NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-13-2025 8AM EST

Episode Date: December 13, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. A group of 20 states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's plan to dramatically hike visa fees for foreign workers. NPR's Matt Bloom reports on this latest legal challenge against the policy. The new lawsuit was filed by a group of state attorneys general, led by California's Rob Bonta. The suit filed in federal court in Boston seeks to block President Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. Trump announced the policy this fall, raising the fee from just a few thousand dollars per worker.

In their suit, the attorneys general argue that the price hike violates federal law. The new suit is at least the third to challenge the policy, which Trump says is meant to protect American workers. Similar challenges from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S. unions and employers are also pending. Matt Bloom and PR News. State media in Belarus says the U.S. is lifting sanctions.

on Belarusian potash, a key component in fertilizer. A state news agency says President Trump's special envoy to Belarus, John Cole, made the announcement today following two days of meetings with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Belarus is a close ally of Russia and a major producer of potash. Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson says his state is fortunate. There have been no fatalities reported as first responders deal with a flood emergency. Our prayers have been answered that this time, No loss of life has occurred.

The situation is truly historic. Rivers like the Skagit River and Cedar Rivers, literally facing historic, experiencing historic levels of flooding. And so this is something that the people of the state of Washington have not faced before. Photos and video show widespread damage with entire communities and neighborhoods flooded around Western and Central Washington State following a string of atmospheric river storms. Officials are warning that water levels will remain high for days and there's more rain. and the forecast for tomorrow. As Republicans and Democrats gear up for the midterm elections next year,

a new survey shows they are losing ground with young voters. A newly released University of Chicago survey took in more than 5,000 young Americans, ages 18 to 42. And Pierce Elena Moore reports these voters are feeling increasingly unhappy with politics as they struggle with a high cost of living. This latest poll finds that roughly 6 and 10 young Americans have unfavorable impressions of both parties. Kathy Cohen runs the Gen Forward survey. She argues that the dissatisfaction young people feel is tied to their concerns about the economy. There is a real sense that these individuals and these parts of the administration are not delivering. The poll finds that nearly nine and ten young people are concerned about the price of food and the cost of health care. Plus, about a third

think they're going to be worse off financially than their parents. Elena Moore, NPR News. And you're listening to NPR News. President Trump says the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to renew their truce. Trump announced the agreement to restart their ceasefire on social media Friday, but fighting is still being reported along the border. And Thailand's leader vowed today to keep it up until Thailand no longer feels threatened. Cambodia's defense ministry says Thailand carried out military strikes early today. King Charles says he's making good progress with his cancer treatment and expects to reduces treatment next year. He gave the personal update and a televised message urging Britons

to get screened for the disease, as Empires Fet of al-Kasop reports from London. In a pre-recorded TV message, the King urged Britons to get screened and talked about the difference an early diagnosis can make, and he gave a rare update on his own progress. Today, I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctors' orders, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year. He has not said what type of cancer he was diagnosed with and has continued to work and go on foreign trips since his diagnosis.

Now the 77-year-old said his holiday message is to ask Britons to play their part in catching cancer early. Fatima Al-Kasab, NPR News, London. President Trump is expected to attend this afternoon's annual Army Navy football game, the game being played in Baltimore, as college football prepares to hand out its most prestigious award. The Heisman Trophy will be awarded tonight during a ceremony in New York City. I'm Gile Snyder. This is NPR News.