Summary4 min read

NPR News Now — December 31, 2025, 9AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston, NPR News
Duration: 5 minutes
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of significant world events as the year comes to a close, highlighting developments in U.S. politics, international conflict, New Year’s celebrations around the world, travel disruptions, entertainment industry news, and public health updates.

Key Stories and Insights

1. U.S. Freezes Child Care Funds to Minnesota

[00:19–01:14]

Context:
The Trump administration has frozen federal child care funds to Minnesota following allegations of fraud involving the state-administered child care program.
Details:
- Announcement: Acting CDC Director Jim O'Neill announced on X (formerly Twitter), stating his agency has “turned off the money spigot and are finding the fraud.” (C, 00:33)
- Background: A viral right-wing YouTube video spotlighted Minnesota daycare facilities allegedly misusing federal funds.
- Political Response:
  - Governor Tim Walz (Democrat): "This is a transparent attempt to politicize the issue to hurt Minnesotans and defund government programs that help people." (C, 01:00)
Takeaway:
The move is seen as both a response to fraud and a political maneuver with potential impact on families relying on government-supported child care.

2. Russia Strikes Ukrainian Ports; Civilians and Economy Hit

[01:14–02:15]

Event:
Russia attacked the Ukrainian Black Sea port city Odessa and surrounding areas, injuring civilians, damaging infrastructure, and disrupting grain exports.
Details:
- On the Ground: Russian drones struck overnight, injuring at least six people and causing power outages.
- Ukrainian Response:
  - President Zelensky: States that Russia’s intent is to “cut off Odessa… hitting ports, killing people and the economy, trying to reduce our exports by sea.” (D, 01:45)
- Two civilian ships in port to load wheat were hit; a Ukrainian drone struck a Russian gas pipeline at a Black Sea port.
Economic and Human Impact:
Ongoing attacks threaten both civilian life and Ukraine's ability to export vital goods.

3. New Year’s Celebrations and Security Worldwide

[02:15–03:08]

Celebrations:
- Australia ushered in 2026 with large crowds at Sydney Harbor Bridge and a fireworks display. (E, 02:27: “Happy New Year.”)
- European cities like Paris prepare for fireworks; people will gather along the Champs-Élysées.
Times Square, NYC:
- Security: Mayor Eric Adams describes extensive security measures including plainclothes police, K9 teams, officers on horseback, and restrictions on vehicles and pedestrians. (F, 02:54)
  - Quote: “We will have plainclothes K9 teams, officers on horsebacks, on our trains, subway stations and in helicopters and on boats. Pedestrians and vehicle closures will be in effect.” (F, 02:54)
- Millions expected for the iconic ball drop.

4. Channel Tunnel Train Service Restored After Major Delay

[03:08–03:56]

Issue:
Power failure on Tuesday caused major train delays through the Channel Tunnel.
- Eurostar reports normal service resuming, but possible delays/cancellations remain.
- Some passengers were stranded overnight; one was delayed over six hours en route to Amsterdam.
Wider Impact:
Disruptions affected both London-Paris and Paris-bound trains.

5. Tough Year for U.S. Nightclubs

[03:56–04:36]

Closures:
2025 saw the shutdown of numerous notable American nightclubs across Brooklyn, San Francisco, Los Angeles (Mayan Theater), Cleveland, Chicago, Austin, and the Jersey Shore.
Industry Challenges:
- Quote: “It was a hard year.” — Stephen Parker, International Venue Association (H, 04:11)
- Contributing factors:
  - Economic tightness, reduced patronage and beverage sales.
  - Gentrification.
  - Pressure from corporate entertainment giants like Live Nation and Ticketmaster, with the latter under antitrust scrutiny from the Justice Department (trial in March 2026).
Cultural Impact:
The closings reflect shifting nightlife trends and broader economic pressures within entertainment.

6. Public Health Update: Rising Flu Cases

[04:36–04:56]

CDC Report:
Flu cases are increasing faster than in recent years, due to a new virus strain.
Public Health Advisory:
Emphasized vigilance as the season progresses.

7. Brief Economic Update

[04:56]

Market Overview:
Dow futures trading higher; Asian markets mixed as of broadcast.

Notable Quotes

Jim O’Neill, Acting CDC Director:

“Turned off the money spigot and are finding the fraud.” (C, 00:44)
Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN):

“This is a transparent attempt to politicize the issue to hurt Minnesotans and defund government programs that help people.” (C, 01:00)
President Volodymyr Zelensky:

“They definitely want to cut off Odessa... They are hitting ports, killing people and the economy, trying to reduce our exports by sea.” (D, 01:45)
Mayor Eric Adams (NYC):

“We will have plainclothes K9 teams, officers on horsebacks, on our trains, subway stations and in helicopters and on boats. Pedestrians and vehicle closures will be in effect.” (F, 02:54)
Stephen Parker, International Venue Association:

“It was a hard year.” (H, 04:11)

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

[00:33] Federal funds frozen for Minnesota childcare over fraud concerns.
[01:14] Russia’s latest attacks on Odessa, Ukraine.
[02:28] New Year fireworks in Sydney, Australia: “Happy New Year.”
[02:54] NYC Mayor details New Year’s security measures.
[03:56] Major U.S. nightclub closures discussed.
[04:36] CDC warns of rising flu cases.

Summary
This fast-paced NPR News Now episode delivers essential updates on international conflict, politics, festivity, business challenges, and public health, capturing the urgency and complexity of the news cycle as 2025 draws to a close.

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Transcript17 lines

[00:01]
A
This message comes from Capital One with the Venture X card. Earn unlimited double miles, a $300 annual capital one travel credit and access to airport lounges. Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms apply details@capital1.com live from NPR News.
[00:19]
B
In Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The Trump administration is freezing child care funds to Minnesota Clarity. Clay Masters from Minnesota Public Radio reports the move follows a string of alleged fraud cases in recent years.
[00:33]
C
The acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jim o', Neill, made the announcement on the social media platform X. He writes the step is in response to allegations of blatant fraud in Minnesota and his agency has, quote, turned off the money spigot and are finding the fraud. The announcement follows a viral video from a right wing YouTuber that featured Minnesota daycare facilities that have been part of a state administered childcare program using federal money. In a statement, Democratic Governor Tim Walz tells NPR he has been combating fraud for years and this is a transparent attempt to politicize the issue to hurt Minnesotans and defund government programs that help people. For NPR News, I'm clay masters in St. Paul.
[01:15]
B
Russia attacked two Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, hitting two civilian vessels. NPR's Jomannic Akissis reports Russia is repeatedly striking the port city of Odessa, leaving much of it without power.
[01:29]
D
Russian drones hit Odessa and the surrounding region overnight, injuring at least six and knocking out electricity and water again. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters that his country is trying to buy more air defense supplies to protect cities from Russian forces. They definitely want to cut off Odessa, he said. They are hitting ports, killing people and the economy, trying to reduce our exports by sea. On Tuesday, Ukraine's navy said Russia hit two civilian ships that had arrived to load wheat. And now a Ukrainian drone attack has damaged a gas pipeline at a Russian port in the Black Sea. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.
[02:15]
B
While much of the world is still counting down the final hours of 2025, some parts of the globe are ringing in the new Year. In Australia, three, two, one.
[02:27]
E
Happy New Year.
[02:28]
B
Crowds gathered at the Sydney Harbor Bridge to watch the fireworks display over the oper. Welcome 2026. Cities across Europe are also preparing to ring in the new Year. In Paris, people are expected to gather along Champs Elysees to watch the fireworks near the Eiffel Tower. In New York City, Times Square is under tight security. Mayor Eric Adams says there will be a heavy police presence there tonight.
[02:55]
F
We will have plainclothes K9 teams, officers on horsebacks, on our trains, subway stations and in helicopters and on boats. Pedestrians and vehicle closures will be in effect.
[03:08]
B
Millions are expected to pack Times Square to watch the ball drop at midnight. This is npr. Train service through the Channel Tunnel is getting back to normal after a power failure caused major delays on Tuesday. Eurostar says it plans to run all scheduled trains today, but warns there could still be delays or last minute cancellations. The first train from London to Paris was. There were also reports of delays in Paris, and some passengers were stuck on trains overnight, including one traveler heading to Amsterdam who waited more than six hours. Nightclubs had a tough year in 2025 with a number of well known venues closing across the United States. NPR's Netta Ulaby reports.
[03:56]
G
Several clubs in Brooklyn and San Francisco announced closures, including yolo, where this live set was recorded last year. In Los Angeles, the legendary Mayan Theater closed and clubs announced closures in Cleveland, Chicago, Austin, Texas and on the Jersey Shore.
[04:11]
H
It was a hard year.
[04:12]
G
Stephen Parker runs the International Venue Association. He says the economy is to blame. Margins are tight, people are going out less and they do not drink as much. Plus, he says gentrification is an issue and so is pressure from big corporations like Live Nation and Ticketmaster. Their practice has spurred an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Justice Department with a trial scheduled for March.
[04:34]
B
Nada.
[04:35]
G
Ulabi, NPR News.
[04:36]
B
The CDC says the number of flu cases are rising faster this season than in previous years. The agency says the surge appears to be driven by a new strain of the virus. On Wall Street, Dow futures are trading higher at this hour. Stocks closed mixed across Asia today. This is NPR News.
[04:57]
I
Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR news now pl@ +npr.org that's +npr.org.