Podcast Summary: The 7 — Episode of November 24, 2025

Host: Hannah Jewell
Podcast: The 7 (The Washington Post)
Theme: Top seven must-know news stories of the day, distilled with reporting and insight from The Washington Post.

Overview

In this brisk and informative episode, host Hannah Jewell runs down seven of the most pertinent stories for Monday, November 24, 2025. The episode spans high-stakes international diplomacy over Ukraine, divides in American politics over artificial intelligence, surging electricity costs, the impact of immigration crackdowns on schools, regulatory decisions about “forever chemicals,” lung cancer screening gaps, and the magic behind movie visual effects.

1. Ukraine Peace Talks Make Progress Amid Controversy

[00:02 - 01:31]

• Main Points:

  • The US and Ukraine have made progress on a draft plan to end the war with Russia.
  • President Donald Trump pressured Ukraine’s President Zelensky to accept a controversial plan that included significant concessions (territorial cessions, cutting military size).
  • The plan was widely criticized—Republicans said it would "essentially reward Russia for invading Ukraine in 2022."
  • In response, US and Ukrainian officials have agreed to alter the draft.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio, leading the US delegation in Geneva, downplayed suggestions that Russia authored the plan and sounded cautiously optimistic.

• Notable Quote:

  • “I don't want to declare victory or finality here. There's still some work to be done, but we are much further ahead today at this time than we were when we began this morning and where we were a week ago.” —Secretary of State Marco Rubio [01:21]

• Key Moment:

  • Trump has set a Thanksgiving deadline for acceptance of the deal; more talks scheduled.

2. MAGA Divide over Trump’s Embrace of Artificial Intelligence

[01:31 - 02:45]

• Main Points:

  • Trump is ardently backing the growth of artificial intelligence, appointing tech leaders to key roles, repealing Biden-era regulations, and bringing foreign investment into US AI firms.
  • Some Republicans are voicing concerns that unbridled AI threatens working-class jobs and could drive up energy costs.
  • Reveals a significant fault line between the populist base (concerned about job security) and business/tech elites in Trump’s orbit.

• Notable Insight:

  • The interests of tech/business allies and working-class voters—the coalition that brought Trump to office—are increasingly "at odds" on this issue.

3. Electricity Prices Surge, Power Disconnections Rise

[02:45 - 04:01]

• Main Points:
  • Electricity prices in the US are up 11% since January; in places like Missouri, up 37%.
  • Rising costs leading to more Americans unable to pay bills, facing power shutoffs.
  • No national count, but utilities in 11 states report increased disconnections—New York City saw a fivefold increase in shutoffs compared to last year.
  • Experts warn the situation will worsen as winter approaches, with heating costs expected to reach an average of $976 (up 7.6%).

4. Immigration Raids Prompt School Absences in Charlotte, NC

[04:01 - 05:15]

• Main Points:
  • 1 in 5 students in Charlotte missed school due to ongoing immigration raids.
  • Reports of student anxiety: children coming to school with documentation or “I’m a U.S. citizen” tags.
  • Though DHS claims no enforcement operations at schools, activity near campuses has led to lockdowns and "traumatized" children.
  • Arrests of parents near schools reported in at least 10 states this year.

5. EPA Approves ‘Forever Chemical’ Pesticides for Food Use

[05:15 - 06:12]

• Main Points:
  • EPA approved two new pesticides containing PFAS (so-called “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, birth defects, immune/liver damage), with more approvals planned.
  • These pesticides to be used on produce such as lettuce, broccoli, potatoes.
  • EPA also plans to relax rules on PFAS product reporting and weaken drinking water standards.
  • For concerned listeners: newsletter link provided with tips on how to avoid PFAS exposure.

6. Lung Cancer Screening Misses Most At-Risk Patients

[06:12 - 07:11]

• Main Points:
  • Under current guidelines, only certain people (aged 50–80, heavy smokers, recent quitters) are screened regularly for lung cancer.
  • New study: only 1/3 of lung cancer patients at Northwestern Medicine met screening criteria; many women, minorities, never-smokers excluded.
  • Expanding screening to everyone aged 40–85 could prevent at least 26,000 deaths per year.
  • Experts are pushing for guideline expansion to save more lives.

7. You Probably Can’t Spot CGI in Movies

[07:11 - 08:38]

• Main Points:

  • Most people can't reliably distinguish real-life from visual effects in well-made movies.
  • Example: Over 1,000 visual effects artists worked on the "Wicked" movies, blending real sets and blue screen shots.
  • The extent of VFX in cinema is much larger than audiences realize.
  • Fun newsletter quiz offered to test listeners’ VFX detection skills.

• Standout Insight:

  • “When it’s done well, you’re not supposed to be able to spot CGI or other visual effects. When you can, you might just be watching a terrible movie or TV show.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Ukraine negotiations optimism:

  • “We are much further ahead today… than we were when we began this morning and where we were a week ago.” —Secretary of State Marco Rubio [01:21]

• Student anxiety due to raids:

  • “One [child] wore a tag that read I’m a U.S. citizen. Another carried an American passport to elementary school.” —Hannah Jewell [04:34]

• On visual effects:

  • “No judgment, but you may not realize all the things that visual effects are being used for or how much work goes into it.” —Hannah Jewell [07:24]

Timeline of Major Segments

• Ukraine peace plan developments: [00:02 – 01:31]
• Trump, MAGA, and AI divide: [01:31 – 02:45]
• Electricity price hikes and shutoffs: [02:45 – 04:01]
• Immigration raids impact schools: [04:01 – 05:15]
• EPA, PFAS pesticides approvals: [05:15 – 06:12]
• Lung cancer screening issues: [06:12 – 07:11]
• Visual effects in movies: [07:11 – 08:38]

Tone & Style

Hannah Jewell offers concise, engaging delivery, keeping the pace brisk and the tone pragmatic but approachable—a blend of matter-of-fact reporting, succinct explanations, and occasional light touches (especially in the VFX segment).

In summary:
Today’s episode captures a world in flux, from international peace efforts and domestic policy fault lines to anxieties in American schools and kitchen tables. The concluding lighter story about movie magic balances the day’s heavier headlines, making for a brisk, illuminating listen.