NPR News Now — November 5, 2025, 2PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh (NPR)
Duration: ~5 minutes
Overview:
This concise episode delivers the hour’s major stories, focusing on California’s newly passed congressional map measure, the political fallout from government shutdowns, new Supreme Court cases involving presidential authority, a court order for ASL interpretation at White House briefings, and noteworthy cultural honors. It’s a fast-paced snapshot of America’s evolving political, economic, and social landscape.

1. California’s Redistricting (Proposition 50)

• [00:23–01:28]
• Main Point: In the wake of a ballot victory, California Republicans are suing over Proposition 50, a measure to redraw the congressional map, potentially helping Democrats gain up to five House seats.
• Key Details:
  • The measure is seen as a significant win for Governor Gavin Newsom and House Democrats.
  • Crafted in response to President Trump’s demands that Texas redraw its maps for the GOP.
  • Quote:
    • Gavin Newsom: “Prop 50 was about holding Trump accountable.” (paraphrased by Marisa Lagos, 00:43)
  • Republicans argue the measure is anti-democratic and disenfranchises parts of the state.

Notable Quotes:

• Governor Gavin Newsom (via Marisa Lagos):
  “Prop 50 was about holding Trump accountable.” — 00:43
• Marisa Lagos:
  “[Republicans] called the measure anti-Democratic and warned it will result in large swaths of the state losing their voice in Congress.” — 01:18

2. Republican Election Losses & The Government Shutdown

• [01:28–02:37]
• Main Point: President Trump attributes recent Republican losses to the ongoing government shutdown, urging his party to end the filibuster and reopen the government.
• Key Details:
  • Trump claims the shutdown negatively impacted Republicans and that his absence from the ballot was a key factor.
  • At a Republican breakfast, he pushes to end the Senate filibuster.
• Quote:
  • Donald Trump: “If you read the pollsters, the shutdown was a big factor, negative for the Republicans, and that was a big factor. And they say that I wasn't on the ballot was the biggest factor.” — 01:34
• Impact:
  • 4 million government contractors are feeling the strain.
  • No federal law ensures back pay for contractors—small companies are “burning through savings.”
• Expert Commentary:
  • Stephanie Sanacostro, Professional Services Council: “Currently, none of the government contractors will receive back pay due to the shutdown. Federal law was passed to compensate federal employees. There is no similar legislation providing back pay compensation to federal contractors.” — 02:22

3. Supreme Court To Decide on Trump’s Tariff Authority

• [02:54–03:15]
• Main Point: The Supreme Court is set to rule on whether President Trump exceeded his authority by imposing tariffs without Congressional approval.
• Key Details:
  • Lower courts have ruled against the Trump administration.
  • Solicitor General D. John Sauer defended presidential powers before a skeptical court.
• Quote:
  • Donald Trump (argument highlighted by Solicitor General): “Core application of the power to regulate foreign commerce.” — 03:11

4. Judge Orders ASL Interpretation at White House Briefings

• [03:42–04:22]
• Main Point: A federal judge orders the White House to provide American Sign Language interpretation during briefings, recognizing this as essential for accessibility.
• Key Details:
  • The National Association of the Deaf brought the suit after the White House ceased ASL interpretation at the start of Trump’s second term.
  • The court finds exclusion of deaf Americans is likely a violation of federal law.
• Quote:
  • NPR Correspondent: “The judge writes the exclusion of deaf Americans from White House press briefings is likely a violation of federal disability rights law and creates harm as the briefings engage Americans on important issues like the economy and health care.” — 03:42

5. Honors and Market Updates

• [04:22–05:02]
• Main Point: Celebrated honors in arts and literature, plus a quick business update.
• Notable Moments:
  • David Beckham knighted by King Charles III.
  • Damehood bestowed upon Elaine Page.
  • Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro named Companion of Honor.
• Market Recap:
  • Dow up 281 points, S&P up 52, NASDAQ up 258.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Gavin Newsom (via Marisa Lagos, 00:43):
  “Prop 50 was about holding Trump accountable.”
• Donald Trump (01:34):
  “If you read the pollsters, the shutdown was a big factor, negative for the Republicans, and that was a big factor. And they say that I wasn't on the ballot was the biggest factor.”
• Stephanie Sanacostro (02:22):
  “Currently, none of the government contractors will receive back pay due to the shutdown. Federal law was passed to compensate federal employees. There is no similar legislation providing back pay compensation to federal contractors.”
• NPR Correspondent (03:42):
  “The judge writes the exclusion of deaf Americans from White House press briefings is likely a violation of federal disability rights law and creates harm as the briefings engage Americans on important issues like the economy and health care.”
• Donald Trump (03:11):
  “Core application of the power to regulate foreign commerce.”

In Brief

• Legal drama over California’s Congressional maps and federal shutdown fallout frame the current political landscape.
• Supreme Court weighs executive power on trade.
• Accessibility rights see a judicial win for the Deaf community.
• Major cultural honors noted and financial news positive.

This episode delivers a brisk, fact-driven overview of key stories with impactful quotes and the measured urgency characteristic of NPR’s news coverage.