NPR News Now – November 14, 2025, 4AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens
Date: November 14, 2025

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode covers the impacts of the recent government shutdown on air travel and national parks, a thwarted terrorist plot in Michigan, Russian attacks on Kyiv, a major legal challenge to California’s redistricting, the end of a Boeing machinists' strike in St. Louis, and a new academic policy at Texas A&M University. The news is concise, fast-moving, and focused on major domestic and international developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

FAA Flight Reductions and Staffing Shortages

[00:17–00:58]

• Summary:
  The FAA continues temporary flight reductions at major U.S. airports due to lingering staffing shortages after the government shutdown. Although improvements are noted as controllers return, the FAA won't fully restore operations until safety data justifies it.
• Reporter: Joel Rose
• Notable Moments:

  "The number of staffing shortages declined sharply to just a handful over the past few days, and that gave regulators some confidence that more controllers are coming to work. But they say they will not lift these reductions completely until the safety data improves." – Joel Rose [00:45]

National Parks: Environmental and Funding Crisis

[00:58–02:00]

• Summary:
  Park Service employees are returning after a 43-day shutdown, but the agency faces huge challenges. Entrance fees plummeted ($40 million estimated loss), staff reductions reached 25% since January, and parks suffered vandalism and damage during the under-staffed period.
• Reporter: Kirk Siegler
• Notable Moments:

  "Since January, the Park Service lost a quarter of its entire staff, from scientists to janitors to rangers." – Kirk Siegler [01:39]
  "The return of the remaining staff is seen as a relief following reports of vandalism of artifacts at Arches national park in Utah, base jumpers off El Capitan at Yosemite and damage to a stone wall at historic Gettysburg." – Kirk Siegler [01:48]

Michigan Terror Plot Thwarted

[02:00–02:53]

• Summary:
  Three Michigan men are indicted for plotting an ISIS-linked attack during Halloween. The FBI arrested eight people tied to the case, spanning multiple states. Defense lawyers argue it was just online bravado, not a serious plot.
• Reporter: Quinn Klinefelter
• Notable Moments:

  "FBI Director Kash Patel applauded the bureau for stopping the alleged Halloween assault in the Detroit area before it could begin." – Quinn Klinefelter [02:15]
  "Defense attorneys counter those indicted just talk tough on social media, but never plan to harm anyone." – Quinn Klinefelter [02:44]

Russian Strikes on Kyiv

[02:53–03:22]

• Summary:
  Russian missile attacks hit Kyiv, wounding at least 11 people and causing significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses. Residents are urged to stay indoors as authorities assess the aftermath.
• Anchor: Shea Stevens

DOJ Lawsuit Over California Redistricting

[03:22–03:31]

• Summary:
  The Justice Department sues California officials, alleging that the latest voter-approved redistricting mandates racially gerrymandered districts. Governor Newsom defends the move as a counterbalance to Republican-leaning redistricting in Texas.
• Anchor: Shea Stevens

Boeing Machinists Strike Ends

[03:53–04:34]

• Summary:
  Boeing machinists in St. Louis vote 2-to-1 to accept a new contract, ending a months-long strike. Many workers feel the offer is insufficient but are ready to return as the strike takes its toll.
• Reporter: Olivia Meisel
• Notable Moments:

  "Kevin Gray, however, says he voted no." – Olivia Meisel [04:11]
  "It's just a couple of thousand dollars added more on the front end and that's it. It's like still born don't value us. They make too much money for us to be to be trying to start people off at 18 an hour, that's ludicrous." – Kevin Gray [04:14]
  "Even so, Gray says he's ready to get back to work. Striking workers will return to work starting the evening of November 16th." – Olivia Meisel [04:22]

Texas A&M University Policy Restricts Classroom Speech

[04:34–04:56]

• Summary:
  Texas A&M Regents adopt a new rule: professors must seek approval before teaching about race or gender. The action follows widely-circulated video controversy involving a classroom discussion on gender identity.
• Anchor: Shea Stevens

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On FAA staffing:
  “But they say they will not lift these reductions completely until the safety data improves.” – Joel Rose [00:55]
• On National Parks post-shutdown:
  “The service may have lost upwards of $40 million in entrance fee revenue.” – Kirk Siegler [01:28]
• On Boeing strike’s resolution:
  “They make too much money for us to be to be trying to start people off at 18 an hour, that's ludicrous.” – Kevin Gray [04:17]
• On the Michigan terror plot:
  “Defense attorneys counter those indicted just talk tough on social media, but never plan to harm anyone.” – Quinn Klinefelter [02:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• FAA and airport staffing: 00:17–00:58
• National Parks and shutdown impact: 00:58–02:00
• Michigan terror plot: 02:00–02:53
• Russian attacks on Kyiv: 02:53–03:22
• DOJ vs. California redistricting: 03:22–03:31
• Boeing strike ends: 03:53–04:34
• Texas A&M speech restrictions: 04:34–04:56

This NPR News Now segment delivers a succinct but deep dive into issues affecting air travel, national security, labor relations, university policy, and international conflict—all in a fast-paced, neutral tone typical of NPR’s news summaries.