NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-24-2025 6AM EST

Episode Date: December 24, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. A newly uncovered letter that was contained in the latest batch of documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is drawing a lot of attention. NPR Sarah McCammon reports the letter was allegedly sent by Epstein to another convicted sex offender, former Olympic sports doctor, Larry Nassar. The letter was purportedly written in 2019 by Epstein to Dr. Larry Nassar, who was accused. used of molesting hundreds of gymnasts and convicted on multiple charges. Epstein supposedly wrote, quote, our president shares our love of young, nubile girls. Now, the DOJ addressed this letter in a couple of posts on X yesterday, first saying they were looking into it. And then less than two hours later, the DOJ announced that, quote, the FBI has confirmed this alleged letter from Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar is fake. And that post from DOJ also pointed out several apparent inconsistencies in this letter, including the fact that it was postmarked three days after Epstein's

death in Virginia, even though he'd been jailed in New York. That's NPR's Sarah McCammon reporting. The director of the National Institutes of Health says the Second Trump administration is making overdue changes to the funding of scientific research. NPR's Rob Stein reports on the Research Chief's case for the moves. Critics say decisions about medical research have been politicized since President Trump returned to office and installed called Robert of Kennedy Jr. as his health secretary. But in an interview with NPR, NIH Director of Dr. J. Batacharya denies any political interference at the NIH. Secretary Kennedy has not asked me to put my thumb on the scales of any scientific project

to say, you must have the scientific project come out this way or that way. I think that would be a red line. Botatoria defends decisions to terminate grants that mention diversity, equity, and inclusion, DEI, as necessary to be consistent with administration priorities. Rob Stein and Peer News. Pope Leo says he's very disappointed that his home state of Illinois had approved a law allowing for medically assisted suicide, and he called for greater respect of life. Leo said he had spoken explicitly with Governor J.B. Pritzker and urged him not to sign the bill into law. We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness

of life from the very beginning to the very end. And not, Unfortunately, for different reasons, he decided to sign that bill. I'm very disappointed about that. Pope Leo, who grew up in Chicago, cited Catholic teaching, which calls for the defense and protection of life from conception until natural death, forbidding abortion, and euthanasia. Stocks closed mixed across Asia today with shares trading higher in China and Hong Kong. This is NPR News in Washington.

Four governors from states along the Atlantic Coast say they'll fight President Trump's latest effort to block wind power developments. NPR's Brian Mann reports Trump pause completion of five major offshore wind projects this week, citing national security concerns. Trump has opposed wind power for years and his administration now says five big projects along the Atlantic Coast need further review from the Defense Department. Critics point out the projects all received federal permits after extensive scrutiny by the military. In a joint statement, governors from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island called this pause baseless and reckless. They said further delays for completed and nearly completed wind projects will cost jobs and drive up electricity costs for consumers. Trump's opposition to wind power hasn't fared well in the courts. Earlier this month, the federal judge struck down Trump's executive order halting offshore wind projects.

calling the ban unlawful, arbitrary, and capricious. Brian Mann, NPR News, New York. Officials in California are urging holiday travelers to stay off the roads on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with powerful winter storms expected to drench much of the state. Forecasters are warning of heavy rain, high winds, and snow raising the risk of flooding mudslides and rock slides. Flood and wind alerts are in place across the Sacramento Valley

and San Francisco Bay area. through Friday. The Sierra Nevada could see whiteout conditions, and Southern California may face its wet as Christmas in years. I'm Windsor-Johnston, NPR News, in Washington. 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.