NPR News Now - 2PM EST, November 13, 2025

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Lakshmi Singh
Airdate: November 13, 2025
Duration: 5-minute news update

Episode Overview

This episode offers a concise news briefing on key national and international stories as of mid-afternoon, including the aftermath of the U.S. government shutdown, economic and healthcare updates, ongoing concerns in Gaza, state-level law enforcement actions in Missouri, and a Blue Origin rocket launch. The episode maintains NPR’s signature balanced and factual tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Focus Shifts to Economic Affordability Post-Shutdown

[00:35 – 01:24]

• President Trump moves from government shutdown response to economic priorities.

• Reporting by Tamara Keith: Administration officials say the president will begin traveling the country to address economic concerns, acknowledging improvements but noting “there’s still more work to do.”

• Key Quote:

  • President Donald Trump:

    “My administration and our partners in Congress will continue our work to lower the cost of living, restore public safety, grow our economy, and make America affordable again for all Americans. Again, costs are way down.”
    — [01:09]

• Context: Despite these messages, persistent inflation is making voters uneasy about the economy.

2. Rising Health Insurance Premiums Amid ACA Changes

[01:33 – 01:58]

• Open Enrollment brings sticker shock: Virginia resident Chris O’Donnell highlights the real-world impact of skyrocketing insurance premiums, particularly for those with ongoing health needs.

• Key Quote:

  • Chris O’Donnell:

    “With my wife’s diabetes and also her being a cancer survivor, not having insurance is just completely out of the question. I do have enough income that by not putting any money aside for retirement next year, I can redirect that money towards the insurance premium.”
    — [01:41]

• Policy Shift: President Trump suggests a new alternative to ACA subsidies, offering direct funds for people to buy their own insurance. Notably, ACA tax credits are set to expire at the end of next month.

3. Executive Order Supporting Youth Leaving Foster Care

[01:58 – 02:15]

• White House initiative for young Americans aging out of foster care.
• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt (paraphrased): The executive order aims to expand education and job training opportunities.

4. Gaza’s Continuing Humanitarian Crisis After Ceasefire

[02:15 – 03:31]

• Despite ceasefire, UN alleges daily demolitions of Gaza residences by Israeli troops.
• Reporting by Lauren Freh from Tel Aviv:
  • Israel controls about half of Gaza (eastern side); over 1,500 buildings destroyed since ceasefire (BBC data via satellite imagery; NPR cannot independently verify).
  • Over 280,000 homes affected since war's start.
  • Palestinians’ access to aid, infrastructure, and agriculture is still heavily restricted.
  • Israeli military says it’s dismantling militant tunnels but did not respond to requests about housing demolitions.
• Key Quote:
  • Lauren Freh:

    “The UN says more than 280,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed since the war began. It also says Palestinians’ access to humanitarian aid, public infrastructure and agricultural land all remain restricted or barred altogether.”
    — [02:45]

5. Missouri’s Deployment of National Guard to Aid ICE

[03:31 – 04:36]

• Missouri National Guard assists ICE; Black police union raises concerns.
• Reporting by Andrea Henderson from St. Louis:
  • Troops assigned for clerical help as arrests rise.
  • Donnie Walters, head of the Black Police Union (“Ethical Society of Police”), voices worry about lasting fallout and community trust.
  • Walters argues real crime reduction comes from job training and equal access—not enforcement surges.
• Key Quotes:
  • Donnie Walters:

    “Let’s say they come in for six weeks and whatever they doing when they leave, we now are left with the fallout.”
    — [04:16]

  • Andrea Henderson (paraphrasing Walters):

    “Sending in more troops and ICE agents doesn’t reduce crime. Job training and equal access to education and housing does.”
    — [04:24]

6. Blue Origin Prepares for Major Rocket Launch

[04:36 – 05:14]

• Blue Origin (Jeff Bezos’s company) set for New Glenn rocket launch at Cape Canaveral; NASA payload includes Mars space weather satellites.
• Key Detail:
  • Launch window opens around 3pm local time with favorable space weather forecasts.
  • The mission marks a notable step for commercial space as NASA uses Blue Origin’s rocket for interplanetary satellite delivery.

7. Financial Update

[05:14]

• Dow Jones Industrial Average drops 656 points — key market movement reflected as part of the news round-up.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “My administration and our partners in Congress will continue our work to lower the cost of living... and make America affordable again for all Americans. Again, costs are way down.”
  — President Donald Trump [01:09]

• “With my wife’s diabetes and also her being a cancer survivor, not having insurance is just completely out of the question.”
  — Chris O’Donnell [01:41]

• “The UN says more than 280,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed since the war began. It also says Palestinians’ access to humanitarian aid, public infrastructure and agricultural land all remain restricted or barred altogether.”
  — Lauren Freh [02:45]

• “Let’s say they come in for six weeks and whatever they doing when they leave, we now are left with the fallout.”
  — Donnie Walters [04:16]

Important Timestamps

• 00:35 – National economic priorities post-shutdown
• 01:41 – Premium hikes and ACA changes
• 01:58 – Executive order on foster care initiative
• 02:45 – Gaza crisis update
• 03:53 – Missouri National Guard and ICE deployment concerns
• 04:36 – Blue Origin rocket launch preview
• 05:14 – Stock market news

Summary compiled for those seeking a clear, factual recount of today’s headlines as delivered by NPR.