NPR News: 12-12-2025 6PM EST
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What recent developments are happening with U.S. attorneys in Delaware?
Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. On the web at theschmidt.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The top federal prosecutor in Delaware is resigning amid questions about how the Trump administration is installing U.S. attorneys. NPR's Carrie Johnson reports courts across the country are considering challenges to those prosecutors on the grounds that they were not lawfully appointed.
Julianne Murray says she's leaving her job as U.S.
What allegations is HUD making against Boston regarding housing discrimination?
attorney in Delaware because she doesn't want the office to become a, quote, political football. A federal appeals court recently invalidated the appointment of a Trump prosecutor in New Jersey, and the same reasoning could apply in Delaware, too. Murray's a former leader of the state's Republican Party. She says she will continue to serve the Justice Department in a different role. Delaware's two Democratic senators would not support Murray for the job, so any nomination for her to serve permanently was going nowhere on Capitol Hill. Carrie Johnson, NPR News.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, is investigating Boston for alleged housing discrimination.
How is Washington state responding to severe flooding conditions?
NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports it's the latest in the shakeup of fair housing.
HUD essentially accuses Boston of discriminating against white people when it comes to buying or renting affordable housing, citing programs that target black and Latinx families. In a statement, HUD Secretary Scott Turner calls this a, quote, ideological commitment to DEI rather than merit or need. and in a letter to Boston's mayor, the agency says racial preferences are unconstitutional. On its website, Boston says it's made historic progress as it strives to boost affordable housing across the city. In recent months, former HUD civil rights lawyers have accused the agency of violating the law. They say it's interfered in fair housing cases against minorities and others. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.
What is the current status of the conflict in eastern Ukraine?
Tens of thousands of people in Washington state remain under an evacuation advisory as days of heavy rain have pushed rivers to near or record-breaking levels and caused widespread flooding. Noel Gaska of member station KUOW has more.
In Skagit County, an agricultural hub an hour north of Seattle, the flood wall in the city of Mount Vernon managed to protect the community from historic flooding. The Skagit River crested near 38 feet, according to the National Weather Service. About 78,000 people living within the floodplain remain under an evacuation advisory. Meanwhile, Governor Bob Ferguson says the Trump administration has granted the state's request for emergency assistance. FEMA says the agency can now provide equipment and funding to aid response efforts to flooding, landslides, and mudslides in the state. Another weather system could move through the area this weekend.
What is the story behind Rakhalina, the eastern box turtle?
For NPR News, I'm Noelle Gasca in Seattle.
U.S. stocks fell from record highs today. The S&P 500 dropped over a percent. The Nasdaq dropped more than one in six-tenths of a percent. This is NPR News. The Kremlin says Russian police and National Guard will stay on in eastern Ukraine's Donbass region even if a peace settlement ends the war. Ukraine will likely reject the stance. Russia also said it will only agree to a ceasefire after Ukrainian forces withdraw. Ukraine, meanwhile, says they have recaptured several settlements. The story of Rakhalina, the eastern box turtle, has a new character.
What dramatic incident occurred involving a skydiver and an airplane in Australia?
Rakhalina was rescued from a New York home where she'd spent the last half century living on a kitchen floor. Mostly eating cat food, NPR's Alina Hartunian has more.
Oh my God. She's literally nose to nose.
Chris Leone of Garden State Tortoise in New Jersey said Rockalina's meeting with the hatchling was a milestone. It was the first time she's interacted with her own kind so closely since she was taken from the wild in the 1970s.
She's like sniffing its little butt.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What recent developments are happening with U.S. attorneys in Delaware?
0:00–0:36
2
What allegations is HUD making against Boston regarding housing discrimination?
0:36–1:16
3
How is Washington state responding to severe flooding conditions?
1:16–2:03
4
What is the current status of the conflict in eastern Ukraine?
2:03–3:01
5
What is the story behind Rakhalina, the eastern box turtle?
3:01–3:38
6
What dramatic incident occurred involving a skydiver and an airplane in Australia?
3:38–4:54