NPR News Now – November 4, 2025, 1PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: Top headlines from across the U.S. and the world, with updates on major elections, the federal shutdown, humanitarian crises, climate change, and business developments.

1. U.S. Election Updates

[00:17] – [01:03]

• Several Statewide Elections: Voters head to the polls in multiple states to choose new governors, mayors, and vote on key ballot measures.
• New York City Mayoral Race:
  • Front-runner: Zoram Mamdani, 34, New York State Assembly member
  • Unexpected Primary Victory: Mamdani beat out former governor Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic nomination. Cuomo is now running as an independent, backed by high-profile endorsements, including President Biden.
    • Ashley Lopez [00:31]:
      “He beat a former governor in that primary contest, Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo decided to stay in the race by running as an independent in the last days of the campaign. Cuomo has gotten some big endorsements, including the president’s, but this hasn’t been an easy fight for him. Mamdani has a very energetic grassroots campaign that has engaged a lot of young voters in the city, especially on affordability issues.”
  • Republican Nominee: Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels.
  • Context: The three-way race is to succeed outgoing Mayor Eric Adams.

2. Federal Government Shutdown Impact

[01:03] – [02:10]

• Strain on Federal Workers:
  • Essential public safety employees (TSA agents, air traffic controllers) are working without pay, leading to significant stress.
  • Expert Analysis from Martha Wadsworth, Psychology Professor, Penn State
    • [01:35]: “You know that you have to show up for work even though the whole part of your body is saying, no, it’s not okay. It’s not fair. I’m not being paid for my critical work.”
  • Consequences: Prolonged stress can undermine judgment vital to safety roles. Added pressures affect work and home life.
    • Windsor Johnston [01:45]: “She says the longer the shutdown drags on, the deeper the impact, and for federal employees with families, the pressure is even greater both on and off the job.”

3. Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

[02:10] – [03:13]

• Ceasefire and Food Aid Update:
  • People in southern Gaza have seen some improvement in food access due to a ceasefire, but northern Gaza remains in acute crisis.
  • Famine conditions declared in the north; no food convoys allowed for two months by Israel.
    • EH Batrawi [02:30]:
      “The World Food Program says meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables remain very rare in Gaza. The agency says Israel is only opening two crossings into Gaza, severely limiting how much aid can be brought in. Food supply remains insufficient and families are still struggling to put food on the table. Nearly a month into the ceasefire, the UN humanitarian agency OCHA says around 20% of households in Gaza report still eating only one meal a day.”
  • Despite the operation of more bakeries and kitchens, and UN parcels to a million people, lack of essentials (electricity, cooking gas) has forced residents to burn trash for cooking.
    • “The Israeli agency responsible for facilitating aid to Gaza has not commented on the continued impediments.”

4. Climate Change Report

[03:13] – [04:12]

• New U.N. Climate Report Findings:
  • Despite national pledges, global action is lagging, with the world on course for 5°F of warming by century’s end.
    • Lauren Sommer [03:32]:
      “Many countries have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, which are warming up the atmosphere like a big blanket. But right now they’re not hitting those goals. The world is still on track for 5 degrees Fahrenheit of warming by the end of the century... Research shows that would create more extreme storms, heat waves and droughts.”
  • Context: Report is released ahead of global climate negotiations in Brazil. The U.S. will not send an official delegation.
    • “In its first day in office, President Trump announced that the US would pull out of the international agreement on climate change.”

5. Business, Economy & Additional Election Measures

[04:12] – [04:55]

• Tesla CEO Compensation Vote:
  • Norway’s sovereign wealth fund (Norgas Bank Investment Management), a major Tesla investor, opposes a massive proposed compensation package for Elon Musk (potentially up to $1 trillion over a decade).
    • “Cites several concerns, including with the total size of the award.”
• California and Pennsylvania Ballot Measures:
  • California – Proposition 50:
    • Would introduce a new congressional map, potentially flipping up to five GOP-held House seats.
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court:
    • Voters decide whether to retain three justices; court has a 5-2 Democratic majority.
• Markets:
  • U.S. stocks trading lower; Dow down nearly 300 points.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ashley Lopez (NYC Mayor’s race) [00:31]:
  “He won the Democratic primary this summer, which surprised a lot of folks because he was relatively unknown when he entered the race and he beat a former governor in that primary contest, Andrew Cuomo.”
• Martha Wadsworth (on unpaid federal workers) [01:35]:
  “You know that you have to show up for work even though the whole part of your body is saying, no, it’s not okay. It’s not fair. I’m not being paid for my critical work.”
• EH Batrawi (on Gaza food aid) [02:30]:
  “The World Food Program says meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables remain very rare in Gaza.”
• Lauren Sommer (climate report) [03:32]:
  “The world is still on track for 5 degrees Fahrenheit of warming by the end of the century compared to preindustrial temperatures, according to the United Nations Environment Program.”

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:17] – Top U.S. election headlines
• [01:03] – NYC mayoral race
• [01:24] – Federal workers under shutdown stress
• [02:10] – Humanitarian update from Gaza
• [03:13] – Major climate change report
• [04:12] – Tesla, state ballot measures, markets

This concise yet rich briefing provides listeners with critical updates on elections, federal shutdown hardships, humanitarian emergencies, climate action status, and business news. The tone remains urgent, empathetic, and fact-focused throughout.