NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-24-2025 3AM EST

Episode Date: December 24, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Rowland. A new set of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reveals more connections between Epstein and President Trump. The Department of Justice Tuesday released an estimated 30,000 pages of documents, flight logs, and letters. NPR political correspondent Sarah McCamond and her colleagues reviewing the files and they show a closer relationship between Trump and Epstein then first reported. Well, President Trump, of course, has been trying to distance himself from the Epstein case. Here's Trump talking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday. This was hours before this latest batch of files was released.

A lot of people are very angry that pictures are being released of other people that really had nothing to do with Epstein, but they're in a picture with him because he was at a party. And you ruin a reputation of somebody. So a lot of people are very angry that this can. continues. The DOJ posted a lengthy statement on X, saying the documents, quote, contain untrue and sensationalist claims about the president. Catholic bishops in Florida have appealed to the Trump and DeSantis administrations to pause immigration enforcement during the holidays. But Tuesday, the White House responded saying they will continue the usual operations. Jimena Romano from

Station WLRN has more. Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski was one of the clergy who signed a letter to the president and the governor. They're picking up people that are not just criminals or dangerous. They're picking up hardworking people that are trying to build a future for themselves and their children. And in the process, they're breaking up families. The request follows the Vatican's condemnation of federal and local law enforcement treatment of immigrants across the U.S.

Wenski says he hopes if enforcement is paused, it would allow South Florida families to attend church without fear. Wenski said he's concerned about the psychological well-being of children, particularly those living in mixed status households. For NPR news, I'm Jimena Romero in Miami. Southern California residents are being torn to stay off the roads, if possible, because of heavy rain. Steve Futterman reports, It could be one of the strongest storms to hit the area in some time.

This is the type of storm system that affects the area approximately every five to ten years or so. Ariel Cone, with the National Weather Service, is describing it as an atmospheric river. There will almost certainly be numerous rock slides and mudslides, along with areas of severe flooding. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass is also issuing warnings. I ask all Angelinos to take this one seriously during this holiday week. In the mountains and foothills more than 10 inches could fall. There is special concern in areas burned during the deadly January fires, including Pacific

Palisades and Altadena. For NPR news, I'm Steve Fuderman in Los Angeles. It's NPR. Utah has one of the largest measles outbreaks per capita in the United States. And with holiday visits on the rise, the numbers are expected to surge. As of Tuesday, there are 142 known measles cases in Utah out of a population of 3.5 million. Pamela McCall of member station KUER in Salt Lake City reports. A centers for disease control.

and Prevention Map, updated December 17th, shows Texas has the most cases in the country at 803. But that state has a population of over 30 million people. Leisha Nolan is Utah's state epidemiologist. There are pockets of Utah that have very low vaccination rates. That made us very vulnerable, that it could easily take hold and spread in those communities. Nolan says Utah has a culture that's big on visiting friends and family across the state any time of the year. and that's fostered the spread of measles. She says it can also be tough to tell if people have measles initially because before a telltale rash is visible, symptoms can mimic the common cold. For NPR news, I'm Pamela McCall in Salt Lake City. Authorities in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia

say at least two people are dead as many as 20 others are injured, this after a possible natural gas explosion at a nursing home Tuesday. The blast sent debris flying into the air and flames shooting through the building. The explosion took place just as utility crews began arriving on the scene to check, they say, for a suspected natural gas leak. From Washington, this is NPR News. I'm Dan Ronan. 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.