NPR News Now: November 13, 2025, 10PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: November 14, 2025
Episode Theme:
The episode delivers a rapid roundup of major national and international news, from the end of the historic government shutdown and political battles over congressional maps to scientific discoveries about dogs and marine life, all in an engaging, concise style.

Main Themes and Stories

1. End of the Historic U.S. Government Shutdown

• [00:11-01:12]

• The 43-day government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history—has concluded, allowing federal workers to return to their jobs.

• Worker anxiety remains: Jenny Abamu reports from Bethesda, highlighting the persistent unease among employees, who fear another shutdown may soon occur due to only a short-term funding extension.

  “I got in this morning to saying, well, you know, if since this has only been extended a short period of time, here's some resources just in case this happens again. So I think people are acutely aware that this could happen again.”
  — Ian Morgan, NIH Scientist [00:44]

• Federal employees organize support lists for food and monetary aid as preparation, with the current funding set to expire January 30.

2. Justice Department Challenges California’s Congressional Maps

• [01:12-02:17]

• The DOJ has joined a Republican-backed lawsuit aiming to overturn California’s new congressional maps created after voter approval of Proposition 50.

• Key issue: Allegations that the new district lines intentionally favor Latino voters, potentially violating equal protection and voting rights.

  “Republicans, quote, lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court.”
  — Governor Newsom’s spokesperson, via Guy Marzirotti [02:06]

• The map overhaul was partly a response to redistricting maneuvers by Texas and other states, with Virginia Democrats and others countering similarly.

3. Paris Marks 10th Anniversary of Bataclan Terror Attacks

• [02:17-03:46]
• A decade since the coordinated attacks at the Bataclan, cafes, and around Paris, which killed 132 and wounded hundreds.
• National solidarity was commemorated in ceremonies led by President Macron and the city’s mayor. The Eiffel Tower was illuminated in the French flag’s colors as tribute.
• Notable is the transformation in both France’s security approach and sense of unity since the events.

4. Blue Origin Launches NASA Mission to Mars

• [03:25-03:46]
• Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launched its New Glenn rocket with two NASA spacecraft on a Mars mission.
• It marks only the rocket’s second flight, with NASA viewing it as a critical future workhorse for lunar missions.

5. New Research on Dog Diversity

• [03:46-04:24]

• NPR’s Nate Rott discusses a study analyzing over 600 ancient dog skulls, revealing that significant diversity in dog breeds began far earlier than previously thought.

• Half of modern dog diversity was already present 10,000 years ago, during the Neolithic era.

  “By about 10,000 years ago, half of the amount of diversity present in modern dogs is already present in the Neolithic.”
  — Carly Amin, University of Exeter [04:08]

• The findings are published in Science journal.

6. Suckerfish Hitching Rides on Whales

• [04:24-04:54]
• Scientists captured rare footage showing remoras (suckerfish) attaching to humpback whales near Australia.
• The video detailed the fish’s behavior: peeling away during whale breaches, then quickly returning. The remoras feed harmlessly on the whales’ dead skin and sea lice, although whales might find them bothersome.

Memorable Quotes

• “People are acutely aware that this could happen again.” — Ian Morgan, NIH [00:44]
• “Republicans, quote, lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court.” — Gov. Newsom spokesperson [02:06]
• “By about 10,000 years ago, half of the amount of diversity present in modern dogs is already present in the Neolithic.” — Carly Amin [04:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:11 | Start of broadcast—Shutdown ends
• 00:44 | Ian Morgan on worker anxiety
• 01:12 | DOJ challenges California maps
• 02:17 | Paris Bataclan attack commemoration
• 03:46 | Study on ancient dog diversity
• 04:24 | Remoras filmed riding whales

Tone and Style

Brevity and clarity are hallmarks, with straightforward reporting and personal perspectives from those affected by headlines and scientific news. The coverage remains factual and engaging, in classic NPR style, balancing political, social, and scientific developments succinctly.