NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-13-2025 2AM EST

Episode Date: December 13, 2025

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Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. There was a change in leadership of the U.S. military's southern command this week. The command is responsible for all U.S. military activity in Central and South America, along with the Caribbean. Navy Admiral Alvin Halsey relinquished his duties Friday. After raising concerns about the controversial attacks on Venezuelan boats, he said the military's work remains important. That work must continue across the whole of government to deliver at the point of need to respond to share threats in our neighborhood.

The time is now. The leadership change comes at a critical time as Trump increases pressure on the Venezuelan governments. The Justice Department has filed more lawsuits against mostly Democratic-led states in an attempt to access sensitive data about registered voters. MPR's Hansi Lo Wong has more. For months, the Justice Department has been demanding

certain states turn over complete copies of their voter registration lists, including any driver's license numbers and parts of voter social security numbers. In court filings, the DOJ says it wants this personal information. The check of states are following federal law and keeping accurate voter rolls. But most states have refused, citing privacy restrictions. Now, the Justice Department is suing Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Nevada. They're the latest among a total of 18 states facing lawsuits. The DOJ has also filed a new lawsuit against Georgia's Fulton County.

The Trump administration is trying to force local election officials to turn over all balance and other records from the 2020 election that President Trump lost. Anzi Luong, NPR News. The president of the European Commission is warning President Trump not to meddle with democracy in Europe. NPR's Ruth Sherlock has the latest. Ursula von der Leyen is responding to attacks on Europe made in the Trump administration's new national security strategy. The public document describes Europe as a decaying group of nations and says the U.S.

should, quote, cultivate resistance within these countries to policies. and governing bodies the US disagrees with, such as the European Union. Speaking at an event organised by the Media Company Politico, von der Leyen said the sovereignty of voters in Europe must be protected and that, quote, nobody else is supposed to interfere. She said the Trump administration's stance is one reason why the EU is trying to set up a, quote, democracy shield project meant to fight against foreign interference online, including in elections.

Ruth Sherlock, MPR News. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is suing the Trump administration over its plans to build a ballroom on the White House grounds. The Trust says any construction must go through comprehensive design reviews, environmental assessments, public comment, and congressional debate before it can begin. The lawsuit also says no president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review. Peter Green, an actor known for his roles in Pulp Fiction, The Mask, has died. He was 60 years old. This is NPR News. Archaeologists in Turkey say they've uncovered a fresco of Jesus as the good shepherd. The fresco dates to the early Christian era.

The painting was found in August in an underground tomb near Iznik. The fresco shows a youthful Roman-looking Jesus carrying a goat. Researchers say it's a rare depiction of Jesus with Roman attributes. Moving a dairy cow full of milk out of the way of flooding is not an easy operation, but that's exactly what farmers in Washington state have been for. to do. Northwest Public Broadcastings, Anna King has a report. Jason Vanderquois near Mount Vernon, Washington, said flooding is the number one fear for farmers in his area. Van der Kui's farm is still dry, but some of his neighbors had to move their

herds. Milk cows can get stressed out when their milking times change, he says. They love routine, they love schedules, and they don't like to be moved in trying to figure out a new facility, or different feed, or even a different milking barn. Vander Coix Farm is in the same area where tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate their homes. For NPR News, I'm Anna King. Prosecutors in Michigan say University of Michigan football coach Sharon Moore threatened to kill himself in front of a woman with whom he had been having an affair. She had broken off the relationship and reported it to university officials.

More was charged Friday with stalking and home invasion. He was fired by the university on Wednesday. The woman with whom he was having the affair was one of his staff members. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News. This message comes from Wise, the app for using money around the globe. When you manage your money with Wise, you'll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees. Join millions of customers and visit Wise.com. T's and Cs apply.