NPR News Now — 12-29-2025 2PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: December 29, 2025
Duration: ~5 Minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers concise updates on major U.S. and global news stories, focusing on criminal proceedings related to January 6, severe winter weather and tornadoes in the Midwest, significant rural healthcare funding from the Trump administration, diplomatic fallout over Somaliland’s recognition, and details on British boxer Anthony Joshua’s deadly car crash in Nigeria.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. January 6 Pipe Bomb Suspect: Court Filings and Confessions

[00:17–01:26]

• Main Story: Federal prosecutors argue for the continued detention of Brian Cole Jr., the man accused of planting pipe bombs near Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters before the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
• Cole initially denied making the bombs but later confessed to building and placing them, claiming “something just snapped” after the 2020 election amid stolen election claims.
• Motive pointed more at the two political parties than at Congress itself.

Notable Quotes:

• “Something just snapped.” — Brian Cole Jr. to investigators [00:42]
• “He allegedly said he didn't like the Republican or Democratic Party, but he wanted to do something to them because they were in charge.” — Ryan Lucas, NPR Reporter [01:10]

2. Severe Midwest Blizzard and Tornado Impacts

[01:26–02:04]

• Weather system update: A blizzard brings whiteout conditions and sharp temperature drops to the upper Midwest. An EF1 tornado hit central Illinois.
• Cody Snell, Weather Prediction Center: Reports structural damage and eight homes destroyed due to the tornado.

Notable Quotes:

• “A pretty significant system for even this part of the country.” — Cody Snell, Weather Prediction Center [01:26]
• “There was some structural damage and eight homes destroyed, in fact… garages, roofs blown off… definitely impacts associated with those strong winds associated with the tornado.” — Cody Snell [01:46]

3. Power Outages Across the Nation

[02:04]

• Poweroutage US reports over 350,000 people nationwide lost electricity as a result of the recent severe weather.

4. Rural Health Care Funding and Federal Oversight

[02:04–03:13]

• Policy update: The Trump administration provides details on a new $50 billion fund meant to aid rural health care, especially post-Medicaid cuts.
• Distribution Structure:
  • Half the funds will be equally divided among all applying states.
  • The other half will be contingent on states enacting “White House favored policies”; noncompliance could result in funds being clawed back.
• Dr. Mehmet Oz, newly appointed head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, announces the first tranche of money is being distributed.

Notable Quotes:

• “The purpose of this $50 billion investment in rural health care is to allow us to right size the system and to deal with the fundamental hindrances of improvement in rural health care.” — Cody Snell [erroneously attributed; should be Dr. Mehmet Oz] [02:34]

5. International Diplomatic Tensions Over Somaliland

[03:13–03:53]

• Event: Three days after Israel recognizes Somaliland as an independent state, China formally voices its opposition.
• Beijing’s Position: Urges other countries to oppose what it calls “external interference” and support a united Somalia.
• This occurs as Israeli PM Netanyahu plans to meet U.S. President Trump after Trump made disparaging remarks about Somalia/Somali Americans.

6. Anthony Joshua Involved in Fatal Nigerian Car Crash

[03:53–04:53]

• British boxing champion Anthony Joshua was injured but survived when his car crashed into a parked truck on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway.
• The crash killed the driver and another front-seat passenger; Joshua, seated in the back, had minor injuries.
• Viral social media videos show Joshua in pain being pulled from the car; he was en route to his parents’ hometown.
• The crash follows Joshua’s recent win over Jake Paul in Miami.

Notable Quotes:

• “Videos of Joshua wincing in pain while being pulled from the vehicle have gone viral on social media.” — Joel Bright, NPR Lagos [04:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• January 6 Pipe Bomb Update: [00:17–01:26]
• Midwest Blizzard & Tornado: [01:26–02:04]
• Power Outages: [02:04]
• Rural Health Care Funding: [02:04–03:13]
• Somaliland Recognition Diplomatic Rift: [03:13–03:53]
• Anthony Joshua Crash: [03:53–04:53]

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode sticks to NPR’s signature calm, objective tone, blending detailed reporting with urgent updates.
• The interplay between ongoing domestic policy and international incidents highlights both the unpredictability and interconnectedness of current affairs.
• Personal, dramatic moments (Joshua’s accident) punctuate heavier policy and legal news.

This concise yet comprehensive bulletin provides a rapid, reliable snapshot of breaking news for the busy listener.