NPR News Now — November 12, 2025, 7AM EST

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This episode delivers a fast-paced rundown of key national news stories as of November 12, 2025. Major focuses include the ongoing federal government shutdown and its cascading impacts on air travel, social programs, and museums, as well as updates on President Trump’s pardons related to the 2020 election and the state of weather across the U.S.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Government Shutdown (Day 43)

• Potential End in Sight:
  • The House is poised to vote on a spending measure today that could conclude the shutdown. The Senate has already approved it; if passed by the House, it goes to President Trump. (00:18)
• Impact on Air Travel:
  • The ongoing shutdown exacerbates air traffic problems—nearly 900 flights canceled today per FlightAware. There is widespread concern about disruptions during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy notes, “If you thought this weekend was bad with delays and cancellations, truly this Thursday and Friday, I think you would have seen mass, you know, double, triple the number of cancellations and delays...” (00:51)
  • The US will deliberately reduce air traffic by 10% by Friday if the shutdown persists. (01:05)
• Impact on Social Programs:
  • Federal assistance programs, including food aid (like SNAP) and utility bill support, face delays.
  • Nashville has tried to fill the gap, but local official Lisa McCready states, “It does not even make a dent in the amount of families that you usually cover.” (01:45)
  • Nashville’s utility support program usually has $6 million in federal funds, but the Trump administration earlier laid off the staff who administer energy assistance grants. (01:51)

2. Trump Pardons and 2020 Election Cases

• President Trump recently issued pardons for 77 individuals connected to efforts to overturn the 2020 election. However, these apply only to federal charges, not state-level cases.
• Rudy Giuliani remains exposed to state charges in Georgia related to a RICO case.
• The prosecution in this case is in flux after the original district attorney, Fani Willis, was removed due to a conflict of interest (her relationship with a special prosecutor). The Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys Council must appoint a replacement by November 14, or indictments will be dismissed.
• Pete Scandalakis, the council’s executive director, affirms: “Trump’s pardons only apply to federal charges, not state, and his office is working on their assigned task without being influenced by outside actions.” (02:35)

3. Weather and Climate Updates

• Cold air continues to grip the southeastern U.S., with frost and freeze warnings in parts of Florida and Georgia. It is unusually cold: Jacksonville, FL, sits at 25°F, while it is 40°F in New York City. (03:12)
• California is bracing for an “atmospheric river” from a Pacific storm, expected to bring strong winds, heavy rain, and snowfall in the eastern mountains. (03:29)

4. Museums Facing Funding Crisis

• The American Alliance of Museums reports delayed projects and cuts in museum programming due to decreased federal grants and shifting philanthropic support.
• The sector’s sluggish pandemic recovery is threatened further by decreased attendance, inflation, and President Trump’s executive order criticizing race-centered programming at the Smithsonian.
• Marilyn Jackson, president and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums, explains: “We’re seeing corporations and foundations thinking twice about funding certain projects or programs that they would have naturally funded in the past.” (04:28)
• 2026 outlook for museums remains bleak, according to NPR’s Andrew Limbong. (04:37)

5. Markets

• Pre-market stock futures are higher. (04:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sean Duffy (Transportation Secretary):
  “If you thought this weekend was bad with delays and cancellations, truly this Thursday and Friday, I think you would have seen mass, you know, double, triple the number of cancellations and delays...” (00:51)

• Lisa McCready (Nashville Metro Action Commission):
  “It does not even make a dent in the amount of families that you usually cover.” (01:45)

• Pete Scandalakis (Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys Council):
  “Trump’s pardons only apply to federal charges, not state, and his office is working on their assigned task without being influenced by outside actions.” (02:35)

• Marilyn Jackson (American Alliance of Museums):
  “We’re seeing corporations and foundations thinking twice about funding certain projects or programs that they would have naturally funded in the past.” (04:28)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Government Shutdown & House Vote — 00:18
• Air Traffic & Thanksgiving Concerns — 00:51
• Utility Programs in Nashville — 01:24
• Trump Pardons & Georgia Case — 02:11
• Southern Freeze & California Storm — 03:12
• Museums’ Funding Challenges — 04:07
• Economic Update — 04:51

This concise news summary offers listeners a rapid, comprehensive catch-up on the pressing national issues of the day, with clear focus on federal standoffs, community-level effects, legal ramifications of presidential actions, local weather extremes, and challenges facing America’s museums.