NPR News Now – November 13, 2025, 6AM EST

Overview

This episode provides a concise update on top U.S. and world news. Key themes include the ending of a historic government shutdown, political developments related to Jeffrey Epstein files, the discontinuation of the penny, civil rights concerns in Missouri, and advances in autonomous transportation. The news is delivered in NPR’s trusted, direct, and informative style.

Key Discussion Points

1. Government Shutdown Ends

(00:19–01:17)

• The federal government shutdown concluded after the House passed a short-term spending bill.
• President Trump quickly signed the bill, blaming Democrats for the prolonged standoff.
  • Quote (President Trump, 00:38):
    “This was an easy extension, but they didn't want to do it the easy way. They had to do it the hard way, and they look very bad. The Democrats do.”
• The bill:
  • Funds most of the government through the end of January
  • Provides three years of funding for agriculture and military programs
  • Reverses layoffs and guarantees retroactive pay for furloughed workers
  • Includes a push from President Trump to end the Senate’s filibuster rule

2. Congressional Developments & Epstein Files

(01:17–02:34)

• Speaker Mike Johnson swore in Arizona Democratic Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, whose oath had been delayed 50 days, stalling action on a discharge petition.
  • Grijalva immediately committed to supporting the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s files.
    • Quote (Andrea Henderson quoting Grijalva, 01:40):
      “I will sign the discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files.”
• With Grijalva’s support, the petition for file disclosure reached a majority.
• Speaker Johnson announced a House vote on the matter next week.
• Committee-released emails from Epstein’s estate raised new questions about his ties to President Trump.
• The White House denied wrongdoing, calling the email release an attempted smear.
• While the shutdown is over, air travel remains disrupted; US flights are still down 6% until air traffic staff return.

3. The End of the Penny

(02:34–03:15)

• The US Mint has officially stopped producing pennies after over 200 years.
  • Decision was made because manufacturing each penny cost nearly four cents.
  • President Trump had announced the change in February; expected annual savings: over $50 million.
• Retailers and banks face challenges in making exact change, but pennies remain legal tender.
  • Quote (Rafael Nam, 02:59):
    “Chances are, though, many of them will stay where they've probably been for years in big jars, coffee cans or somewhere under the cushion of your couch.”

4. Civil Rights & Missouri National Guard Deployment

(03:15–04:37)

• Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson (84) is hospitalized in Chicago for a degenerative condition (progressive supranuclear palsy) he’s managed for over a decade.
• Missouri’s governor authorized the National Guard to support ICE, prompting concern from the state's largest Black police union.
  • Donnie Walters, leader of the Ethical Society of Police, fears community trust could erode.
    • Quote (Donnie Walters, 04:17):
      “Let's say they come in for six weeks and whatever they doing when they leave, we now are left with the fallout.”
  • Walters advocates for lasting solutions such as job training and access to education, rather than heavy-handed enforcement.

5. Waymo Robo-Taxi Expansion

(04:37–04:58)

• Waymo announced its robo-taxi service will soon include freeways and interstates.
• Expanded service will cover Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, and extend in the Bay Area to San Jose.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump, on the shutdown resolution (00:38):
  “This was an easy extension, but they didn't want to do it the easy way. They had to do it the hard way, and they look very bad. The Democrats do.”
• Rep. Adelita Grijalva, on transparency (01:40):
  “I will sign the discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files.”
• Rafael Nam, on the penny's afterlife (02:59):
  “Chances are, though, many of them will stay where they've probably been for years in big jars, coffee cans or somewhere under the cushion of your couch.”
• Donnie Walters, on community trust (04:17):
  “Let's say they come in for six weeks and whatever they doing when they leave, we now are left with the fallout.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:19 — Government shutdown ends; short-term spending bill signed
• 01:17 — Adelita Grijalva sworn in; Epstein files discharge petition
• 01:45 — Majority reached for Epstein files petition; House vote announced
• 02:34 — Penny production halted; economic impact explained
• 03:15 — Jesse Jackson hospitalized; Missouri National Guard assists ICE
• 03:55 — Missouri Black police union objects to ICE support
• 04:37 — Waymo expands robo-taxi to freeways/interstates

This episode delivers a brisk yet substantial overview of breaking political, economic, and tech news, capturing the evolving landscape as 2025 closes out.