NPR News Now: 11-14-2025 11AM EST – Detailed Episode Summary

Overview:
This NPR News Now episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of the day's top news stories as of November 14, 2025. Coverage spans legal updates on high-profile cases, major political developments, changes in the food industry, scientific discoveries, and a quirky wildlife rescue. The tone is impartial and factual, characteristic of NPR’s succinct, accessible reporting.

1. Georgia Election Interference Case Moves Forward

[00:01–01:01]

• Story: The criminal case in Georgia against President Trump and several others, originally brought under RICO statutes, will continue after the appointment of a new prosecutor.

• Details:

  • Fulton County DA Fani Willis was removed for a personal relationship with a special prosecutor.
  • Pete Scandalakis, head of the Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys Council, was tasked with finding a replacement; after all others declined, he appointed himself.
  • Scandalakis promises "a comprehensive review" of the case.
  • Trump's defense attorney Steve Sadow calls the case "politically charged" and expects eventual dismissal.

• Notable Quote:

  • Alex Helmick (Reporter, [00:47]):

    "Scandalakis said that dismissal at this point was not the right course of action and has named himself to lead the case and perform what he called a comprehensive review to determine how to proceed."

2. Trump Calls for Epstein Investigation Files Release

[01:01–01:36]

• Story: President Trump calls for a DOJ investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s connections, including former President Clinton and major banks, as Congress prepares to vote on releasing Epstein files.

• Details:

  • Trump made the request via social media.
  • House Republicans plan a vote on full disclosure of Epstein case records next week.

3. Controversy Over Planned Immigration Enforcement in Charlotte

[01:01–01:54]

• Story: The Trump administration plans a special immigration operation in Charlotte, NC, prompting pushback from local officials.

• Details:

  • State Rep. Ayesha Dew argues Charlotte is safe and criticizes federal intervention.
  • CBP agents may be deployed imminently.

• Notable Quote:

  • Ayesha Dew (State Representative, [01:36]):

    "This is a safe city. Our crime rates have gone down since the previous year. This is just another something out of the playbook. When you look at Washington, D.C. the National Guard was picking up litter. So if they want people here to help us pick up litter, I think we've got that covered as well."

4. Doritos & Cheetos to Lose Artificial Dyes

[01:54–02:52]

• Story: PepsiCo announces its Doritos and Cheetos brands will remove artificial dyes, releasing "naked" versions for cleaner ingredient lists.

• Details:

  • New versions, “simply naked,” roll out December 1st.
  • Part of a broader industry shift, with Kraft Heinz and General Mills making similar changes.
  • Move aligns with the federal "Make America Healthy" initiative.

• Notable Quote:

  • Kristen Wright (NPR Reporter, [02:13]):

    "They're made with no dyes or artificial flavors, and so they're lighter in color instead of bright orange."

5. Bad Bunny Sweeps the Latin Grammys

[02:52–03:30]

• Story: Bad Bunny wins five Latin Grammy Awards, including Best Album and Best Urban Song.

• Details:

  • The Puerto Rican superstar's continued dominance underscores his impact on global music.
  • Latest recognition as he tops Latin charts throughout the year.

6. Ancient Mammoth RNA Study

[03:30–04:18]

• Story: Scientists reconstruct which genes were active in a mammoth around its time of death, using preserved RNA dating back 39,000 years.

• Details:

  • Researchers sampled 10 mammoths, but only three produced analyzable RNA.
  • Findings include gene activity relating to muscle function and stress.
  • Potential future application: studying ancient RNA viruses.

• Notable Quotes:

  • R.A. Daniel (Reporter, [03:30]):

    "They then painstakingly extracted and analyzed RNA, the molecule that translates DNA into the building of an actual organism."

  • Lewa Dahlen (Paleogeneticist, [03:58]):

    "You're actually seeing processes going on inside the cells right around the time it died, and these processes have then been frozen in time for 40,000 years."

7. Wildlife Oddity: Alligator Found in Boston

[04:18–end]

• Story: A small alligator spotted in the Charles River is safely captured by a local wildlife educator.

• Details:

  • Authorities suspect it was an illegal pet.
  • Alligator ownership is prohibited in Massachusetts.

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• Georgia RICO Case Update: [00:01–01:01]
• Trump’s Epstein Probe Call & House Vote: [01:01–01:36]
• Charlotte Immigration Enforcement Backlash: [01:36–01:54]
• Snack Food Dye News: [01:54–02:52]
• Bad Bunny’s Latin Grammy Sweep: [02:52–03:30]
• Mammoth RNA Breakthrough: [03:30–04:18]
• Alligator Rescued in Boston: [04:18–end]

Episode in a Nutshell

This concise yet informative NPR News Now episode spotlights judicial developments in the Trump legal saga, ongoing political controversies, industry shifts to natural food ingredients, a scientific leap in paleogenetics, chart-topping musical achievement, and an unusual animal rescue—delivering a punchy summary of current events for listeners on the go.