NPR News Now: November 12, 2025 - 9AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman | Date: 11-12-2025
Episode Theme:
A concise national and international news update, covering major political developments, air travel disruptions, violent incidents in the West Bank, sports controversies, scientific missions, and an unusual solar weather event.

1. Epstein-Related Emails Surface with Potential Trump Connections

[00:19] Korva Coleman, [00:43] Stephen Fowler

• Summary:
  • House Oversight Committee (Democrats) released several emails from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein referring to President Trump, some predating Trump’s presidency.
  • The release is part of a larger 23,000-document handover from Epstein’s estate.
  • NPR has not independently confirmed these emails’ authenticity.
  • Notably, a 2015 chain involves Epstein and author Michael Wolf discussing strategies related to questions on Trump and Epstein’s ties.
• Quote:
  • Michael Wolf (cited by Stephen Fowler, [00:43]):

    “I think you should let him hang himself. If he says he hasn’t been on the plane or to the House, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency.”

• Trump's Response:
  • Trump has “consistently denied any meaningful connection to Epstein.”
• Insight:
  • The documents raise new questions about the Trump-Epstein relationship, providing potential fuel for political and media scrutiny.

2. House Votes on Ending Government Shutdown — Air Travel Impacts Persist

[01:17] Korva Coleman, [01:35] Windsor Johnston

• Summary:
  • House vote expected on a spending measure likely to end the government shutdown.
  • Air travel disruptions expected to continue even after reopening.
  • Former FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt cautions that system normalization will take days or longer due to longstanding staffing shortages.
• Key Figures:
  • Randy Babbitt, former FAA administrator
  • Windsor Johnston, NPR reporter
• Memorable Quote:
  • Unidentified TSA Official ([01:48]):

    “TSA is equally burdened, and there’ll be a surge of traffic… So I think just patience and take as much caution as you can to keep in the information loop as to the status of your flights.”

• Additional Data:
  • Over 9,000 flights canceled since last Friday (via FlightAware.com).

3. Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinian Dairy Farm

[02:21] Korva Coleman, [02:34] Lauren Frayer

• Summary:
  • Four Israelis arrested after attacking the largest dairy farm in the occupied West Bank—a rare arrest regarding settler violence.
  • Attackers injured Palestinian staff and even Israeli soldiers.
  • United Nations reports record-high settler violence during recent olive harvest, averaging eight attacks a day.
  • Most acts go unpunished, but in this case, a senior Israeli military official urged soldiers “not [to] stand idly by.”
  • Calls from Palestinian economy ministry for international terrorism lists to include perpetrators.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Lauren Frayer ([02:34]):

    “The scene shows burned trucks, smashed windows in a warehouse blackened and looted… The Israeli military says the perpetrators were masked Israeli civilians who, after injuring Palestinian staff, turned on Israeli soldiers and attacked them.”

4. Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik Accused of Harassment

[03:15] Korva Coleman

• Summary:
  • International Chess Federation files a formal complaint against ex-world champion Vladimir Kramnik for harassment and supposedly “insulting the dignity” of peers.
  • Kramnik had made cheating allegations against Daniel Narditsky, who denied them but died in the previous month at age 29.
• Insight:
  • The chess community is under scrutiny regarding player conduct and reputation, highlighting issues of sportsmanship and fairness.

5. NASA to Retry Launch of Mars Atmospheric Probes

[03:15] Korva Coleman, [03:52] Joe Palka

• Summary:
  • NASA’s twin Escapade probes, bound to study Mars’ atmosphere and weather, are set for launch after delays due to issues with Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket.
  • The mission will help scientists understand solar-charged particles’ effects on Mars’ thin atmosphere, using 3D imagery aided by the planet’s magnetic field.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Joe Palka ([03:52]):

    “Once at Mars, Escapade will make measurements that will help scientists understand how charged particles from the sun affect the thin Martian atmosphere… The twin probes will let scientists create 3D images of how those particles are deflected around Mars by the planet’s magnetic field.”

6. Severe Solar Storms Cause Radio Disruptions, Spectacular Aurora Sightings

[04:31] Korva Coleman

• Summary:
  • Federal weather experts and NASA are warning of severe solar storms today, likely to disrupt radio and GPS signals.
  • The storms caused unusually vivid northern lights, visible as far south as Alabama and Florida—much farther than their typical viewing zones.
• Insight:
  • The public is advised to watch for ongoing disturbances in communications and to enjoy a rare southern display of auroras.

Notable Quotes At-a-Glance

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:43 | Michael Wolf | “I think you should let him hang himself…” | | 01:48 | TSA Official | “The TSA is equally burdened… take as much caution as you can to keep in the info loop”| | 02:34 | Lauren Frayer | “The scene shows burned trucks, smashed windows in a warehouse blackened and looted…” | | 03:52 | Joe Palka | “Once at Mars, Escapade will make measurements… to create 3D images…” |

Episode Flow in Timestamps

• [00:19] House Oversight releases Epstein emails implicating Trump
• [01:17] House votes on ending government shutdown; air travel impacts
• [02:21] Israeli settler violence against West Bank dairy farm
• [03:15] Chess Federation complaint against Kramnik over harassment
• [03:52] NASA to retry Mars probe launch
• [04:31] Solar storms cause disruptions and vivid auroras

This episode delivers a brisk but comprehensive round-up of impactful global and national news — critical for listeners who want timely awareness of the day’s biggest headlines.