NPR News: 12-26-2025 2PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – December 26, 2025, 2PM EST

Host: Doualisai Kowtow
Duration: 5 minutes
Location: New York City

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Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise update on major domestic and international news. Key topics include U.S. economic growth, political retirements ahead of the 2026 midterms, National Guard deployments in New Orleans, nationwide gasoline prices, the latest Wall Street trends, U.S. military operations in Nigeria, and historic municipal elections in Somalia.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Economic Outlook and Political Implications

• [00:15–00:48]
  • Republican strategist Alex Conant praises the White House and Federal Reserve's handling of the economy.
  • High Q3 GDP growth reported, creating optimism for 2026.
  • Conant links strong economic performance to potential Republican success in the 2026 midterms.
  • Possible government shutdown in January could cause more Congressional retirements: "a record 11 senators and 44 House Congress are either retiring or not running for re-election." (Doualisai Kowtow, 00:48)

“If the economy is strong and people start perceiving that it is strong, Republicans should be fine in the midterm.”
— Alex Conant, 00:43

2. Congressional Retirements

• [00:48–01:03]
  • Retirements at a historic high, tracked by NPR’s Congressional Retirement Tracker.
  • Potential shutdown in January may lead to more departures by both parties.

3. National Guard Deployment in New Orleans

• [01:03–02:03]
  • Report by Mel Bridges, WWNO
  • 350 National Guard troops to be deployed for enhanced security during major events (New Year's Eve, Sugar Bowl, Mardi Gras).
  • Deployment comes after city officials’ request, following terror attacks and a thwarted plot.
  • This deployment is distinct from separate federal actions on immigration in southeastern Louisiana.

“A spokesperson for the Louisiana National Guard confirmed deployment should start around the 30th. This comes after New Orleans safety officials requested more federal presence...citing the terror attacks on New Year's Day and an alleged terrorist plot that authorities say was recently thwarted.”
— Mel Bridges, 01:38

4. U.S. Gasoline Prices and Holiday Travel

• [02:03–02:58]
  • Report by Camila Domonoski
  • Gasoline prices have fallen $0.19 compared to last year, remaining stable despite holiday travel surges.
  • OPEC increasing supply attributed to price stabilization.
  • 110 million Americans expected to travel by car, saving nearly $400 million weekly in fuel.
  • Public electric vehicle charging holds steady at $0.38/kWh.

“Instead of rising in the summer, the national average was basically a straight line. Partly that's because oil prices have been low, thanks largely to the oil cartel OPEC pushing more barrels onto the market.”
— Camila Domonoski, 02:27

5. Wall Street Update

• [02:58–03:07]
  • Markets slightly down after Christmas: S&P and Nasdaq -0.1%, Dow -0.2%.

6. U.S. Military Strikes in Nigeria & Political Messaging

• [03:07–04:05]
  • Nigerian government clarifies recent U.S. airstrikes were not religiously motivated, contrasting statements made by former President Trump.
  • U.S. military confirms strikes against Islamic State in northwestern Nigeria, an area plagued by extremism and kidnappings.

“Trump said merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorist, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
— Doualisai Kowtow quoting Trump, 03:36

7. Historic Elections in Somalia

• [04:05–04:48]
  • Report by Micah Koloki, Nairobi
  • African Union celebrates Somalia’s first direct municipal elections since 1969.
  • Over 1,000 candidates vied for council seats; high voter turnout observed.
  • Elections seen as a critical precursor to national general elections but critics note risks of militant attacks.

“Direct elections have not been held in Somalia since 1969... Long queues of voters were witnessed during yesterday's polls...”
— Micah Koloki, 04:19

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• US Economy and GOP Prospects: 00:15–00:48
• Retirement Tracker & Political Climate: 00:48–01:03
• National Guard in New Orleans: 01:03–02:03
• Gasoline Prices & Holiday Travel: 02:03–02:58
• Wall Street Recap: 02:58–03:07
• US Strikes in Nigeria, International Reaction: 03:07–04:05
• Historic Somali Elections: 04:05–04:48

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Memorable Quotes

• “If the economy is strong and people start perceiving that it is strong, Republicans should be fine in the midterm.”
  — Alex Conant, 00:43

• “A spokesperson for the Louisiana National Guard confirmed deployment should start around the 30th. This comes after New Orleans safety officials requested more federal presence...citing the terror attacks on New Year's Day and an alleged terrorist plot that authorities say was recently thwarted.”
  — Mel Bridges, 01:38

• “Instead of rising in the summer, the national average was basically a straight line. Partly that's because oil prices have been low, thanks largely to the oil cartel OPEC pushing more barrels onto the market.”
  — Camila Domonoski, 02:27

• “Trump said merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorist, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
  — Doualisai Kowtow quoting Trump, 03:36

• “Direct elections have not been held in Somalia since 1969... Long queues of voters were witnessed during yesterday's polls...”
  — Micah Koloki, 04:19

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Conclusion

The episode delivers brisk, up-to-the-minute reporting, touching on U.S. economic optimism and its political implications, increased national security efforts in New Orleans, relief at the gas pump, global flashpoints in Nigeria and Somalia, and the shifting landscape of Congress ahead of a major midterm election year.

Transcript

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[Doualisai Kowtow]

Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Doualisai Kowtow. Republican strategist Alex Conant said the White House and the Fed has done a good job, and he projects this will be helpful to the Republican party in the 2026 midterms.

[Alex Conant]

Look at the GDP, GDP numbers that were released earlier this week that showed really high third quarter growth. The White House feels confident that is just the beginning of what's going to be a banner year in 2026. And if the economy is strong and people start perceiving that it is strong, Republicans should be fine in the midterm.

[Doualisai Kowtow]

Speaking on NPR earlier, Conant said if there's another possible government shutdown in January, there may be more retirements by both Republicans and Democrats. NPR's Congressional Retirement Tracker shows a record 11 senators and 44 House Congress are either retiring or not running for re election. 350 National Guard troops will be mobilized to New Orleans through the end of February to provide extra security during major events. Mel Bridges with member station WWNO reports.

[Mel Bridges]

In a statement, the U.S. department of War confirmed the federally funded troops, including some that were stationed in Washington, D.C. would be deployed just after Christmas to support local law enforcement efforts for New Year's Eve, the Sugar bowl and Mardi Gras. A spokesperson for the Louisiana National Guard confirmed deployment should start around the 30th. This comes after New Orleans safety officials requested more federal presence in the city during those events, citing the terror attacks on New Year's Day and an alleged terrorist plot that authorities say was recently thwarted. Governor Jeff Landry had also previously requested 1,000 federally funded troops to New Orleans in September. This is separate from the federal immigration sweep currently happening in southeastern Louisiana. For NPR News, I'm Mel Bridges.

[Doualisai Kowtow]

The price of gasoline is down $0.19 from this time last year. That's according to the latest figures from AAA. NPR's Camilla dominoski reports. Prices have been dropping steadily over the last month, just in time for the record number of people traveling for the holidays.

[Camilla Domonoski]

This year. The price of gasoline has been relatively low and remarkably stable. Instead of rising in the summer, the national average was basically a straight line. Partly that's because oil prices have been low, thanks largely to the oil cartel OPEC pushing more barrels onto the market. AAA expects that nearly 110 million Americans will travel by car this holiday season. The app Gas Buddy estimates that the lower gas prices this year will save Americans collectively nearly $400 million weekly on those trips. AAA says the cost of public EV charging remains steady, averaging 38 cents per kilowatt hour. Camila Domonosky, NPR News.

[Doualisai Kowtow]

Trading on Wall street is a little sluggish a day after Christmas. The S and P and the Nasdaq composite are down about 0.1% and the Dow is down 0.2%. You are listening to NPR News from New York City. The Nigerian government says the approved strikes with the US Military last night were not aimed at protecting any particular religious group. That's different from what President Trump is saying. In a truth social post, Trump said merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorist, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues. The US Military's Africa Command released a statement saying Islamic State terrorists were killed in strikes in the northwestern part of Nigeria, but did not give exact numbers. That's where violent extremism and kidnappings of school children and teachers have occurred. The African Union has today sent a congratulatory message to the people of Somalia following direct municipality principal elections held in the country's capital, Mogadishu. Micah Koloki reports.

[Micah Koloki]

In a statement, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Youssef, congratulated the people of Somalia and said that the polls were an important step in efforts to advance democratic governance. Direct elections have not been held in Somalia since 1969. In recent decades, lawmakers have been elected by community representatives. A law introduced last year allows citizens to vote directly. Long queues of voters were witnessed during yesterday's polls that saw over 1000 candidates vie for various council seats. Thursday's elections have been seen as a test run for Somalia's general polls set for next year. Critics have warned that holding direct elections then could leave voters vulnerable to possible militant attacks. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaluki in Nairobi.

[Doualisai Kowtow]

And I'm Douahli Sai Kautel, NPR News, in New York City.

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