NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-30-2025 5PM EST

Episode Date: December 30, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. The CIA struck a dock facility in Venezuela as the Trump administration continues to attack alleged drug operations in the region. That's according to an official not authorized to speak publicly. The U.S. has been targeting boats allegedly transporting drugs. But as NPR's Tom Bowman explains, this is the first known attack against Venezuela on land. We also don't know what else the CIA is doing in Venezuela. If history is a guy in past decades when the CIA gets involved in an effort to pressure or oust a political leader, the agency would reach out to military leaders, maybe retired leaders,

to see if they would either work with a new government, maybe remain cohesive, even mount a coup. So that will be something to watch in the coming weeks. The Maduro government, by the way, has condemned the U.S. attacks. And interestingly, Trump said he spoke with Maduro, quote, very recently, but he said not much came of it. NPR's Tom Bowman reporting, enhanced subsidies for health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplace will expire after December 31st. That means premiums will soon spike for millions of Americans. NPR's Sam Gringlass reports. Congress left town for a holiday recess without acting to renew the pandemic-era subsidies. Some people who get their plans on the marketplace are seeing premiums double or triple. Open enrollment in many states ends January 15th. The Congressional Budget Office estimates more than $2 million. people will drop their coverage because they cannot afford the premiums. In January, the House is expected to vote on a three-year extension of the subsidies after four swing district Republicans

joined with Democrats to force a vote. A three-year renewal, though, already failed in the Senate, but some lawmakers hope a successful House vote will recharge bipartisan negotiations. Sam Cringlass, NPR News. More than a dozen states will raise their minimum wage on January 1st. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports the move comes as more Americans struggle with the cost of living. The federal minimum wage has been stuck since 2009 at just 7.25 an hour. In addition to the state hikes this year, dozens more localities are also raising their minimum wage. It's a growing trend, according to the National Employment Law Project, as prices outpaced paychecks for millions of workers. Supporters say raising the minimum wage reduces hunger and poverty, while critics note it can also

lead to job cuts. Both blue and red states are raising rates in 2026 in some places beyond $17 an hour. But the employment law project says 20 states are keeping the lower federal rate, many of them in the south, where most black workers live. Jennifer Lutton and Pierre News, Washington. Snap recipients in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia will no longer be able to buy soda and candy with their benefits starting January 1st. The first of at least 18 states to enact new restrictions of certain foods through the aid program. This is NPR News. A newly unsealed order in the criminal case against Kilmar, Abrago Garcia,

shows that high-level Justice Department officials pushed for his indictment, only after he was mistakenly deported and then ordered return to the U.S. Abrago Garcia has pleaded not guilty to charges of human smuggling. He's seeking to have the case dismissed, arguing the prosecution is vindictive. Texas-based disability rights. activist. Bob Kafka has died. As Andrew Weber from member station KUT reports, Kafka pushed Congress to pass landmark legislation. Bob Kafka was an activist who carried both carrot and stick. He was arrested dozens of times in his wheelchair over four decades, staging sit-ins along interstates, on sidewalks, and

even the U.S. Capitol, pushing for more inclusive policies, like the Landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. Dennis Burrell worked with Kafka lobbying Texas lawmakers in Austin, Burrell says Kafka also had an encyclopedic understanding of disability rights law, and he could schmooze. So he was a combination of the guy in a two-shirt, rabble-rousin, and then the guy in the back room, incisively looking at legislation and making it better. Bob Kafka died at his home in Austin last Friday. He is survived by his longtime partner and fellow advocate, Stephanie Thomas. For NPR News, I'm Andrew Weber in Austin.

Some Iowans are marking the end of 2025 with a special election that offers Republicans, an opportunity to reclaim two-thirds control of the state Senate. Democrat Renee Hardman faces Republican Lucas Lofton in the race for the seat representing parts of Des Moines suburbs, which was previously held by a Democrat. This is NPR News from Washington.