NPR News Now – December 25, 2025, 7AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme:
This brief NPR News Now episode provides an early Christmas Day snapshot of global and national headlines: resilient holiday celebrations in Bethlehem post-Gaza conflict, record warmth across the U.S., the Trump administration’s halt on a Virginia wind project, uplifting scenes from an Illinois reindeer ranch, Asian market gains, and a major cyberattack on France’s postal system.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christmas Returns to Bethlehem After Years of War

[00:16 – 01:20]

• Host Windsor Johnston introduces the scene: After two years of subdued Christmases due to the ongoing Gaza war, celebrations return to Bethlehem, bringing life and joy back to the city’s core.
• NPR's Hadil Al Shalgi reports from Bethlehem:
  • After immense hardship, residents cherish the festive atmosphere.
  • Hadil Al Shalgi:
    “People were just like really happy. It's been more than two years of a devastating war in Gaza. And then also since the war started, it's been really restrictive to live as a Palestinian in the west bank, which is where Bethlehem is.” [00:45]
  • Israeli checkpoints and military presence are at an all-time high in cities like Bethlehem.
  • Local voice - Asil Jahja (22 years old):
    She shares that “the festivities were just what Bethlehem needed… people needed to let off some of the pressure they've felt since the war started.” [01:13]

2. Unseasonably Warm Christmas Weather Across the U.S.

[01:20 – 02:08]

• Lauren Sommer (NPR):
  • Reports “record breaking temperatures” for Christmas Day, especially in the Midwest, Northeast, and South.
  • Oklahoma may see temperatures soar into the 80s—about 30 degrees above average.
  • South Carolina temperatures in the 70s prompt a memorable weather service quote:
    “As the weather service forecaster wrote, ‘Twas the day before Christmas. And all through the house. The AC is needed because we live in the South.’” [01:54]
  • Notes climate change: “As the climate gets hotter, winters are the fastest warming season across much of the country.” [02:02]

3. Dominion Energy Sues Over Trump Administration Wind Project Halt

[02:08 – 03:04]

• Michael Copley (NPR):
  • Dominion Energy files a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s stop-work order on their offshore wind project off Virginia's coast.
  • The halt is part of a broader move targeting five wind projects, citing national security worries from a “recent classified report.” [02:31]
  • Dominion counters that extensive reviews have already taken place and that the pause costs $5 million daily.
  • Project expectation: To provide enough energy for around 660,000 homes next year.

4. Uplifting: Reindeer Ranching in Illinois

[03:04 – 04:20]

• Adalynn Moy (Illinois Public Media):
  • Spotlights Hardee’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul, where reindeer are a year-round presence.
  • Mark & Julie Hardy: Have 20 reindeer spanning three generations.
  • Mark Hardy: “Her name's Holly. She has a baby named Jolly, and then Jolly has Dolly.” [03:48]
  • On reindeer life:
    “They're more fun than a cow, I'll—” [03:55]
    Julie Hardy (interjects): “Put it that way.” [03:57]
  • Adaptation details: Fans and shade in summer, “their winter coat is good to 50 below.” [04:07]
  • The ranch sees thousands of visitors during the holidays, but, as Mark notes, “the work continues year round.”

5. France’s Postal System Crippled by Pro-Russian Cyberattack

[04:20 – 04:55]

• French authorities blame a pro-Russian hacking collective for a cyberattack that disabled the national postal service (La Poste) just before Christmas.
• The attack halted package scanning and online payment processing; the group has a record of cyberattacks across Europe.
• French officials accuse Moscow of using “hybrid warfare to sow chaos and undermine support for Ukraine.” [04:44]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Hadil Al Shalgi (on Christmas in Bethlehem):
  “People were just like really happy. It's been more than two years of a devastating war in Gaza.” [00:45]
• South Carolina Weather Service (via Lauren Sommer):
  “’Twas the day before Christmas. And all through the house. The AC is needed because we live in the South.” [01:54]
• Mark Hardy (on generational reindeer):
  “Her name's Holly. She has a baby named Jolly, and then Jolly has Dolly.” [03:48]
• French officials (via Windsor Johnston):
  “[Moscow is] using so-called hybrid warfare to sow chaos and undermine support for Ukraine.” [04:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Christmas in Bethlehem: 00:16 – 01:20
• Record Temperatures Across U.S.: 01:20 – 02:08
• Dominion Wind Project Lawsuit: 02:08 – 03:04
• Reindeer Ranch in Illinois: 03:33 – 04:20
• France Postal Cyberattack: 04:20 – 04:55

Episode Tone

The episode maintains NPR’s hallmark: concise, factual, and warm reporting at holiday time. Even as it details serious news (war, climate, cybersecurity), the inclusion of local joys—Bethlehem’s celebration, a family-run reindeer ranch—brings a hopeful note fitting for Christmas morning.