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

Summary of Key News Segments from the 5-Minute Episode

Episode Overview

This hourly NPR News Now episode, hosted by Dale Willman, delivers a concise roundup of top news stories as 2025 draws to a close. Key topics include major winter storms affecting holiday travel, U.S. coal policy shifts under the Trump administration, diverging holiday spending trends, a high-profile corruption sentencing in Malaysia, Hollywood’s Christmas box office surprises, and details on a patriotic Times Square New Year’s celebration.

Major Discussion Points & Segment Highlights

1. Winter Storms Threaten Midwest and Northeast Travel

• [00:17–01:07]

• Dale Willman introduces Rob Lane reporting on approaching snowstorms in the upper Midwest and Northeast, warning of travel hazards.

• Rob Lane (WBUR): “The storms will bring the first major snowfall of the year to some parts of the country.”

• Mark Shieldrop (AAA Northeast):

  • Warns drivers may not have “switched to winter tires and may be out of practice in terms of dealing with longer stopping distances.”
  • Quote [00:46]:

    “They follow too closely, they're going too quickly, and unexpected things happen on the road and you have to make an abrupt stop, and that's when bad things happen.” – Mark Shieldrop

• Additional caution: Even on plowed roads, cold pavement impacts traction.

2. Trump Administration Orders Coal Plants to Remain Open

• [01:07–02:10]

• Dale Willman notes Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s directive to keep two Indiana coal plants running, aligning with a Trump administration push to support coal.

• Julia Simon explains:

  • The administration’s actions are “the latest in a string” meant to protect the coal industry.
  • Context: “2025 was the first year that the US produced more electricity from renewable energy than coal.”
  • Memorable Exchange [01:34–01:39]:
    • President Trump to a child on Christmas Eve:

      “You mean clean, beautiful coal. I had to do that.”
      “No coal is clean and beautiful.” – Unidentified Coal Industry Commentator

• Simon notes: Despite the policies, “energy from coal is now more expensive than energy from large solar and wind projects.”

3. Record Holiday Spending Amid Economic Worries

• [02:10–02:58]
• Dale Willman: U.S. holiday shopping set a new record, apparently at odds with consumer economic anxiety.
• Alina Selyuk analyzes the paradox:
  • The wealthy are responsible for much of the spending.
  • “We’re seeing more people switch to cheaper stores… but we also see luxury brands doing well, like Ralph Lauren.”
  • Illustrative example: Many cars under $40,000 “just sitting,” per Cox Automotive’s Aaron Keating.

4. Financial Markets Snapshot

• [02:58–03:16]
• Wall Street trading was light; all major indices fell less than 0.1%.
• Precious metals: Silver saw an 8% spike driven by supply constraints.

5. International News: Malaysia’s Ex-Prime Minister Sentenced

• [03:16–03:38]
• Najib Razak, former Malaysian Prime Minister, sentenced to 15 years and fined $3.3 billion for corruption and money laundering.
• Razak maintains innocence.

6. Hollywood’s Christmas Box Office Surprise

• [03:38–04:28]
• Bob Mondello highlights the unexpected success of “Marty Supreme,” a ping pong movie starring Timothée Chalamet.
• “Avatar: Fire and Ash” was expected to lead, but “Marty Supreme” drew attention after a viral publicity stunt.
  • Quote [03:56]:

    “It's only a matter of time before I'm staring at you from the cover of a Wheaties box.” – Timothée Chalamet (movie line)

• Viral stunt: Chalamet scaled the Las Vegas Sphere, shouting “Marty Supreme!” as it lit up like an orange ping pong ball.
• “About a million people have already seen Marty Supreme.”

7. Times Square Preps for Patriotic New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

• [04:28–04:56]
• For the nation’s approaching 250th birthday, the Times Square ball will rise post-countdown, glowing red, white, and blue.
• A special July 3rd drop is planned—first non-NYE drop in 120 years.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [00:46] Mark Shieldrop (AAA):
  “They follow too closely, they're going too quickly, and unexpected things happen on the road and you have to make an abrupt stop, and that's when bad things happen.”

• [01:34] President Trump (Christmas Eve call):
  “You mean clean, beautiful coal. I had to do that.”

• [01:39] Unidentified Coal Industry Commentator:
  “No coal is clean and beautiful.”

• [03:56] Timothée Chalamet (movie quote):
  “It's only a matter of time before I'm staring at you from the cover of a Wheaties box.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Winter Storms & Travel: 00:17–01:07
• Coal Industry Protection: 01:07–02:10
• Holiday Spending Divide: 02:10–02:58
• Financial Markets: 02:58–03:16
• Najib Razak Sentencing: 03:16–03:38
• Hollywood Box Office Stunt: 03:38–04:28
• Times Square Patriotic Ball Drop: 04:28–04:56

Tone:
Direct, fact-based, and brisk—delivering news with clarity and efficiency, focused on timely updates.

This summary provides a comprehensive and engaging overview of the episode, capturing all the vital news stories, memorable moments, and notable voices. Ideal for those needing a quick yet thorough catch-up on the hour’s headlines.