NPR News Now – November 12, 2025, 11AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Episode Theme:
This five-minute news update covers a range of pressing national issues: fresh revelations about Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to President Trump, continued impacts of the ongoing federal government shutdown, a major Utah redistricting court decision, AI deepfake controversies, the popularity of folk protest music on social media, and a significant weather event in California.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein Emails & Trump Connections

[00:12–01:13]

• House Oversight Committee Democrats released emails from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate referencing President Trump.
  • One 2011 email—alleged to be from Epstein—claims Trump spent hours at Epstein’s house with an alleged sex trafficking victim.
  • "NPR has not confirmed the veracity of these emails." – Korva Coleman [00:38]
  • Trump denies any meaningful relationship with Epstein.

2. Ongoing Federal Government Shutdown

[00:42–02:09]

• Day 43 of the shutdown.
• House is set to vote on a spending measure; Senate passed it earlier.
• The shutdown is disrupting air travel; almost 900 flight cancellations reported (FlightAware.com).
• Supreme Court extends timeline on SNAP food benefits decision; millions still awaiting full payments pending congressional vote.
  • "The legal wrangling over the country's largest anti-hunger program has kept millions... in limbo. That could change soon as Congress votes... including SNAP funding until next fall." – Jennifer Ludden [01:34]

3. Utah Redistricting Court Ruling

[02:09–03:09]

• Strong reactions as a Utah court orders a new congressional map.
• The new map favors Democrats in one of Utah’s four districts.
• Emma Petty Adams (Mormon Women for Ethical Government) lauds citizen activism:
  • "A cross partisan group of Utah citizens are finally seeing the fruits of their persistence and years long commitment to do the opposite [of gerrymandering]." – Emma Petty Adams [02:39]
• Republican leaders decry it as gerrymandering, emphasizing the timing during a redistricting race.

4. OpenAI’s Sora 2 App and Deepfake Disinformation

[03:09–04:00]

• Watchdog group Public Citizen calls on OpenAI to withdraw Sora 2, citing concerns about deepfake disinformation and copyright risks.
• Case highlighted: OpenAI agrees with Martin Luther King, Jr.'s family to halt disrespectful/fake videos.
  • “The group... says the Sora 2 app is spreading deep fake disinformation, creating digital harassment, and lacks any protections for people who hold copyrights.” – Korva Coleman [03:13]

5. Folk Protest Music’s Viral Rise on TikTok

[04:00–04:41]

• Young artists are reviving folk protest music traditions on social media.
• Jesse Wells posts satirical protest songs on TikTok, with viral reach and notable real-world impact.
  • “War isn't mercy / Good men don't die, children don't starve, and all women survive.” – Jesse Wells [04:11]
• Wells has over 3 million followers and received four Grammy nominations.

6. California Storm Warning

[04:41–04:56]

• Atmospheric river event brings heavy rain and winds to the state, with mountain winter storm warnings in effect.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Unverified Epstein Emails:
  “NPR has not confirmed the veracity of these emails. Trump has denied having a meaningful relationship with Epstein.”
  – Korva Coleman [00:38]

• On SNAP & the Shutdown:
  “The legal wrangling over the country's largest anti-hunger program has kept millions of people who rely on it in limbo. That could change soon as Congress votes on a deal to end the shutdown, which includes SNAP funding until next fall.”
  – Jennifer Ludden [01:34]

• On Citizen-Led Redistricting Efforts:
  “A cross partisan group of Utah citizens are finally seeing the fruits of their persistence and years long commitment to do the opposite [of gerrymandering].”
  – Emma Petty Adams [02:39]

• On AI and Deepfakes:
  “The group... says the Sora 2 app is spreading deep fake disinformation, creating digital harassment and lacks any protections for people who hold copyrights.”
  – Korva Coleman [03:13]

• Folk Protest Lyrics:
  “War isn't mercy / Good men don't die, children don't starve, and all women survive.”
  – Jesse Wells [04:11]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:12 — Epstein Emails & Trump
• 00:42 — Shutdown, House Vote, Airline Impacts
• 01:29 — SNAP Benefits & Supreme Court (Jennifer Ludden)
• 02:09 — Utah Redistricting Ruling (Martha Harris)
• 03:09 — OpenAI Sora 2 App Controversy
• 04:00 — Folk Protest Music on TikTok (Isabel Gomez Sarmiento / Jesse Wells)
• 04:41 — California Atmospheric River Storm

This episode provides a concise overview of the day's most significant stories, covering political controversies, social impact, technology ethics, cultural shifts, and critical weather alerts—delivering both hard facts and the voices shaping current events.