NPR News Now — November 12, 2025, 12PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a swift yet comprehensive snapshot of current U.S. and global headlines, focusing on breaking political news, international trade, state-level mental health initiatives, and recent solar activity visible across the U.S. The tone is brisk, factual, and balanced, characteristic of NPR News Now’s signature style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. White House Responds to New Trump-Epstein Email Revelations

• Timestamps: 00:17–01:12

• Summary:

  • Recently surfaced emails allegedly tie President Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein more closely, with one citing Trump’s knowledge of "the girls" and another placing Trump at Epstein’s residence for extended periods with a sex trafficking victim.
  • The White House, represented by Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, dismissed the story as a "bad faith effort to distract" from Trump's "historic accomplishments."
  • The House is about to vote on reopening the government, with growing pressure to release more Epstein-related files.

• Notable Quote:

  • “These stories are nothing more than bad faith efforts to distract from President Trump's historic accomplishments.”
    — Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary (as read by Stephen Fowler, 00:57)

2. Congressional Push for Epstein Email Transparency

• Timestamps: 01:12–01:38
• Summary:
  • Adelita Grijalva, recently elected after the death of her father Raul Grijalva, intends to prioritize a bill mandating the release of additional Epstein emails.
  • The House reconvenes with high expectation for significant votes on these issues.

3. Congressional Vote to Reopen Government

• Timestamps: 01:38–02:06
• Summary:
  • House Members return for the first time since September, after Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed them before the shutdown's onset.
  • The Rules Committee debated the spending bill for over seven hours before advancing it.
  • Legislative compromise was achieved when Senate Democrats allied with Republicans to resolve the shutdown.

4. Potential Disappearance of Italian Pasta from U.S. Shelves

• Timestamps: 02:06–03:10

• Summary:

  • The Commerce Department threatens to impose heavy anti-dumping duties—potentially 107%—on Italian pasta, citing unfair trade practices.
  • These tariffs, stacked atop other EU goods tariffs, are described as “practically [wiping] out Italy's pasta exports to the United States” by the Italian agribusiness association Coldiretti.

• Notable Quote:

  • “This barrier is so high that it would, quote, practically wipe out Italy’s pasta exports to the United States.”
    — Ruth Sherlock, paraphrasing Coldiretti (03:04)

5. New Data from California’s CARE Court Mental Health Program

• Timestamps: 03:10–04:19

• Summary:

  • Two years in, California’s experimental CARE Court program, which lets judges order treatment for people with psychotic illnesses, has mainly persuaded people to seek help voluntarily.
  • Out of 619 individuals, only 19 were court-ordered; the majority were convinced through outreach.
  • Funding for outreach workers is credited for trust-building and voluntary compliance.

• Memorable Moment:

  • Giovanni Figueroa, social worker:

    “When they see you one time, two times, three times, then they realize, like, oh, wow, they really are here to help me. They actually do care and I'm not invisible.”
    — (03:58)

6. Widespread Northern Lights Due to Severe Solar Storm

• Timestamps: 04:19–04:50
• Summary:
  • Spectacular auroras are visible across the northern U.S. and even as far south as Alabama and Florida.
  • While the phenomenon enchants, the geomagnetic activity can cause radio and satellite disruptions.
  • The sun is expected to remain active through at least the end of 2025.

Additional Notable Information

• Stock Market Update:
  • “The Dow is up 331 points.” (03:10)

Tone & Atmosphere

Consistent with NPR standards, the segment is objective and informative, balancing urgent political developments with cultural and scientific stories. Quotes from officials and on-the-ground workers add immediacy and transparency.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump-Epstein Emails & White House Reply: 00:17–01:12
• Congressional Update & New Lawmaker: 01:12–01:38
• Government Shutdown & Legislative Process: 01:38–02:06
• Italian Pasta Tariffs: 02:06–03:10
• California Mental Health Reform: 03:10–04:19
• Northern Lights Solar Storm: 04:19–04:50

This episode of NPR News Now efficiently packs breaking political, economic, and scientific developments into a concise, accessible five-minute update, providing crucial context and memorable voices for listeners on the go.