NPR News Now: December 25, 2025, 12AM EST

Host: Dan Ronan
Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode Theme: A concise update of major national and international stories, including California’s state of emergency, immigration court trends, holiday updates from the President, ICE-related incidents, and the Pope’s Christmas message.

Main Theme

The episode delivers a rapid-fire rundown of current headlines as of midnight on Christmas 2025. It covers severe weather in California, significant developments in immigration enforcement and legal proceedings, notable holiday activities by President Trump and the Pope, and other key news highlights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of Emergency in Southern California

• [00:17]

  • Six counties in Southern California are under a state of emergency due to relentless rains and high winds.
  • The emergency will unlock additional resources for first responders facing widespread flooding, exacerbated by atmospheric rivers.
  • Local residents, such as Michael Burdick from Altadena, are actively preparing for flood risks.

  Michael Burdick [00:42]:
  "We got some sandbags, but we figured with this whole downpour coming for the next couple days... our house is like a little bit lower, so it's at a slope so the water can come in... trying to keep my family, you know, like, dry."

  • Major freeways, including Interstate 5 and the Ventura Freeway, are rendered impassable by high water.

2. Immigration Court No-Shows and Deportations

• [01:12]

  • NPR analysis reveals a rise in people being ordered deported after failing to appear in immigration court.
  • [01:34] NPR’s Ximena Bustillo attributes this trend to both logistical errors (misdirected or delayed mail, possible address issues, the person may have already left the country) and fear of arrest.
  • Despite these challenges, advocates maintain that most immigrants do attend their court hearings in hopes of arguing their case.

  Ximena Bustillo [01:34]:
  "If someone is told to go to immigration court, they have to show up. Otherwise, the government may have the right to order them removed... advocates say most immigrants are showing up to court and hope to get their chance to argue why they should stay."

3. President Trump Tracks Santa, Answers Children’s Calls

• [02:11]

  • President Trump participates in the NORAD Santa-tracking tradition, taking calls from children about Santa’s whereabouts from Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

  • First lady Melania Trump joins, speaking directly with kids from their home.

  • Trump humorously assures children:

    President Donald Trump [02:32]:
    "We track Santa all over the world. We want to make sure that Santa is being good. Santa is a very good person. We want to make sure that he's not infiltrated, that we're not infiltrating into our country a bad Santa."

  • Trump attempts to mention economic achievements but notes the children are uninterested, focusing their excitement on Santa.

  • The President also makes calls to service members as part of his holiday outreach.

4. Kennedy Center Renamed After Trump Sparks Backlash

• [02:57]
  • The recent decision to rename the Kennedy Center with President Trump's name is causing controversy.
  • On Wednesday, a long-standing host canceled the annual Christmas Eve jazz concert in protest against the change.

5. ICE-Involved Shooting in Baltimore Suburbs

• [02:57]
  • ICE agents shot a man after a traffic stop turned violent; another person received minor injuries.
  • ICE claims the driver attempted to run over officers before shots were fired.
  • The Department of Homeland Security says the driver was in the country illegally.

6. Pope Leo’s Christmas Eve Mass—Focus on Immigrants and Peace

• [03:48]

  • Pope Leo delivers his first Christmas Eve mass as pope in St. Peter’s Basilica.

  • The Pope strongly emphasizes compassion towards immigrants and the marginalized.

    Pope Leo, quoted by Ruth Sherlock [03:48]:
    "There is, quote, no room for God if there’s no room for the human person. To refuse one is to refuse the other..."

  • Pope Leo reiterates his criticism of harsh immigration policies, referencing President Trump directly.

  • He echoes Pope Francis by underscoring hope at Christmas and makes a plea for global ceasefires.

7. Powerball Jackpot Remains Unclaimed

• [04:34]
  • The $1.7 billion Powerball jackpot numbers are drawn, but no winner has been announced yet.
  • Odds of winning remain slim: 1 in 292 million.
  • If no one claims the prize, the jackpot will continue to grow for the next draw.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Michael Burdick [00:42] (CA flooding):
  "Trying to keep my family, you know, like, dry."

• President Trump [02:32] (Santa tracking):
  "We want to make sure that Santa is being good. Santa is a very good person. We want to make sure that he's not infiltrated, that we're not infiltrating into our country a bad Santa."

• Pope Leo, via Ruth Sherlock [03:48] (Christmas Eve Mass):
  "No room for God if there’s no room for the human person. To refuse one is to refuse the other..."

Timeline & Important Segments

• [00:17] — State of emergency and flooding in Southern California
• [01:12] — Immigration court no-shows and consequences
• [02:11] — President Trump’s Santa-tracking calls
• [02:57] — Kennedy Center renaming protest, ICE shooting in Baltimore
• [03:48] — Pope Leo’s Christmas address: immigrant rights and call for global peace
• [04:34] — Powerball lottery update

Tone

The episode’s tone is brisk, factual, and direct, consistent with NPR’s informative news delivery style, with occasional moments of levity (notably in President Trump’s exchange about Santa) and gravity (Pope Leo’s call for peace and compassion).