Apple News Today

It’s the first holiday season since President Trump’s tariffs came into effect. NBC’s Kayla Steinberg explains why some shoppers received a big surprise on their online orders. Congress left Washington for the holidays after one of the least productive years in modern history. NPR’s Barbara Sprunt breaks down the factors that have caused the stagnation. Former ICE officials say families are being detained for prolonged periods of time to speed up deportations. Anna Flagg of the Marshall Project joins to discuss how Trump administration policies have swept thousands of children into custody. Plus, the State Department recalled more than two dozen diplomats from around the world, tricky weather will complicate travel during the holidays, and how to avoid being singled out by the TSA. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

The Department of Justice released a trove of heavily redacted documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. The Atlantic’s Charlie Warzel explains why they left many people unsatisfied. The U.S. military pursued a third oil tanker near Venezuela after taking previous action against two other ships. Benoit Faucon of the Wall Street Journal breaks down the latest escalation in the region. Some conservatives say they will support a run by Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election if he enters the race. Jonathan Cooper with the Associated Press joins to discuss how one organization is already laying the groundwork for a potential Vance campaign. Plus, why flood-infrastructure grants were held up as Washington state dealt with record rainfall, how a power outage left robotaxis stranded, and the blue pit viper that supercharged the box office. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

From Apple News In Conversation: The end of the year is a moment to reflect on the art and culture that stood out. Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu sat down with two culture critics — Sam Sanders, the host of The Sam Sanders Show on KCRW, and Anne Helen Petersen, creator of the podcast and newsletter Culture Study — to break down their top releases. They talk about the music, film, and TV they loved most in 2025. Plus, our listeners share their own picks for this year’s can’t-miss shows and albums.

Police say the man suspected of carrying out the deadly mass shooting at Brown University is dead. NBC News reports on how he is also suspected of the killing of a professor at MIT. A Russian envoy is set to meet with U.S. officials over the weekend in Miami for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal’s Max Colchester explains why many European leaders are now preparing their citizens for a potential conflict with Russia. Trump has issued more executive orders in 2025 than his entire first term. Emily Davies of the Washington Post joins to discuss how the president has turned to executive orders as policy and communications tools. Plus, the Kennedy Center might soon be renamed, the Trump administration says it’s cutting funding of transgender care for minors, and a look back at some of the best movies, music, and TV from the past year. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

In a prime-time address, President Trump said the economy has vastly improved since he took office. The Washington Post’s  Jacob Bogage joins to discuss why everyday Americans don’t feel the same way. Trump wants a former county clerk who was convicted of tampering with voting machines freed from prison. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez of The Atlantic explains why that’s unlikely. A statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Emancipation Hall in Washington, D.C, has been replaced by one of civil-rights hero Barbara Rose Johns. NPR’s Rachel Treisman tells her story. Plus, why four Republicans defied House Speaker Mike Johnson to force a vote on ACA subsides, NASA has a new administrator after a yearlong confirmation process, and the Oscars are headed exclusively to YouTube. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.