NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-17-2025 2PM EST

Episode Date: December 17, 2025

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This week on Up First, it's the last work week of the year, for Congress anyway. And that means time is running out for action on health care before premium skyrocket for millions of Americans. We'll keep you updated on the 11th hour scramble on Capitol Hill. This week on Up First, now a Golden Globe nominee for Best Podcast. Listen on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Nick Reiner appeared in court today after he was charged with the death of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle.

Steve Futterman has more from outside the courthouse in Los Angeles. The hearing lasted only a few minutes, and the arraignment itself never took place. When the hearing began, Alan Jackson, the chief attorney for Nick Reiner, requested a continuance until January 7th. The judge asked Nick Reiner if he waived his right to a speedy arraignment. he said he did. Those were the only words spoken by Nick Reiner. We didn't actually get a good look at him. He was in the courtroom behind a glass partition with his attorney. That's Steve Futterman reporting from Los Angeles. The House is set to vote today on a Republican-backed

plan addressing health care costs. It's a bill that would allow Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire. NPR Sam Greenglass reports that Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal does not extend the assistance. want to simply extend the subsidies for three years. A vote to do that failed in the Senate last week, though it did attract four Republican votes. Now, Republicans have their own proposals to cut health costs. Senate Republicans came up with a plan to deposit up to $1,500 in health savings accounts for high deductible ACA plans. That also failed last week. NPR, Sam Greenglass reporting. The latest poll from NPR, PBS, and Maris shows President Trump's handling of the U.S. economy has dropped to a new low. NPR's Domenico Montanaro reports.

Of the 1,440 respondents to the survey, just 36% say they approve of the job Trump is doing on the economy. That's the lowest Marist has recorded for Trump in six years of asking the question. In fact, during Trump's first term, the economy was a relative strength. It's a big reason he was able to win again in 2024. Trump promised to bring prices down, and Latinos, for example, crossed over in big numbers. to vote for him. But in this survey, just 32% of Latinos approve of the job he's doing handling the economy. It's yet another sign of how much the group is moving away from Trump as they feel the pinch of prices and a warning sign for Republicans heading into the

26 midterm elections. Democco Montanaro and PR News, Washington. A federal appeals court has ruled that National Guard troops can remain in Washington, D.C., while judges consider the legality of their deployment. The court said the city's unique federal status gives President Trump broad authority to control troops there. More than 2,000 guard members have been stationed in the Capitol since August, with additional troops added after a recent attack that killed one service member and severely wounded another. Stocks are trading lower on Wall Street at this hour. The Dow was down 193 points. This is NPR News. The Democratic-led legislature in Maryland has split from the nation's only black governor over a bill to study reparations for American slavery and segregation.

Jenny Abamu from member station WAMU reports the reparation study will move forward. Governor Westmore vetoed the bill last year, arguing he didn't need a study to know harm was done. He pushed his own approach, which included cannabis partons. supporting his veto called the measure well-intentioned but divisive and question whether it's even practical to calculate compensation for the harms of slavery and segregation. Others say the state enforced slavery and segregation, so the state must make amends. Delegate Janelle Wilkins cheers Maryland's legislative black caucus. She says the override isn't about opposing the governor. I think that people who are passionate about our community can have different

perspectives on how to move forward. A commission will study the issue and make recommendations on reparations. For NPR news, I'm Jenny Abamoun, Annapolis. Workers at the Louvre in Paris have voted to extend a strike that continues to disrupt operations. The museum partially reopened today, allowing limited access to exhibits, including the Mona Lisa. Union workers say they're protesting, chronic understaffing, and recent management decisions. The vote to extend the walkout came during a morning general assembly, days after workers unanimously, back the strike. Stocks continue to trade lower at this hour on Wall Street. The Dow was down 192 points. The NASDAQ down 348. This is NPR News.