NPR News Now — November 10, 2025, 6PM EST

Main Theme:
This five-minute news digest covers the latest in US politics, government shutdown negotiations, Supreme Court actions, presidential pardons, international climate talks, military actions abroad, and severe weather predictions. The episode delivers concise, up-to-date reporting on high-impact stories shaping the national and global landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SNAP Benefits & Supreme Court Action

• The Trump administration is seeking to block the full disbursement of SNAP food benefits for this month, creating uncertainty for millions of recipients.
• An appeals court ruled that the administration must continue full benefits and criticized their lack of preparation for a known funding shortage.
  • Notable Quote (Jennifer Ludden, 00:30):

    "The court said the harm in limiting those payments would be immense. And it said the administration had, quote, 'sat on its hands for nearly a month, refusing to prepare for a funding shortfall it knew was coming.'"

• The Agriculture Department argues that reallocating funds may harm other nutrition programs.
• Even as a potential end to the federal shutdown looms, the administration pursues the Supreme Court appeal.

2. Government Shutdown Compromise

• Negotiations in the Senate—led by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans—may soon break the government shutdown, with funding planned through January and a reversal of some federal employee firings.
• President Trump voices support for the emerging deal but notes ongoing tweaks.
  • Notable Quote (Donald Trump, 01:31):

    "It's a deal I heard about... they want to change the deal a little bit, but I would say so. I think based on everything I'm hearing, they haven't changed anything. And we have support from enough Democrats, and we're going to be opening up our country. It's too bad it was closed, but we'll be opening up our country very quickly."

• The Senate could vote imminently, with subsequent deliberation by the House.
• Democrats involved in the deal receive criticism for failing to secure health care concessions.

3. Presidential Pardons Linked to 2020 Election

• President Trump issued pardons to campaign attorneys and others involved in the creation of alternate electoral slates during the aftermath of the 2020 election.
  • Notable Quote (Miles Parks, 02:13):

    "The document pardons all those associated with a plot to make false electoral slates that could have potentially interfered with the presidential certification on January 6, 2021."

• High-profile figures pardoned include Rudy Giuliani, Kenneth Chesebro, Mark Meadows, and John Eastman.
• The pardons are symbolic: none have been charged federally, though some face state-level indictments.

4. Supreme Court Upholds Same-Sex Marriage

• The Supreme Court declined to revisit its landmark ruling on same-sex marriage, refusing an appeal from Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who denied marriage licenses post-2015 decision.
• Davis remains liable for $360,000 in damages and attorney’s fees.

5. UN Climate Talks in Brazil

• Major climate negotiations are underway, but the US is notably absent as President Trump continues to deny human-caused climate change and the states remain outside the Paris Agreement.
• The effectiveness of talks is challenged by the absence of one of the world’s top carbon emitters.

6. US Military Strikes in the Pacific

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced two additional US military strikes against suspected drug-smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific, resulting in at least six deaths.
  • Notable Quote (Kerry Kahn, 03:52):

    "Hegseth said those killed were all male narco terrorists. He cited intelligence that the two boats were transporting drugs, but did not provide evidence. Multiple experts say the strikes are illegal, even if the suspects are criminals."

• Secretary Hegseth shared videos of the attacks and cited an ongoing armed conflict declaration with drug cartels by the Trump administration.
• Experts question the legality of these lethal operations.

7. Major Winter Weather Event

• An arctic blast is moving across the eastern two-thirds of the US, bringing snow and dramatically colder temperatures as far south as Florida.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On SNAP Benefit Limbo:
  “The court said the harm in limiting those payments would be immense. And it said the administration had, quote, 'sat on its hands for nearly a month, refusing to prepare for a funding shortfall it knew was coming.'”
  — Jennifer Ludden (00:30)

• On Government Reopening Deal:
  “It's a deal I heard about... they want to change the deal a little bit, but I would say so. I think based on everything I'm hearing, they haven't changed anything. And we have support from enough Democrats, and we're going to be opening up our country. It's too bad it was closed, but we'll be opening up our country very quickly.”
  — President Donald Trump (01:31)

• On Electoral Slate Pardons:
  “The document pardons all those associated with a plot to make false electoral slates that could have potentially interfered with the presidential certification on January 6, 2021.”
  — Miles Parks (02:13)

• On Military Strikes:
  “Hegseth said those killed were all male narco terrorists. He cited intelligence that the two boats were transporting drugs, but did not provide evidence. Multiple experts say the strikes are illegal, even if the suspects are criminals.”
  — Kerry Kahn (03:52)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:11 — SNAP benefits case and administrative standoff
• 01:12 — Senate negotiations and Trump's remarks on shutdown compromise
• 01:49 — Senate voting prospects; criticism from Democrats lacking health care wins
• 02:13 — Presidential pardons for 2020 election figures
• 02:47 — Supreme Court stands by same-sex marriage; Kim Davis ordered to pay damages
• 03:00 — UN Climate negotiations hampered by US absence
• 03:52 — US military strikes suspected drug boats; questions of legality
• 04:37 — Nationwide arctic weather and forecast

This episode offers a rapid-fire but substantial rundown of major news stories relevant to US politics, social policy, and global relations on November 10, 2025.