NPR News Now – December 24, 2025, 9AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: Hourly update on critical national and international news, focusing on Ukraine peace negotiations, U.S. Supreme Court actions, legal disputes involving President Trump, veterans’ housing, and proposed changes to the childhood vaccination schedule.

Episode Overview

This edition delivers the essential news of the hour, dedicating segments to evolving international diplomacy, significant rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court, legal controversy surrounding the renaming of the Kennedy Center, a major court decision on veterans' housing in Los Angeles, and a contentious proposal to realign U.S. childhood vaccination practices with those of Denmark.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Ukraine Peace Negotiations

[00:11–01:22]

• Context: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reveals new details of peace talks and possible diplomatic concessions.
• Key Points:
  • Zelensky is open to withdrawing Ukrainian troops from parts of eastern Ukraine under certain conditions.
  • U.S. negotiators are advocating for demilitarization of the Donbass, proposing it become a "free economic zone".
  • Zelensky's conditional agreement hinges on reciprocal Russian troop withdrawal.
  • The proposed plan includes NATO-style security guarantees and international peacekeeping forces on the front line.
  • Control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains a sticking point.
• Notable Quote:
  "Ukraine was against withdrawing troops from the eastern Ukrainian area known as Donbass, but that US negotiators are pushing for demilitarization so it can become a free economic zone."
  — Joanna Kakissis, [00:39]
• Memorable Moment:
  The ongoing uncertainty regarding control of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant highlights the complexity of negotiations.

2. Supreme Court Ruling on National Guard Deployment in Chicago

[01:22–02:07]

• Context: The U.S. Supreme Court issues an interim ruling barring National Guard deployment in Chicago.
• Key Points:
  • Court rules 6-3 against President Trump, holding National Guard troops must stay out for now.
  • Decision is notable for crossing ideological lines in a conservative-majority court.
  • The court questioned the legal grounds for using military force, referencing the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits domestic military action.
• Notable Quote:
  "The court ruled 6 to 3 against Trump, which is rare...The president failed to explain why the situation in Chicago warranted an exception to what's called the Posse Comitatus Act."
  — Cat Lansdorf, [01:42]

3. Lawsuit Over Renaming the Kennedy Center

[02:07–03:05]

• Context: Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty sues President Trump for adding his name to the Kennedy Center.
• Key Points:
  • Beatty’s lawsuit asserts that Congress must approve renaming via legislation established in 1964.
  • Trump appointees to the Kennedy Center board are also named as defendants.
  • New signage with "Trump" surfaced on the center’s website and façade.
  • The Kennedy Center’s spokesperson, Roma Dharavi, accused critics of ignoring the center’s decline.
• Notable Quote:
  "The law is very clear. The Kennedy Center is to be named after John F. Kennedy and only John F. Kennedy."
  — Norm Eisen, Beatty’s counsel, [02:35]
• Memorable Moment:
  The public response and institutional defense of recent changes fuel new controversy over the center’s identity.

4. Veterans’ Housing Ruling in Los Angeles

[03:05–04:09]

• Context: A federal ruling mandates construction of additional housing for veterans in West LA.
• Key Points:
  • The Ninth Circuit Court orders the Department of Veterans Affairs to build over 2,500 housing units.
  • Veterans argued discrimination due to limited housing access on VA property.
  • UCLA’s lease of parts of the VA grounds for a baseball stadium was reinstated.
  • The decision is viewed as a potential turning point in combating homelessness among LA veterans, possibly influencing nationwide policy.

5. U.S. Plan to Change Childhood Vaccination Schedule

[04:09–04:51]

• Context: The Trump administration proposes aligning U.S. vaccination schedules with those of certain European countries, notably Denmark.
• Key Points:
  • Denmark vaccinates against 10 diseases; the U.S. targets 16.
  • Experts, such as Dr. Sean O’Leary, argue the two health systems and populations are fundamentally different in scale and resources.
  • Socioeconomic factors: Denmark’s universal healthcare, paid parental leave, and low barriers to care contrast with U.S. challenges in access and parental support.
• Notable Quote:
  "It's like comparing a cruise ship to a kayak. I mean, for example, Denmark is the size of roughly Wisconsin."
  — Dr. Sean O’Leary, [04:21]
• Memorable Moment:
  The stark comparison between Danish and U.S. healthcare coverage highlights the complexity of public health policymaking.

Selected Quotes by Timestamp

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:39 | Joanna Kakissis | "Ukraine was against withdrawing troops from the eastern Ukrainian area known as Donbass..." | | 01:42 | Cat Lansdorf | "The court ruled 6 to 3 against Trump, which is rare...The president failed to explain why..."| | 02:35 | Norm Eisen | "The law is very clear. The Kennedy Center is to be named after John F. Kennedy and only..." | | 04:21 | Dr. Sean O’Leary | "It's like comparing a cruise ship to a kayak. I mean, for example, Denmark is the size..." |

Episode Flow & Tone

The episode delivers rapid-fire, plainspoken reporting with a focus on accuracy and brevity. Each segment features expert insights or direct statements from involved parties, lending credibility and immediacy to the coverage. The transitions between domestic and international stories reflect NPR’s balanced editorial approach, while the selected quotes encapsulate both the factual content and the emotional stakes of the moment.