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Top stories
Justice Department paperwork error roils Comey case
The Justice Department told the judge in the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey that the full grand jury never reviewed the final indictment filed against him. The government characterized the omission as a paperwork mistake, but Comey’s lawyer argues it is grounds to dismiss the case. Comey faces false-statement and obstruction charges related to testimony he gave to Congress in 2020.
Former federal prosecutors told NPR the oversight is a self-inflicted wound that raises questions about the indictment’s validity. A magistrate judge who recently ordered the government to turn over grand jury materials has highlighted a pattern of what he called serious investigative missteps, and the judge presiding over the case appeared concerned.
New focus on Epstein documents as DOJ releases files
President Trump signed a bill directing the Justice Department to make public its case files about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. As fresh material is prepared for release, attention has turned to what the thousands of already-public pages reveal about powerful people connected to Epstein.
The records show that wealthy and influential figures — academics, lawyers, politicians and others — continued to consult with Epstein even after he was registered as a sex offender. NPR reporting says Epstein advised former Trump strategist Steve Bannon on building a far-right political movement in Europe. The files also show ties to prominent Democrats, and the president has asked the DOJ to investigate links among several high-profile names, including former President Bill Clinton. Survivors and some accusers are urging the administration to avoid partisan targeting and to focus on powerful individuals across the political spectrum who they say have not faced scrutiny.
Nvidia profit stokes AI-driven market optimism
Nvidia reported about $32 billion in profit over the past three months and has been valued as high as $5 trillion, helping drive Wall Street’s enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. AI-related companies make up a large share of the market’s gains; NPR notes that stocks tied to the technology now represent a substantial portion of the S&P 500’s value.
But analysts warn that heavy market weighting does not mean the broader economy is showing matching gains. Many of the companies fueling AI excitement have yet to show widespread, tangible business results. Observers remind investors that the stock market is not the same as the economy and that market euphoria can obscure questions about real economic performance.
Today’s listen
Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi says a difficult Glastonbury performance in 2023 forced him to reassess his life and health. During the show his voice cracked and a shoulder twitch — a symptom of his Tourette syndrome — made it hard to finish a chorus. Capaldi told Morning Edition that the moment saved him, prompting a nearly two-year break from the spotlight.
He’s returned with a new four-song EP called Survive, a deliberately short project meant to sidestep perfectionism and the pressures of producing a full second album. Listen to Capaldi discuss his recovery, his creative choices and hear excerpts from the new music.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Life advice: travel tips for the holiday season
Crowded airports, high fares and weather-related delays make holiday travel stressful. Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com, shared these practical tips with NPR’s Life Kit:
– Travel on the holiday itself when possible. Airports are less crowded, fares are often lower, and flights tend to be less disrupted.
– Avoid peak travel days. For Thanksgiving, the busiest times are the Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday and the Saturday and Sunday after.
– Choose direct flights when you can. Fewer connections means fewer opportunities for delays or missed connections.
For more strategies to reduce the chance of delays and make holiday travel smoother, listen to the Life Kit episode and subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for practical tips on travel, money, relationships and more.
Three things to know before you go
1) Rabih Alameddine won the 2025 National Book Award for Fiction for The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother). See who else won last night.
2) Curaçao became the least populous country ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, a historic milestone for the Caribbean nation.
3) NPR’s Far-Flung Postcard series this week visits a carving shop in Yimianpo, China, where artisans create Russian nesting dolls.
This edition was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.