NPR News Now: 12-31-2025 8PM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Date: January 1, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes
Episode Description: The latest national and international news headlines, updated hourly.

Overview

The episode provides concise updates on major political, economic, and cultural events at the close of 2025 and start of 2026, focusing on U.S. troop withdrawals, historic political shifts in New York City, economic indicators, international incidents, and cultural developments.

Key News Stories & Analysis

1. President Trump Removes National Guard Troops from Cities

(00:20-01:13)

• Background: President Trump is pulling National Guard deployments from major cities (Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland) after the Supreme Court ruled against the administration’s emergency appeal over such deployments to Chicago.
• Details:
  • Trump credited the guard’s deployment with reducing crime, stating in a Truth Social post:

    “Promises to come back in a different and stronger form.” (00:36, Franco Ordonez paraphrasing Trump’s post)

  • Democratic governors opposed the deployments, and the Supreme Court's involvement, while not precedent-setting, clarified the extent of Trump’s presidential powers regarding troop deployment.
• Insight: This marks a significant legal and political development in the administration’s ongoing conflicts with state leaders over the use of federal force in Democratically led cities.

2. Zoran Mamdani Sworn in as New York City’s Mayor

(01:13-02:07)

• Historic Moment:
  • Zoran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, is set to become mayor at the start of 2026.
  • He becomes the first South Asian and first Muslim to lead New York City, taking the oath on a Quran.
  • Mamdani secured over 50% of the vote, defeating Andrew Cuomo by nine points.
• Policies & Promises:
  • Affordability: Central to his campaign, with pledges including:
    • Freeze rents on rent-stabilized apartments.
    • Implement free busing.
    • Build city-owned grocery stores.
    • Increase corporate tax to 11.5% to generate $5 billion for the city.
  • Memorable moment:

    “Mamdani burst into the national spotlight this past year with a mayoral campaign that captivated the left and piqued the interest of centrist.” (01:24, Bruce Konweiser)

• Significance: Reflects a shift in New York City politics and broader national trends toward progressive leadership.

3. Mortgage Rates Drop to Yearly Lows

(02:07-03:02)

• Economic Update:
  • Freddie Mac’s final survey of 2025 sets average 30-year fixed mortgage rates at 6.15%, down from 6.85% a year ago.
  • 15-year fixed mortgage rates now at 5.44%.
  • These rates have reversed the upward trend seen since the 2023 highs of 7.9%, but are still “likely little comfort to potential home buyers” who recall pandemic lows below 3%.
  • Notable explanation:

    “While current rates are comparatively low, that's likely little comfort to potential home buyers who recall the average lows of less than 3% seen during the pandemic.” (02:44, Scott Newman)

• Takeaway: Rates are easing, but affordability remains an issue.

4. International Headlines

• Channel Tunnel Train Delays (03:02-03:29)
  • Power issues interrupted service through the 32-mile tunnel between Europe and the UK. Operations resumed overnight, but delays continue.
• Russian Attacks on Odessa (04:16-04:32)
  • Russia used missiles and drones to strike Odessa’s power grid, injuring six and damaging energy facilities.
  • Ongoing attacks target Ukrainian infrastructure during a severe winter.
• Indonesia’s Mount Burabi Telong Alert (04:32-04:59)
  • Seismic activity prompts officials to raise the alert to the second highest level for the Sumatra volcano. Residents advised to stay 2.5 miles away.

5. Kennedy Center Honors See Lowest Ratings Ever

(03:29–04:16)

• Event:
  • CBS broadcast the Kennedy Center Honors with President Trump in attendance.
  • Ratings dropped 25% from the previous year, to 3 million viewers.
  • Nielsen’s new measurement methods noted as a factor.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “He [Trump] became the first president to host the awards show in 2025 and predicted his appearance would pull the highest ratings ever. Instead, the show saw a 25% drop from last year…” (03:29, Netta Uluby)
• Impact:
  • President Trump suggested renaming the venue to the "Trump Kennedy Center," prompting several artists to cancel shows.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Presidential Power & Troops:
  • “While not precedent setting, the ruling brings some clarity to Trump's presidential powers.” (00:56, Franco Ordonez)
• On NYC's New Mayor:
  • “The 34 year old Mamdani stands out as the first South Asian and the first Muslim to lead America's largest city. He will be sworn in using a Quran.” (01:34, Bruce Konweiser)
• On Mortgage Rates:
  • "Current rates are comparatively low, that's likely little comfort to potential home buyers who recall...less than 3% during the pandemic.” (02:44, Scott Newman)
• On Kennedy Center Honors:
  • “During the show, the president intimated his plans to change the name of the venue to the Trump Kennedy Center. Since then, multiple artists scheduled to perform there have canceled shows.” (04:03, Netta Uluby)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |------------|---------------------------------------------| | 00:20–01:13| Trump’s National Guard Withdrawal | | 01:13–02:07| Zoran Mamdani, NYC’s New Mayor | | 02:07–03:02| Mortgage Rate Update | | 03:02–03:29| Channel Tunnel Train Delays | | 03:29–04:16| Kennedy Center Honors Ratings | | 04:16–04:32| Odessa, Ukraine Attacks | | 04:32–04:59| Mount Burabi Telong (Indonesia) Alert |

Tone & Style

The reporting is concise, fact-driven, and direct, reflecting NPR’s hallmark objective and neutral news delivery style.

For those who missed the episode, this summary encapsulates the critical political, economic, and cultural headlines shaping the end of 2025 and start of 2026, providing context and direct quotes to capture the news as it was reported.