NPR News Now — November 12, 2025, 6AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme: The episode provides concise updates on major national news stories, including the federal government shutdown, Supreme Court actions on food assistance, disruptions to air travel, immigration policy, remarkable northern lights displays, and controversy over OpenAI's new AI video app.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Federal Government Shutdown Nears Resolution

• [00:18 – 01:09]
  • The House of Representatives is expected to vote on legislation to end the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.
    • The Senate has already approved a bill funding most agencies until the end of January and providing full-year funding for veterans programs and food assistance.
    • Many Democrats oppose the deal due to lack of action on expiring health care subsidies.
    • Senate Republicans promised a vote on a separate health care bill in December; however, House Speaker Mike Johnson is noncommittal.
  • Key Quote:
    • Hakeem Jeffries ([01:00]):

      "We're not going to support partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the health care of the American people."

2. Supreme Court Delays SNAP Food Assistance Decision

• [01:17 – 02:17]
  • The Supreme Court delays deciding whether the federal government must fully fund SNAP (food assistance) until late Thursday, potentially giving Congress more time to end the shutdown and render the issue moot.
    • The Trump administration seeks to block a lower court order requiring full SNAP funding, arguing it's not the judiciary’s role.
    • The advancing government funding deal would restore full SNAP benefits if passed.
    • Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson would not have allowed the Trump administration to avoid full SNAP payments.
  • Notable Detail:
    • The Supreme Court did not address the merits of the SNAP funding dispute itself.

3. Shutdown's Impact on Air Travel

• [02:17 – 02:43]
  • Airline traffic continues to slow due to the shutdown.
    • Nearly 900 flight cancellations already today; over 1,200 canceled yesterday (data from FlightAware.com).

4. President Trump Stands by H-1B Visa Program Amid Controversial Fee

• [02:43 – 02:57]
  • President Trump defends the H-1B visa program for skilled foreign workers, citing the need for specialized talent in U.S. industries.
  • Key Quote:
    • Donald Trump ([02:43]):

      "You can't just say a country's coming in, going to invest $10 billion to build a plant and going to take people off an unemployment line who haven't worked in five years and they're going to start making missiles. It doesn't work that way."

  • Despite his support, the Trump administration has announced a new $100,000 fee for new H-1B applicants applying from abroad.

5. U.S. Catholic Bishops Elect New Leader, Prioritize Immigration

• [02:57 – 03:43]
  • U.S. Catholic bishops select Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley as their new leader.
    • Coakley is known for his influence among conservative Catholic leaders.
    • The conference will put new focus on immigration issues.

6. Solar Storm Brings Northern Lights to the South, Raises Space Weather Concerns

• [03:43 – 04:24]
  • A severe solar storm causes northern lights (auroras) to be visible as far south as Alabama and Florida, sparking viral excitement on social media.
    • Usually, the auroras are only seen in Alaska and northern Canada.
    • Space weather experts warn of possible disruptions to radio and satellite operations.
    • The sun’s current active phase is expected to last through at least the end of the year.

7. Watchdog Group Demands OpenAI Withdraw Its Video App Amid Deepfake Concerns

• [04:24 – 04:57]
  • Public Citizen, a watchdog group, urges OpenAI to pull its new AI video app Sora 2.
    • The group claims it is fostering deep fake disinformation, digital harassment, and infringement on copyrights.
    • OpenAI has already reached an agreement with Martin Luther King Jr.'s family to curb fake and disrespectful videos of the civil rights leader.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Hakeem Jeffries on Health Care Cuts ([01:00]):

  "We're not going to support partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the health care of the American people."

• President Donald Trump on H-1B Visa Needs ([02:43]):

  "You can't just say a country's coming in, going to invest $10 billion to build a plant and going to take people off an unemployment line who haven't worked in five years and they're going to start making missiles. It doesn't work that way."

Segment Timestamps

• 00:18 — Government shutdown legislation and partisan disagreement
• 01:17 — Supreme Court delays on SNAP funding
• 02:17 — Air travel disruptions from the shutdown
• 02:43 — Trump defends H-1B visa program; new visa fee
• 02:57 — New leader for U.S. Catholic bishops, immigration focus
• 03:43 — Solar storm, expanded northern lights, space weather alerts
• 04:24 — Public Citizen asks OpenAI to withdraw Sora 2 amid deepfake concerns

This episode provides a rapid yet comprehensive overview of the morning’s top national news stories, with direct reporting and concise presentation that captures the urgency and national importance of each issue.