NPR News Now: December 25, 2025, 2AM EST

Host: Dan Ronan | Duration: ~5 minutes

Overview

This episode provides a concise update on the major news stories in the U.S. and worldwide as of December 25, 2025. The episode covers emergencies in Southern California due to torrential rain, a violent traffic stop involving ICE agents in Baltimore, a tragic migrant boat capsizing in the Mediterranean, FEMA aid denial in Arizona, a historic Powerball win, warning signs in AI data center spending, and the cancellation of a long-running jazz festival over a White House name change.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Southern California Emergency Due to Severe Storms

• [00:13-01:15]
  • Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency after major storms caused floods, mudslides, and widespread disruption.
  • Follows a similar declaration by California's Governor, Gavin Newsom.
  • Steve Futterman, NPR: "The declaration comes after a day of floods, fallen trees, mudslides, traffic jams and power outages." (00:30)
  • Storms are forecasted to continue, with new powerful systems arriving.
  • Ariel Cohn, National Weather Service: "We're going to see the flood waters be reinforced. Landslides, rock slides and mudslides all being reinforced across the area." (00:56)
  • Over 10 inches of rain reported in mountain regions on Wednesday.
  • The situation is expected to persist into Friday.

2. Baltimore ICE Incident

• [01:15-01:54]
  • ICE agents shot a man in suburban Baltimore during a traffic stop that turned violent.
  • Authorities state the vehicle’s driver attempted to run over a person, prompting agents to fire.
  • Justin Mulcahy, Anne Arundel County Police: "There was an individual in that vehicle that was struck by gunfire. That individual was transported to an area hospital with what is being described...in stable condition." (01:38)
  • Another person outside the vehicle sustained minor injuries.
  • The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the driver was in the U.S. illegally.

3. Mediterranean Migrant Boat Disaster

• [01:54-03:02]
  • Over 100 people are feared dead after a smuggler’s boat carrying migrants capsized in the Mediterranean.
  • Ruth Sherlock, NPR: "The nonprofit search and rescue group Sea Watch posts on X that a crowded wooden boat has disappeared into the Mediterranean Sea." (02:13)
  • Alarm Phone reported 117 people were on board; a Tunisian fisherman later found one survivor.
  • Since 2014, over 33,220 migrants are reported missing, presumed dead, on this route.
  • Ruth Sherlock: "It's the latest tragedy on this dangerous route that people pay smugglers to take in the hope of finding a better life in Europe." (02:42)

4. FEMA Aid Denied in Arizona Flooding

• [03:02-03:24]
  • Governor Katie Hobbs of Arizona to appeal FEMA's denial of emergency aid after September floods caused around $30 million in damages.

5. Historic Powerball Win in Arkansas

• [03:24-03:43]
  • A single Powerball lottery ticket purchased in Arkansas won the $1.8 billion prize, the second largest jackpot in U.S. history.
  • The winner can choose between a decades-long annuity or a lump sum cash payout.
  • Winning numbers: 4, 25, 31, 52, 59; Powerball: 19.

6. AI Data Center Construction and Economic Risks

• [03:43-04:42]
  • New federal data suggests AI data center building is on pace to surpass commercial office construction.
  • Bobby Allen, NPR: "It has many financial analysts worried...if not for AI data center spending, the US would be close to a recession." (04:02)
  • Major tech companies (Meta, Google, Oracle) are driving a trillion-dollar spending spree.
  • Concerns about concealed debt: "More than $100 billion worth of data center deals are being done through special purpose, which keeps the spending off tech companies' balance sheets. The same mechanism was used in the lead up to the dot com bubble." (04:23)

7. Kennedy Center Jazz Festival Canceled in Protest

• [04:42-04:57]
  • The longtime host of the Kennedy Center's Christmas Jazz Festival canceled the event to protest the White House’s recent name change of the facility.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Steve Futterman, on California storms:
  "The declaration comes after a day of floods, fallen trees, mudslides, traffic jams and power outages." (00:30)

• Ariel Cohn, National Weather Service:
  "We're going to see the flood waters be reinforced. Landslides, rock slides and mudslides all being reinforced across the area." (00:56)

• Justin Mulcahy, Police Spokesman (Baltimore incident):
  "There was an individual in that vehicle that was struck by gunfire...in stable condition. There was another individual outside of that vehicle that sustained minor injuries..." (01:38)

• Ruth Sherlock, on migrant tragedy:
  "Alarm Phone says they were informed that a Tunisian fisherman had found a single survivor. It's the latest tragedy on this dangerous route that people pay smugglers to take..." (02:42)

• Bobby Allen, on AI data center bubble:
  "If not for AI data center spending, the US would be close to a recession." (04:08)
  "...more than $100 billion worth of data center deals are being done through special purpose, which keeps the spending off tech companies' balance sheets." (04:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• California State of Emergency: 00:13–01:15
• Baltimore ICE Shooting: 01:15–01:54
• Mediterranean Migrant Disaster: 01:54–03:02
• Arizona FEMA Aid Appeal: 03:02–03:24
• Arkansas Powerball Win: 03:24–03:43
• AI Data Center Spending Risks: 03:43–04:42
• Kennedy Center Protest: 04:42–04:57

This episode captures a snapshot of critical national and international developments with an urgent, fact-focused tone characteristic of NPR News' Five-Minute Briefing.