NPR News Now: November 4, 2025, 11AM EST

A Five-Minute Update on Major National and International Headlines

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of NPR News Now, anchored by Korva Coleman, provides concise top-of-the-hour updates on the latest breaking news in U.S. politics, international affairs, memorial milestones, and key economic and scientific events. The episode focuses on the ongoing federal shutdown affecting SNAP benefits, the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney, a major accomplishment in Holocaust remembrance, election day highlights, agricultural policy updates, and notable global incidents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Government Shutdown and SNAP Food Benefits

• Day 35 of the federal government shutdown is ongoing.
• The Trump administration will restart SNAP/food benefits but recipients will only receive half of their regular payment for November.
• Many recipients, particularly families, remain anxious about food security.
  • Shalice Hooks, a widow and mother from Phoenix:

    "And it's hard because he's in high school and when he comes home, he's hungry. It's okay, Mama. No, it's not okay."
    (03:41)

• A federal judge ordered emergency funds to temporarily continue SNAP.
• Providence, RI Mayor Brett Smiley:

  "For that to threaten the stability of families who are already struggling is wrong."
  (00:58)

• Disbursement of partial benefits may take weeks or months in some states.

2. Passing of Former Vice President Dick Cheney

• Dick Cheney, 84, has passed from pneumonia and cardiac issues.
• Served as Vice President under President Bush; was a key figure in the push for the Iraq War, a polarizing stance.
• Reflections from conservative writer Jonah Goldberg:

  “He comes from an era where you could be a fierce partisan, but also a serious policy intellectual and also a patriot who sometimes… puts the country first beyond … partisan or popular considerations. And I think a lot of that is sort of gone these days. He was just a serious man.”
  (01:40)

3. Holocaust Victims Documentation Milestone

• Israeli Holocaust research center Yad Vashem has now identified 5 million of the roughly 6 million Jewish victims of the Nazis.
• Artificial intelligence has been used to scan handwritten documents, personal letters, diaries, Nazi documents, and deportation lists.
• About 250,000 more names may still be recoverable, but the full list will likely never be complete.
• The center vows to continue searching:

  “They will search for more names so every victim is remembered.” (02:20)

4. Financial and Political Updates

• Market Check:
  • Dow down 140 points
  • Nasdaq down over 1% (03:06)
• Election Day Across the U.S.:
  • Governors' races in New Jersey & Virginia
  • NYC mayoral election
  • In California, voters decide on allowing the state to redraw congressional districts

5. Agricultural Policy and Cattle Industry

• President Trump pledges support to ranchers:
  • Lower-cost loans
  • Expanded grazing leases on public lands
• U.S. cattle herd is the lowest in 75 years.
• Ranchers: High prices help debt payment but make entry impossible for young people.
• Environmental concerns:
  • Greg Ledan:

    “You could essentially eliminate all public lands grazing without noticing a change in the price of hamburgers or steaks…” (03:35)

• Administration plans to finalize its agricultural package within the month.

6. International News & Science Briefs

• Russian Officials:
  • Ukrainian drones hit a petrochemical plant ~1000 miles from the Ukraine border; no casualties reported. (04:19)
• Supermoon Alert:
  • Next supermoon occurs tomorrow night—up to 14% larger and nearly one-third brighter than the faintest full moon of the year. (04:40)

Memorable Quotes

• Shalice Hooks:
  “It's okay, Mama. No, it's not okay.” (00:46)
• Brett Smiley (Providence Mayor):
  “For that to threaten the stability of families who are already struggling is wrong.” (00:58)
• Jonah Goldberg (The Dispatch):
  “He comes from an era where you could be a fierce partisan, but also a serious policy intellectual and also a patriot who sometimes some people would say to a fault, puts the country first … He was just a serious man.” (01:40)
• Greg Ledan (Environmental Advocate):
  “You could essentially eliminate all public lands grazing without noticing a change in the price of hamburgers or steaks…” (03:52)

Segment Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |--------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:34 | SNAP benefits partial resumption & recipient reactions | | 01:13 | Dick Cheney’s death and legacy | | 02:02 | Yad Vashem milestone: 5M Holocaust victims identified | | 03:06 | Stock market update; Election Day news | | 03:35 | Trump administration’s rancher support plan; environmentalists| | 04:19 | Ukraine drone strike inside Russia; supermoon announcement |

This edition of NPR News Now encapsulates the day's most pressing topics with succinct reporting, personal voices, and the latest updates across politics, history, economics, and science.