NPR News Now — December 31, 2025, 5PM EST

Host: Dale Willman | Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers concise coverage of top national headlines on the last day of 2025, including updates on National Guard deployments, justice department proceedings, healthcare subsidy changes, New Year's Eve security, stock market performance, renewable energy milestones, and the leadership transition at Berkshire Hathaway.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. National Guard Withdrawals and Supreme Court Ruling

[00:19]

• President Trump announced the removal of National Guard forces from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, with a warning they could return if crime spikes.

• The Supreme Court upheld a federal ruling barring the deployment of Guard troops in Illinois, requiring their removal from Chicago.

  • Dale Willman: "President Trump says he's removing National Guard forces from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland... the Supreme Court yesterday left in place a ruling... that bars the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops in Illinois."

2. Justice Department & Jeffrey Epstein Files

[00:57]

• DOJ missed a legal deadline (December 19) to release all files on Jeffrey Epstein, as required by a new law signed by President Trump in November.

• Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch stated DOJ lawyers are working "around the clock" to review remaining files.

• About 40,000 new pages have been published, but neither the release nor the minimal redactions requirement has been fully met.

  • Stephen Fowler [00:57]: "We don't know how many Epstein files are yet to be released... DOJ lawyers are working, quote, around the clock to review them."

3. Healthcare Premium Increases and State Responses

[01:32]

• ACA subsidies are expiring, leading to premium hikes for millions as Congress failed to extend support.

• New Mexico will temporarily cover the increased costs, but most other states, including Georgia, are uncertain on their responses.

• Georgia Rep. Sam Park urges state action, while acknowledging the fiscal challenge.

  • Sam Park [01:53]: "At least for one year, it'll cost about $900 million. I don't think the state could permanently fill this gap, but... mitigate harm and hopefully create a transition to ensuring more folks could get covered."

4. New Year’s Eve Security in Times Square

[02:07]

• NYC is implementing heightened security for New Year's Eve, with thousands of officers, canine teams, officers on horseback, subways, helicopters, and boats.

• Mayor Eric Adams assures no known threats, emphasizing vigilance.

  • Eric Adams [02:31]: "We will have plainclothes K9 teams, officers on horsebacks on our trains subway stations and in helicopters and on boats... Security is everyone's responsibility. Again, see something, say something, do something."

5. Stock Market Closes Down on Final 2025 Trading Day

[03:01]

• Dow Jones down 303 points

• NASDAQ down 177 points

• S&P 500 down 50 points

  • Dale Willman [03:01]: "On the final day of trading in 2025, stocks were down on Wall Street."

6. Renewable Energy Named Breakthrough of the Year

[03:27]

• Science magazine honors the rapid growth of renewables, driven by cheap Chinese exports and surpassing coal as the top electricity source globally.

• China's emissions flat or falling due to renewables’ rise; global climate implications are "huge."

  • Julia Simon [03:27]: "2025 was the first year that renewable energy surpassed coal as a source of electricity. The implications for the climate are huge..."

7. Warren Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO

[04:17]

• Buffet ends six decades as CEO; Greg Abel succeeds him. Buffett remains Chairman.

• Buffett’s investment wisdom highlighted:

  • Warren Buffett (paraphrased) [04:17]: "Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful."

8. College Football Quarterfinals Update

[04:40]

• Ohio State vs. Miami quarterfinal happening tonight.
• Iowa beats Vanderbilt (34-27) by "relying on its ground game."
• Halftime: Michigan and Texas tied at 17; two other games underway.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• "President Trump says he's removing National Guard forces from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland."
  — Dale Willman [00:19]
• "DOJ lawyers are working, quote, around the clock to review them."
  — Stephen Fowler [00:57]
• "I don't think the state could permanently fill this gap, but at the very least, it could mitigate harm and hopefully create a transition to ensuring that more folks could get covered."
  — Rep. Sam Park [01:53]
• "Security is everyone's responsibility. Again, see something, say something, do something."
  — Mayor Eric Adams [02:31]
• "2025 was the first year that renewable energy surpassed coal as a source of electricity. The implications for the climate are huge..."
  — Julia Simon [03:27]
• "Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful."
  — Warren Buffett [04:17]

Additional Notes

• Episode focuses tightly on headline updates without editorial commentary.
• Each story is concise, with clarity and immediacy, fitting the quick 'news-in-brief' NPR News Now format.