NPR News Now – November 13, 2025, 5PM EST

Brief Overview

This NPR News Now segment delivers a concise summary of major news events in just under five minutes. The coverage spans national politics and policy, healthcare, space exploration, media, health research, the stock market, and a scientific curiosity from the animal kingdom.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. President Trump’s Focus on Affordability Post-Government Shutdown

• Ryland Barton reports that President Trump is turning his attention to affordability now that the government shutdown is over (00:24).

• Tamara Keith highlights that economic issues and the cost of living remain top concerns for voters, with Trump planning a nationwide tour to address these (00:39).

  “While some things have improved, there's still more work to do to help people feeling economic strain.” – Tamara Keith (00:39)

• Amy Jackson, speaking on behalf of the administration:

  “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.” – Amy Jackson (00:57)

• Tamara Keith wraps up by noting voter dissatisfaction due to persistent inflation (01:12).

2. Health Insurance Premiums Rise as Shutdown Ends

• The shutdown ended without restoring enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans (01:19).

• Selena Simmons Duffin explains the real-world impact: 24 million ACA enrollees face higher premiums. The enhanced subsidies expire at year’s end (01:41).

  • Example: Amy Jackson from Missouri will see her monthly premium rise from under $300 to $1,250.

  • Amy Jackson encapsulates the disconnect between everyday Americans and lawmakers:

    “For them, 1000 bucks is probably nothing. It's probably what they blow on dinner. But for me, that's half of my wage. You know, I just can't swing that.” – Amy Jackson (01:59)

  • She’s coping with breast cancer and urges her representatives to act quickly (02:09).

3. California’s Commercial Driver’s License Controversy

• California will revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants whose legal status had expired (02:24).
• This follows Trump administration criticism targeting states issuing licenses to individuals in the country illegally.

4. Blue Origin’s Milestone Mars Launch

• Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin successfully launched the “New Glenn” rocket, carrying two NASA spacecraft destined for Mars (02:24).
  • This was the rocket’s second flight; the booster was successfully recovered post-separation, advancing reusable rocket technology and cost savings, similar to SpaceX.

5. U.S. Stock Market Downturn

• The stock market experienced one of its worst days since spring, although details are not elaborated upon (02:24).

6. BBC’s Apology to President Trump

• BBC chair Samir Shah apologized for a misleading edit of Trump’s speech in a documentary about the January 6th insurrection, but stated there is no justification for Trump’s threatened $1 billion lawsuit (03:41).

7. New Research: Ultra-Processed Foods and Young Adults

• A new study links higher ultra-processed food intake with a sharply increased risk of prediabetes in young adults (04:01).
• Maria Godoy reports that the foods now make up the bulk of the American diet and prior research focused mainly on adults.

  • Dr. Lita Chatzi, University of Southern California:

    “We don't really know what's happening with these young adults.” – Lita Chatzi (04:09)

  • The study followed 85 overweight or obese older adolescents over four years.

  • Dr. Chatzi:

    “We found something that was shocking to us.” – Lita Chatzi (04:29) “Even a small 10% increase in consumption of ultra-processed foods was linked to a 50% higher risk of having prediabetes.” – Maria Godoy (04:32)

8. Science Curiosity: Suckerfish and Humpback Whales

• Scientists captured rare footage of remoras (suckerfish) catching rides on humpback whales off Australia (04:46).
  • The footage shows the fish detaching just before the whale breaches, then returning precisely to their preferred spot.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “For them, 1000 bucks is probably nothing. It’s probably what they blow on dinner. But for me, that’s half of my wage. You know, I just can’t swing that.”
  — Amy Jackson (01:59), on surging health care premiums

• “We found something that was shocking to us.”
  — Dr. Lita Chatzi (04:29), on the link between ultra-processed foods and prediabetes in young adults

Timestamps for Important Segments

• President Trump’s affordability push: 00:24–01:12
• Health insurance subsidy expiration & stories: 01:19–02:09
• California driver’s license revocations: 02:24
• Blue Origin Mars rocket launch: 02:24
• Stock market news: 02:24
• BBC documentary apology: 03:41
• Ultra-processed foods & prediabetes study: 04:01–04:32
• Remoras on humpback whales: 04:46

Summary Table

| Segment | Speaker(s) | Time | Key Takeaway | |-----------------------------------|------------------|-----------|----------------------------------------------| | Trump on affordability | Ryland Barton, Tamara Keith, Amy Jackson | 00:24–01:12 | Focus on economy, voter concerns | | ACA premium hike | Selena Simmons Duffin, Amy Jackson | 01:19–02:09 | Many will face higher insurance costs | | CA driver’s licenses for immigrants| Ryland Barton | 02:24 | 17,000 licenses to be revoked | | Blue Origin Mars launch | Ryland Barton | 02:24 | Key test of reusable rocket technology | | Stock market fall | Ryland Barton | 02:24 | Market turbulence continues | | BBC apology over Trump edits | Ryland Barton | 03:41 | BBC apologizes, rejects legal threat | | Processed foods study | Maria Godoy, Lita Chatzi | 04:01–04:32 | Uptick in prediabetes risk for young adults | | Remoras on whales | Ryland Barton | 04:46 | Rare animal interaction caught on film |

This five-minute news digest offers a snapshot of U.S. political, health, scientific, and economic developments as of November 13, 2025, with direct voices from those affected and the experts investigating these pressing issues.