NPR News Now – November 9, 2025, 11AM EST

Episode Theme

This fast-paced NPR News Now episode delivers a concise yet comprehensive overview of major ongoing national and international events: the record-breaking 40th day of the U.S. government shutdown, air travel chaos, the latest on U.S.-Russia nuclear tensions, NATO’s responses to Russian drone incursions, political activism in Texas, and powerful remembrances on the anniversary of Kristallnacht.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Historic 40th Day of Government Shutdown

• Congressional Stalemate: The U.S. government shutdown enters its 40th day, the longest ever; the Senate is working through the weekend to pursue a bipartisan resolution.
  • “The Senate is working through the weekend to attempt to craft a bipartisan solution to the deadlock.” —Nora Ramm [00:16]

2. Air Travel Disruptions

• FAA Flight Reductions: Hundreds of flight cancellations as the FAA cuts airspace activity due to staffing shortages. Air traffic controllers, working without pay, are struggling to maintain operations.
• SNAP Payment Uncertainty: The Supreme Court issues a temporary stay on an order requiring full SNAP payments, creating state-by-state discrepancies and leaving recipients in limbo.
  • “Hundreds [of] flights have been canceled after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a reduction of flights … amid staffing issues. Air traffic controllers are among the federal employees working without pay while the shutdown drags on.” —Eva Pukach [00:31]
  • “The Supreme Court order means other states could be prevented from initiating payments.” —Eva Pukach [00:31]
• Holiday Travel Warning:
  • “It’s only going to get worse... you’re going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle... Many of them are not going to be able to get on an airplane.”
    —Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, CNN interview [01:18]

3. U.S.-Russia Nuclear Tensions

• Nuclear Testing Postures:
  • Russia states it is not intending to resume nuclear testing but is actively considering its options, dependent on U.S. moves.
  • President Putin orders the military to explore nuclear testing if the U.S. resumes its own; President Trump has suggested such tests in response to Russian missile developments (though without nuclear warheads).
  • The Kremlin awaits a U.S. response to extending the New START treaty, which expires in February; Putin proposes a 12-month extension to negotiate a new agreement.
  • “The Kremlin says that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military to explore the possibility of nuclear testing, but would do so only if the US resumes its own ... Putin has proposed both sides continue to observe limits imposed by the treaty for an additional 12 months ...” —Charles Maynes [01:51]

4. NATO’s Response to Drone Incursions in Belgium

• UK Support for Belgium:
  • British military leader Sir Richard Knighton reports that the UK is deploying personnel and equipment to Belgium to counter confirmed drone incursions, possibly linked to Russia.
  • “It is important to be clear, though, that we don’t know, and the Belgians don’t yet know the source of those drones, but we will help them by providing our kit and capability, which has already started to deploy to Belgium.” —Sir Richard Knighton [02:43]

5. Texas Political Developments: Turning Point USA Expansion

• Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s Initiative:
  • Dan Patrick announces a $1M campaign fund donation to bring Turning Point USA chapters to every Texas college and high school.
  • Move follows recent death of group founder Charlie Kirk and aims to encourage conservative voices and open debate on campuses.
  • “Patrick said the idea came during a conversation with Turning Point leaders. In a statement, he also praised young conservatives for, quote, challenging leftist echo chambers and said campuses should foster debate, not indoctrination.” —Jerry Clayton [03:30]

6. Kristallnacht Anniversary: Bearing Witness

• Survivor Remembrance:
  • On the 87th anniversary of Kristallnacht, Walter Bingham, age 101, shares his firsthand memory:
    • “I saw there are lots of people and there was the synagogue smoldering, in fact, because, of course, the actual fire was laid very early in the small hours of the morning.” —Walter Bingham [04:25]
  • Nora Ramm emphasizes the need for education to combat modern anti-Semitism, recalling the Holocaust’s toll: “Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered 6 million Jewish men, women and children.” [04:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sean Duffy on Holiday Travel:
  “You’re going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle... Many of them are not going to be able to get on an airplane.” [01:18]
• Sir Richard Knighton on Allied Support:
  “It is important to be clear, though, that we don’t know, and the Belgians don’t yet know the source of those drones, but we will help them ...” [02:43]
• Walter Bingham Remembers Kristallnacht:
  “I saw there are lots of people and there was the synagogue smoldering, in fact, because, of course, the actual fire was laid very early in the small hours of the morning.” [04:25]

Key Timestamps

• Government shutdown & impacts: [00:16]–[01:34]
• Russia nuclear testing & START treaty: [01:51]–[02:32]
• NATO & Belgian drone incidents: [02:32]–[03:09]
• Turning Point USA in Texas schools: [03:30]–[04:08]
• Kristallnacht anniversary, Holocaust remembrance: [04:08]–[04:55]

For anyone who missed this rapid-fire newscast, today’s episode offers a sobering snapshot of government dysfunction, global tension, activism, and historical memory—all distilled into NPR’s signature, no-nonsense delivery.