NPR News Now — November 13, 2025, 7AM EST

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update, anchored by Korva Coleman, provides concise coverage of several major national and international news stories. The topics include the resolution of the U.S. government shutdown, ongoing challenges with health insurance premiums under the ACA, a rift in intelligence sharing between the U.S. and Britain, commemorations of the Paris Bataclan attack, leadership changes at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and severe weather forecasts for California.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. End of the Federal Government Shutdown

• [00:18–00:40]
  • The U.S. government shutdown has ended after 43 days.
    • The House passed a short-term spending bill; President Trump signed it last night.
    • President Trump blamed Democrats for the shutdown:

      “We're sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion because that's what it was, they tried to extort. The Democrats tried to extort our country.”
      — President Trump (reported by NPR, 00:31)

  • The bill funds most of the government through January and specific programs, like SNAP, through next September.
  • The bill reverses federal layoffs and grants back pay to furloughed workers.

2. Health Insurance Premiums Rise for ACA Enrollees

• [00:40–02:03]
  • Democrats pushed to restore subsidies for ACA health insurance premiums to end the shutdown; this wasn’t achieved in the final deal.
  • Enhanced premium subsidies under the ACA expire at year’s end, raising premiums for 24 million enrollees.
    • Human impact: Amy Jackson of Butler, Missouri, facing a premium jump from under $300 to $1,250 per month, shared:

      “For them, $1,000 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, Missouri (voiced in Selena Simmons Duffin’s report, 01:40)

  • Jackson, a breast cancer patient, is urging lawmakers for immediate aid.

3. UK Curtails Intelligence Sharing with U.S. Over Military Actions

• [02:03–03:00]
  • Britain is withholding certain intelligence data from the U.S. military, per NPR's Quill Lawrence.
    • This is in response to U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, which do not align with UK foreign policy.
    • A British official (anonymous) confirms limited intelligence sharing; the White House declined comment.
    • Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced via social media the halt of Colombian intelligence sharing with the U.S. until the strikes end.
    • The Trump administration declares it has the right to target even unarmed drug smugglers by labeling them as terrorist enemy combatants.

4. Secretary of State Response on Intelligence Sharing

• [03:00]
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after a G7 meeting, dismisses concerns, stating there is no change to U.S. operations in the region.

5. 10th Anniversary of the Bataclan Terror Attack

• [03:00–03:47]
  • France marks ten years since the coordinated 2015 Paris terror attacks on the Bataclan theater, stadium, and other sites.
    • 132 people killed; hundreds injured.
    • French President Emmanuel Macron to lead commemorations.

6. Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank Leadership Change

• [03:47–04:29]
  • Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, the first African American in the role, will step down at term’s end next year.
    • Bostic’s eight-year tenure included participation in interest rate decisions and managing a region of six southeastern states.
    • All twelve regional Fed presidents’ terms expire in February; reappointments require Fed board approval.
    • President Trump will select the next Fed chair and any new board members.

7. Severe California Weather Alert

• [04:29–04:57]
  • An “atmospheric river” storm is bringing significant rain and strong winds to California.
    • Officials fear flash flooding and are evacuating wildfire-burned areas vulnerable to debris flows.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On health insurance premium hikes:

  “For them, $1,000 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 (01:40)

• On intelligence rift:

  “The UK has begun denying certain intelligence sharing requests out of concern over US Military actions in the Caribbean because they do not align with British foreign policy.”
  — NPR Reporter/Correspondent (02:23)

• On government shutdown blame:

  “We're sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion because that's what it was, they tried to extort. The Democrats tried to extort our country.”
  — President Trump (reported by NPR, 00:31)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:18 — Shutdown over: key details of spending bill and blame game
• 01:21 — Impact of lost ACA subsidies (Selena Simmons Duffin)
• 02:03 — UK withholding military intelligence, Colombia follows suit (Quill Lawrence)
• 03:00 — Marco Rubio dismisses concerns; Paris attack anniversary noted
• 03:47 — Atlanta Fed leadership change (Scott Horsley)
• 04:29 — California storm warning and evacuations

This summary highlights the most significant national and global headlines from NPR’s morning news update, emphasizing core issues and direct voices from affected individuals.