NPR News Now: 12-31-2025, 7PM EST — Episode Summary

Main Theme:
A concise roundup of major news stories on U.S. politics, health trends, the economy, regional wine innovation, and sports, offering listeners a snapshot of late-breaking events and societal shifts as 2025 comes to a close.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. House Judiciary Committee Releases Jack Smith Interview Transcript

[00:19–01:21]

• Summary:

  • Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee released a 300-page transcript from their interview with former Special Counsel Jack Smith.
  • The transcript details Smith’s investigation into President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his alleged mishandling of secret documents.
  • Smith emphasized the role played by Republicans who prioritized their “allegiance to the country before their political party.”
  • The Department of Justice dropped both major cases against Trump after last year’s election, adhering to the policy that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted.

• Notable Quote:

  • "The election case was built on Republicans who put their allegiance to the country before their political party."
    — Jack Smith, recounted by NPR’s Carrie Johnson ([00:36])

2. Blockbuster Weight Loss Drugs Poised for Big Year

[01:21–02:18]

• Summary:

  • As weight loss resolutions spike, demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to grow.
  • The FDA approved the Wegovy pill in late 2025, with more pills like Eli Lilly’s version pending approval.
  • Direct-to-consumer options are rising, but list prices remain high despite discounts.
  • Insurance coverage has tightened, with some plans now only covering obesity drugs for patients with a BMI over 40, even though clinical obesity is defined as BMI of 30+.

• Notable Insight:

  • "Insurance coverage…has actually gotten more restrictive with some plans only cover[ing] obesity drugs for patients with a body mass index over 40."
    — Sidney Lupkin ([01:36])

3. Economic Update: Year-End Review & Interest Rate Cuts

[02:18–02:51]

• Summary:

  • The U.S. economy outperformed expectations, and the stock market ended the year on a strong note.
  • Despite this, public sentiment about the economy remains largely negative.
  • The Federal Reserve’s third interest rate cut in December helped ease borrowing costs; mortgage rates reached their lowest point of the year.
  • Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage is down to 6.15%, potentially revitalizing the sluggish housing market.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "It does make it a little cheaper to buy a car or grow a business, you know. Mortgage rates have also come down a little bit."
    — Scott Horsley ([02:33])
  • "The average rate on a 30 year home loan is down to 6.15%, which is the lowest it's been all year. That could give a little boost to the housing market, which has been in a deep slump."
    — Scott Horsley ([02:33])

4. National Guard Withdrawals from Cities

[02:51–03:34]

• Summary:
  • President Trump announced that National Guard troops will be withdrawn from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland.
  • The decision comes after legal pushback, including a Supreme Court order keeping a federal judge’s ban on troop deployments in effect for Illinois.

5. Bright Spots for Northwest Sparkling Wine

[03:34–04:23]

• Summary:

  • Sparkling wine sales are a rare growth area in an otherwise declining wine market.
  • Northwest wineries are embracing more innovative techniques, from traditional methods to natural styles like Pet Nat and forced carbonation (a more affordable option).
  • Local producers are increasingly creative, employing native yeasts and minimal additives.

• Notable Quote:

  • "Almost anything on trend anywhere in the world ... it’s happening right here in the backyard and you can have access to it."
    — Chad Johnson, Dusted Valley Winery ([03:49])

6. Politics & Local Events: New York City's New Mayor

[04:23–04:38]

• Summary:
  • Zoran Mandani will be sworn in as New York City's mayor at midnight during a ceremony at the historic City Hall subway station, followed by a public event and block party.

7. College Football Bowl Games

[04:38–04:58]

• Summary:
  • Iowa, led by quarterback Mark Gronowski, defeated Vanderbilt 34–27.
  • Notable performances: Gronowski threw for two touchdowns and ran for one, accumulating 212 passing yards.
  • Duke edged Arizona State 42–39; Texas beat Michigan 41–27.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Bipartisanship in Legal Investigations:
  "The election case was built on Republicans who put their allegiance to the country before their political party."
  — Jack Smith, via Carrie Johnson ([00:36])

• On Economic Relief:
  "It does make it a little cheaper to buy a car or grow a business, you know. Mortgage rates have also come down a little bit."
  — Scott Horsley ([02:33])

• On Winemaking Trends:
  "Almost anything on trend anywhere in the world ... it’s happening right here in the backyard and you can have access to it."
  — Chad Johnson ([03:49])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jack Smith Interview Transcript: 00:19–01:21
• Weight Loss Drugs/GLP-1s: 01:21–02:18
• Economy & Interest Rates: 02:18–02:51
• National Guard Withdrawals: 02:51–03:34
• Northwest Sparkling Wine: 03:34–04:23
• NYC Mayoral Swearing-In: 04:23–04:38
• College Football Results: 04:38–04:58

Tone: Straightforward, factual, concise, and focused on key developments—a hallmark of NPR News Now.