NPR News Now – November 14, 2025, 12AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens
Date: November 14, 2025
Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode Description: The latest national and international news summarized in five minutes.

Episode Overview

In this concise news roundup, NPR News Now covers the reopening of the U.S. government after a six-week shutdown, ongoing legal and political battles regarding congressional redistricting in California, escalations of violence in the West Bank, new Russian attacks on Kyiv, legal proceedings involving high-profile former officials, a major Starbucks strike, and a historic scheduling change in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Key Segments & Highlights

1. U.S. Government Shutdown Ends: Economic Data Challenges

[00:17–01:01]

• Federal agencies are reopening following a six-week shutdown, with federal workers returning to monitor key economic indicators like unemployment and inflation.
• Data gap: There have been no official jobs, unemployment, or inflation reports for October. Omar Sharif of Inflation Insights notes the task ahead will be daunting:

  “You have to call thousands of people to ask what they were doing a month ago now and even before the shutdown.”
  — Omar Sharif, 00:47

• The agency in charge was already understaffed due to job cuts under the Trump administration.

2. Justice Department Sues over California Congressional Maps

[01:01–02:04]

• The Justice Department and California GOP are challenging new congressional district lines approved by California voters via Proposition 50.
• The lawsuit claims the lines unfairly benefit Latino voters, allegedly violating equal protection and voting rights.
• Governor Newsom characterizes Prop. 50 as a strategic counter to recent GOP-led redistricting efforts in Texas and other states:

  “Republicans lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court.”
  — Newsom spokesperson, quoted by Guy Marzirati, 01:54

• Democrats in other states, such as Virginia, are also taking action to counter Republican maneuvers.

3. Surge in Settler Violence in the West Bank

[02:04–02:59]

• The UN reports unprecedented violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, with Israeli settlers attacking at a rate of eight times per day—an all-time high.
• Latest incident: A mosque outside Nablus was torched and graffitied by settlers.

  “Israeli settlers set it on fire and scrawled graffiti on a remaining wall in Hebrew that read, quote, we are not afraid and keep condemning.”
  — Kat Lansdorf, 02:21

• The violence coincides with the annual Palestinian olive harvest and has drawn concerns from Israeli officials, military, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Despite official condemnation, most attacks go unpunished.

4. Russian Attacks on Ukrainian Capital

[02:59–03:34]

• Kyiv residents were instructed to seek shelter following new Russian attacks, which injured at least 11 and damaged crucial infrastructure and private residences.
• The ongoing conflict continues to disrupt daily life and safety in the Ukrainian capital.

5. Legal Battles for Letitia James and James Comey

[03:34–03:56]

• Letitia James (NY Attorney General) and James Comey (former FBI Director) are moving to dismiss federal charges against them, arguing the indictments came from an improperly appointed interim prosecutor.
• Both are considered political targets ("perceived enemies of President Trump"), with James facing mortgage fraud accusations and Comey charged with making a false statement and obstructing Congress.

6. Starbucks Workers Strike Nationwide

[03:56–04:11]

• Over 1,000 unionized Starbucks employees are on strike at 65 stores in 40+ cities, citing pay and working condition disputes.
• The action coincides with the company’s high-profile “Red Cup Day” promotion.

7. Major League Soccer Announces Schedule Overhaul

[04:11–04:51]

• MLS will switch from a spring-fall to a summer-spring schedule beginning in 2027, aligning its season with European leagues.

  “MLS Commissioner Don Garber called the shift one of the most important decisions in our history.”
  — Becky Sullivan, 04:37

• The new schedule should ease player transfers and international competition participation, with a planned winter break to accommodate cold-weather locations.

8. Financial Update

[04:51–04:56]

• U.S. futures remain flat during after-hours trading, rounding out the brief business headlines.

Notable Quotes

• Omar Sharif, Inflation Insights:

  "You have to call thousands of people to ask what they were doing a month ago now and even before the shutdown." (00:47)

• Guy Marzirati quoting Newsom Spokesperson:

  "Republicans lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court." (01:54)

• Kat Lansdorf, on West Bank violence:

  “Israeli settlers set it on fire and scrawled graffiti on a remaining wall in Hebrew that read, quote, we are not afraid and keep condemning.” (02:21)

• Becky Sullivan, on MLS schedule change:

  “MLS Commissioner Don Garber called the shift one of the most important decisions in our history.” (04:37)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:17 – Government shutdown ends; economic reporting challenges
• 01:01 – DOJ lawsuit over California's new congressional maps
• 02:04 – UN on rise in West Bank settler violence
• 02:59 – Russian attacks injure and damage Kyiv, Ukraine
• 03:34 – Legal motions by Letitia James and James Comey
• 03:56 – Starbucks workers' strike on Red Cup Day
• 04:11 – Major League Soccer adopts international schedule
• 04:51 – U.S. market update

In Summary:
This NPR News Now episode offers a brisk yet comprehensive snapshot of complex political, economic, and social developments in the U.S. and around the world as of November 14, 2025.