NPR News Now – December 25, 2025, 9AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: Fast-paced updates on top news stories in the US and globally on Christmas morning, covering major legal, weather, business, cultural, and entertainment developments.

1. Justice Department Delay in Jeffrey Epstein Records

[00:20 – 01:22]

• Main points:

  • The Justice Department announced it may take additional weeks to fully release records related to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
  • The department has already made hundreds of thousands of records public after Congress set a deadline for December 19.
  • Recently, the DOJ received a million more documents from the Southern District of New York and the FBI.
  • Attorneys are processing documents, making redactions, and working overtime to release them as soon as possible.
  • So far, no “explosive revelations” have emerged; many remaining files could be duplicates of what’s already public.

• Key quote:

  • “The Justice Department wrote on social media that lawyers are working around the clock to make required redactions and will release the documents as soon as possible.” — Sam Gringlass [00:58]

2. Powerful Winter Storm Hits Southern California

[01:22 – 01:53]

• Main points:

  • A “powerful winter storm” unleashes flash floods, mudslides, and debris flows across Southern California.
  • Flash flood warnings affect Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles.
  • Residents prepare for impacts:
    • Michael Burdick: Talks about using sandbags to protect his property and concerns over his pool overflowing and debris from higher ground.
  • Northern and Central California also face flooded roads, power outages, and downed trees as the storm collides with mountain snow.

• Key quote:

  • “We got some sandbags, but we figured with this whole downpour coming for the next couple days, we have a pool so the pool might overflow and then plus we have all the debris from up there.” — Michael Burdick [01:44]

3. Wall Street’s “Santa Claus Rally” and Market Trends

[01:53 – 03:03]

• Main points:

  • During the holidays, Wall Street traders watch for the “Santa Claus rally”—an historical tendency for stocks to rise in the last five trading days of the year and the first two of the new year.
  • This year has started strong; S&P closed at a record high on Wednesday.
  • However, the rally is not guaranteed—last year ended in a sell-off.
  • Trading paused for Christmas, resumes Friday.
  • Asian stocks closed higher, including China, Japan, and Hong Kong.

• Key quote:

  • “For reasons that have never been really clear, stocks have tended to do well in five trading days of the year, as well as the first two sessions of the new year. And so far, it’s been a promising start.” — Rafael Nam [02:28]

4. Tamalada: Tamale-Making Brings Latino Families Together

[03:39 – 04:23]

• Main points:

  • In many Latino families, Christmas means tamaladas—festive, communal tamale-making parties.
  • The process is intensive and collaborative, involving multiple generations and emphasizing tradition and storytelling.
  • Anna Fossum of San Antonio highlights the event’s deeper value as a time for making “new memories.”

• Key quote:

  • “That’s what the tamalada means to me. Yes, we’re making tamales, but we’re also making new memories.” — Anna Fossum [04:02]
  • “If it’s your first time at a tamalada during the holidays, get ready to be put to work.” — Joey Palacios [03:41]

5. “Home Alone” Leads Holiday Viewing

[04:23 – 04:58]

• Main points:
  • The 1990 holiday classic Home Alone, starring Macaulay Culkin, was the most-watched holiday movie this December on both streaming and traditional TV.
  • The movie frequently tops holiday viewing lists, taking the top spot three of the past four Decembers.
  • Other seasonal staples include A Christmas Story and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• “[Lawyers] are working around the clock to make required redactions and will release the documents as soon as possible.” — Sam Gringlass [00:58]
• “We got some sandbags... The pool might overflow and then plus we have all the debris from up there.” — Michael Burdick [01:44]
• “Stocks have tended to do well in five trading days of the year, as well as the first two sessions of the new year.” — Rafael Nam [02:28]
• “If it’s your first time at a tamalada... get ready to be put to work.” — Joey Palacios [03:41]
• “Yes, we’re making tamales, but we’re also making new memories.” — Anna Fossum [04:02]

Key Segments with Timestamps

• Epstein files release delay: [00:20 – 01:22]
• California storm coverage: [01:22 – 01:53]
• Santa Claus Rally/Market wrap: [01:53 – 03:03]
• Tamalada tradition: [03:39 – 04:23]
• Holiday movie rankings: [04:23 – 04:58]

Overall:
This episode balances hard news—like the DOJ’s handling of Epstein records and California storm—with lighter observations of seasonal culture, from Wall Street’s holiday hopes to the joy and labor of tamaladas and classic Christmas movies. It’s a quick snapshot of America’s Christmas morning: bracing for storms, adapting to the news cycle, leaning into family and tradition, and revisiting beloved films.