NPR News Now – November 14, 2025, 1AM EST

Host: Shay Stevens (NPR)
Episode Purpose:
NPR News Now provides the day’s top U.S. and world news headlines in a concise five-minute format. In this edition, the focus is on President Trump’s messaging after ending the government shutdown, airline staffing issues affecting airports nationwide, legal updates on the Nevada 2020 “fake electors,” a lawsuit over California redistricting, a chemical spill in Oklahoma, a mining tragedy in West Virginia, and new terrorist designations for left-wing groups in Europe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown Ends: Trump Targets Affordability Concerns

• [00:15 – 01:12]

  • President Trump announces the end of the government shutdown and shifts his administration’s focus to addressing the cost of living.
  • Reporting by Tamara Keith underscores voter unease about economic conditions and persistent inflation.
  • President Trump outlines his next steps, aiming to lower costs and "make America affordable again."

  Notable Quotes

  • President Trump [00:49]:

    "My administration and our partners in Congress will continue our work to lower the cost of living, restore public safety, grow our economy and make America affordable again for all Americans again. Costs are way down."

  • Tamara Keith [01:03]:

    "Inflation has been persistent so far this year, which has voters in a foul mood about the economy."

2. FAA Staffing and Ongoing Flight Reductions

• [01:12 – 01:49]

  • FAA is dealing with air traffic controller shortages triggered by the shutdown, resulting in severe flight delays.
  • The situation has improved: fewer staffing shortages and increased confidence regulators may lift restrictions but not until safety metrics are met.

  Notable Insight

  • Many controllers had taken temporary jobs during the shutdown and are now returning, but full normalcy won’t return until safety data is satisfactory.

3. Nevada Supreme Court Revives 'Fake Electors' Case

• [01:49 – 02:47]

  • Six Nevada Republicans, including the state GOP chair, are facing state-level criminal charges for submitting a false certificate declaring Trump the winner of Nevada’s 2020 electoral votes.
  • The Nevada Supreme Court upheld the venue, allowing the state attorney general to proceed.
  • President Trump has pardoned the accused on related federal crimes, but they still face state prosecution.

  Notable Quotes

  • Hansi Lo Wang [02:05]:

    "The ruling means that six Nevadans, including the chair of the state's Republican Party, are still accused of offering to state and federal officials a forged certificate that claimed President Trump had won Nevada's electoral votes in 2020."

  • NV Attorney General Aaron Ford, via statement [02:33]:

    "The 2020 fake electors cannot evade accountability in Nevada for their unlawful actions."

4. DOJ Sues California Over Voter-Approved Redistricting

• [02:47 – 03:25]

  • The Department of Justice sues California's Secretary of State and Governor Newsom, claiming the state's redistricting plan is racially gerrymandered.
  • Newsom defends the plan as a counter-move to Texas creating more GOP districts.

  Notable Point

  • Signals high-stakes political maneuvering around congressional representation and voting rights.

5. Other Major Headlines

• Chemical Leak in Oklahoma [03:25 – 03:45]

  • An ammonia gas leak in Weatherford, OK, sickens dozens. Residents urged to shelter indoors for hours.

• West Virginia Mining Fatality [03:45 – 04:03]

  • The missing worker, Foreman Steve Liscom, found deceased after a flooded coal mine could be accessed.

6. U.S. Designates European Left-Wing Groups as Terrorist Organizations

• [04:03 – 04:52]

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces four antifa-linked groups from Germany, Italy, and Greece are now designated terrorist organizations as part of Trump administration policy to counter left-wing extremism.
  • Rubio cites attacks, ideological extremism, and references U.S. moves against antifa earlier in the year.

  Notable Quote

  • Jackie Northam [04:03]:

    "Rubio calls the four organizations violent antifa groups and says these types of organizations ascribe to revolutionary, anarchist or Marxist ideologies, including anti-Americanism."

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Direct statement from President Trump about affordability and economic messaging post-shutdown.
• Update on ongoing legal ramifications from the 2020 election via the “fake electors” case.
• Federal action both in terms of scrutinizing redistricting and designating foreign groups as terrorist threats.

Important Timestamps

• 00:15 – Newscast begins; Trump’s post-shutdown message.
• 00:49 – Trump pledges affordability focus.
• 01:12 – FAA flight reduction update.
• 01:49 – Nevada “fake electors” prosecution revived.
• 02:47 – DOJ lawsuit against California redistricting.
• 03:25 – Oklahoma gas leak; public health response.
• 03:45 – West Virginia mine fatality confirmation.
• 04:03 – U.S. designates European left-wing groups as terrorists.

This episode delivers concise, high-impact updates on politics, legal actions, public safety incidents, and policy decisions shaping the U.S. and global landscape, all in NPR’s trademark clear and authoritative tone.