retracted, the letter as authentic—declaring it a fake just a few hours later.
• Key Quotes & Moments:
  • "[The document] describes Epstein's and Nassar's love for young ladies and later describes President Trump as sharing their same passion." – Gabrielle Sanchez (00:52)
  • "Two hours later, a second social post described the letter as fake. It wasn't immediately clear what information the department learned in the interim." – Gabrielle Sanchez (01:08)
  • FBI declined to comment.

2. Brown University Campus Shooting Probe

[01:25–02:28]

• Summary:
  • The Education Department is investigating Brown University under the Clery Act after a campus shooting that killed two and injured nine.
  • Allegations include inadequate surveillance and delayed emergency communications.
  • The department requested Brown's security reports and procedures, citing potential Clery Act violations.
  • Brown asserts it has a robust camera system and sent alerts "minutes after" gunshots.
• Key Quotes & Moments:
  • "It's requesting several documents from Brown, including annual security reports from 2024 and 2025, as well as current procedures related to campus safety." – Kaden Mills (01:51)
  • "The university also says its emergency alerts went out minutes after gunshots were first reported." – Kaden Mills (02:19)
  • Brown initiates its own independent investigation.

3. Nursing Home Explosion in Pennsylvania

[02:29–03:35]

• Summary:
  • A suspected gas explosion at a Bucks County nursing home killed at least two, injured up to 21, and left several missing.
  • Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed a possible gas leak as the cause, with search and rescue operations ongoing.
• Key Quotes & Moments:
  • "We believe preliminarily that it was a gas leak that led to that." – Gov. Josh Shapiro (02:48)
  • "Crews say they are still in the rescue mode, searching for victims using dogs, earth moving equipment and sonar." – Dan Ronan (02:52)
  • At least five people remain missing; the situation continues to develop.

4. Libya Military Chief Killed in Ankara Plane Crash

[03:36–03:51]

• Summary:
  • A crash near Ankara, Turkey, killed Libya's military chief and seven others, including four military officers.
  • The group had been in Turkey for defense meetings aimed at strengthening Libya-Turkey cooperation.
  • Libya’s Prime Minister calls it "a tragic accident and a great loss for Libya."

5. Banksy's New London Murals Spark Holiday Debate

[03:51–04:43]

• Summary:
  • Two similar murals appeared in central London; Banksy claimed authorship of one via Instagram (garnering nearly 1 million likes in one day).
  • The mural depicts two children in winter attire, with interpretations varying between festive imagery and commentary on child homelessness.
  • Over 160,000 children are homeless in temporary UK accommodation—the highest on record.
• Key Quotes & Moments:
  • "Art world publications like Art News are also interpreting the image as a statement on the UK's escalating child homelessness crisis." – Chloe Veltman (04:18)
  • "According to a report… more than 160,000 homeless children are currently living in temporary accommodation, the highest number on record." – Chloe Veltman (04:25)

6. Wall Street Market Update

[04:43–04:52]

• Summary:
  • All major U.S. indices closed higher; S&P 500 finished at a record high, with the Nasdaq and Dow also up.
  • Brief financial close to the episode.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps and Attribution)

• "The letter from 2019 describes Epstein's and Nassar's love for young ladies and later describes President Trump as sharing their same passion."
  – Gabrielle Sanchez (00:52)

• "Two hours later, a second social post described the letter as fake. It wasn't immediately clear what information the department learned in the interim."
  – Gabrielle Sanchez (01:08)

• "The university also says its emergency alerts went out minutes after gunshots were first reported."
  – Kaden Mills (02:19)

• "We believe preliminarily that it was a gas leak that led to that."
  – Gov. Josh Shapiro (02:48)

• "Art world publications like Art News are also interpreting the image as a statement on the UK's escalating child homelessness crisis."
  – Chloe Veltman (04:18)

Summary Table: Key Moments

| Timestamp | Segment | Key Point | |-----------|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 00:14 | DOJ/Epstein Docs Released | DOJ posts, then retracts, fake letter | | 01:25 | Brown Univ. Shooting Probe | Clery Act investigation; school disputes claims | | 02:29 | PA Nursing Home Explosion | Fatal blast, search for missing continues | | 03:36 | Libya Military Chief Killed | Ankara crash kills Libyan defense leadership | | 03:51 | Banksy London Murals | Holiday mural sparks debate on child homelessness | | 04:43 | Wall Street Close | S&P 500 at record high |

This summary delivers a concise yet thorough breakdown of the major headlines on NPR News Now for December 23, 2025, at 11PM EST, capturing both the essential facts and the voice of the speakers.