NPR News Now: December 17, 2025, 9AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode covers the latest major national and international news stories, focusing on the ongoing investigation into a mass shooting at Brown University, concerns over the Trump administration's new nuclear reactor program, pushback on a White House profile, President Trump's planned appearance at Dover AFB, changes to FIFA World Cup ticket pricing, and the soaring Powerball lottery jackpot.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. Ongoing Investigation: Brown University Mass Shooting

• [00:13-01:23]
• Law enforcement is intensively reviewing surveillance footage to identify the suspect in the deadly shooting at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
• Details:
  • Authorities are compiling video from private security, Ring doorbells, and Tesla cameras.
  • The suspect is described as a "heavyset person in dark clothing," carrying a satchel, winter hat, and surgical mask.
  • Quote — Chief Oscar Perez [01:04]:

    "You want to focus on the body movements, the way the person moves their arms, the body posture."

  • Perez mentions the suspect arrived over five hours before the incident and investigators are still searching for a motive.
  • Reporter: Ben Berkey

2. Trump Administration Pushes Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program

• [01:23-02:18]
• The administration is expediting a program to bring new nuclear reactors online by next summer.
• Details:
  • The "reactor pilot program" is aimed at new reactor designs, with Valor Atomics among the participants.
  • Isaiah Taylor, CEO of Valor Atomics [01:45]:

    "Private nuclear companies can do R&D again in real hardware with real neutrons and then get ready for commercialization."

  • Safety experts are concerned about the rapid timeline.
  • Allison McFarlane, former nuclear regulator [01:58]:

    "This is not okay, and this is not going to lead to success. This is how to have an accident."

  • The Department of Energy insists safety is a top priority and aims to have at least three reactors operational by July 4, 2026.
  • Reporter: Jeff Brumfield

3. White House Chief of Staff Profile Sparks Pushback

• [02:18-03:05]
• White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles rejects a Vanity Fair profile characterizing her leadership and internal White House tensions.
• Details:
  • Wiles is quoted describing President Trump as having "an alcoholic's personality," despite Trump's teetotalism. This is connected to her experience with her father, Pat Summerall, and his recovery.
  • Chris Whipple, Vanity Fair reporter [02:46]:

    "She'd be the first to tell you, and she told me that she, you know, she makes a specialty of difficult men. It began with Pat Summerall. She managed Ron DeSantis' winning gubernatorial campaign in 2018 and now famously, of course, got Donald Trump elected in 2024."

  • The White House is publicly supporting Wiles, the first woman to hold the position.

4. President Trump Visits Dover Air Force Base, Will Address Nation

• [03:05-03:30]
• President Trump is set to participate in the dignified transfer at Dover AFB for two Iowa National Guard troops and an American interpreter killed in Syria.
• A nationwide address is planned for later tonight, focusing on the accomplishments of the year and the outlook for the remainder of the term.

5. FIFA Introduces Limited $60 World Cup Tickets

• [03:30-04:36]
• In response to fan backlash over high ticket prices for the 2026 Men's World Cup, FIFA will release a small allotment of $60 tickets.
• Details:
  • Current prices range from $140 for early matches to over $2,000 for the US opening game, with finals reaching over $4,000.
  • The $60 tickets:
    • Are reserved for fans of countries that qualified.
    • Make up fewer than 2% of tickets for any game.
    • Rafael Nam, NPR [04:10]:

      "In other words, they won't be easy to get."

  • The 2026 tournament will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

6. Powerball Jackpot Reaches $1.25 Billion

• [04:36-04:56]
• The Powerball prize has grown to over $1.25 billion ahead of tonight's drawing.

Notable Quotes

• Oscar Perez, Providence Police Chief [01:04]:

  "You want to focus on the body movements, the way the person moves their arms, the body posture."

• Isaiah Taylor, Valor Atomics CEO [01:45]:

  "Private nuclear companies can do R&D again in real hardware with real neutrons and then get ready for commercialization."

• Allison McFarlane, Former Nuclear Regulator [01:58]:

  "This is not okay, and this is not going to lead to success. This is how to have an accident."

• Chris Whipple, Vanity Fair Reporter [02:46]:

  "She'd be the first to tell you, and she told me that she, you know, she makes a specialty of difficult men. It began with Pat Summerall. She managed Ron DeSantis' winning gubernatorial campaign in 2018 and now famously, of course, got Donald Trump elected in 2024."

• Rafael Nam, NPR [04:10]:

  "In other words, they won't be easy to get."

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Brown University Shooting Investigation: [00:13–01:23]
• Trump Nuclear Reactor Program Concerns: [01:23–02:18]
• Susie Wiles / White House Profile: [02:18–03:05]
• Trump at Dover AFB & Address Preview: [03:05–03:30]
• FIFA $60 World Cup Ticket Announcement: [03:30–04:36]
• Powerball Jackpot Update: [04:36–04:56]

This concise yet comprehensive roundup delivers critical updates on breaking news, U.S. political dynamics, and worldwide sporting events, sharpened with expert and eyewitness commentary.