NPR News Now - 11-08-2025 11AM EST

Host: Nora Ram
Date: November 8, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a snapshot of major U.S. and international news events as of November 8, 2025. Key topics include a Supreme Court ruling on SNAP benefits, continued disruptions from the historic U.S. government shutdown, the emotional toll of national polarization, a somber exchange of human remains between Israeli and Gazan authorities, and escalating tensions in Tanzania following controversial elections.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Supreme Court Pauses SNAP Food Aid Payments

[00:14 – 01:14]

• Main Topic: The Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s request to temporarily halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments.
  • A recent court order had mandated restoration of full benefits for November, but the administration appealed to the Supreme Court.
  • Many states are in limbo, having not distributed benefits, with uncertainty about reimbursement for those that did.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The Trump administration appealed the ruling all the way up to the Supreme Court, which kicked the case back to an appeals court. In the meantime, many states still haven't distributed November SNAP benefits, and it's unclear whether states that have will be reimbursed.”
    — Gigi Duban, NPR Correspondent [01:01]

2. Ongoing Government Shutdown Disrupts Air Travel

[01:14 – 02:02]

• Main Topic: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directed 40 major airports to reduce flights due to a shortage of unpaid air traffic controllers.

  • Airlines given discretion in determining which flights to cut.
  • Major carriers (Delta, American, United) responded by adjusting routes, primarily affecting regional and smaller markets.

• Notable Quote:

  • “We may see that these mid-sized and regional airports that don't have as many flights to begin with, they are probably going to share in this pain, too.”
    — Joel Rose, NPR Correspondent [01:56]

• Context:

  • It’s Day 37 of the government shutdown—now the longest in U.S. history.
  • The Senate is working through the weekend; the House has not met since September 19.

3. Polarization Taking a Toll on Americans' Mental Health

[02:02 – 03:07]

• Main Topic: According to a national survey by the American Psychological Association, 62% of adults report that political and social divisions are major stressors.
  • Those more distressed by division also feel more socially isolated.
  • Psychologist Vail Wright discusses the link between this stress and health.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “62% of adults say that social and political divisions in the country are a major source of stress.”
    — Ritu Chatterjee, NPR Correspondent [02:34]
  • “Often those are manifested in both physical symptoms and emotional symptoms that can look like headaches, fatigue, stomach problems, as well as increased levels of depression and anxiety.”
    — Vail Wright, American Psychological Association [02:57]

4. Gaza-Israel Human Remains Exchange

[03:10 – 04:21]

• Main Topic: Red Cross oversees another exchange of human remains amid a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
  • Israel receives the body of retired military officer and volunteer ambulance driver Lior Rudayev, killed on October 7, 2023, during attack at his kibbutz.
  • Gaza Health Ministry receives 15 Palestinian bodies from Israel; only one-third of returned bodies have been identified due to lack of DNA tests.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “The Israeli Prime Minister's office says forensic tests show the latest body returned to Israel is that of a retired Israeli military officer.”
    — Lauren Freyr, NPR Correspondent [03:37]
  • “The ministry says only about a third of the total number of Palestinian bodies returned under this ceasefire have been identified amid a shortage of DNA tests in Gaza.”
    — Lauren Freyr, NPR Correspondent [04:09]

5. Tanzania: Post-Election Crackdown

[04:21 – 04:54]

• Main Topic: Hundreds charged with treason amidst deadly protests after a disputed election.
  • President Samia Salouhou Hassan claims victory with over 97% of the vote.
  • African Union observers report ballot stuffing; over 1,000 protestors allegedly killed, which the government disputes.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Observers from the African Union say they saw irregularities, including ballot stuffing. Human rights activists say more than 1,000 people were killed by security forces during demonstrations. The government says that's an exaggeration but did not provide its own death toll.”
    — Nora Ram, NPR Host [04:31]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On the shutdown’s scope:
  “This is day 37 of the government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history until now. The longest was 34 days in 2019 during the first Trump administration.”
  — Nora Ram [02:03]
• On stress and health:
  “Stress and social isolation have long term health consequences.”
  — Vail Wright [02:50]

Segment Timestamps

• [00:14] – Supreme Court halts SNAP payments
• [01:14] – Government shutdown: air travel disruptions
• [02:02] – Emotional toll of U.S. polarization
• [03:10] – Gaza-Israel remains exchange
• [04:21] – Tanzania post-election crackdown

This episode delivers a concise yet substantive briefing on ongoing crises in the U.S. and abroad, emphasizing the human impacts behind legal, political, and international developments. The tone throughout remains fact-based, urgent, and focused on the real-world consequences of major news events.