NPR News Now – 2PM EST, November 6, 2025

Host: Jeanine Herbst & NPR News Team
Duration: 5 minutes
Main Theme:
A brisk roundup of breaking national stories – judicial actions on protests, pharmaceutical pricing policy, academic charges, Wall Street updates, a teacher’s lawsuit verdict, and a major justice decision involving Boeing.

Key News Highlights & Insights

1. Federal Judge Issues New Restrictions on Immigration Enforcement in Chicago

[00:27–01:01]

• Background: Judge Sarah Ellis in Illinois plans to send federal agents to Chicago, but with tight controls on their conduct during protests.
• Main Points:
  • Agents must give two warnings before using riot control weapons.
  • Excessive force is banned except to stop an immediate threat.
  • Refines an earlier order, now explicitly requiring ICE agents to display badges and banning tactics like tear gas usage.
• Quote:
  • “Limit immigration enforcement’s use of force against peaceful protesters and journalists, saying it violates their constitutional rights.”
    — Jeanine Herbst, [00:32]
• Context: Expected appeals from the Trump administration; builds on existing legal oversight of federal law enforcement actions during protests.

2. President Trump Announces Affordable Obesity Drug Initiative

[01:05–02:10]

• Announcement: President Trump brokered a deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk for reduced-cost access to drugs such as Ozempic—$149/month for qualifying individuals.
• Implementation:
  • Applies to select Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries—about 10% of Medicare enrollees.
  • Drugs will be available on a new online platform: Trump Rx.
• Quote:
  • “These are the two companies that really broke ground…helped millions of Americans struggling with obesity live better, longer lives.”
    — Pharmaceutical Industry Expert, [01:31]
• Implications: This partnership may expand the companies’ customer bases via federal health coverage and a new direct-to-consumer marketplace.

3. Federal Charges Against University of Michigan Researchers

[02:10–03:10]

• Incident: Three Chinese nationals on J1 visas are charged with smuggling biological materials—specifically roundworms—and making false statements.
• Details:
  • Materials sent from China by a fellow researcher, who has already pleaded no contest and was deported.
  • The accused were intercepted at JFK Airport.
• Security Concern: Attorney General Pam Bondi frames it as a risk to national and agricultural security.
• Quote:
  • “Attempting to smuggle biological materials into the country under the guise of research is a crime that threatens U.S. national and agricultural security.”
    — Attorney General Pam Bondi (via Ryan Lucas), [02:51]

4. Wall Street Market Downturn

[03:10–03:21]

• Market Update:
  • Dow: Down 309 points
  • NASDAQ: Down 349 points
  • S&P 500: Down 58 points
• Quote:
  • “Wall Street is trading lower at this hour.”
    — NPR News Reporter, [03:10]

5. Virginia Teacher Wins $10 Million Negligence Lawsuit Against School System

[03:23–03:55]

• Case: Abby Zwerner, a first-grade teacher shot by a six-year-old student in 2023, won her lawsuit.
• Jury’s Reasoning:
  • Assistant principal Ebony Parker found grossly negligent for ignoring repeated warnings the child had a gun.
• Aftermath:
  • Teacher was wounded in hand and chest; bullet still lodged.
  • Child’s mother sentenced to two years in prison for neglect.
• Quote:
  • “[The assistant principal] acted with gross negligence when a then six year old child shot his first grade teacher in 2023 and she was warned that he had a gun several times.”
    — Jeanine Herbst, [03:37]

6. Boeing Criminal Case Dismissed Over 737 Max Crashes

[04:00–04:56]

• Decision: Federal Judge Reed O’Connor dismissed the Justice Department’s case against Boeing regarding two 737 Max crashes (2018 & 2019; 346 fatalities).
• Key Details:
  • Judge cited flaws in the non-prosecution agreement, especially Boeing being allowed to select its own compliance monitor.
  • Despite sympathy with victims’ families, O’Connor stated the law forced him to defer to DOJ’s discretion.
  • Boeing has paid out billions in civil settlements.
• Quote:
  • “O’ Connor said he agreed with those relatives that the non prosecution deal is flawed… but this time O’ Connor wrote the law left him no choice but to defer to the Justice Department.”
    — Joel Rose, [04:44]

Notable Quotes

• “Limit immigration enforcement’s use of force against peaceful protesters and journalists, saying it violates their constitutional rights.” — Jeanine Herbst, [00:32]
• “These are the two companies that really broke ground…helped millions of Americans struggling with obesity live better, longer lives.” — Pharmaceutical Industry Expert, [01:31]
• “Attempting to smuggle biological materials into the country under the guise of research is a crime that threatens U.S. national and agricultural security.” — Attorney General Pam Bondi (via Ryan Lucas), [02:51]
• “[The assistant principal] acted with gross negligence when a then six year old child shot his first grade teacher in 2023 and she was warned that he had a gun several times.” — Jeanine Herbst, [03:37]
• “O’ Connor said he agreed with those relatives that the non prosecution deal is flawed… but this time O’ Connor wrote the law left him no choice but to defer to the Justice Department.” — Joel Rose, [04:44]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:27]–[01:01]: Judicial restrictions on federal immigration enforcement in Chicago
• [01:05]–[02:10]: Presidential obesity drug pricing announcement
• [02:10]–[03:10]: Federal charges against University of Michigan researchers
• [03:10]–[03:21]: Wall Street update
• [03:23]–[03:55]: Virginia teacher lawsuit verdict
• [04:00]–[04:56]: Boeing case dismissal over 737 Max crashes

Overall:
A rapid-fire round-up of major mid-afternoon news, emphasizing judicial intervention in law enforcement, healthcare affordability initiatives, security and justice system developments, and headline legal decisions impacting Americans coast to coast.