NPR News Now – November 7, 2025, 5AM EST

Host: Dave Mattingly, NPR
Duration: 5 minutes
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced overview of the latest national and international news, focusing on the impact of the ongoing federal government shutdown, U.S. military actions, North Korean missile launch, legal and business headlines, and noteworthy industry developments.

Ongoing Government Shutdown Disrupts Air Travel

• Reduced Flight Capacity Due to Shutdown
  • The longest government shutdown in U.S. history reaches day 38.
  • Airlines are offering fewer flights due to a mandate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), citing safety concerns amid staffing shortages at airports.
• Widespread Flight Cancellations
  • United, Delta, and American Airlines have begun canceling hundreds of flights, affecting at least 40 major airports, including major hubs in Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas. (00:38)
  • "We have service disruptions frequently in the airline business, so we've got a good playbook." — David Kinselman, United Airlines SVP (00:59)
  • Air traffic controllers, required to work without pay, are increasingly calling in sick or taking second jobs, leading to delays. (01:03)

Political and Military Developments

• Failed Senate Resolution on Military Escalation in Venezuela
  • Bipartisan resolution requiring President Trump to obtain Congressional approval for escalating U.S. military action in Venezuela fails in the Senate.
  • 51 Republican senators oppose; Rand Paul (KY) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) vote with Democrats in favor. (01:19)
• U.S. Airstrike in the Caribbean
  • Shortly after the Senate vote, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces a new airstrike on a suspected drug boat, killing three in international waters.
  • Nearly 70 people have died in similar strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific in recent months. (01:19)

International Headlines

• North Korea’s Missile Launch
  • South Korea’s military reports that North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the sea. (01:19)
  • It's the sixth known launch by North Korea this year.

Legal News: High-Profile Acquittal in D.C.

• Jury Acquits Man in “Sandwich Assault” Case
  • Sean Charles Dunn, charged with assaulting a federal officer by throwing a sandwich, is acquitted by a D.C. jury after seven hours of deliberation. (02:26)
  • The case becomes a symbol of D.C.'s resistance to an increased federal law enforcement presence.
  • "Agent Gregory Larimore testified the sub exploded on his ballistic vest and he smelled mustard and onion." (02:44)
  • Dunn, a former Justice Department employee fired following the viral sandwich video, expresses relief and intent to move on. (03:04)

Business & Economic News

• Tesla Shareholders Approve Massive Pay Package for Elon Musk

  • At Tesla’s annual meeting, shareholders approve a pay package for Elon Musk potentially worth a trillion dollars, linked to ambitious new targets for valuation, earnings, and product sales. (03:12)
  • “The new one, an order of magnitude larger, is linked to a new set of targets for valuation and earnings and the number of cars and robots sold.” — Camila Domonosky, NPR (03:44)
  • Ongoing legal battle over Musk’s previous $55 billion pay package, also a world record. (03:30)
  • Musk says his interest is more about influence than money, particularly regarding Tesla’s future in humanoid robots and AI-powered tech. (03:55)

• Honda Profit Decline

  • Honda reports a 37% decrease in profits for the first half of its fiscal year, attributed to higher U.S. tariffs on Japanese vehicle exports.
  • Honda lowers profit outlook, while Toyota raises its own earlier in the week. (04:07)

• Stock Market Dips

  • The Dow drops 398 points.
  • S&P 500 down over 1%.
  • Nasdaq drops 445 points (1.9%). (04:29)

• 2025 National Toy Hall of Fame Inductees

  • Trivial Pursuit and Battleship join the Hall of Fame, located in Rochester, NY. (04:47)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “We have service disruptions frequently in the airline business, so we've got a good playbook.”
  – David Kinselman, United, (00:59)

• “Agent Gregory Larimore testified the sub exploded on his ballistic vest and he smelled mustard and onion."
  – Kerry Johnson, NPR, (02:44)

• “The new one, an order of magnitude larger, is linked to a new set of targets for valuation and earnings and the number of cars and robots sold.”
  – Camila Domonosky, NPR, (03:44)

For listeners:
This five-minute news update delivers concise but comprehensive coverage of pressing U.S. and global news, from crucial impacts of the government shutdown on air travel and legislative gridlock, to dramatic developments in legal, business, and cultural spheres.