NPR News Now — December 25, 2025, 11PM EST

Host: Dan Ronan, NPR
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of the latest national and international news, including updates on the Jeffrey Epstein files, severe weather impacting California, a nationwide dip in crime rates, a tragedy in Nigeria, and an investigation into a deadly explosion in Pennsylvania.

Main News Stories & Key Points

1. Justice Department Delay in Jeffrey Epstein Files Release

• Summary: The Justice Department has not met Congress's deadline to release all records concerning Jeffrey Epstein, citing a massive influx of new documents.
• Details:
  • Over a million additional documents related to Epstein received from the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI.
  • Lawyers are actively redacting sensitive information for upcoming releases.
  • Initial record batches lack any “explosive revelations”; some records might be duplicates.
  • Lawmakers who advocated for transparency have expressed frustration over the missed December 19 deadline.
• Notable Quote:

  “The Justice Department wrote on social media that lawyers are working around the clock to make required redactions…”
  — Sam Gringlass (00:43)

2. Severe Winter Storm in California

• Summary: A major storm brings heavy rain and flash flood threats to Southern California, while dangerous weather affects the broader region.
• Details:
  • The wettest Christmas in recent years is anticipated for Southern California.
  • Flash flood warnings include Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties.
  • Northern California faces high winds, rain, and potential flooding; Sierra Nevada expects heavy snow.
  • Severe weather could disrupt travel along the West Coast.
• Notable Quote:

  “Forecasters say Southern California could see its wettest Christmas in years, warning drivers to stay off the roads in the coming days.”
  — Joel Rose (01:29)

3. Significant Decline in U.S. Crime Rates

• Summary: New Real Time Crime Index shows marked drops in violent and property crimes nationwide, notably a 20% decrease in murder rates.
• Details:
  • Covers nearly 600 jurisdictions across the country.
  • Reductions span all tracked crime categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, vehicle theft, and burglary.
  • The decline follows a surge in crime during 2020-2021, attributed in part to pandemic-related destabilization.
• Notable Quote:

  “Part of the reason why murders are way down is sort of a like what goes up, must come down situation… And it’s rarely just one thing that causes crime to rise or fall. But the pandemic was a huge destabilizing event…”
  — Meg Anderson (02:36)

4. Suicide Bombing at Nigerian Mosque

• Summary: At least five dead and many injured in a rare suicide bombing in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, during Christmas Eve prayers.
• Details:
  • The first attack of this kind in years in Maiduguri, a city historically targeted by Boko Haram.
  • The city has seen relative peace due to heavy military presence, but surrounding rural areas report increasing militant activity.
  • No group has claimed immediate responsibility, but the attack aligns with past militant tactics.
• Notable Quote:

  “The city has been largely fortified by a heavy military presence, but in recent months, local officials have warned that in rural areas across the region, militants have a growing foothold.”
  — Emmanuel Akimotu (03:38)

5. Deadly Nursing Home Explosion in Pennsylvania

• Summary: Ongoing investigation into a fatal blast at a Bucks County, PA, nursing home; natural gas suspected.
• Details:
  • Two fatalities, including an employee.
  • Around 120 residents have been relocated.
  • Utility crew responded to reports of natural gas odor before the incident.
• Notable Quote:

  “Utility crews had been called to the facility shortly before the blast because of a report of a smell of natural gas.”
  — Dan Ronan (04:10)

6. Stock Market Update

• Summary: On a holiday-shortened session, U.S. stocks ended the day slightly higher.
• Details:
  • Dow gained 0.6 of a point.
  • NASDAQ rose by 0.2%.
  • S&P increased by 0.10 of a point.

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The tone throughout the episode is brisk, factual, and focused on rapid delivery of national and global news.
• The episode provides essential context and direct, unembellished reporting, characteristic of NPR News Now.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Epstein Files Update: 00:11 – 01:13
• California Winter Storm: 01:13 – 02:02
• U.S. Crime Rate Decline: 02:02 – 03:02
• Nigerian Mosque Bombing: 03:02 – 04:06
• Pennsylvania Nursing Home Explosion: 04:06 – 04:38
• Stock Market Brief: 04:38 – 04:52

This tightly packed news update highlights the most urgent events of the day, providing listeners with a succinct but informative briefing on major stories in less than five minutes.