NPR News Now – December 31, 2025, 10AM EST

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now segment delivers concise updates on major national and international developments as of December 31, 2025. Hosted by Windsor Johnston, the broadcast covers significant stories including the first known U.S. military action in Venezuela, a marked rise in flu cases, year-end economic indicators, ongoing security concerns in New Orleans after last year’s terrorist attack, and severe winter weather affecting the Great Lakes and Northeast.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CIA Strike in Venezuela & U.S. Foreign Policy Escalation

• The U.S. conducted its first known military strike inside Venezuela, allegedly targeting drug trafficking operations.

• President Trump disclosed further details, highlighting that the operation targeted a dock being used for loading narcotics.

• Former counterterrorism official Philip Mudd comments on the CIA’s strategic considerations:

  • Duration and frequency of future strikes
  • Whether targets will expand beyond narcotics operations
  • The importance of coordination with international allies

  “The thing from, from the CIA perspective, the questions I would have would be duration, are you going to continue to do this frequency, Are you going to do this every day, every week, variety of targets. If you want to signal to the government, are you going to go beyond this narrow range of narcotics targets? … are you going to signal by your contacts with like minded countries … that the US is not the only game in town? In other words, that there’s a broad coalition of people.”
  — Philip Mudd [00:45]

• The reporting signals a potential escalation in U.S. intervention against the Maduro government.

2. Major Surge in U.S. Flu Cases

• The CDC reports a sharp increase in flu infections: 7.5 million cases this season (up from 4.6 million just the week prior) and over 3,000 deaths.

• CDC officials strongly encourage vaccination, emphasizing it is not too late in the season:

  “Probably the most important thing is that if you haven't gotten a vaccine is to get one. It is by no means too late now.”
  — CDC Medical Officer [01:47]

• However, another CDC spokesperson notes the importance of making personal choices and consulting healthcare providers about vaccination.

• U.S. adult flu vaccination rates remain just above 40%.

3. Markets & Economic Indicators on Year’s Last Trading Day

• Wall Street opened lower, with the Dow down about 90–105 points and the NASDAQ down over 40 points.

• Year-end summary:

  • S&P 500 is up 17% for the year.
  • New claims for unemployment benefits have dipped (199,000), indicating layoffs are still relatively rare.
  • The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates three times since September due to job market concerns and hopes to cut further should inflation moderate.
  • Investors expect the Fed to hold rates steady at its next meeting in four weeks.

  “The numbers suggest that layoffs remain uncommon even as hiring has slowed. Concern about a weakening job market led the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates this month for the third time since September.”
  — Scott Horsley [02:23]

4. One Year After New Orleans New Year’s Terror Attack

• Marking the anniversary of last year’s truck attack on Bourbon Street, which killed 14 people.

• Temporary security measures remain: mix of removable bollards, barricades, and police vehicles.

• Police officials acknowledge these are temporary solutions, as the city seeks approval for a $1.5 million plan to install permanent swing gates.

  “The New Year's terror attack raised about pedestrian safety in New Orleans, popular French Quarter. At the time, the city was in the process of replacing malfunctioning bollards … what one police official calls a temporary solution to a permanent problem.”
  — Debbie Elliott [03:34]

5. Severe Winter Weather Hits the Northeast

• Arctic air and a bomb cyclone have brought heavy snow, strong winds, and extreme cold to the Great Lakes and Northeast.
  • Tens of thousands in Michigan lost power.
  • High waves closed Lake Superior shipping.
• National Weather Service warns of snow squalls and whiteout conditions in the eastern U.S., including upstate New York.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Philip Mudd on U.S. operations in Venezuela: “Are you going to signal by your contacts with like minded countries … that the US is not the only game in town?” [00:45]
• CDC Official’s direct advice: “It is by no means too late [to get a flu vaccine] now.” [01:47]
• Scott Horsley on the job market: “Layoffs remain uncommon even as hiring has slowed.” [02:23]
• On New Orleans security: “Temporary solution to a permanent problem.” [03:34]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:13] – Venezuela CIA Strike & Philip Mudd analysis
• [01:32] – Flu surge, CDC updates & vaccination rates
• [02:12] – Markets, economic indicators, Fed policy
• [03:05] – Year-end trading day stock update
• [03:34] – New Orleans terror attack anniversary & security response
• [04:19] – Winter storm impact on the Great Lakes and Northeast

This segment offers a rapid, facts-first snapshot of urgent national and international stories as 2025 draws to a close, maintaining NPR News Now’s trademark clarity and brevity.