NPR News Now: November 11, 2025, 2AM EST

Episode Overview

In this concise, five-minute news bulletin, NPR’s Giles Snyder delivers updates on the U.S. government shutdown’s potential end, its impact on SNAP recipients, unprecedented turmoil at a NASA research center, National Guard deployments to D.C., Indonesia's controversial hero proclamation, and Canada’s loss of its measles-free status.

Key Stories and Insights

1. Longest U.S. Government Shutdown Nears End

[00:13–01:24]

• The U.S. Senate passed a short-term funding bill late Monday (60–40 vote), moving toward ending the longest government shutdown in American history (over six weeks).
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune reflected on the prolonged ordeal and expressed optimism about the shutdown’s imminent conclusion.
  • Quote: "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 [00:33]
• The bill, crafted by a small group of Democrats, an Independent, and Republicans, must also pass the House and receive President Trump’s signature.
• House Speaker Mike John is urging a swift House vote.
• The shutdown’s impact is severe, especially for more than 40 million Americans depending on food assistance.

2. SNAP Recipients Face Confusion and Hardship

[01:24–02:06]

• In Oklahoma, residents reliant on SNAP (food stamps) report delays and confusion over benefits during the shutdown.
• Anna Pope interviewed Emparo Espinosa, a Mid Del food pantry regular, who has not received her $21 SNAP allotment this month.
  • Quote: "You could see the need to get food because of what happened with the government. And I think it's very sad that we are suffering the consequences of the people that should take care of us."
    — Emparo Espinosa [01:35]
• SNAP is a lifeline for many, and the uncertainty jeopardizes food security across vulnerable populations.
• The Trump administration is appealing to the Supreme Court to halt court orders requiring full SNAP funding; a decision is expected Tuesday.

3. NASA Goddard Turmoil: “Organized Chaos” and Information Blackout

[02:06–03:14]

• Employees at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center report sudden changes: information blackouts, lab and building closures, and general disarray.
• The turmoil is attributed to White House-mandated budget cuts targeting the agency.
• Astrophysicist Casey McGrath described the chaotic environment.
  • Quote: "The upper management is pushing fast and hard to shut down buildings on campus without actually telling anybody what they're doing."
    — Casey McGrath [03:01]
• Both NASA and the White House refused to comment on the situation.

4. West Virginia National Guard Deployment to D.C. Upheld

[03:14–03:44]

• A West Virginia judge allowed the continued deployment of over 300 state National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., following President Trump’s executive order declaring a “crime emergency.”
• Governor Patrick Morrissey acted within his authority, per the ruling.
• Despite this, the Justice Department notes that D.C.’s violent crime rate is at a 30-year low.

5. Indonesia Faces Outcry Over Declaring Suharto a National Hero

[03:44–04:39]

• President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia named Suharto, the country’s former authoritarian leader, a national hero.
  • The announcement, part of National Hero Day, sparks human rights concerns over revising or whitewashing Cold War atrocities.
• Suharto's 32-year rule (ending in 1998) is marred by human rights abuses, including an anti-communist purge (1965–66) that killed at least 500,000.
  • Quote: "[T]he country has never investigated and no one has ever been held responsible for the killings."
    — Katarina Partin [04:22]
• Human rights advocates decry lack of accountability; Suharto died in 2008.

6. Canada Loses Measles-Free Status

[04:39–04:56]

• Canada is no longer considered measles-free by international health authorities after more than 5,100 cases this year—the first loss of this status in nearly 30 years.

Notable Quotes

• Sen. John Thune [00:33]:
  "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."

• Emparo Espinosa [01:35]:
  "And I think it's very sad that we are suffering the consequences of the people that should take care of us."

• Casey McGrath [03:01]:
  "The upper management is pushing fast and hard to shut down buildings on campus without actually telling anybody what they're doing."

• Katarina Partin [04:22]:
  "[T]he country has never investigated and no one has ever been held responsible for the killings."

Key Segment Timestamps

• Longest shutdown, Senate vote & Thune’s remarks: 00:13–01:24
• SNAP challenges, food pantry perspective: 01:24–02:06
• Legal battle over SNAP funding: 02:06–02:39
• NASA Goddard disarray: 02:39–03:14
• WV National Guard to D.C.; crime debate: 03:14–03:44
• Indonesia Suharto hero controversy: 03:44–04:39
• Canada measles status lost: 04:39–04:56

This NPR News Now episode delivers urgent updates on key U.S. political developments and global stories, connecting policies and events to the people affected with clarity and immediacy.