NPR News Now – November 11, 2025, 6AM EST

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update, hosted by Korva Coleman, focuses on major overnight developments in U.S. politics and national affairs. The main stories include a pivotal Senate vote to end the government shutdown, ongoing impacts on federal food assistance programs, President Trump's emergent economic proposals, labor strikes in Pittsburgh, and observances of Veterans Day. The episode presents concise, on-the-ground reporting and expert analysis on key issues affecting Americans.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Senate Votes to End Government Shutdown

[00:16–01:17]

• Host Korva Coleman reports on the U.S. Senate passing a funding measure to end the protracted government shutdown.

• Sam Greenglass (NPR Correspondent) explains:

  • The Senate approved a stopgap funding bill, extending government operations through January 30.
  • The shutdown had resulted in missed federal paychecks, delayed federal food assistance, and air travel disruptions.
  • The bill funds certain government parts through next September and includes provisions to reinstate fired federal employees and guarantee federal workers back pay.
  • However, it omits an extension of health insurance premium subsidies. Democrats have secured a promise for a Senate vote on that, but there's no guarantee it passes or gets a House vote.

  Notable Quote:

  “The package includes a trio of regular appropriations bills... and ensure that federal workers get back pay. But the deal does not include an extension of expiring subsidies for health insurance premiums.”
  — Sam Greenglass [00:36]

2. Federal Food Assistance Interrupted & Court Battle

[01:17–02:26]

• The shutdown disrupted food aid for over 40 million Americans.

• A federal judge ordered President Trump to allocate contingency funds for food aid, but Trump is contesting this in the Supreme Court.

• Anna Pope (KOSU, field reporter) speaks with Oklahomans at a Midwest City food pantry:

  • Emparo Espinosa, a regular pantry visitor, expresses concern over longer wait times linked to the shutdown.
  • Espinosa, who normally gets $21 a month in SNAP benefits, hasn’t received aid for this period.

  Notable Quotes:

  “You could see the need to get food because of what happened with the government. And I think that's very sad that we are suffering the consequences of the people that should take care of us.”
  — Emparo Espinosa (via Anna Pope) [01:55]

  “This month, Espinosa has not yet received her $21 through SNAP. She says the program helps her afford certain things, but for others she knows it is a lifeline.”
  — Anna Pope [02:06]

3. President Trump’s Economic Proposals & Tariff Policies

[02:26–02:46]

• Trump floats using revenue from tariffs to pay a “dividend” to middle- and lower-income Americans (about $2,000).

• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant suggests alternatives: tax forgiveness on income from tips, overtime, etc., instead of direct payments.

• The Supreme Court is weighing the president’s power to impose tariffs.

  Notable Quote:

  “We're going to issue a dividend to our middle income people and lower income people of about $2,000, and we're going to use the remaining tariffs to lower our debt.”
  — President Trump [02:36]

4. Ongoing National Weather & Travel Disruptions

[02:46–03:51]

• An intense cold front continues covering most of the eastern U.S.
• Winter storms delay flights in the Chicago area, compounding existing shutdown-related air traffic disruptions.

5. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Strike: Court Ruling

[03:51–04:35]

• A federal appeals court upholds a ruling that Post-Gazette owners bargained in bad faith during a continuing three-year strike.

• The owner, Block Company, must roll back cuts to health care and employment terms but can still appeal.

• Ernst Ursati (Labor lawyer, not involved) notes these cases can drag out for years.

  Notable Quote:

  “If they want to string it out, that's exactly what could happen. I've had NLRB cases that lasted five and six years because employers were determined to drag them out.”
  — Ernst Ursati, labor lawyer [04:18]

6. Veterans Day & Historical Note

[04:35–04:56]

• The episode notes today is Veterans Day, marking the WWI armistice anniversary.
• The armistice took effect at “the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.”

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Sam Greenglass on the spending measure:
  “The bill, as amended, is passed. The measure now heads for the House.” [00:16]
• Emparo Espinosa at the food pantry:
  “You could see the need to get food because of what happened with the government.” [01:55]
• President Trump on tariffs and dividends:
  “We're going to issue a dividend to our middle income people and lower income people of about $2,000…” [02:36]
• Labor lawyer Ernst Ursati on legal delays:
  “I've had NLRB cases that lasted five and six years because employers were determined to drag them out.” [04:18]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Senate shutdown vote & spending bill: [00:16–01:17]
• Federal food assistance impacts & court order: [01:17–02:26]
• Trump’s tariff dividend proposal: [02:26–02:46]
• Weather and flight delays: [02:46–03:51]
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette labor court ruling: [03:51–04:35]
• Veterans Day and WWI armistice: [04:35–04:56]

This episode succinctly captures the urgent stories developing overnight and provides clear, direct reporting on government, social, policy, and historical developments affecting listeners across America.