NPR News: 11-11-2025 4PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: 11-11-2025 4PM EST

Episode Overview

This episode delivers key news highlights for November 11th, 2025, focusing on Veterans Day commemorations, developments regarding a U.S. government shutdown, extreme weather across much of the eastern United States, Iraq’s parliamentary elections, the passing of actress Sally Kirkland, and the rise of protest folk music on social media platforms. The reporting is concise, with insights from NPR correspondents and direct quotes from notable figures.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery

• President Trump honored U.S. military veterans at Arlington, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and delivering remarks thanking veterans for their dedication and service.
• Trump also highlighted recent progress in Congress regarding the government shutdown.

Notable Quote
“We want to also say thank you for carrying America's fate on your strong, very broad, proud shoulders. Each of you has earned the respect and the gratitude of our entire nation.”
— President Donald Trump (01:03)

• President Trump referenced a “win for Republican leaders in Congress” related to a deal to reopen the government, with the House poised to vote on a short-term funding measure soon.

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2. Aid Initiatives Amid Government Shutdown

• Airports nationwide, including in rural states like Wyoming, have launched donation drives supporting unpaid federal workers due to the ongoing shutdown.
• Shelley Beissel of Gillette, Wyoming, emphasized the crucial role TSA agents play and the hardships faced, with some taking second jobs and anticipating additional missed paychecks even if the shutdown ends shortly.

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3. Widespread Cold Snap Across the Eastern U.S.

• Extreme cold hit the eastern two-thirds of the country, with gusty winds, snowfall, and unusually low temperatures experienced in various regions, including the Southeast.
• In Florida, the temperature drop caused iguanas to freeze and fall from trees—a rare and newsworthy event. Jacksonville reached record lows of 28°F.

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4. Iraq’s Parliamentary Elections

• Low election turnout, notably influenced by a boycott from the movement led by Shia leader Maqtada Sadr.
• Ongoing dominance of Iran-backed parties in Iraq’s political center and south.
• Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Sudani, who benefits from the support of those parties yet maintains positive relations with the U.S., is seeking a second term.
• Official election results are expected soon, but government formation may take weeks or months due to political fragmentation.

Notable Quote
“Because Iraq’s political scene is so fragmented, it will likely take weeks or even months of backroom negotiations to determine which coalition has the most support and the right to choose the president and prime minister.”
— Jane Araf (03:15)

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5. Sally Kirkland’s Passing

• Sally Kirkland, Oscar-nominated actress known for her roles in Anna and The Sting, died at age 84 in Palm Springs, California.
• Kirkland’s career spanned six decades across film, television, and stage, with over 200 film appearances.

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6. Folk Protest Music Finds a Home on TikTok

• Digital artist Jesse Wells has garnered millions of followers by channeling folk protest traditions through satirical, plainspoken short songs on social media.
• Wells’ music addresses contemporary political issues, has garnered major following, and recently led to four Grammy nominations in the folk and Americana categories.

Notable Moment
Example lyric:
“War isn't murder, Good men don't die, children don't starve, and all women survive.”
— Jesse Wells performance (04:36)

• Wells is highlighted as a leading figure in adapting protest music for fast-changing digital audiences.

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7. Market Update

• The Dow closed up 559 points, signifying a robust day for the stock market.

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Key Segment Timestamps

• Veterans Day Ceremony & President Trump’s Remarks: 00:34 – 01:16
• Government Shutdown and Federal Worker Aid: 01:33 – 02:09
• Cold Weather Impacts Across Eastern U.S.: 02:09 – 02:45
• Iraq Parliamentary Elections: 02:45 – 03:28
• Sally Kirkland Obituary: 03:28 – 04:25
• Rise of Protest Folk Music on TikTok: 04:25 – 05:07
• Market Update: 05:07

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Notable Quotes

• President Trump:

  “We want to also say thank you for carrying America's fate on your strong, very broad, proud shoulders...” (01:03)

• Jane Araf, on Iraq elections:

  “...it will likely take weeks or even months of backroom negotiations...” (03:15)

• Jesse Wells (sung lyric):

  “War isn't murder, Good men don't die, children don't starve, and all women survive.” (04:36)

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Episode presented in the neutral, informative style typical for NPR News Now, delivering a rapid yet thorough summary of top national and international stories on November 11, 2025.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News. I'm Lakshmi Singh. Veterans Day commemorated at arlington National Cemetery. NPR's Tamara Keith reports. President Trump paid tribute to the men and women who served in the US Military.

[Tamara Keith]

President Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before delivering remarks thanking America's military veterans for their service.

[President Donald Trump]

We want to also say thank you for carrying America's fate on your strong, very broad, proud shoulders. Each of you has earned the respect and the gratitude of our entire nation.

[Tamara Keith]

Trump did take a quick detour to celebrate what he called a win for Republican leaders in Congress. Getting a deal to reopen the government. The the House of Representatives is set to vote on a short term funding measure as soon as tomorrow. Tamara Keith, NPR News, the White House.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Airports across the country have started donation drives to support federal workers who are not getting paid during the government shutdown. Wyoming Public Radio's Chris Clements reports they include rural states such as Wyoming.

[Chris Clements]

Shelley Beissel works at an airport near Gillette, the biggest city around for over 100 miles. She says the work their 12 TSA agents do helps keep the lights on in a hub that supports other aspects of rural life. At least one agent had to get a second job to support his family, she says. Plus, even if the shutdown ends later this week, TSA workers will still miss two more paychecks. For NPR News, I'm Chris Clements.

[Lakshmi Singh]

And LARAMIE Millions of people across eastern two thirds of the US Began the day experiencing some of the coldest weather yet this season. Gusty chills and several inches of snow blanketed areas along the eastern Great Lakes. By this morning, balmy weather turned to bone chilling temps for as many as 18 million people across the Southeast. In Florida, officials issued advisories for iguanas. It started to freeze and drop from trees as temperatures fell across the state. Jacksonville experienced something it never had before, temperatures as low as 28 degrees. Iraq has held parliamentary elections. Jane Araf with details.

[Jane Araf]

An election boycott by the movement led by Shia leader Maqtada Sadr led to relatively low turnout as in other elections, Iran backed parties dominated the political scene in central and south Iraq. Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Sudani, who came to power with support from Iran backed parties but also maintains good relations with the US Is hoping for a second term. Initial results are expected Wednesday. But because Iraq's political scene is so fragmented, it will likely take weeks or even months of backroom negotiations to determine which coalition has the most support and the right to choose the president and prime minister.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Jana Raff reporting. It's NPR News. Sally Kirkland, the Oscar nominated actress perhaps best known for her roles in Anna and the Sting, has died at the age of 84. Her agent Michael Green, confirmed to NPR that Kirkland died today in Palm Springs, California. Kirkland's six decade career spanned stage, television and film. Her breakout role was in Anna for for which she received a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for best actress. She appeared in more than 200 films including the Way We Were, Revenge, JFK, Bruce Almighty and Coffee Date. There is a new generation of artists bringing a familiar medium to TikTok folk protest music. They're using the traditional style to cut through the chaos of a fast paced algorithm and endless scrolling. NPR's Isabela Gomez Armiento reports.

[Isabela Gomez Sarmiento]

Jesse Wells posts dozens of short satirical protest songs to social media. His music addresses the Epstein List, the no Kings demonstrations and the war in Gaza.

[President Donald Trump]

War isn't murder, Good men don't die, children don't starve, and all women survive.

[Isabela Gomez Sarmiento]

On and offline, Wells songs are major hits. He's amassed more than 3 million followers across TikTok and Instagram. Last week he received four, four Grammy nominations in the folk and Americana categories. Wells is the most visible example of how digital savvy artists are reviving plain spoken protest music for the masses. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Dow closed up 559 points. It's NPR News.

[Chris Clements]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR news [e-mail] that's PL NPR.org.