NPR News Now – December 28, 2025, 10PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Episode Overview:

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers a concise update on top national and international news stories. Coverage includes the Trump-Zelensky meeting on Ukraine, a whistleblower complaint on potential Hatch Act violations by the Trump administration, a severe bomb cyclone affecting the Midwest and Great Lakes, accessibility issues in hotels for wheelchair users, and box office updates for the weekend.

Main News Highlights

1. Trump-Zelensky Meeting on Ukraine Peace Proposal

Reported by: Daniel Kurtzleben
Timestamps: 00:14–01:10

• Summary:
  President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, to discuss a peace proposal for Russia's war in Ukraine. Both leaders indicated progress but acknowledged disagreements remain on crucial issues.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Sticking points include the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Donbas region and control of a Russian-occupied nuclear plant in southeastern Ukraine.
  • Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin both before and planned to talk after the Zelensky meeting.

• Notable Quote:

  • Donald Trump:

    “So if it went really well, you know, maybe a few weeks, and if it went poorly longer, and if it went really poorly, it's not going to happen. That would be a shame.” (01:00)

2. Whistleblower Complaint over Hatch Act Violations

Reported by: Andrea Hsu
Timestamps: 01:10–02:06

• Summary:
  Legal advocacy group Democracy Forward filed a complaint with a federal whistleblower agency, alleging the Trump administration violated the Hatch Act during the government shutdown by posting partisan messages on official websites and in out-of-office auto-replies.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • The Hatch Act is designed to shield federal employees from partisan influence.
  • The complaint highlights messages blaming Democrats and calling them the “radical left.”
  • The outcome is uncertain since Trump recently replaced the agency’s special counsel with a Cabinet member.

• Notable Moment:

  • Office of Special Counsel claims 2025 was “one of the most productive and impactful years in its.” (02:02)

3. Severe Bomb Cyclone Impacts Midwest, Great Lakes

Reported by: Kristin Wright
Timestamps: 02:06–03:08

• Summary:
  A rapid-intensifying storm system, known as a bomb cyclone, is causing hazardous conditions in the Midwest and Great Lakes, affecting holiday travel with blizzards, snow, ice, and arctic temperatures.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Heavy snow forecasted for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan (notably Marquette in the Upper Peninsula could see a foot or more).
  • Wind chills well below zero in North Platte, Nebraska, and Fargo, North Dakota.
  • Freezing rain affecting New England and the New York area.

• Notable Quote:

  • Bob Oravet, NWS Forecaster:

    “The lakes are also not frozen yet, so you can actually have stronger lake effect snows. And the lakes don't always freeze.” (02:41)

4. Persistent Barriers for Wheelchair Users at Hotels

Reported by: Joseph Shapiro
Timestamps: 03:08–04:16

• Summary:
  On a busy travel week, wheelchair users share ongoing problems securing truly accessible hotel rooms, despite federal accessibility laws passing 35 years ago.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Common issues: Reserved accessible rooms not available upon arrival, rooms labeled accessible but not meeting standards (showers too small, beds too tall).
  • The hotel industry, via a spokesperson, claims it prioritizes disabled travelers.

• Notable Moment:

  • Joseph Shapiro describes these issues as “easy things to fix, but…the problems continue.” (03:46)

5. Box Office Report

Reported by: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamps: 04:16–04:54

• Summary:
  The holiday weekend box office sees Disney’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” retain the top spot, grossing $64 million domestically and $542 million globally.

• Key Rankings:

  • #1: “Avatar: Fire and Ash” ($64M domestically, $542M globally)
  • #2: Disney’s “Zootopia 2” ($20M)
  • #3: A24’s “Marty Supreme,” starring Timothée Chalamet ($17M)

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• Donald Trump on Ukraine deal timing:

  “So if it went really well, you know, maybe a few weeks, and if it went poorly longer, and if it went really poorly, it's not going to happen. That would be a shame.” (01:00)

• Bob Oravet (NWS) on winter storm conditions:

  “The lakes are also not frozen yet, so you can actually have stronger lake effect snows. And the lakes don't always freeze.” (02:41)

• Joseph Shapiro (on hotel accessibility):

  “These should be easy things to fix. But the problems continue.” (03:46)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Trump-Zelensky Meeting: 00:14–01:10
• Hatch Act Complaint: 01:10–02:06
• Bomb Cyclone Weather: 02:06–03:08
• Hotel Accessibility Challenges: 03:08–04:16
• Box Office Update: 04:16–04:54

This episode offers quick but comprehensive coverage of the most pressing stories late December 2025, designed to keep listeners informed across political, legal, weather, societal, and cultural events.