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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Former Democratic Congresswoman Abigail Spanbecker is the projected winner of the Virginia governor's race. Spanberger says voters chose commonwealth over chaos.
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You all chose leadership that will focus relentlessly on what matters most, lowering costs, keeping our communities safe, and strengthening our economy for every Virginian.
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Spanberger defeated Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears.
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I thank you for giving me this very great opportunity. And it started, of course, when you gave my father the opportunity to come to this great country.
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The Jamaica born Errol Sears did not receive a personal endorsement from President Trump. In the close New York City election for mayor. The AP projects socialist Democrat Zoram Mamdani as the winner. Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Democrat who ran as an independent, and Republican radio host Curtis sliwa. More than 1.75 million voters cast ballots as of 6pm the biggest turnout in at least 30 years in New York City, according to the Board of Elections there. In Maine, voters rejected a ballot referendum that called for numbers changes to early and mail in voting. As NPR's Miles Parks reports, the measure also would have required voters to show photo ID at the polls.
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Maine routinely has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country, and this year voters there chose to keep their election rules just as they are. Had the Republican backed ballot referendum passed, Maine would have added new photo ID requirements, shortened its early voting period by two days, and added numerous hurdles for voters hoping to vote by mail. Notably, it would have ended the practice of elderly voters being able to sign up to have ballots mailed to them every election. All of that was a tough sell in a state where more than 40% of voters were voted early or by mail in 2024. Miles Parks, NPR News, Washington.
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California voters have approved Proposition 50 to allow a mid decade redistricting. The measure was introduced after Texas lawmakers created five Republican seats in the House. A death toll from a U.S. plane crash near the airport in Louisville, Kentucky, has now risen to at least seven. Morgan Watkins with Louisville Public Media has has the Latest.
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At around 5:15pm local time, people around the city noticed a huge plume of smoke in the sky. Local officials soon announced a plane had crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, instructing residents around the crash site to shelter in place. About an hour later, The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed on social media that a UPS flight headed to Honolulu had crashed after takeoff. Louisville is home to the company's massive worldport hub.
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Morgan.
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I'm Morgan Watkins in Louisville.
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This is npr. Former Vice President Dick Cheney has died at the age of 84. Cheney served as White House chief of staff, a defense secretary, and in Congress. He was vice president under the George W. Bush administration and is credited as being the chief architect of the war on terror. Cheney was a hardline conservative and critic of President Trump. He voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024. Firings continue at the Justice Department. Four FBI special agents who worked on the investigation into Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election have lost their jobs. More from NPR's Ryan Lucas.
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Two of the four fired FBI agents are Blair Tolman and David Geist. Tolman most recently worked in the Bureau of Chicago field office while Geist worked in the Washington, D.C. field office. In a statement, the FBI Agents association said the four special agents were fired on Monday, only to be quickly reinstated and then fired again 24 hours later. The association says being assigned to an investigation should not be grounds for termination, and it accused FBI Director Kash Patel of disregarding the law and conducting a campaign of what it calls erratic and arbitrary retribution. The FBI declined to comment on personnel matters. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.
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The Pentagon says the military has attacked another small boat in the eastern Pacific. Defense Secretary Pete Hegsef says two people were killed in the latest strike. That brings to at least 66 the number of people killed in US strikes on suspected drug boats in the Pacific and in the Caribbean. US Futures are lower in after hours trading on Wall street following Tuesday's losses. This is NPR News.
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This message comes from Bombas. You need better socks and slippers and underwear because you should love what you wear every day. One purchased equals one donated. Go to bombus.com NPR and use code NPR for 20% off.
Podcast: NPR News Now
Date: November 5, 2025
Episode: NPR News: 11-05-2025 12AM EST
Host: NPR (Shea Stevens)
This concise NPR News episode delivers a summary of the hour's top stories on November 5, 2025. Coverage spans major election results, legislative changes in state voting laws, a fatal U.S. plane crash, the death of a former vice president, firings within the FBI, and military action against suspected drug boats.
Main Story: Abigail Spanberger, the former Democratic congresswoman, is projected to win the Virginia gubernatorial race.
Quote:
Spanberger won over Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears.
Notable moment: Sears acknowledged her Jamaican heritage, saying:
Abigail Spanberger’s victory address:
"You all chose leadership that will focus relentlessly on what matters most, lowering costs, keeping our communities safe, and strengthening our economy for every Virginian."
— Spanberger, Virginia Governor-Elect (00:33)
Winsome Earl Sears on her family's immigrant story:
"I thank you for giving me this very great opportunity. And it started, of course, when you gave my father the opportunity to come to this great country."
— Sears, VA Lt. Governor (00:53)
Election law changes in Maine:
"All of that was a tough sell in a state where more than 40% of voters voted early or by mail in 2024."
— Miles Parks (01:49)
On FBI firings:
"Being assigned to an investigation should not be grounds for termination, and it accused FBI Director Kash Patel of disregarding the law and conducting a campaign of what it calls erratic and arbitrary retribution."
— Ryan Lucas (03:52)
The episode maintains NPR's signature, impartial, and fact-driven reporting style, with a brisk pace suitable for a five-minute newscast. Quotes from major figures provide a direct glimpse into the political and emotional climate behind the headlines, making the stories both informative and relatable.