NPR News Now – November 5, 2025, 11PM EST

Main Theme:
Quick roundup of the day’s pressing U.S. and global news stories, focusing on Supreme Court tariff powers, youth voter turnout, FAA responses during a shutdown, U.S. military activity overseas, a fatal plane crash, and AI in tuberculosis detection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Considers Presidential Tariff Authority

• Case Focus: Whether the President can use national security as justification to impose tariffs without congressional approval.
• Backdrop: President Trump used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs globally, citing emergency powers.
  • [00:41] Daniel Kurtzleben:
    • Plaintiffs’ Argument: IEEPA does not specifically allow tariffs; Constitution reserves revenue-raising for Congress.
    • Government’s Argument: ‘Regulate imports’ means tariffs are included; the president has broad foreign relations powers.
  • Quote:

    "The businesses and states bringing the case argued that IEEPA does not explicitly give presidents the power to tariff, just to regulate imports. They added that the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to raise revenue. The administration argued, however, that the phrase 'regulate imports' includes the power to tariff." – Daniel Kurtzleben [00:41]

2. Youth Voter Turnout Boosts Democrats in Key Races

• Observation: Surge in under-30 voter turnout bucking usual off-year election trends, giving Democrats crucial wins.
• Key Data:
  • In NJ and VA gubernatorial races, ~70% of <30 votes went to Democrats Mikey Sherrill (NJ) and Abigail Spamberger (VA).
  • In NYC mayoral race, 80% of young voters chose Zahran Mohamdani.
• Issues Driving Youth: Escalating cost of living.
• Quote:

  "From gubernatorial matchups in New Jersey and Virginia to the mayoral race in New York City, youth turnout appears to have significantly increased..." – Elena Moore [01:33]

3. FAA to Reduce Air Traffic Amid Controller Shortages During Shutdown

• Announcement: FAA to cut air traffic 10% in 40 high-volume markets starting Friday to maintain safety.
• Challenges:
  • Air traffic controllers working unpaid; many seek second jobs or call out sick.
  • FAA and airlines to collaborate on ‘fair’ reduction plan.
• Notable Quotes:

  "We're not going to wait until we see something flashing red to say, oh, we should take action now." – Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy [02:42]

4. U.S. Military Updates and International Incidents

• Briefings:
  • Secretary of State Rubio and Defense Secretary Hegseth brief Congress behind closed doors on growing U.S. naval presence.
  • Since September: 16 U.S. military strikes on alleged drug boats, 66 killed.
  • Latest incident: 2 killed in the eastern Pacific.
• Significance: Ongoing U.S. efforts to curb illicit maritime activities and address congressional oversight concerns.

5. Fatal UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Kentucky

• Incident:
  • Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirms 12 fatalities after a UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded post-takeoff from Louisville, en route to Honolulu.

6. AI Fights Tuberculosis in Low-Income Countries

• Innovation:
  • Mobile X-ray units with AI-powered screening deployed across 80+ countries for TB detection.
  • Use-cases: Nomadic tribes (Nigeria), refugee camps (Chad).
  • Advocacy: StopTB and others welcome tech.
  • Caution: Need for stronger regulation and quality assurance.
• Quote:

  "There are no radiologists, so who gets to look at the thing and say, is there a problem here or not? Well, actually AI does. It's brilliant." – Peter Sands, Global Fund [04:28]

Timestamps of Major Segments

• [00:18] – Supreme Court debates president’s tariff authority (Daniel Kurtzleben)
• [01:22] – Young voters drive Democratic victories (Elena Moore)
• [02:13] – FAA to cut air traffic during shutdown (Joel Rose, Brian Bedford, Sean Duffy)
• [03:11] – Updates: Wall Street, U.S. military strikes, UPS crash, TB/AI advances
• [04:12] – AI in TB screening for underserved nations (Gabriela Emanuel, Peter Sands)

Notable Quotes

• Tariff Powers:

  "The administration argued, however, that the phrase regulate imports includes the power to tariff. They also argued that a president has broad powers when it comes to foreign relations." – Daniel Kurtzleben [00:41]

• FAA Precaution:

  "We're not going to wait until we see something flashing red to say, oh, we should take action now." – Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy [02:42]

• AI in Healthcare:

  "There are no radiologists, so who gets to look at the thing and say, is there a problem here or not? Well, actually AI does. It's brilliant." – Peter Sands, Global Fund [04:28]

Summary

In this NPR News Now update, major stories include pivotal Supreme Court arguments about executive trading powers, a substantial increase in youth voter engagement aiding Democrats, the FAA’s safety-driven flight reductions during a government shutdown, critical briefings on U.S. military actions, a tragic UPS plane crash, and the growing impact of AI in global health. The episode provides crisp, authoritative coverage, with insightful data and real voices from the field.