NPR News Now — December 26, 2025, 8PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: 5 minutes

Main Theme

This episode delivers a concise roundup of top news stories from around the U.S., focusing on post-holiday economic trends, hazardous winter weather, federal energy decisions, severe storms in California, and a surprise box office hit.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Holiday Spending Trends

• [00:20-01:04] Reporting by Alina Selyuk
  • Despite pre-holiday worries about low consumer confidence, Americans spent robustly.
  • Key insights:
    • Early data shows record-setting spending for both Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
    • Quote (Alina Selyuk, 00:30):
      “Adobe analytics, which tracks online shopping, saw people spending over $10 million every minute on the evening of Cyber Monday.”
    • Mastercard estimates November and December holiday spending rose nearly 4% year-over-year.
    • Economists remain optimistic, crediting rising wages, but warn that 2026 job market trends will be critical.

2. Winter Storms Threaten Holiday Travel

• [01:04-02:09] Report by Rob Lane (WBUR Boston) and Mark Shieldrop (AAA Northeast)
  • Severe snowstorms are forecasted for the Upper Midwest and Northeast—first of the season in some areas.
  • Concerns:
    • Many drivers may not have installed winter tires or may be “out of practice” managing wintry conditions.
    • Quote (Mark Shieldrop, 01:47):
      “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.”
    • Even plowed roads may have dangerous cold pavement affecting tire traction.

3. Trump Administration Moves to Sustain U.S. Coal Industry

• [02:09-03:12] Reporting by Julia Simon
  • Energy Secretary Chris Wright ordered two Indiana coal plants to remain open beyond their planned closures—a continuation of the administration’s coal-support policies.
  • Notable Moment (Julia Simon, 02:35; banter with Mark Shieldrop):
    • Simon references President Trump making a quip about “clean, beautiful coal” during Christmas Eve calls with children.
    • Quote (Mark Shieldrop, 02:40):
      “No coal is clean and beautiful.”
  • Coal now lags behind large solar and wind projects in cost, and 2025 was the first year the U.S. generated more electricity from renewables than coal.

4. Severe Floods and Storms in California

• [03:12-03:52] Report by Alina Selyuk
  • Much of California remains under flood watch and advisories after days of heavy rain, which caused road closures, mudslides, fallen trees, and ongoing evacuations.
  • Notable incidents reported in Los Angeles County and Orange County, including blocked roads due to falling rocks.

5. Hollywood’s Unlikely Christmas Box Office Leader

• [03:52-04:43] Reporting by Bob Mondello and Julia Simon
  • Film “Avatar: Fire and Ash” performed as expected, but the Timothée Chalamet vehicle, “Marty Supreme,” unexpectedly led the runners-up category after a viral publicity stunt.
  • Memorable Moment (Bob Mondello, 04:12):
    • “...looking terrified, Chalamet climbed atop the 300-foot high Las Vegas sphere to yell, ‘Marty!’ The sphere then lit up like a giant orange ping pong ball.”
  • Early online buzz drove about one million viewers to “Marty Supreme” over Christmas week.

6. Market Close Update

• [04:43-04:56] Alina Selyuk
  • Stocks closed slightly down: Dow and Nasdaq each down 20 points, S&P 500 down 2.

Notable Quotes

• On Holiday Spending:

  • Alina Selyuk, 00:30:
    “Adobe analytics, which tracks online shopping, saw people spending over $10 million every minute on the evening of Cyber Monday.”

• On Driving in Snowstorms:

  • Mark Shieldrop, 01:47:
    “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.”

• On “Clean Coal” Banter:

  • Mark Shieldrop, 02:40:
    “No coal is clean and beautiful.”

• Hollywood Publicity Stunt:

  • Bob Mondello, 04:12:
    “...looking terrified, Chalamet climbed atop the 300-foot high Las Vegas sphere to yell, ‘Marty!’ The sphere then lit up like a giant orange ping pong ball.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Holiday spending trends | 00:20–01:04 | | Winter travel dangers | 01:04–02:09 | | Coal policy/energy update | 02:09–03:12 | | California storms and flooding | 03:12–03:52 | | Holiday box office surprise | 03:52–04:43 | | Stock market update | 04:43–04:56 |

This episode delivers essential, fast-moving headlines and notable human moments in a crisp, journalistic tone reflective of NPR’s signature style—a perfect catch-up on the day’s biggest news.