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

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: December 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This brisk five-minute NPR News Now bulletin, hosted by Jeanine Herbst, delivers key headlines from national security and severe weather, to politics, medical innovation, and food safety. Each segment offers listener essential updates, expertly summarized by NPR’s correspondents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strike on ISIS in Nigeria

[00:17 - 01:23]

• President Trump announced a U.S. strike against ISIS fighters in northwest Nigeria via social media.
• Scott Newman reports:
  • Trump characterized the mission as a response to ISIS's "targeting and viciously killing of Christians" in the region.
  • The Pentagon confirmed the operation in Sokoto State, stating it was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities.
  • Trump has recently been vocal about Nigeria’s inability to curb Christian persecution and hinted last month at possible military action.
  • Nigeria, with its Christian-Muslim population balance, often cites local militancy as being less about religion than geography, according to the government.
• Notable quote:
  • “In his post, Trump wished a, quote, merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists.” — Scott Newman [01:14]

2. Winter Storm Warning for New York City & Tri-State

[01:23 - 02:04]

• Bruce Konviser reports:
  • A winter storm will hit the New York City area, stretching across northeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Long Island, and into eastern Connecticut.
  • Forecasted: up to 8 inches of snow from Friday afternoon through midday Saturday.
  • This marks the second major snowfall in two weeks; New Jersey saw up to 6 inches earlier this month.

3. Congressional Gerrymandering Legal Battles

[02:04 - 02:57]

• Hansi Lo Wang reports:
  • Legal disputes over redrawn congressional maps continue in several states.
  • California: Federal judges are nearing a decision over a Democratic-friendly map, countering Texas’s recent Republican-favored redistricting.
  • New York: A Democratic law firm is suing to force a new map; a state judge’s ruling is pending.
  • Missouri: Lawsuits and a referendum threaten a GOP-friendly map.
  • Louisiana: Supreme Court’s anticipated decision may weaken the Voting Rights Act’s protections against racial gerrymandering.
• Notable insight:
  • “Many legal experts are expecting the court's decision to weaken the Voting Rights Act's protections against racial discrimination and redistricting.” — Hansi Lo Wang [02:48]

4. Powerball Lottery Jackpot Winner in Arkansas

[02:57 - 03:33]

• A single ticket for the $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot was sold in Arkansas, marking the second-largest Powerball prize ever.
• It’s also the second time Arkansas has sold a jackpot-winning ticket.

5. AI in Cancer Treatment: Throat Cancer Advances

[03:33 - 04:12]

• Yuki Noguchi reports:
  • AI tools at Mass. General Brigham and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, identify throat cancer’s spread via imaging scans more accurately.
  • Enables aggressive treatments only when necessary; spares low-risk patients from intensive interventions.
  • Historically, assessment required surgical lymph node removal.
  • Research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
• Notable quote:
  • “Technologies like this are improving survival and quality of life after a diagnosis.” — Yuki Noguchi [04:08]

6. FDA Recalls Radioactively Exposed Shrimp

[04:12 - 04:56]

• The FDA recalls over 83,000 bags of Indonesian-origin frozen raw shrimp for possible exposure to radioactive cesium 137.
• Affected brands: Market 32 & Waterfront Bistro, sold in Oregon, Utah, New York, Massachusetts.
• Crucially: No U.S. samples tested positive; no illnesses reported.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Trump’s blunt Christmas message after military strike:
  “Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists.” — Scott Newman quoting Trump [01:14]

• Legal stakes of Supreme Court action:
  “Many legal experts are expecting the court's decision to weaken the Voting Rights Act's protections against racial discrimination and redistricting.” — Hansi Lo Wang [02:48]

• Promise of AI in oncology:
  “Technologies like this are improving survival and quality of life after a diagnosis.” — Yuki Noguchi [04:08]

Important Segment Timestamps

• U.S. strike on ISIS in Nigeria: 00:17–01:23
• NYC Winter Storm Warning: 01:23–02:04
• Gerrymandering Legal Fights: 02:04–02:57
• Powerball Jackpot Winner: 02:57–03:33
• AI for Throat Cancer Treatment: 03:33–04:12
• FDA Shrimp Recall: 04:12–04:56

This episode delivers concise, essential updates on pressing national and international issues, maintaining NPR’s sober and factual tone throughout.