NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-22-2025 5PM EST

Episode Date: December 22, 2025

NPR News: 12-22-2025 5PM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Skiyavoni. Attorney General Pam Bondi is announcing a Second Amendment-based lawsuit against the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, arguing that it's ban on AR-15s and many other firearms is unconstitutional. Bondi declared that living in the nation's capital should not preclude a citizen's Second Amendment right to own the assault-style weapon. An immediate pause has been ordered by the Trump administration for construction of five large-scale offshore wind projects. From member station WBUR in Boston, Barbara Moran reports the move is consistent with President Trump's opposition to offshore wind farms. The Department of the Interior says the massive turbine blades and reflective towers of offshore wind farms could create radar interference that obscures moving targets or generates false targets. The pause is effective immediately and affects projects under construction in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and Virginia. In a statement, Secretary of the Interior Doug Bergam said this action addresses, quote, vulnerabilities created by large-scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our East Coast population centers.

Last week, a federal judge threw out the Trump administration's previous moratorium on offshore wind permitting. For NPR news, I'm Barb. Maran in Boston. The Israeli cabinet voted to shut down a national radio station operated by the Israeli military today. The radio station has run for 75 years and is known for its critical take on the Ministry of Defense. NPR's Hidal al-Shalshi reports. Israeli defense minister Israel Israel Katz ordered all soldiers running Galatz radio to be reassigned to other military units as part of his decision to suspend the station. The Israeli military said the decision was part of a quote, worrying pattern to harm Israeli democracy.

Galatz is a military-run broadcaster whose editorial leadership is appointed through the defense establishment but has been known to air critical stories about the military. The Galatz Employees Committee called the decision, quote, painful and said it was going to appeal in court. Israeli journalists condemned the suspension and said this was the latest example of the government's attempts to clamp down on freedom of speech. Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv. coalition of 21 states and the District of Columbia have sued the Trump administration in federal

court in Oregon over funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The CFPB says it could run out of operating funds within a few weeks. By law, the Consumer Watchdog Agency is funded by the Federal Reserve's earnings rather than congressional appropriations. Still, it's up to the administration to request that the Fed release that money and wrestled out the acting head of the CFPB has refused to do so. The Dow closed up today, 227 points. This is NPR. The American College Theater Festival is suspending its 58-year relationship with the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The National Theater Program featuring thousands of students plans to skip the Kennedy Center next spring. Jeff London explains. In a Facebook post, the National Board of the American College Theater Festival writes, quote,

Fortunately, our affiliation with the Kennedy Center is no longer viable due to circumstances and decisions that do not align with our organization's values. Last week, the Center's board, appointed and led by President Trump, voted to rename it the Trump Kennedy Center, even though according to law, it is a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. The ACTF. will continue presenting its eight regional festivals in 2026. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York. The nation's largest bourbon distiller is pausing production at one of its facilities as of January 1st. Jim Beam's flagship distillery in Claremont, Kentucky is halting operations to let the market catch up with an oversupply.

Jim Beam is owned by Japan-based Suntory Holdings, but company's larger distillery in Boston, Kentucky, will continue operating. and the Clermont site will continue to serve as a warehouse and bottling operation and restaurant and visitor center. The Wine and Spirits business has been struggling with declining alcohol consumption, especially in the post-pandemic era. I'm Louise Skiyvone, NPR News, Washington.