Senate’s ACA vote; Fed cuts rates; Venezuela : NPR

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The Senate is set to vote on two health policy plans today – one from Democrats and one from Republicans – The goal of reducing costs for individuals purchasing health insurance on Healthcare.gov. Meanwhile, some House Republicans want to force a vote to increase subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, which is set to expire in less than three weeks. He warned that Republican leaders risk losing voters and the majority if they let the subsidies expire without replacement.

• Republicans have a small majority in the Senate, and because bills need 60 votes to passNPR’s Selena Simmons-Duffin explains first up Neither option will likely proceed. This is unpleasant news for those currently looking for open enrollment and hoping for some relief. Simmons-Duffin spoke yesterday in Charleston, W.Va. Kay spoke with Ellen Allen, who said she enrolled in the Bronze plan without vision and dental coverage. The plan costs Allen a monthly premium of $1,967.50, four times what it would cost this year for a plan with less coverage. According to Simmons-Duffin, the survey shows that increased subsidies are quite popular across parties. He estimates that it is unlikely the votes will be the end of the story and that Congress can continue to work toward a solution.

The Federal Reserve yesterday voted 9-3 to cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point. The Fed took this decision in an effort to support the weak job market. Stubborn inflation and delayed economic data have complicated the decision-making process. Investors got relief from rate cut. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped nearly 500 points.

• Fed policymakers say in updated forecasts they expect to cut interest rates once more in 2026According to NPR’s Scott Horsley, inflation has declined significantly, but it still remains above the Fed’s 2% target, The President’s tariffs have increased the price of imported goods, Although Fed officials do not believe the tariffs will have a long-term impact on inflation, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell says they are not taking any risks, Powell says the best way to help affordability is to not only reduce inflation, but also ensure a strong job market,

President Trump said yesterday that the US military has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Attorney General Pam Bondi released a video showing the US military and Coast Guard boarding the tanker from a helicopter. Congress is demanding answers about US attacks on alleged drug boats, particularly regarding the September 2 incident where the military killed two people who survived the initial attacks. Admiral Alvin Holsey, who oversaw the strike, is stepping down this week.

• Officials haven’t publicly released much information about Holsey’s departure, but it’s unusual. Steve Walsh of NPR network station WHRO says a top commander has to give up a year for a normal three-year workload. Holsey appeared before lawmakers in a closed-door meeting this week to address concerns about ongoing boat attacks. Walsh says reports indicate he was diplomatic in his messages. Meanwhile, lawmakers’ concerns remain as they demand video of the September 2 strike and the administration’s legal justification for carrying out some 22 attacks on alleged drug boats that have killed 87 people.

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As 2025 comes to an end, it’s time to turn down the jams and celebrate the top music of the year. NPR’s music team started the party by tackling the biggest question: What were the best albums of the year? While one album nabbed the coveted spot of NPR Music’s No. 1 Album of 2025, the team didn’t stop there. They were tasked with compiling a personal list of their top 10 albums of the year and choosing one album they would recommend to anyone. Get ready to dive into the team’s exclusive, no-skip, best-of-the-best 12-pack of albums they’ll recommend.

Also, check out NPR Music favorite songs of 2025And listen to a playlist On the streaming platform of your choice. Get more coverage on the best music of 2025 Here,

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Black bears have historically been the largest predator in West Texas. But overhunting and habitat loss have led to their decline over the decades. Now, black bear sightings have increased in the state and researchers believe their population is increasing elsewhere as well. While West Texas is celebrating the return of bears, their presence has given rise to challenges and concerns as they enter neighborhoods, enter yards and threaten livestock and pets. Here’s how some states are coping:

• 🐻 In states like Montana and Colorado, residents install bear-resistant dumpsters and garbage cans. In some cases, they may use alarm systems or sprinklers to scare away bears.
• 🐻 Wildlife biologists stress that residents should remove food and anything that could attract hungry bears to their area.
• 🐻 Biologists are also working to prepare and educate people to live with black bears in hopes of reducing bear-human conflict.

3 things to know before you go

1. “Involution,” a vague term used in agricultural economics, is NPR’s “Word of the Week.” Here’s how it made the jump from academia to Chinese meme culture – and how it ultimately influenced government policy making.
2. This week’s Far-Flung Postcard series takes you to a food stand in Marikavalasa, a one-horse town in India, where working women go to enjoy a meal and relax before returning to work in the evening.
3. Sophie Kinsella, best-selling author Shopaholic book series, has died at the age of 55. Last year, he announced that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2022.

Who edited this newspaper? Suzanne Nuyen,