NPR News Now – December 23, 2025, 5PM EST

Host: Jael Snyder
Episode Length: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid update on major U.S. and international news, focusing on political, economic, and social stories heading into the holiday season. Key topics include a Supreme Court decision affecting National Guard deployments, a controversial U.S. military campaign against alleged drug traffickers, strong economic growth data, holiday travel records, new revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files, a tragic explosion in Pennsylvania, and an unexpected surge in baking cookbook sales.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Halts National Guard Deployments

[00:15–00:48]

• Main Story: The U.S. Supreme Court declined an emergency request to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, temporarily upholding a lower court’s ruling.
• Potential Impact: The outcome could influence similar lawsuits concerning deployments in other Democratic-led cities.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jael Snyder:

    "Today's order not a final ruling, but it could affect other lawsuits challenging National Guard deployments to other democratic led cities." [00:28]

2. Escalation in U.S. Anti-Drug Operations

[00:48–01:33]
Reporter: Quill Lawrence

• Details: The U.S. military destroyed another suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Pacific, killing one man. The Trump administration insists it’s justified in its campaign, even against unarmed suspects.
• Controversy: Critics, including some in Congress and law experts, claim the policy is tantamount to murder.
• Link to Venezuela: President Trump uses the anti-cartel campaign to put pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. U.S. authorities have begun seizing Venezuelan oil tankers, with Trump suggesting the U.S. might keep or sell the confiscated oil.
• Memorable Quotes:
  • Quill Lawrence:

    "Dozens of boats have been hit since September, killing more than 100 people. Critics in Congress and experts on the laws of war say that's murder." [01:01]

  • "Trump said the US may keep or sell the oil." [01:31]

3. U.S. Economy Surges

[01:34–02:27]
Reporter: Alina Selyuk

• Key Data: U.S. GDP grew at an annualized rate of 4.3% in Q3, outpacing expectations.
• Drivers: Consumer spending, especially on health care (hospital/nursing home services, prescription drugs), and possibly computer hardware in connection to an AI sector boom.
• Contrasts: Business and residential investment dropped; government spending rose.
• Notable Quote:
  • Alina Selyuk:

    "Consumers remain the key engine driving the growth, with higher spending, especially on health care." [02:04]

4. Holiday Travel Hits Record Highs

[02:28–03:12]
Reporter: Joel Rose

• Travel Boom: Over 120 million Americans are expected to travel 50+ miles, with over 109 million driving, nudging past last year’s record.
• Air Travel: TSA anticipates screening over 44 million passengers—potentially a new annual high for U.S. air travel.
• Notable Quote:
  • Joel Rose:

    "If you're heading over the river and through the woods today. You are not alone." [02:38]
    "TSA says it's preparing to screen more than 44 million passengers during this holiday season and could set a record for passenger volume for the year." [03:04]

5. Epstein Files Released

[03:13–03:38]

• Latest DOJ Release: Newly unsealed documents mention President Trump, including 1990s-era records indicating he flew on Epstein’s private jet eight times. DOJ states some allegations are unsubstantiated.
• Clarification: Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing.

6. Pennsylvania Nursing Home Explosion

[03:39–04:07]

• Incident: Authorities respond to a Bucks County explosion that collapsed part of a nursing home, trapping people. The cause remains unknown.

7. Baking Cookbook Boom in 2025

[04:08–04:51]
Reporter: Neta Ulaby

• Surprising Trend: Baking cookbook sales soared by 80% in 2025, even as overall cookbook sales declined.
• Social Influence: The year’s biggest baking title is “Sweet Tooth” by influencer Sarah Fennell.
• Consumer Appeal: Home baking, especially desserts and holiday recipes, fuels the uptick.
• Memorable Quotes:
  • Sarah Fennell:

    "80% growth certainly exceeded my expectations. Hi, my name is Sarah and I love dessert." [04:20]
    "This right here is my favorite holiday snack. It is a salty sweet white chocolate tamarind orange popcorn." [04:36]

  • Neta Ulaby:

    "No one expected baking cookbook sales to rise like a yeasted doughnut in 2025." [04:08]

Notable Quotes

• Jael Snyder: "Today's order not a final ruling, but it could affect other lawsuits challenging National Guard deployments to other democratic led cities." [00:28]
• Quill Lawrence: "Dozens of boats have been hit since September, killing more than 100 people. Critics in Congress and experts on the laws of war say that's murder." [01:01]
• Alina Selyuk: "Consumers remain the key engine driving the growth, with higher spending, especially on health care." [02:04]
• Joel Rose: "TSA says it's preparing to screen More than 44 million passengers during this holiday season and could set a record for passenger volume for the year." [03:04]
• Sarah Fennell: "80% growth certainly exceeded my expectations. Hi, my name is Sarah and I love dessert." [04:20]
• Neta Ulaby: "No one expected baking cookbook sales to rise like a yeasted doughnut in 2025." [04:08]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Supreme Court / National Guard deployments: [00:15–00:48]
• U.S. anti-drug operations & Venezuela: [00:49–01:33]
• Q3 Economic Growth: [01:34–02:27]
• Holiday Travel Surge: [02:28–03:12]
• Epstein Files & Trump Mentions: [03:13–03:38]
• Nursing Home Explosion: [03:39–04:07]
• Baking Cookbook Boom: [04:08–04:51]

This concise newscast touches on significant topics shaping U.S. politics, society, the economy, and culture—providing listeners with a snapshot of the country as the holiday season approaches.