NPR News Now: 12-26-2025 3AM EST — Episode Summary

Overview

This five-minute episode of NPR News Now delivers concise updates on key national and international stories as of early December 26, 2025. Anchored by Dan Ronan, the top stories include U.S. military action in Nigeria, severe winter storms across the U.S., large-scale government layoffs, student math achievement post-pandemic, and renewed graphite mining in the U.S.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

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

[00:14]

• President Trump announced on Christmas Day that U.S. military forces targeted ISIS in Nigeria, working with local authorities.
• The strikes were said to be in response to ISIS attacks on Christians, though Nigeria's government frames the crisis as affecting all who oppose extremist ideology.
  • Quote:
    “We agreed that the statement that would be put out was also going to emphatically clarify that because we understand the security threats that we're facing to do with terrorist groups that are targeting innocent lives. Not a matter of religion.”
    — Yousef Maithai Tugar, Nigerian Foreign Minister ([00:53])
• Residents and security specialists confirm both Christians and Muslims are impacted by persistent violence.

2. Major Winter Storms Impacting the U.S.

[01:15]

• New York & Tri-State Area:
  Up to 8 inches of snowfall expected late Friday into Saturday, complicating Friday commutes.
• California:
  • Record rains in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles County (over 3 inches).
  • Flash floods, mudslides, road closures, power outages (over 120,000 affected).
  • Major flight delays at San Francisco International Airport (average 2 hours).
  • Several feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada.
    • Quote:
      “Southern California has seen record setting rainfall totals... Bursts of intense rain caused scattered mudslides, flooded freeways and prompted evacuation orders in parts of LA and San Bernardino counties.”
      — Joel Rose, NPR Reporter ([01:49])

3. Federal Government Layoffs and Restructuring

[02:24]

• 317,000 federal jobs are at risk after widespread office closures and firings under the Trump administration.
• The administration claims these steps target “waste, fraud and abuse.”
• Critics argue government functions are being privatized to serve those in power.
  • Quote:
    “I think we are in a battle of narrative. I think that if you look at the facts and if you look at the impact of the actions of this administration. This is a horror show.”
    — Max Steyer, Partnership for Public Service ([02:52])
• The White House asserts President Trump’s “only motivation is improving the lives of the American people” ([03:02]).

4. Student Math Achievement Still Lags Post-Pandemic

[03:12]

• National data show student math scores remain below pre-COVID-19 levels.
• In Maine, teachers are using real-world projects (e.g., analyzing Skittles) to teach mean, median, and mode.
  • Quote:
    “When we did our first project, we had to relate something in the real world to some of the stuff that we were learning in math. So I just did based off of, like, the crime rates.”
    — Andre Lutz, Brewer High School Senior ([03:59])
• Educators say showing math’s relevance increases student engagement, while random candy color distribution offers practical lessons in statistics.

5. Graphite Mining Revival in the U.S.

[04:20]

• Domestic graphite production is resurging, driven by demand (for uses from pencils to nuclear plants) and global trade tensions.
• Federal approval has enabled the recent opening of the Kilbourne Deposit mine near the New York–Canada border.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Clarifying the Nature of Conflict in Nigeria:
  “Not a matter of religion.” — Yousef Maithai Tugar ([00:53])
• On Trump Administration Layoffs:
  “This is a horror show.” — Max Steyer ([02:52])
• Engaging Math in Schools:
  “So I just did based off of, like, the crime rates.” — Andre Lutz ([03:59])
• Storm Impacts:
  “Record setting rainfall totals... caused scattered mudslides, flooded freeways and prompted evacuation orders.” — Joel Rose ([01:49])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:14] — News headlines, U.S. strikes in Nigeria
• [01:15] — Winter weather alerts for New York; California storm update
• [02:24] — Federal employee layoffs and administration motives
• [03:12] — National math scores and creative teaching in Maine
• [04:20] — U.S. graphite mining resurgence

Tone and Language

The reporting maintains NPR’s objective, fact-driven tone, featuring direct statements from officials, critics, and affected individuals. Brief, clear, and balanced, the episode offers quick yet comprehensive coverage of each story.

This summary captures the core news and perspectives from the 12-26-2025 3AM EST NPR News Now episode, streamlining essential information for listeners who missed the broadcast.