NPR News Now – December 31, 2025, 1AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: The latest breaking news in U.S. politics, international affairs, and notable developments, delivered in NPR’s brisk five-minute newscast format.

Main Theme/Purpose

This episode covers breaking national and international news, providing quick and precise updates on current government controversies in the U.S., escalating military tensions around Taiwan, a significant federal court ruling, the death of a prominent former senator, and other headlines relevant to the close of 2025.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Child Care Funds Frozen in Minnesota

[00:18–01:15]

• The Trump administration has stopped child care funding to Minnesota due to allegations of fraud.
• Announcement made via X (formerly Twitter) by Jim O’Neill, Acting Director of the CDC.
  • O’Neill claims a “blatant fraud” and says:

    "turned off the money spigot and are finding the fraud."
    — Jim O’Neill, [00:34]

• The freeze follows a viral video by a right-wing YouTuber exposing alleged misuse of federal funds at certain Minnesota daycare centers.
• Some facilities already had payments or operations suspended.
• Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s response:
  • Sees the freeze as a “transparent attempt to politicize the issue to hurt Minnesotans and defund government programs that help people.”
    — Tim Walz, as quoted by Clay Masters, [01:09]
• Reporting by Clay Masters, MPR.

2. Court Blocks Effort to Dismantle Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

[01:15–02:01]

• Federal Judge Amy Berman Jackson prevents Trump administration from shutting down the CFPB.
• Administration’s argument: Because the Federal Reserve has operating losses, it cannot fund the bureau.
• Judge Jackson calls the lawsuit:

  "an unabashed attempt to just do that [shut down the Bureau] in a different way."
  — Judge Amy Berman Jackson, as paraphrased by Stephen Basaha, [01:36]

• Though legal action stopped mass layoffs, most consumer protections are currently halted.
• The CFPB remains operational but, in Judge Jackson’s words, is "hanging by a thread."
  • President Trump remains clear about his intent to dissolve the agency.
• Reporting by Stephen Basaha, NPR.

3. US CIA Carries Out Venezuelan Port Attack; US-China-Taiwan Tensions Escalate

[02:01–03:10]

• An unnamed official admitted that the CIA, not the Pentagon, was responsible for a recent drone strike on a Venezuelan port—one of 30 U.S. attacks since September.
• Taiwan crisis update:
  • Large-scale Chinese military drills, live fire, and rocket launches continue for a second day.
  • According to Taiwan's Defense Ministry, more than 100 Chinese warplanes and nearly two dozen vessels were observed.
  • President Lai Ching Te of Taiwan expresses "strongest condemnation" and promises to defend sovereignty.
  • China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi denounces U.S. arms sales and warns of a strong Chinese response; also criticizes Japanese intervention signals.
  • President Trump, when asked, states:

    "he is not worried about the drills, saying he doesn't believe China would invade Taiwan."
    — Se Hyun Kang, paraphrasing, [02:56]

• Reporting by Se Hyun Kang, NPR (Seoul).

4. U.S. Immigration and Wrongful Deportation Case

[03:10–03:55]

• Immigration officials will halt prosecution of Kilmar Obrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported to El Salvador, as long as a court ban on his removal is in place.
• Garcia was accused of being a gang member and later faced further charges after returning under court order.
• Unsealed documents reveal that the Justice Department prioritized prosecuting him once his deportation was challenged.

5. Death of Former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell

[03:55–04:45]

• Ben Nighthorse Campbell, former U.S. senator from Colorado, has died at 92.
  • Served as both Democrat and later Republican during two decades in Congress.
  • Known for environmental work (helping create national parks), championing Native American issues.
  • Chief of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, acclaimed jewelry designer, and member of the first U.S. Olympic judo team.
  • Reminisced about driving the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree delivery semi-truck:

    "Ever since I was a teenager, I got through college by driving a semi. And the only difference with this is it's so long, but police go with you...it's kind of fun having red lights and fly rings in front of you, then chasing you."
    — Ben Nighthorse Campbell, [04:24]

• Reporting by Alejandra Alonso Galva, Colorado Public Radio.

6. Markets Update

[03:10, 04:45]

• U.S. futures are flat in after-hours trading; Asia-Pacific shares mostly lower.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "[CDC] has turned off the money spigot and are finding the fraud."
  — Jim O’Neill (CDC Acting Director), [00:34]

• "A transparent attempt to politicize the issue to hurt Minnesotans and defund government programs that help people."
  — Governor Tim Walz, as quoted by Clay Masters, [01:09]

• "[Shutting down the CFPB is] an unabashed attempt to just do that in a different way."
  — Judge Amy Berman Jackson, [01:36]

• "The CFPB is hanging by a thread."
  — Judge Amy Berman Jackson, paraphrased by Stephen Basaha, [01:54]

• "He is not worried about the drills, saying he doesn't believe China would invade Taiwan."
  — President Trump, paraphrased by Se Hyun Kang, [02:56]

• "Ever since I was a teenager, I got through college by driving a semi...it's kind of fun having red lights and fly rings in front of you, then chasing you."
  — Ben Nighthorse Campbell, [04:24]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:18] — Child care funding frozen in Minnesota
• [01:15] — Court blocks attempt to shut down CFPB
• [02:01] — US CIA involvement in Venezuelan strike; Taiwan/China drills
• [03:10] — Wrongful deportation and immigration update
• [03:55] — Ben Nighthorse Campbell's death and legacy
• [04:45] — Market update

Tone and Style

Factual, concise, and serious, with measured delivery and an emphasis on providing the listener with the most pertinent details of ongoing news stories. Occasional personal touches, such as Senator Campbell’s reminiscences, add humanity to the report.