NPR News Now: 11-03-2025 12AM EST

Host: Dan Ronan
Date: November 3, 2025
Length: 5 minutes

Overview

This concise NPR News update highlights significant national and international stories at the start of November 2025. Key topics include the Trump administration's efforts to resume SNAP funding amid a government shutdown, Supreme Court deliberations on presidential tariff authority, escalating drone incidents over a Belgian nuclear base, an upcoming California special election on redistricting, and a curious incident involving escaped research monkeys in Mississippi.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SNAP Program Funding Amid Government Shutdown

[00:19–01:18]

• Background: The nationwide SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding ran out due to a prolonged federal government shutdown. Recent federal court rulings have pressured the administration to use emergency funds.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant stated that funding could resume "by midweek," pending further action after judicial decisions.
  • Quote: "President Trump wants to make sure that people get their food benefits. So it could it could be done by Wednesday. Could be." — Scott Besant [00:44]
• A Rhode Island federal judge ordered emergency funds to be used immediately; nearly 42 million Americans depend on SNAP.
• The government has been shut down for more than a month, intensifying pressure on federal food aid delivery.
  • Summary: Legal intervention is prompting the administration to reconsider its refusal to use contingency funds, potentially providing relief to millions.

2. Supreme Court Review of Presidential Tariff Authority

[01:18–02:09]

• The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments about President Trump’s use of tariffs. The administration justifies tariffs as critical to economic and national security policy during Trump's second term.
• Previous court decisions have questioned the White House’s claimed "emergency powers" but left tariffs in place pending the Supreme Court's decision.
  • Quote (President Trump): "I think it's the most important decision, one of the most important decisions in the history of our country, because without tariffs... we really would suffer tremendously from a national security standpoint." [01:49]
• A 1977 law gives presidents certain authority during emergencies, which is being debated in this context.

3. Drone Incursions Over Belgian Nuclear Base

[02:09–03:08]

• In Belgium, Defense Minister Theo Franken threatens to shoot down drones observed over military sites storing U.S. nuclear weapons—drones were detected over Kleine Brogel base for the second consecutive night.
• Technical failures prevented the downing of recent drones; law enforcement was unable to apprehend operators.
  • Quote (Terry Schultz): "Belgian Defense Minister Theo Franken... reports that a weapon that should have done that jammed. In the latest incident, Franken says police tried to track the drones by helicopter and car, but they got away." [02:30]
• Franken plans to ask the government for increased anti-drone resources.

4. Wall Street Market Update

[03:08–03:33]

• All major indices (Dow, S&P, Nasdaq) were up in October.
• Brief mention that a new trading month begins Monday.

5. California Special Election on Redistricting (Proposition 50)

[03:33–04:20]

• Proposition 50: Would allow temporary redrawing of congressional districts, favoring Democrats, in response to Texas’s recent redistricting.
  • Larry Heath (voter): Supports Prop 50.
    • Quote: "I think it's necessary because things are happening in Texas. We gotta do our part to counterbalance that." [03:48]
  • Mark Wong (voter): Opposes Prop 50 due to perceived misuse of state funds.
    • Quote: "I, I don't think that California should be spending our own tax dollars on solving the nation's problems. We should be refocusing our money and dealing with our own issues here in this in our own state." [04:00]
• Election Day is Tuesday.

6. Escaped Research Monkeys Incident in Mississippi

[04:20–04:56]

• A homeowner in Heidelberg, Mississippi, shot and killed one of several research monkeys that escaped when a truck from Tulane University's research facility overturned.
• The woman said her teenage son saw a monkey in their yard, prompting her to take action for her children’s safety; most monkeys died in the crash, with at least three missing.
  • Summary: This brief but odd news segment underscores local response to an unusual public safety concern.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Scott Besant on SNAP funding:
  “President Trump wants to make sure that people get their food benefits. So it could it could be done by Wednesday. Could be.” [00:44]
• President Trump on tariffs:
  “I think it's the most important decision, one of the most important decisions in the history of our country, because without tariffs, without our being able to use tariffs freely, openly and in every way, we are really would suffer tremendously from a national security standpoint.” [01:49]
• Terry Schultz reporting Belgian official:
  "A weapon that should have done that jammed. In the latest incident, Franken says police tried to track the drones by helicopter and car, but they got away." [02:30]
• Larry Heath, CA voter, on Prop 50:
  "I think it's necessary because things are happening in Texas. We gotta do our part to counterbalance that." [03:48]
• Mark Wong, CA voter, criticizing Prop 50 costs:
  "I don't think that California should be spending our own tax dollars on solving the nation's problems. We should be refocusing our money and dealing with our own issues here in... our own state." [04:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• SNAP Funding & Government Shutdown: 00:19–01:18
• Supreme Court/Tariff Authority: 01:18–02:09
• Belgian Drone Incidents: 02:09–03:08
• Market Update: 03:08–03:33
• California Redistricting Special Election (Prop 50): 03:33–04:20
• Escaped Research Monkeys Incident: 04:20–04:56

Tone

The episode maintains a factual, urgent, and balanced tone, typical of NPR’s news broadcasts. Conciseness and impartiality are prioritized, even in the coverage of politically contentious topics.