NPR News Now – November 12, 2025, 4PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Length: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This brief episode of NPR News Now presents the top headlines and significant stories from November 12, 2025. Key topics include the anticipated end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, developments relating to former President Trump and the Epstein controversy, the UK's intelligence sharing decision, an energy outlook predicting a shift toward electricity, the official farewell to the U.S. penny, and recent sightings of the northern lights. The episode closes with a quick financial markets recap.

Main News Highlights

1. Government Shutdown: Possible End in Sight

[00:37–01:26]

• The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing for a final vote on a spending bill to reopen government agencies, potentially ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
• Context: Although Republican leaders are confident about passing the bill, many Democrats still oppose it.
• Key quote:
  • Senate Democrat: “They secured a promise for a vote in December on health care and a commitment to negotiate a plan to address those subsidies. Those who broke with the party in the Senate said they got the best deal possible...” [00:56]
• The compromise includes plans for future negotiations on Affordable Care Act subsidies and full-year appropriations negotiated over several months.
• Some Senate Democrats remain dissatisfied, arguing that reopening the government requires more robust action on expiring ACA subsidies.

2. Trump and the Epstein Controversy

[01:28–02:32]

• President Trump responds to renewed accusations tied to Jeffrey Epstein as Democrats highlight past associations in the context of the shutdown.
• Trump calls the situation the “Epstein hoax,” accusing House Democrats of using it as a distraction.
• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt defends Trump:
  • “Jeffrey Epstein was a member at Mar a Lago until President Trump kicked him out because Jeffrey Epstein was a pedophile and he was a creep.” [01:59]
  • Levitt states the referenced victim is the late Virginia Giuffrey, who has “repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing.” [02:12]
• NPR notes the victim’s identity is not independently verified.

3. UK-US Intelligence Sharing & Military Action in the Caribbean

[02:32–02:41]

• The United Kingdom is reportedly denying certain U.S. intelligence sharing requests, following concerns regarding U.S. military activities in the Caribbean.

4. World Energy Outlook: The Age of Electricity

[02:41–03:29]

• The International Energy Agency releases its World Energy Outlook, highlighting future global energy trends.
• IEA Director Fatih Birol:
  • “We can comfortably say that the age of electricity has arrived.” [02:59]
• Electricity demand will soar, driven by electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and air conditioning.
• Natural gas usage grows, and oil use either rises or plateaus, depending on EV adoption rates.
• In all scenarios, global warming will surpass the 1.5°C target.
• Summary: The energy transition is significant, but climate targets are being missed in all modeled worlds.

5. The Final U.S. Penny

[03:34–03:53]

• The U.S. officially bids farewell to the penny; the final one was minted in Philadelphia by order of President Trump.
• The penny’s production cost outstrips its monetary value, prompting its phase-out.
• Billions remain in circulation.

6. The Northern Lights Extend Southward

[03:53–04:54]

• The northern lights were visible as far south as Texas due to increased solar activity.
• Nell Greenfield Boyce explains:
  • “The sun’s at about the maximum phase of its 11 year activity cycle, belching out bursts of plasma and magnetic fields that can affect the Earth.” [04:07]
• Strong geomagnetic storms pose risks for satellites and the electric grid but offer rare northern lights displays.
• Space weather forecasters predict continued activity; best chance for viewing is in areas with dark skies.
• Tip: Cameras can catch more vivid colors than the naked eye.

7. Markets Wrap-up

[04:54–05:12]

• U.S. stocks ended the day mixed:
  • Dow Jones up 326 points to 48,254
  • S&P 500 up four points
  • NASDAQ down 61 points

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Fatih Birol: “We can comfortably say that the age of electricity has arrived.” [02:59]
• Senate Democrat (on shutdown deal): “…they got the best deal possible, and that includes those full year appropriations plans…” [00:56]
• Caroline Levitt (on Epstein): “Jeffrey Epstein was a member at Mar a Lago until President Trump kicked him out because Jeffrey Epstein was a pedophile and he was a creep.” [01:59]
• Nell Greenfield Boyce (on auroras): “The sun’s at about the maximum phase of its 11 year activity cycle, belching out bursts of plasma and magnetic fields that can affect the Earth.” [04:07]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:37: Government shutdown update
• 01:28: Trump-Epstein controversy
• 02:32: UK intelligence sharing & Caribbean military action
• 02:41: World Energy Outlook (IEA report)
• 03:34: U.S. penny discontinued
• 03:53: Northern lights phenomenon
• 04:54: Market wrap