NPR News Now – November 10, 2025, 5AM EST

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now, hosted by Dave Mattingly, delivers the latest updates on major U.S. and global news stories in just under five minutes. The centerpiece story is day 41 of the ongoing federal government shutdown and progress in Congress to end it. The episode also covers severe air travel disruptions, organizational turmoil at a prominent NASA facility, developments in Israel regarding a soldier’s remains, the aftermath of a devastating super typhoon in the Philippines, and the passing of former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Government Shutdown: A Breakthrough on Day 41

• Bipartisan Progress: For the first time since the shutdown began, Congress moves toward reopening the government.
  • Eight Senate Democrats crossed party lines to break a stalemate and advance an agreement.
  • The deal does not yet guarantee the extension of federal health care subsidies, which have been a primary Democratic demand.
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune expresses urgency:
  • “I’m hopeful that we can finally bring the shutdown to an end, and I don’t need to go over all the reasons why it’s imperative that we get the government open as soon as possible. From the truly precarious situation we are in with regard to air travel to the fact that our staffs have been working without pay for a full 40 days now. All of us, Republicans and Democrats who support this bill know that the time to act is now.” – John Thune [00:51]
• Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL): One of the Democrats breaking with party leadership. He demands the Senate keep its promise to hold a vote on health care subsidies by mid-December.

Air Travel Chaos Amid Shutdown

• Massive Disruptions: The shutdown leads to thousands of flight cancellations and delays, particularly over the weekend. The FAA diminished flight capacity at 40 major U.S. airports.
• Personal Impact Story: Joe Hernandez reports from Philadelphia, sharing Juliet Montefusco’s family ordeal:
  • “First time on a plane, first time on a big vacation, first time to Disney. And they had to wait in the terminal for like five hours the other day. Which sucks, right, for a bunch of kids that have never been on a plane.” – Juliet Montefusco [02:05]
• Thanksgiving Warning: Officials expect travel headaches could escalate with the upcoming holiday.

NASA Goddard Facility in Disarray

• Organizational Upheaval: At NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, employees describe recent changes as “organized chaos.”
  • Reports of closed labs and buildings, and information being withheld.
• Employee Voice: Astrophysicist Casey McGrath (speaking personally) criticizes upper management:
  • “Like the upper management is pushing fast and hard to shut down buildings on campus without actually telling anybody what they’re doing.” – Casey McGrath (via Katie Ariddle) [02:57]
• No Official Response: The White House and NASA did not comment.

International News Briefs

• Israel: Identification confirmed for the remains of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed in Gaza in 2014. His family had pushed for years for the return of his body.
• Philippines: A super typhoon strikes days after another deadly storm, killing at least two people and forcing a mass evacuation.
  • “Phuonghuang came ashore in northeastern Aurora Province with sustained winds of up to 115 miles per hour and gusts of more than 140 miles per hour. It set off floods and landslides and knocked out power to entire provinces even as the country dealt with the devastation left by Typhoon Kalmage, which struck the country on Tuesday, leaving at least 224 dead.” – Michael Sullivan [03:51]
  • Aftermath worsens in Vietnam, which is also hit by flooding.

Sports Note: Passing of Paul Tagliabue

• NFL Legacy: Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has died at 84.
  • Served from 1989 to 2006, a tenure pivotal to the league’s modern development.
  • Cause of death: heart failure complicated by Parkinson’s disease.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• John Thune calls for urgent bipartisan action to end the shutdown: “All of us, Republicans and Democrats who support this bill know that the time to act is now.” [00:51]
• Personal impact of the shutdown on families traveling: “First time on a plane, first time on a big vacation, first time to Disney. And they had to wait in the terminal for like five hours the other day. Which sucks, right, for a bunch of kids that have never been on a plane.” – Juliet Montefusco [02:05]
• Disarray at a leading NASA center: “Like the upper management is pushing fast and hard to shut down buildings on campus without actually telling anybody what they're doing.” – Casey McGrath [02:57]
• Typhoon devastation in the Philippines: “It set off floods and landslides and knocked out power to entire provinces even as the country dealt with the devastation left by Typhoon Kalmage…” – Michael Sullivan [03:51]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Shutdown breakthrough & Congressional action: 00:17–01:53
• Airline disruptions and traveler stories: 01:53–02:25
• NASA Goddard chaos: 02:25–03:10
• International news including Israel & Philippines typhoon: 03:10–04:36
• Paul Tagliabue’s passing: 04:36–04:56

This concise, impactful episode captures the urgency and breadth of current world events, emphasizing both political gridlock and its personal, institutional, and international ripple effects.