NPR News Now – December 26, 2025, 11AM EST

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode, hosted by Windsor Johnston, delivers timely headlines and key updates on significant national and global events. Highlights include U.S. military action in Nigeria, upcoming challenges for House Republicans, a legal dispute between pediatricians and HHS, severe weather in California, new findings on air pollution during pregnancy, and an update on the record Powerball lottery win.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strikes ISIS in Nigeria

[00:14 - 01:18]

• Main Event: President Trump announced overnight U.S. military strikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria.
• Context: This follows Trump's public threats for stronger action if Nigeria did not protect its Christian community.
• Reactions:
  • Nigeria’s government publicly supports the operation, but controversy persists about whether they offered only consultation or explicit consent.
  • U.S. officials claim Christians are being targeted in Nigeria—though experts note Muslim civilians are victims as well.
• Quote:

  "The strikes occurred overnight on Friday morning local time in northwest Nigeria... but officials have given few details."
  — Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News Lagos, [00:36]

2. Legislative Agenda Facing House Republicans

[01:18 - 01:55]

• Outlook: With the midterms on the horizon, House Republicans confront a heavy legislative agenda.
• Key Concerns:
  • Maintaining their majority remains uncertain.
  • They face a looming government shutdown threat in January.
  • Voter pressure mounts to address the affordability crisis and health insurance premium spikes following failed subsidy extensions for Obamacare plans.
• Quote:

  "Still not clear they're going to keep their majority. They face the prospect of another government shutdown threat in January... and there's also those spiking premiums for health insurance after Congress failed to extend subsidies for Obamacare plans."
  — Claudia Grisales, NPR, [01:33]

3. Pediatricians Sue HHS Over Canceled Grants

[01:55 - 03:04]

• Issue: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is suing the Department of Health and Human Services for abruptly revoking $12 million in grants.
• Allegation: AAP claims the grants were canceled in retaliation for criticizing new vaccine policies under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.—a figure known for anti-vaccine views.
• Impact: The revoked grants funded essential programs (e.g., sudden infant death prevention, rural health, birth defect detection). Without court intervention, these will end imminently.
• Quote:

  "AAP says the Department of Health and Human Services retaliated against their organization because of that public criticism. The millions in canceled grants supported work on sudden infant death prevention, rural health, early detection of birth defects and more."
  — Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR, [02:17]

4. California Storms and Severe Weather Warnings

[03:04 - 03:48]

• Status: After days of intense rain, wind, and snow, severe storms are easing but ongoing danger persists, especially coastal flooding in Los Angeles.
• Casualties: At least two deaths attributed to "atmospheric river" driven storms.
• Stock Update: Wall Street mixed midday; Dow down, NASDAQ up.

5. Study: Air Pollution and Low Birth Weight Risk

[03:48 - 04:31]

• Research: New findings published in JAMA Network Open reveal that air pollution, especially in the first five weeks of pregnancy, raises risks of low birth weight.
• Details: The study analyzed over 16,000 mother-newborn pairs nationwide.
• Extra Insight: Male infants are slightly more vulnerable to these pollution effects.
• Quote:

  "Researchers report that higher air pollution was associated with lower birth weight. Exposure during early pregnancy, especially the first five weeks had an even greater impact."
  — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, [03:48]

6. Powerball Jackpot Update

[04:31 - 04:53]

• Jackpot: The $1.8 billion Powerball winning ticket sold at a Little Rock, Arkansas gas station remains unclaimed—winners must wait until after the holiday.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Emmanuel Akimotu (on U.S. strikes in Nigeria):

  "Trump said more strikes would follow. Nigeria's government has come out in support of the operation, but has faced criticism and questions on whether Nigeria gave consent or was simply consulted." [00:36]

• Claudia Grisales (on the House GOP's prospects):

  "They face the prospect of another government shutdown threat in January. And that's in addition to calls for Washington to address an affordability crisis..." [01:33]

• Selena Simmons Duffin (on the grants lawsuit):

  "The lawsuit was filed in federal district court in Washington, D.C. and says that without court intervention, these programs will end within weeks." [02:17]

• Jonathan Lambert (on pollution and birth weight):

  "Male newborns were slightly more susceptible to the effects of pollution than female newborns." [03:48]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• U.S. Strikes in Nigeria: [00:14 - 01:18]
• House Republican Agenda: [01:18 - 01:55]
• Pediatricians’ Lawsuit: [01:55 - 03:04]
• California Storms Update: [03:04 - 03:48]
• Air Pollution and Birth Weight Study: [03:48 - 04:31]
• Powerball Jackpot Update: [04:31 - 04:53]

This episode delivers a concise overview of urgent news topics, balanced with both domestic and international focus, capturing the key stories and emerging issues shaping conversations at the close of 2025.