NPR News: 12-27-2025 1AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – December 27, 2025, 1AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of the latest U.S. and world news, spotlighting extreme weather in Southern California, flight disruptions, National Guard deployment in New Orleans, holiday retail sales trends, the NBA targeting female fans, and key international headlines.

---

Southern California Storms and Flooding

[00:11–01:12]

• Key Points:

  • Post-Christmas heavy rains have lessened in Southern California but caused continued flooding, mudslides, and rockslides due to already saturated ground.
  • Several deaths reported, with extensive damages especially in the mountain town of Wrightwood.
  • Power outages persist in some areas, but the weather is expected to improve in the coming days.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Steve Futterman: “The storms may be less intense, but with the ground and hillsides already waterlogged… it didn't take much to cause new flooding, along with more mudslides and rockslides.” [00:25]
  • Dave Gomberg, National Weather Service: “We'll start to see the shower activity starting to decrease in coverage and intensity.” [00:49]
  • Steve Futterman: “This has been one of the wettest Christmas weeks ever. Some areas have received more than 15 inches of rain. There have been several deaths.” [00:54]

---

National Weather and Travel Disruptions

[01:12–01:49]

• Key Points:
  • Thousands of U.S. flight delays and cancellations due to winter storm Devon, impacting the Great Lakes and Northeast.
  • Anticipated travel challenges heading into the holiday weekend.

---

National Guard Deployment to New Orleans

[01:12–02:19]

• Key Points:

  • 350 National Guard troops to be mobilized in New Orleans through February to support law enforcement for major events including New Year's, Sugar Bowl, and Mardi Gras.
  • Deployment begins around December 30, driven by local officials’ requests after terror-related incidents and threats.
  • This is distinct from ongoing federal immigration enforcement in southeastern Louisiana.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Mel Bridges: “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.” [01:49]

---

Holiday Retail Sales: Record-Setting but Uneven

[02:19–02:55]

• Key Points:

  • Record holiday sales, but the gains were not evenly distributed—highest among wealthier Americans.
  • Interviews with small business owners highlighted supply shortages due to unexpectedly strong demand.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Alfred Mai, ASM Games: “It honestly blew my mind because we just sold out of inventory like a few days ago. The sales just exceeded all my expectations.” [02:38]
  • Alina Selyuk (NPR): “I had this question, like, did sales exceed his expectations because his expectations were too low or because people spent with abandon, and he said it's probably both.” [02:45]
  • Alina Selyuk: “The amount of money spent was not spread evenly across income brackets. The wealthiest Americans spent more this year… those with less money and more concerns over the shape of the economy spent much less.” [02:55]

---

NBA’s Push to Attract More Female Fans

[03:16–04:13]

• Key Points:

  • The NBA is collaborating with online content creators, especially those with female followings, to reach new audiences.
  • Highlights include social media art featuring NBA players (even as tiny as thumbnails) and partnerships with creators in crafts and culinary arts.
  • League is seeking to replicate the “Taylor Swift effect” of growing female engagement in sports.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Vivian Zhu Rahee (artist): “I grew up in LA and now live in the Bay Area. The Lakers and the Warriors are simply my team. But I will say I am just a basketball fan in general.” [03:44]
  • Netta Uluby (NPR): “Major league sports have noticed what's been called the Taylor Swift effect… now the NBA is courting female fans with other online collaborations.” [03:53]

---

International Headlines

[04:13–04:54]

• Ukraine-U.S. Meeting

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.

• Japan Factory Attack

  • A man stabbed eight and injured seven more with suspected bleach at a rubber factory in central Japan; five are in serious condition. Motive and identity remain unknown.

---

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• SoCal Storm Update: “This has been one of the wettest Christmas weeks ever.” [00:54]
• Retail Insights: “We just sold out of inventory like a few days ago.” [02:38]
• NBA’s New Strategy: “Major league sports have noticed what's been called the Taylor Swift effect in bringing female fans to football.” [03:53]
• Briefing on Zelenskyy–Trump Meeting: “Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he'll meet on Sunday with US President Donald Trump in Florida. Zelenskyy told journalists… the two leaders will be discussing security guarantees for Ukraine…” [04:13]

---

Overall Tone

Straightforward, concise, and informative, sticking closely to NPR’s factual and balanced news delivery style. News segments are brisk, and key facts are delivered without sensationalism or editorializing.

---

Transcript

[Capital One Announcer]

This message comes from Capital One with the Capital One Saver card. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment. Capital One, what's in your wallet? Terms apply.

[Dale Willman]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. In Rain drenched Southern California. There were more downpours on the day after Christmas, but the intensity of those storms is finally diminishing. Steve Futterman reports.

[Steve Futterman]

The storms may be less intense, but with the ground and hillsides already waterlogged and it didn't take much to cause new flooding, along with more mudslides and rock slides, some intersections again filled with water and became hard to drive through. In a few areas, there are still power outages. The next few days should bring some relief.

[Dave Gomberg]

Yeah, we're definitely improving.

[Steve Futterman]

Dave Gomberg is with the National Weather Service.

[Dave Gomberg]

We'll start to see the shower activity starting to decrease in coverage and intensity.

[Steve Futterman]

This has been one of the wettest Christmas weeks ever. Some areas have received more than 15 inches of rain. There have been several deaths. One of the hardest hit areas has been the small mountain town of Wrightwood, where many homes suffered extensive damage. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Dale Willman]

The flight tracking website Floodaware says US Airlines canceled or delayed thousands of flights on Friday. Most of that came from winter storm Devon, which is dropping snow in the Great Lakes and on to the northeast. This weekend, 350 National Guard troops will be mobilized to New Orleans through the end of February to provide extra security during May. In a statement, the Defense Department has confirmed that the federally funded troops, including some now stationed in Washington, D.C. will deploy to support law enforcement efforts for New Year's, the Sugar bowl and Mardi Gras. Mel Bridges with member station WWNO reports.

[Mel Bridges]

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.

[Dale Willman]

It was another record holiday season for Christmas sales.

[Alina Selyuk]

I talked to Alfred Mai. His company, ASM Games, sells card games. Think like family trivia or date night ideas. And usually you cannot get him on the phone one week before Christmas. That's the busiest time of year for him. And last week he was like, yeah, call me now I'm I'm free.

[Dave Gomberg]

It honestly blew my mind because we just sold out of inventory like a few days ago. The sales just exceeded all my expectations.

[Alina Selyuk]

And I had this question, like, did sales exceed his expectations because his expectations were too low or because people spent with abandon and he said it's probably both?

[Dale Willman]

That's NPR's Alina Selyuk, who says the amount of money spent was not spread evenly across income brackets. She says the wealthiest Americans spent more this year over while those with less money and more concerns over the shape of the economy spent much less. You're listening to NPR News. We're beginning a huge holiday weekend for basketball fans who tend to skew younger and more diverse than those of other major league sports. And now the NBA hopes to attract more women by working with online creators who enjoy predominantly female followings. As NPR's Netta Uluby reports, the nail.

[Netta Uluby]

Artist Vivian Zhu Rahee promotes the National Basketball Association. On her social media feed, she shows off hand painted portraits of players that are literally thumbnail sized.

[Vivian Zhu Rahee]

I grew up in LA and now live in the Bay Area. The Lakers and the warriors are simply my team. But I will say I am just a basketball fan in general.

[Netta Uluby]

And major league sports have noticed what's been called the Taylor Swift effect in bringing female fans to football. Now the NBA is courting female fans with other online collaborations, including with a popular rug maker and a food artist who uses fried rice as her medium. Neto Ulibi, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he'll meet on Sunday with US President Donald Trump in Florida. Zelenskyy told journalists on Friday that the two leaders will be discussing security guarantees for Ukraine during during Sunday's talks, a man has been arrested in Japan after stabbing eight people. Police say he also injured seven other people with a chemical believed to be bleach. The attack took place at a rubber factory in the central part of that country. Officials say that 5 of those who were stabbed are in serious condition. The attacker's identity and possible motive are both unknown. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

[KeyBank Announcer]

This message comes from KeyBank. This year, Key for Women is celebrating 20 years, two decades of empowering business leaders and strengthening communities together. Key for Women made an impact, and they're just getting started. Learn [e-mail] women.