Loading summary
Commercial Announcer
This message comes from Capital One with the Venture X card, earn unlimited double miles, a $300 annual capital one travel credit and access to airport lounges. Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms apply details@capital1.com live from NPR News.
NPR News Anchor
In Washington, I'm Dan Rowland. A Republican and Democratic member of Congress who have called for the full release of the Jeffrey Epstein files are threatening to fine and possibly arrest Justice Department officials over the slow and much redacted release of those files. Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Thomas Massie say this could include arresting Attorney General Pam Bondi. The procedure was last used about 90 years ago. Meanwhile, some of Epstein's victims are speaking out about what they say is the slow pace of those documents released. This is Miranda Lacerta speaking with ABC News.
Epstein Victim
The only way that justice will be served is to bring these men to light and have everyone see who they are and what they have done to us and to other women, too, who have not spoken yet.
NPR News Anchor
Arizona's attorney General Chris Mays has agreed to drop charges against one of the state's fake electors accused of attempting to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election. From member station KJZZ in Phoenix, Wayne chutsky reports.
Wayne Chutsky
Former U.S. senate candidate Jim Leh Layman was one of 11 Arizona Republicans who signed a document falsely claiming President Trump won the state in 2020. A grand jury indicted these fake electors and several allies, including attorney Rudy Giuliani and former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, on fraud and other felony charges. A spokesman confirms the state attorney general will drop the charges against Lehman. Lehman's attorney says his client did not sign a plea deal or agree to testify, though he will not object to certain subpoenas for text messages sought by prosecutors. The Arizona case is now in limbo as the state Supreme Court considers an appeal over whether it should be sent back to the grand jury. For NPR News, I'm Wayne Chutsky in Phoenix.
NPR News Anchor
President Trump's designs on Greenland are back in the news after he appointed a special envoy to that issue. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports. Denmark and Greenland are making it clear they won't allow the US to take over the territory.
Michelle Kellerman
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint statement demanding respect for their territory after Trump announced that he's appointing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to be a special envoy. Landry posted on X that he's honored to take up what he called a voluntary position to, quote, make Greenland a part of the U.S. denmark and Greenland call this totally unacceptable, say national borders are rooted in international law. Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. The statement went on to say polls there show that while most Greenlanders want independence from Denmark, an overwhelming majority reject the idea of joining the US Michelle Kellerman and NPR News. The State Department.
NPR News Anchor
Federal regulators have approved a pill version of the now injectable weight loss drug Wegovia. It could be available as early as 2026. Medical experts say this could be a lower cost option. This is NPR News. A federal judge in Maryland says that Kilmar Abrego Garcia is to remain free while the judge considers issues concerning his immigration status in the U.S. garcia is the El Salvador native who the Trump administration mistakenly deported back to his home country, only to have him freed this summer and later charged with human smuggling. The Trump administration has sought to deport him to a third country. A group of 21 states along the with the District of Columbia is suing the Trump administration. This over funding for the Consumer Financial protection bureau. As NPR's Rafael Nam reports, the lawsuit seeks to address an unusual stance, the CFPB.
Rafael Nam
The latest legal fight is about the CFPB's refusal to accept funding for the agency. Under the law that established the cfpb, the agency is supposed to be funded by the combined earnings at the Federal Reserve. But under acting Director Russell Vogt, the CFPB is defining that to mean profits and arguing that since the Fed is losing money, the agency cannot request the funding. The states, however, 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 Nam, NPR News.
NPR News Anchor
The NFL's Kansas City Chiefs say they're moving from Missouri to nearby Kansas, where that state will help them build a new $3 billion dome stadium. From Washington, this is NPR News. I'm Dan Ronan.
Commercial Announcer
This message comes from Mint mobile. Starting at $15 a month, make the switch@mintmobile.com Switch $45 upfront payment for 3 months 5 gigabyte plan equivalent to $15 a month Taxes and fees Extra first 3 months Only see terms.
Host: Dan Rowland, NPR News Anchor
Episode Theme: Brief, top-of-the-hour national and international news updates, highlighting major political, legal, and social developments in the US and beyond.
[00:18–01:10]
Notable Quote:
“The only way that justice will be served is to bring these men to light and have everyone see who they are and what they have done to us and to other women, too, who have not spoken yet.”
— Epstein Victim (Miranda Lacerta), [00:56]
[01:10–02:04]
Notable Details:
- Indicted allies include Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows.
- The legal outcome may impact other state-level election cases.
[02:04–03:01]
Notable Quote:
“[U]nacceptable… National borders are rooted in international law. Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.”
— Joint Denmark-Greenland Statement, as summarized by Michelle Kellerman [02:18]
[03:01]
[03:01–04:00]
[03:01–04:43]
Notable Quote:
“The CFPB is defining that to mean profits and arguing that since the Fed is losing money, the agency cannot request the funding. The states, however, say that's an unlawful definition…”
— Rafael Nam, NPR Reporter [04:00]
[04:43–04:57]
Epstein Victim on Justice:
“The only way that justice will be served is to bring these men to light and have everyone see who they are…” [00:56]
Denmark & Greenland’s Strong Rebuff:
“National borders are rooted in international law. Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.” [02:18, as paraphrased]
Dispute over CFPB Funding Logic:
“The states… say the CFPB has to accept the funding because otherwise it's on course to run out of money in January.” [04:00]
This five-minute episode delivers significant breaking news ranging from Congressional clashes over Epstein files and evolving election-related prosecutions, to the renewal of Trump-era ambitions regarding Greenland. Regulatory, immigration, and sports stories round out a comprehensive update on US affairs as the year closes. The tone is brisk, factual, and intent on clarity, using brief correspondent inserts and direct statements to illuminate complex stories.