NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-15-2025 12PM EST

Episode Date: December 15, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Police in Los Angeles have arrested the son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner after two people were found dead inside Reiner's home in Brentwood, California. Steve Futterman reports authorities responded to the resident Sunday afternoon and discovered the bodies. According to Sheriff's Department records, Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Rob Reiner, is in police custody. He was arrested Sunday night, hours after his father and mother were found dead in their Brentwood, California home.

Now, he is being held on $4 million bail suggesting that these are very serious charges. All the official records say right now is that he's being held on suspicion of a felony. It does not say that he's being held in connection with the killings of his parents, but one can assume that that is a strong possible. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles. Police in Rhode Island are releasing a man detained as a person of interest in a deadly shooting at Brown University over the weekend. Ian Donnis from Ocean State Media reports, two people were killed in the attack. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Norona was among the officials announcing the setback in the case.

He says it's not unusual for an investigation to change course after early evidence doesn't check out. Norona vows that investigators will find the gunman, even if the timing is uncertain. This could happen very quickly, but it could take some time. And so I'm going to ask the public to be patient with us as we continue to work through the facts in this case. Two students were killed and nine other people, eight of them students were injured during the shooting Saturday. The gunman's whereabouts remain unknown and investigators have yet to cite a motive. For NPR News, I'm Ian Donis in Providence, Rhode Island. Lawmakers in Australia say they'll move quickly to tighten gun laws after a mass shooting on Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday.

At least 15 people were killed in the attack and dozens of others were injured. New South Wales Premier Chris Min says the suspects opened fire with long guns during a Hanukkah celebration, raising questions about why civilians have access to such weapons. If you're not a farmer, if you're not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons that put the public in danger and make life dangerous. Proposals under review include limits on how many firearms an individual can own and stricter ongoing license reviews. The shooting unfolded Sunday evening as thousands gathered along the beach for a Hanukkah by the sea event marking the start of the Jewish

festival. You're listening to NPR News. from Washington. Lawmakers in the House have just days to vote on a new health care subsidy plan proposed by Speaker Mike Johnson. The measure would replace Affordable Care Act subsidy set to expire in weeks. Johnson says the plan would let small businesses band together to buy insurance and could help lower drug prices. Media tycoon Jimmy Lye has been found guilty of sedition and colluding with foreign friends. forces. The high-profile trial has been closely watched by foreign governments, specifically the U.S. and the U.K. Reporter Sheree Fam has more.

This verdict was widely expected. The judges saying that there is, quote, no doubt that Lai harbored his resentment and hatred of the People's Republic of China for many of his adult years. They say he colluded with foreign forces to encourage countries to put sanctions on China and Hong Kong during the anti-government protests that crippled the city in 2019. The judges cited WhatsApp messages where Jimmy Lai and an aide Mark Simon set up meetings with senior U.S. officials including then Vice President Mike Pence and then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Lai now awaits sentencing. The 78-year-old faces up to life in prison. For NPR News, I'm Cherie's Fam in Hong Kong. Workers at the Louvre Museum in Paris have voted to strike forcing the popular tourist destination to close today. Employees say poor working conditions and long-delayed renovations have pushed them.

them to walk out. The strike follows a recent string of incidents, including a daylight theft of priceless gems in October. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.