NPR News Now – November 13, 2025, 9AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Length: ~5 Minutes
Theme: This episode provides a succinct, up-to-date roundup of top U.S. stories, including the federal government shutdown resolution, Congressional action on health care subsidies, concerns over immigration data privacy, advancements in autonomous vehicle services, a hazardous chemical leak in Oklahoma, declining religiosity among Americans, and severe weather threats in California.

1. Federal Government Shutdown Ends

• [00:16] Host Korva Coleman reports Congress has passed a short-term spending bill, ending the federal government shutdown.

• The House approved the bill after an independent and seven Democrats voted with Republicans in the Senate in exchange for a promised vote on a Democratic bill to renew ACA health care premium subsidies next month.

  • Quote:

    “In exchange, they want a promise from Republican leaders to hold a Senate vote next month...on a Democratic bill aimed at renewing subsidies for health care insurance premiums.”
    — Korva Coleman, [00:33]

• [00:52] NPR’s Barbara Sprunt weighs in:

  • Senate Democrats still need to unite enough Republicans to pass the subsidy bill.
  • Quote:

    “If they're successful, they'll start the year with a policy victory. And if Republicans don't support it, Democrats still have what they say is a winning issue, health care to campaign on.”
    — Barbara Sprunt, [00:59]

  • Even if passed in the Senate, it's uncertain if the House would consider the measure.

• [01:09] Despite the shutdown ending, air traffic remains reduced by 6% as staffing recovers.

2. Congressional Democrats Warn on Immigration Data Privacy

• [01:27] Congressional Democrats urge Democratic state governors to block ICE’s access to driver's license data.
• [01:47] NPR’s Jude Joffe Block details:
  • 40 Democratic senators and representatives sent a letter to 19 governors to block ICE access and curtail what they call “unjustified politicized actions.”
  • The NLETS data-sharing network is used for these queries; in the past year, ICE and Homeland Security have made hundreds of thousands of requests.
  • Five states have already barred ICE from this data.
  • ICE did not comment for the story.

3. Waymo Expands Robotaxi Freeway Service

• [02:27] Waymo’s robotaxi service adds freeway rides in San Francisco, with new routes to San Jose, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
• [02:41] Sunni Khalid (KALW) reports:
  • Early access riders will be the first to try freeway routes before expansion to all users.
  • Quote:

    “The company says it's planning to expand service to other cities over time, including Atlanta and Austin.”
    — Sunni Khalid, [03:06]

4. Oklahoma Ammonia Leak Prompts Evacuations

• [03:12] Hundreds evacuated in Weatherford, Oklahoma due to an ammonia leak from a tanker truck in a hotel parking lot, with dozens hospitalized.
  • Schools closed and air quality monitored.

5. Gallup Poll: U.S. Sees Steep Drop in Religiosity

• [03:49] Jason DeRose reports:
  • Over 10 years, there’s been a 17-point drop in adults considering religion important in daily life; now just 49%.
  • This is one of Gallup’s steepest recorded declines globally.
  • Quote:

    “Gallup says that decline is among the largest it’s recorded in any country over a 10 year period...”
    — Jason DeRose, [03:56]

  • Comparable drops are noted in Chile, Turkey, Portugal, and larger ones in Greece, Italy, and Poland.

6. California Braces for Major Storms

• [04:25] California preps for an “atmospheric river” bringing heavy rain, possible 2 ft. of snow in the mountains, and 50 mph winds.
• Evacuations underway in wildfire-affected Los Angeles areas due to mud and debris flow risk.

⚡️ Notable Moments & Quotes

• “If Republicans don't support it, Democrats still have what they say is a winning issue, health care to campaign on.” — Barbara Sprunt, [00:59]
• “Gallup says that decline is among the largest it’s recorded in any country over a 10 year period...” — Jason DeRose, [03:56]

Key Segment Timestamps

• [00:16] — Government shutdown resolution
• [01:27] — Immigration data privacy concerns
• [02:27] — Waymo robotaxi freeway expansion
• [03:12] — Oklahoma ammonia leak evacuation
• [03:49] — Gallup poll on religiosity
• [04:25] — California storm warning

This episode provides a concise, direct summary of urgent national matters, with clear reporting and key context on developments affecting Americans’ daily lives.