NPR News Now – December 31, 2025, 8PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: December 31, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode presents the latest major headlines as of 8PM EST, covering topics including a federal child care payment freeze in Minnesota linked to fraud investigations, escalating Saudi-UAE tensions in Yemen, the death of environmental journalist Tatiana Schlossberg, Arctic weather impacts in the US, delays in the EPA’s greenhouse gas regulation rollback, and a massive bank heist in Germany. The episode is brisk, information-dense, and maintains NPR’s trademark clear, measured reporting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Child Care Payment Freeze in Minnesota

[00:12–01:11]

• Setting: Federal authorities have halted child care payments to Minnesota amid broad fraud probes into state and federal program misuse.
• Report by Sarah Tamer: Federal agents, led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, are in Minneapolis investigating suspected fraud tied to the Feeding Our Future case—a significant Covid-era prosecution.
• State Stance: Minnesota officials express cooperation and zero tolerance for fraud, aiming for swift action on allegations.
• Notable Quote:

  “We have no tolerance for fraud and we're committed to doing everything we can to investigate allegations and quickly respond to issues.”
  — Tiki Brown, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families Commissioner [00:54]

2. Saudi Arabia-UAE Tensions in Yemen

[01:11–02:17]

• Backdrop: A decade-long conflict pits Saudi Arabia and the UAE on opposing sides in Yemen against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
• New Escalation: Recent weeks have seen the Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the UAE, gain territory in eastern Yemen.
• Public Rebuke:
  • Saudi Arabia publicly criticizes the UAE for supporting the STC’s secessionist ambitions and for allegedly supplying weapons.
  • Saudi military claims to have bombed UAE shipments intended for the STC.
  • The UAE maintains those shipments were for its own forces.
• Regional Risk:

  "Saudi Arabia said in a statement it was Disappointed by the UAE's actions in Yemen and its, quote, pressuring of the STC to conduct military operations on Saudi Arabia's southern borders in Yemen, calling it a threat to the kingdom and regional security."
  — Aya Batrawi [02:07]

3. Remembering Tatiana Schlossberg

[02:17–03:12]

• Obituary: Tatiana Schlossberg, 35, granddaughter of John F. Kennedy and an environmental journalist, has died after a rapid blood cancer diagnosis post childbirth.
• Personal and Professional Life:
  • Recently chronicled her illness and critiques of the healthcare system, notably shaped by her cousin, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in The New Yorker.
  • Worked for The New York Times on climate solutions like seagrass meadows and “sponge cities.”
  • Authored a book on climate issues.
• Notable Quote:

  “Tatiana Schlossberg is survived by her family, including two small children whose faces, she wrote, live permanently on the inside of her eyelids.”
  — Sarah Tamer (reading Schlossberg’s words) [03:08]

4. Severe Arctic Weather Hits Great Lakes & Northeast

[03:12–03:50]

• Developments:
  • Powerful Arctic air mass brings strong winds, heavy snow, and plunging temperatures.
  • Tens of thousands in Michigan lose power; Lake Superior sees high waves forcing ships to seek harbor.
  • Snow squalls and gusty winds predicted for the eastern US.

5. EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulation Rollback Delayed

[03:50–04:31]

• Policy Context:
  • The Trump administration’s effort to rescind the EPA's 2009 "endangerment finding," which is the legal basis for greenhouse gas regulation, has been delayed.
• Reason:
  • The 43-day government shutdown in the fall set back the rulemaking process.
• Significance:
  • The rollback, initially expected by year's end, will now spill into the new year.
• Notable Quote:

  “Trump has called climate change a con job and sought to reverse President Biden's climate agenda.”
  — Jeff Brady [04:10]

6. Major Bank Heist in Germany

[04:31–end]

• Incident Details:
  • Thieves drilled into a bank vault amid the holiday lull, making off with safety deposit box property valued at tens of millions—possibly over $100 million.
  • Some 2,700 bank customers affected; could rank among Germany’s largest thefts.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tiki Brown on fraud response:
  “We have no tolerance for fraud and we're committed to doing everything we can to investigate allegations and quickly respond to issues.” [00:54]

• Aya Batrawi quoting Saudi statements:
  “Saudi Arabia said in a statement it was Disappointed by the UAE's actions in Yemen and its, quote, pressuring of the STC to conduct military operations on Saudi Arabia's southern borders in Yemen, calling it a threat to the kingdom and regional security.” [02:07]

• Tatiana Schlossberg’s words on motherhood:
  “Including two small children whose faces, she wrote, live permanently on the inside of her eyelids.” [03:08]

• On climate policy shifts:
  “Trump has called climate change a con job and sought to reverse President Biden's climate agenda.” [04:10]

Key Timestamps for Segments

• [00:12] – Minnesota childcare payment freeze and fraud probe
• [01:11] – Saudi-UAE tensions in Yemen escalate
• [02:17] – Obituary: Tatiana Schlossberg
• [03:12] – Arctic weather impacts in US
• [03:50] – EPA climate rule rollback delayed
• [04:31] – Massive German bank vault heist

This summary encapsulates the main stories and key moments from NPR News Now, December 31, 2025, 8PM EST—offering a comprehensive picture for anyone who missed the episode.