NPR News Now – November 10, 2025, 11AM EST

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: NPR News Anchor (Korva Coleman)
Run Time: ~5 minutes
Date: November 10, 2025

Episode Overview

This concise news episode delivers the latest headlines and major stories from the US and around the world. Topics covered include the Supreme Court’s stance on same-sex marriage, government shutdown developments, the Trump administration’s battle over SNAP benefits, China’s move against fentanyl precursors, the effects of a frigid air mass, a study on "Food is Medicine," and allegations of sports betting scandals involving MLB players.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Supreme Court Declines Same-Sex Marriage Challenge

• [00:14] The US Supreme Court declined to hear a case seeking to revisit its decision that legalized same-sex marriage.
  • A Kentucky clerk, previously jailed for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses, had requested reconsideration.
  • The Court refused to comment on the matter.

2. Government Shutdown: Senate Procedural Vote

• [00:37] Senate Democrats (joined by an independent and some Republicans) advanced a procedural vote to pass a short-term spending measure aiming to end the government shutdown.
  • Speaker Mike Johnson declared readiness to act in the House if needed.
• [00:54] NPR News Reporter: "The Senate's vote late last night of 60 to 40 opens the door. Now the Senate is moving forward on an amended House CR, a continuing resolution that will reopen the government until January 30th."

3. Senate Healthcare Promise

• [01:07] Senate Majority Leader has promised to address high health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act in the next legislative steps.

4. SNAP Payments and Trump Administration Legal Battle

• [01:15] The Trump administration is petitioning the Supreme Court to halt payments for the SNAP food assistance program, which had been interrupted by the shutdown.
  • A federal appeals court ordered that payments be restored.
• [01:40] Tovia Smith: "A deal to reopen the government could get full payments flowing almost as quickly, but the SNAP lapse may have longer term ramifications. Food pantries say they expect high demand to continue, as many SNAP recipients need to restock their cupboards."
• Food banks report shortages as large government orders weren’t processed during the shutdown.

5. China Expands Fentanyl Precursor Control

• [02:05] China has added 13 chemical ingredients used to make fentanyl to its list of controlled substances, fulfilling a recent trade talk promise with the US.
• [02:22] Emily Feng: "Fentanyl traffickers have long purchased large quantities of industrial chemicals from Chinese manufacturers... This week, the US agreed to halve a tariff it had slapped on Chinese goods in retaliation for what it said was China's lax enforcement of fentanyl precursors."
  • Previous US-China fentanyl collaboration was threatened by political tension, especially following former Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

6. Weather Update

• [03:07] A frigid air mass is dominating the eastern two-thirds of the US, with freeze and snow warnings from Texas to Virginia and across the Great Lakes.

7. "Food is Medicine" Study

• [03:27] New research connects healthy eating subsidies with measurable improvements in health for people with diet-related diseases.
  • Participants used a stipend for fresh produce and healthy food for six months.
• [03:42] Allison Aubrey: "Doctors found participants' blood pressure dropped by 5.4 millimeters of mercury, a small but significant decline that could reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes over time."
  • Peter Skillearn (Reinvestment Partners): "[This program] reduced that barrier and they changed their behavior." (04:07)
  • Peter Skillearn: "They got healthier." (04:11)
• Measured as part of broader efforts to include food within preventive medicine.

8. MLB Sports Betting Scandal

• [04:19] The US Department of Justice alleges that two MLB pitchers (Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz) coordinated with sports bettors, providing information for gambling purposes.
  • Both players’ lawyers deny the charges; Ortiz is set to appear in court.
  • This follows recent DOJ charges against NBA players and coaches in similar schemes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "[The Supreme Court] did not comment." – NPR News Anchor (00:17)
• "The Senate's vote late last night of 60 to 40 opens the door. Now the Senate is moving forward on an amended House CR, a continuing resolution that will reopen the government until January 30th." – NPR News Reporter (00:54)
• "A deal to reopen the government could get full payments flowing almost as quickly, but the SNAP lapse may have longer term ramifications." – Tovia Smith (01:40)
• "Fentanyl traffickers have long purchased large quantities of industrial chemicals from Chinese manufacturers..." – Emily Feng (02:22)
• "Doctors found participants' blood pressure dropped by 5.4 millimeters of mercury, a small but significant decline..." – Allison Aubrey (03:42)
• "They got healthier." – Peter Skillearn, Reinvestment Partners (04:11)

Important Timestamps

• 00:14 – Supreme Court and same-sex marriage decision
• 00:37 – Senate procedural vote on shutdown
• 01:07 – Senate's healthcare premium promise
• 01:40 – SNAP payments: effects on food banks
• 02:05 – China steps up fentanyl precursor control
• 03:07 – Weather: frigid air mass and warnings
• 03:42 – Results from "Food is Medicine" study
• 04:19 – MLB players indicted for sports betting
• 04:54 – End of content

This episode captures a critical morning snapshot of US political, social, and international news as well as developing trends in public health and sport.