NPR News Now – November 7, 2025, 12PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Episode Theme:
A comprehensive update on key national news stories, focusing on the ongoing government shutdown’s wide-reaching effects, new U.S. foreign policy developments, consumer drug pricing deals, and political controversies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Air Travel Disruptions Amid Government Shutdown

• Holiday Season Flight Cancellations: Airlines are cancelling hundreds of flights to comply with a federal mandate of reducing air traffic by 10% at major airports due to worker shortages from the government shutdown.
  • Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy:
    • Details phased implementation:

      “Going to be 4% today in regard to those 40 airports. And again, we're going to step ladder that up to get to 10% next week. The exact number I can't give you. And I don't want to see the disruption. I don't want to see the delays.” (Sean Duffy, 00:38)

    • The restrictions are designed to maintain safety, as air traffic controllers have been working five weeks without pay.
  • Historical Reference:
    Duffy addressed reporters at Reagan National, where a deadly collision occurred last January.

2. Community Response to Federal Worker Hardship

• Local Support in Arlington, VA: With many federal employees affected by missed paychecks, Arlington Public Schools is providing free nightly dinners at three schools.
  • Frank Bellavia (Arlington Public Schools):

    “You think about the schools that are there. And these are really are the backbones of the community. So us being here and doing this... is nothing different.” (Frank Bellavia, 01:49)

  • Plan: Serve 250 meals per school, each weeknight for at least 30 days or until the shutdown ends.

3. Labor Department Employment Report Delayed

• Impact: The monthly national jobs report is unavailable due to the shutdown (02:09), highlighting broader informational gaps caused by government inoperability.

4. Kazakhstan and the Abraham Accords

• Diplomatic Developments: President Trump announces Kazakhstan’s move to formally join the Abraham Accords, while noting the country already has full diplomatic ties with Israel.
  • Symbolic Nature:

    “It's a largely symbolic move. The White House described it as a signal that the accords are alive and well in the second administration...” (Frank Ordonez, 02:54)

  • Regional Hurdles: Ongoing war in Gaza hampers additional countries, such as Saudi Arabia, from joining.

5. Pharmaceutical Industry Deals

• Affordable Drug Push: The Trump administration secures agreements with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to make popular obesity drugs more accessible.
  • Terms Include:
    • Three-year exemptions from certain tariffs (Sidney Lupkin, 03:30).

6. Political and Legal Allegations in Texas

• Mortgage Fraud Accusations: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, running for U.S. Senate, faces allegations of mortgage fraud for claiming multiple primary residences—a charge also leveled against political figures in other states.
  • Hunter Bonner (Marion County GOP):

    “It is hypocritical in any sense of the word to give a pass to bad behavior.” (Hunter Bonner quoted by Lakshmi Singh, 04:34)

  • Paxton’s campaign dismisses the complaint as “not serious.”

7. Market Update

• Indices Downturn: The NASDAQ dropped by over 2%; the S&P 500 fell by 1.2%. (Lakshmi Singh, 04:47)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Flight Reductions:

  “We're going to step ladder that up to get to 10% next week... I don't want to see the disruption. I don't want to see the delays.”
  — Sean Duffy (00:38)

• On Community Response:

  “These [schools] really are the backbones of the community. So us being here and doing this is nothing different.”
  — Frank Bellavia, Arlington Public Schools (01:49)

• On the Symbolism of Kazakhstan’s Announcement:

  “The White House described it as a signal that the accords are alive and well in the second administration.”
  — Frank Ordonez (02:54)

• On Political Accountability:

  "It is hypocritical in any sense of the word to give a pass to bad behavior."
  — Hunter Bonner, Marion County GOP (04:34)

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |----------------------------------------- |-------|-------| | Air Travel and Gov’t Shutdown | 00:15 | 01:30 | | Community Meal Programs | 01:30 | 02:09 | | Delayed Employment Report | 02:09 | 02:14 | | Kazakhstan Joins Abraham Accords | 02:14 | 03:09 | | Pharma Industry Drug Price Deals | 03:09 | 03:44 | | Ken Paxton Mortgage Fraud Allegations | 03:44 | 04:41 | | Stock Market Update | 04:47 | 04:54 |

This concise mid-day update delivers fast-paced, reliable reporting on the serious ramifications of the ongoing government shutdown, evolving international diplomacy, policy developments in drug pricing, and political ethics—all essential headlines for staying informed.