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Today’s Headlines
With Congress about to head into its holiday recess, it seems lawmakers will depart without renewing the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance subsidies. These enhanced subsidies, which assist with ACA marketplace plans, are set to lapse at year’s end. As a result, numerous Americans might witness a surge in their premiums, potentially doubling or tripling in cost come the new year.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) discusses rising health insurance premiums as U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) (L) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) look on during a press conference in the U.S. Capitol Building on Dec. 10, 2025, in Washington, DC. Heather Diehl/Getty Images
Heather Diehl/Getty Images
- 🎧 The House is set to vote today on a package of long-standing conservative health reform ideas, NPR’s Sam Gringlas reports on Up First. Proposed measures include association health plans and changes to pharmacy benefit manager rules. Despite ongoing bipartisan discussions on subsidies, a resolution appears unlikely this year. More information is available here.
As President Trump wraps up his first year in his second term, his approval rating on economic management stands at 36%, according to the recent NPR/PBS Marist poll. This is the lowest rating recorded over the past six years. Democrats now slightly edge out Republicans on economic trust, holding a 37% to 33% lead. This marks a notable shift from the 16-point lead Republicans held in 2022. The poll also highlights various economic challenges facing Americans.
The Trump administration has launched a program aimed at accelerating the development of innovative nuclear reactor designs. The initiative intends to have three new test reactors operational by the country’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.
- 🎧 The Reactor Pilot Program is advancing 11 new reactor designs from startup companies, reports NPR’s Geoff Brumfiel. The Department of Energy, instead of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, is overseeing the program. Some companies prefer the Energy Department’s oversight, viewing it as less stringent. Isaiah Taylor from Valar Atomics argues that the NRC’s oversight is more suited for fully ready plants. Critics, however, argue that using the Energy Department compromises safety in favor of speed.
Today’s Listen
Since 1990, NPR broadcasters Murray Horwitz and the late Susan Stamberg have marked Hanukkah by sharing stories of family, faith, and community. This year, NPR honors Stamberg’s legacy with reflections on her 34 years of storytelling that continue to entertain and inspire. Among the stories is one of a centenarian opera singer performing for a final audience, and another about a young boy saving up to buy a menorah for his mother. Listen to “Hanukkah Lights 2025” or choose from four stories here.
Picture Show
Humanetics, a leading manufacturer of automotive crash test dummies, has been at the forefront of safety testing, placing dummies in vehicles to simulate crash impacts. This year, a new female dummy model neared adoption, spotlighting their essential role in automotive safety. Dummies are crafted at a plant in Huron, Ohio, where they undergo a meticulous assembly process. Explore the step-by-step creation through photos.
3 Things to Know Before You Go
- A statue of Barbara Rose Johns has replaced Robert E. Lee’s in the U.S. Capitol, marking a historic change following Lee’s removal in 2020. At 16, Johns led a pivotal school walkout against segregation.
- FIFA has announced $60 “supporter entry tier tickets” for the 2026 World Cup. This announcement comes after public backlash over pricing for next summer’s tournament.
- In Charlotte, N.C., a woman left her 10-foot pine Christmas tree half-decorated after immigration agents questioned the men assisting her. The tree symbolizes the human and economic impacts of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
