NPR News Now – 12-23-2025 7PM EST

Host: Giles Snyder, NPR
Air Date: December 24, 2025
Episode Theme: Hourly top stories—including Supreme Court rulings, U.S. economic trends, Israel-Gaza developments, Kennedy Center controversy, and retail sales data.

Supreme Court Blocks Trump’s National Guard Deployment

[00:17]

• Summary: The Supreme Court delivered a setback to President Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard troops in Democratic-led cities.
  • Details: In a 6-3 opinion, the court allowed to stand, for now, a lower court's block on the Guard deployment to Chicago.
• Quote:
  • “The U.S. supreme Court has dealt a setback to President Trump's use of National Guard troops in largely Democratic led Cities.” — Giles Snyder [00:17]

Trump Administration Pauses Wind Power Projects

[00:51] – Brian Mann Reporting

• Overview: President Trump halted five major offshore wind projects, citing national security; challenged by Atlantic Coast governors.
  • Projects to undergo new Defense Dept. review despite previous military approval
  • Governors (CT, MA, NY, RI) call the move “baseless and reckless,” argue it will impact jobs and raise electricity costs.
• Legal context: Trump’s executive action on wind power has faced repeated court defeats, with a federal judge recently calling such orders “unlawful, arbitrary, and capricious.”
• Quote:
  • "Trump has opposed wind power for years, and his administration now says five big projects along the Atlantic coast need further review from the Defense Department." — Brian Mann [00:51]
  • “…governors from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island called this pause baseless and reckless. They said further delays…will cost jobs and drive up electricity costs for consumers.” — Brian Mann [01:05]

U.S. Economic Growth in Q3; Ongoing Inequality

[01:34]

• Highlights:
  • U.S. Commerce Department reports Q3 economic growth at 4.3% (annual rate), driven by consumer spending & export rebound.
  • Expert analysis: Ted Rossman (Bankrate) warns on persistent high prices, tariffs, and growing inequality.
    • Quote: “We have a very unequal economy. We have the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer. Consumer sentiment is in the dumps.” — Ted Rossman [01:46]
  • Wall Street closes higher; S&P 500 hits new record at 6,909.

Israeli Minister’s Gaza Settlements Comments

[02:13] – Aya Petrawi Reporting

• Story: Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, first suggested reestablishing Jewish settlements in northern Gaza, contradicting U.S.-brokered ceasefire policy, before quickly retracting.
  • Details:
    • Pledged to establish Israeli communities in northern Gaza, later clarified as “security context” only.
    • Remarks welcomed by far-right settler groups; generated Israeli headlines.
• Quote:
  • "God willing, in due time, Israel will establish Israeli communities in areas of northern Gaza where Jewish settlements were dismantled 20 years ago … we will not leave all of Gaza." — Israel Katz (via Aya Petrawi) [02:41]

Ohio Democrat Sues Over ‘Trump Kennedy Center’ Renaming

[03:15] – Chloe Veltman Reporting

• Lawsuit: Rep. Joyce Beatty sues President Trump and Kennedy Center board appointees over renaming DC’s Kennedy Center after Trump.
  • Argument: Congressional legislation (1964) reserves the name for JFK exclusively.
  • Beatty’s lawyer: “The law is very clear. The Kennedy Center is to be named after John F. Kennedy and only John F. Kennedy.” — Norm Eisen [03:47]
  • Kennedy Center response: Attributed the rename to Trump’s fundraising for repairs, accused critics of neglect.
  • Quote:
    • "New signage bearing Trump's name appeared on the center's website and facade late last week." — Chloe Veltman [03:58]
    • “…justified the change of name by pointing to the millions of dollars she says Trump has raised to repair the building.” [04:13]

Holiday Retail and Gas Price Updates

[04:23]

• Retail:
  • Mixed signals:
    • MasterCard: holiday sales up 3.9% (since Nov 1)
    • Visa: up 4.2%—both figures are below last year.
    • Adjusted for inflation, gains are more modest.
• Gas Prices:
  • AAA: National average for unleaded gas has remained below $3/gallon since early December.

Notable Quotes & Key Moments

• “We have the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer. Consumer sentiment is in the dumps.” — Ted Rossman, Bankrate [01:46]
• “We will not leave all of Gaza.” — Israel Katz (via Aya Petrawi) [02:41]
• “The law is very clear. The Kennedy Center is to be named after John F. Kennedy and only John F. Kennedy.” — Norm Eisen, Rep. Beatty’s counsel [03:47]
• “Governors...called this pause baseless and reckless. They said further delays...will cost jobs and drive up electricity costs for consumers.” — Brian Mann [01:05]

Additional Notes

• Episode focused rapidly shifting political, legal, and economic news in a factual, authoritative tone typical of NPR.
• Excluded: Sponsorships, promos, and non-content segments.