NPR News Now: 11-13-2025 3AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens
Date: November 13, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes
Episode Theme:
A concise update on the most pressing national and international news, including the end of the US government shutdown, political developments, international diplomatic efforts, science news, environmental policy shifts, and sports achievements.

1. U.S. Government Shutdown Ends

[00:18 – 01:15]

• The federal government shutdown has concluded after President Trump signed a bill to reopen it.

• The bill ended a partisan standoff over expiring health insurance subsidies; an unexpected alliance between Democrats, one Independent, and Senate Republicans allowed the bill to pass.

• President Trump condemned the shutdown, labeling it "attempted extortion by Democrats" and called for the end of the Senate filibuster.

  • Notable Quote:
    • President Donald Trump:

      “You should not forget this when we come up to midterms and other things, don’t forget what they’ve done to our country. I also want to call for a termination to the filibuster so that this can never happen again.” [00:39]

• Trump advocated for government subsidies directly targeting those covered under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

2. Congressional Update: Adelita Grijalva Takes Office

[01:15 – 01:32]

• Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva was sworn into the US House after winning a special election following her father’s death.
• Grijalva’s first legislative act was signing a petition seeking full release of government files on Jeffrey Epstein.

3. Aftermath of DOJ Public Safety Grant Cancellations

[01:32 – 02:19]
Reporter: Meg Anderson

• The abrupt cancellation of millions in DOJ public safety grants continues to harm affected organizations (e.g., school violence, police training, domestic violence support).
  • Organizations were forced to lay off staff, dip into reserves, or cut services.
  • DOJ has not reimbursed spending or resolved appealed decisions, citing the recent shutdown for the delay.
• Notable Expert Comment:
  • Amy Solomon, former DOJ official:

    “When an administration gives a grant to an organization, that is a promise for the full amount. And so organizations plan, they budget, they hire.” [01:45]

4. G7 Ministers Condemn Violence in Sudan

[02:19 – 03:13]
Reporter: Michelle Kellerman

• G7 foreign ministers in Canada focused on the escalating violence in Sudan, particularly sexual violence and atrocities by the paramilitary RSF.

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized RSF’s broken promises and condemned countries arming the group, implicitly referencing the UAE’s role without direct accusation.

  • Memorable Quotes:
    • Secretary of State Marco Rubio:

      “The fundamental problem we have is that the RSF agrees to things and then never follows through with it. So now what you have is a calamity on your hands.” [02:46]

    • Rubio further on international pressure:

      “...the US is working with everyone there to pressure the RSF to stop.” [02:54]

5. NASA Delays Blue Origin Mars Mission Due to Solar Storms

[03:13 – 03:59]

• Solar storms and heightened radiation prompted NASA to delay Blue Origin’s New Glenn Mars mission out of safety concerns.
• The New Glenn rocket, slated to carry two ESCAPADE spacecraft, had a previously successful upper stage test but lost its booster on landing.

6. Pennsylvania Reverses Its Carbon Emission Pricing

[03:59 – 04:36]
Reporter: Rachel McDevitt

• As part of a delayed state budget deal, Pennsylvania Democrats agreed to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade program for power plant emissions.

  • Court challenges had stalled actual participation since joining in 2022.

  • Governor Josh Shapiro argued that ending the RGGI issue eliminates a Republican excuse to delay true clean energy debate.

  • Governor Josh Shapiro:

    “Today that excuse is gone.” [04:26]

• Environmental groups declared this a significant setback for state climate policy.

7. MLB: Cy Young Awards Announced

[04:36 – 04:56]

• Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes unanimously wins National League Cy Young Award.
• Tigers’ Tank Skubal secures American League Cy Young for the second consecutive year.

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• End of government shutdown – [00:18–01:15]
• Adelita Grijalva’s Congressional swearing-in – [01:15–01:32]
• DOJ grant fallout – [01:32–02:19]
• G7 on Sudan/RSF violence – [02:19–03:13]
• Blue Origin Mars mission delay – [03:13–03:59]
• Pennsylvania climate policy reversal – [03:59–04:36]
• Cy Young Awards – [04:36–04:56]

This five-minute news update effectively covers high-level developments in US politics, government function, global diplomacy, scientific advancement, climate policy, and sports, offering listeners key facts and perspectives for the day ahead.