NPR News Now: November 2, 2025, 3PM EST

Host: Nora Ram (A)
Date: November 2, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: The episode provides the latest updates on the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits, health care subsidies, wildfire prevention, tragic international incidents, and a high-profile jewelry heist.

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode keeps listeners updated on major developments across the U.S. and the world. Key stories include the looming resumption of SNAP benefits amid the federal shutdown, the ongoing political stalemate affecting health care, worsening wildfire prevention shortfalls, and breaking international news from Italy and Kenya. The episode also closes with an update on the high-profile Louvre jewelry heist in Paris.

Major Stories and Key Points

1. SNAP Funding Amid Government Shutdown

[00:01–01:01]

• The Trump administration may restore funding for the national SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) as early as midweek, following federal judge rulings.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant (on CNN):

  “People get their food benefits … so it could be done by Wednesday.” (D, 00:29–00:33)

• The program’s funds lapsed after the government shutdown stretched past a month.
• Nearly 42 million Americans depend on SNAP. The administration previously refused to use contingency funds, but court orders now compel emergency disbursement.
• Reporter Joe Hernandez:

  “A day before a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the government to use emergency money to fund SNAP benefits as soon as possible…The federal government has been shut down for more than a month.” (B, 00:33–01:01)

2. Shutdown Stalemate and Health Care Impasse

[01:01–01:47]

• No signs of progress in resolving the government shutdown, now the longest in history.
• Democrats: Insist on extending subsidies for those on the Affordable Care Act, affecting tens of millions as subsidies are set to expire.
• Polling: Blame is slightly more on Republicans, but remains less clear than during the previous record shutdown.
• Domenico Montanaro (NPR):

  “The amount of blaming Republicans has gone up slightly since the shutdown began … Democrats feel good that they have a solid issue that they're talking about in health care and these subsidies that expire at the end of the year, that could mean tens of millions of people see their health care prices go way up.” (F, 01:34–01:47)

3. Upcoming Elections

[01:47–02:13]

• Voters in Virginia and New Jersey will select new governors.
• New York City votes for a new mayor in off-year elections.
• Implications for national political sentiment are pending.

4. Wildfire Prevention Lags Due to Shutdown and Cuts

[02:13–02:56]

• New watchdog analysis finds the U.S. Forest Service has fallen 38% behind on wildfire prevention (compared to past four years).
• Projects like controlled burns and forest thinning have dropped, contrary to President Trump’s post-wildfire executive orders.
• Staffing shortages and federal budget cuts, compounded by the shutdown, are cited as main causes.
• Kirk Siegler (NPR):

  “The report shows the agency hasn't had enough staff due to Doge cuts and it’s getting exacerbated by the government shutdown.” (G, 02:36–02:44)

• Agency officials defend the cuts, saying they improve efficiency.

5. International: Tragic Disasters

[02:56–03:30]

a. Italian Alps Avalanche

• Bodies of two more German climbers found, totaling five confirmed deaths after Saturday’s avalanche.
• The latest victims are a man and his 17-year-old daughter; two survived.

b. Kenya Landslide

• Death toll in Elgeyo Marakwet county, Kenya has risen to 26 amid heavy rainfall; at least 25 still missing.
• Rescue teams focus on buildings crushed by debris; government urges relocation from risky zones.
• Michael Kaloki (NPR):

  “It is unclear how many people have been displaced after their homes were damaged following the tragedy.” (H, 03:40–03:45)

6. Louvre Jewelry Heist — Suspect Update

[04:12–End]

• New details: Two of the three robbery suspects (now in custody) had previously been convicted together for theft.
• Authorities suggest the $102-million daytime robbery was the work of petty thieves, not organized professionals.
• The stolen crown jewels have not yet been recovered.
• Nora Ram (Host):

  “The Paris prosecutor said today two of three suspects now in custody were convicted together for theft 10 years ago. Officials say it appears the daytime robbery was conducted by petty thieves rather than by organized crime professionals.” (A, 04:13–04:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Scott Besant (Treasury Secretary), on SNAP funding:

  “People get their food benefits … so it could be done by Wednesday.” (D, 00:29–00:33)

• Domenico Montanaro, on political blame:

  “Polling has not pointed the finger for blame in either direction really definitively. That's unlike five years ago when we had the longest shutdown in history.” (F, 01:18–01:26)

• Kirk Siegler, on wildfire prevention:

  “…The agency hasn’t had enough staff due to Doge cuts and it’s getting exacerbated by the government shutdown.” (G, 02:36–02:44)

• Michael Kaloki, reporting on Kenya’s tragedy:

  “It is unclear how many people have been displaced after their homes were damaged following the tragedy.” (H, 03:40–03:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• SNAP funding and government shutdown: 00:01–01:01
• Shutdown stalemate and health care subsidies: 01:01–01:47
• Upcoming elections: 01:47–02:13
• Wildfire prevention shortfalls: 02:13–02:56
• Italian Alps avalanche and Kenya landslide: 02:56–04:12
• Louvre jewelry heist update: 04:12–End

Summary

This NPR News Now episode delivers vital updates on the extended government shutdown’s ripple effects on social programs, forest health, and political landscapes. International developments—tragic events in the Alps and Kenya, and intrigue in Paris—round out a snapshot of consequential global and domestic news.
Listeners are left with a brisk but thorough understanding of key events shaping both the nation and the world as of November 2, 2025.