NPR News Now — November 11, 2025, 11PM EST

Host: Giles Snyder (NPR News Anchor)
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode delivers the latest top stories, focusing on the ongoing government shutdown, struggles with food assistance, a major Supreme Court decision, National Guard deployments, public health developments in Canada, and the winner of the 2025 Booker Prize. The episode features on-the-ground perspectives, direct quotes from key public figures, and updates on both U.S. and international events—all in NPR’s neutral, informative tone.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Record-Setting Government Shutdown Nears Possible End

[00:11–01:31]

• The U.S. government shutdown has reached a "record 41 days," making it the longest in history.
• Senate Action:
  The Senate broke its stalemate with a 60–40 vote in favor of a short-term funding bill, crafted by a coalition of Democrats, one independent, and Republicans.
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed optimism about an end in sight:

  • "This has been a very long road, quite literally the longest shutdown in history. I am very, very happy to be able to say that we are coming to the end." — Senator John Thune [00:30]

• Next Steps:
  The House must pass the bill before it can go to President Trump. House Speaker Mike Johnson urges a quick return and vote.
• Other Political Developments:
  • Adelita Grijalva, Arizona’s newly elected Representative, is expected to be sworn in and may push for a vote to release the Epstein files.

2. Food Assistance Interruptions During Shutdown

[01:31–02:13]

• Millions in Limbo:
  SNAP beneficiaries face disruptions as the White House appeals a court order to fully fund November’s SNAP payments.
• On-the-Ground Reporting:
  • Long lines at food banks, with many receiving partial or no payments.
  • Direct voices of affected individuals:

    • "I keep looking online and looking at it. I even called my card and it still ain't saying nothing." — Michelle Sands, SNAP recipient [01:54]

• Food banks are feeling the crisis acutely, particularly with Thanksgiving approaching.

3. Supreme Court Declines Same-Sex Marriage Case

[02:13–03:11]

• Case Background:
  The Supreme Court declined to revisit the 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
• Former Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis had sought protection under the First Amendment after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but her case was rejected.
• Advocacy Reaction:

  • "The reality is that Kim Davis case was never the one that was going to make it to the Supreme Court. All of the experts that this was the weakest possible challenge to marriage equality." — Chris Hartman, Fairness Campaign [02:43]

• The Liberty Council criticized the court for leaving the "wrongly decided 2015 opinion in place."
• The 2015 decision stands but anxiety remains about future challenges.

4. National Guard Deployed to Washington, D.C.

[03:11–03:34]

• A West Virginia judge upheld the continued deployment of over 300 state National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., backing Governor Morrissey's action under President Trump’s crime emergency order.
• The Department of Justice disputes the need, noting D.C. violent crime is at a 30-year low.

5. Canada Loses “Measles-Free” Status

[03:34–04:10]

• Public Health Setback:
  • Canada reported over 5,100 measles cases this year, prompting a loss of its “measles-free” status after nearly three decades.
  • Efforts are underway to boost vaccination rates and rebuild public health status.

6. 2025 Booker Prize Winner Announced

[04:10–04:52]

• Winner:
  David Soloi’s The Flesh takes the prestigious Booker Prize, recognized for its unique narrative and linguistic style.

  • "Every word matters. The spaces between the words matter." — Roddy Doyle, Booker Prize chair (as quoted by Andrew Limbong) [04:10]

• The novel traces Hungarian Isvan’s life from youth to old age and beat out works from Katie Kitamura and Susan Choi.
• Soloi is the first Hungarian-British author to win; he had previously been shortlisted in 2016.

Memorable Quotes

• Senator John Thune on shutdown progress:

  "I am very, very happy to be able to say that we are coming to the end." [00:30]

• SNAP recipient Michelle Sands on food insecurity:

  "I keep looking online and looking at it. I even called my card and it still ain't saying nothing." [01:54]

• Chris Hartman on same-sex marriage legal strategy:

  "Kim Davis case was never the one that was going to make it to the Supreme Court." [02:43]

• Roddy Doyle (Booker Prize chair) on The Flesh:

  "Every word matters. The spaces between the words matter." [04:10]

Notable Timestamps

• 00:11: Shutdown update; comments from Senator Thune
• 01:31: Food assistance/SNAP delays; interviews from Charlotte, NC
• 02:13: Supreme Court declines Kim Davis/same-sex marriage case
• 03:11: National Guard deployment to D.C. upheld by judge
• 03:34: Canada’s measles-free status revoked
• 04:10: Booker Prize awarded

Tone & Language

The episode maintains NPR’s hallmark clarity and neutrality, focusing on factual reportage and direct testimony. Relevant voices (senators, beneficiaries, advocates) are incorporated to provide immediacy and human context to policy developments.