NPR News Now — 11-14-2025 6PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton (NPR)
Date: November 14, 2025

Episode Overview

This concise news update covers the latest developments in U.S. economic policy, attorney general investigations into high-profile figures, a major opioid settlement, severe weather threats in California, a nationwide health alert, a landmark U.S.–South Korea deal, and a remarkable arachnological discovery. Each story is delivered in NPR's brisk, factual style, with key insights and implications highlighted.

Key News Highlights & Insights

Tariff Rollbacks After Democratic Election Wins

[00:00–00:52]

• Main Points:
  • President Trump repealed tariffs on a range of imported goods, including fruits, vegetables, beef, and coffee.
  • The policy change follows a significant Democratic victory in recent elections, where affordability was a central issue.
  • Tariffs—which had raised consumer prices—are being reversed as Trump’s economic approval ratings decline.
• Notable Insight:
  • The rollback targets the “reciprocal tariffs” introduced in April, dubbed as such by Trump.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Danielle Kurtzleben: “Removing these tariffs could…lower the higher prices the tariffs caused.” [00:30]

DOJ Takes New Steps on Epstein Ties

[00:52–01:50]

• Main Points:
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi appoints the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, Jay Clayton, to investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s links with prominent Democrats, financial institutions, and others.
  • Move comes after President Trump publicly urged the Justice Department to pursue the inquiry, specifically mentioning former President Bill Clinton.
  • The backdrop: House Democrats released emails raising questions about Trump’s own knowledge of Epstein’s activities.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Ryan Lucas: “President Trump accused Democrats of using the controversy…to deflect from their own actions in the recent government shutdown.” [01:09]
  • “Bondi said she’s tapping the U.S. attorney in Manhattan…to take the lead on the matter.” [01:28]

Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement Nears Approval

[01:50–02:24]

• Main Points:
  • Judge set to approve Purdue Pharma’s settlement, requiring up to $7 billion from the Sackler family to settle thousands of lawsuits.
  • The Supreme Court’s earlier rejection of a similar agreement had focused on future legal protections for the Sacklers.
• Key Detail:
  • The new agreement reportedly drops improper protections and is expected to resolve a large share of opioid litigation.

L.A. Wildfire Debris Flow Risks Ahead of Major Storm

[02:24–02:57]

• Main Points:
  • Los Angeles residents near recent fire burn scars (Eaton and Palisades) face evacuation warnings as a large storm approaches.
  • The heaviest rainfall is expected early-to-mid Saturday, potentially bringing record totals, LAX delays, and even small tornadoes.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Jacob Margolis: “The period of greatest concern is early to midday Saturday, when the heaviest part of the storm is expected to press up against the mountains, essentially squeezing out a whole lot of moisture in a short period.” [02:25]

Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Formula Recall

[02:57–03:33]

• Main Points:
  • Outbreak has sickened 23 babies in 13 states.
  • All U.S. Bi Hart baby formula recalled; no deaths reported.
  • Botulism is serious and symptoms may appear weeks after exposure.

U.S.–South Korea Economic and Defense Pact

[03:33–04:19]

• Main Points:
  • Agreement at Seoul summit includes:
    • South Korea investing $350 billion in U.S.
    • U.S. to lower some tariffs.
    • Seoul to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, buy $25B in U.S. military hardware by 2030, and pay more for U.S. troop presence.
    • U.S. concessions for South Korea to enrich uranium, process nuclear fuel, and build nuclear-powered submarines domestically.
• Notable Quote:
  • Anthony Kuhn: “It’ll purchase $25 billion worth of U.S. military hardware by 2030 and pay substantially more to host the roughly 28,500 U.S. troops currently based in the South.” [03:48]

World’s Largest Spider Web Discovered

[04:19–end]

• Main Points:
  • Discovered in a cave on the Albanian-Greek border; two different spider species live together.
  • Published in Subterranean Biology, highlights unique interspecies cooperation in a sulfur-rich environment.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Danielle Kurtzleben:
  “Removing these tariffs could therefore lower the higher prices the tariffs caused.” [00:30]

• Ryan Lucas:
  “President Trump accused Democrats of using the controversy over the Jeffrey Epstein files to deflect from their own actions in the recent government shutdown.” [01:09]

• Jacob Margolis:
  “The period of greatest concern is early to midday Saturday, when the heaviest part of the storm is expected to press up against the mountains, essentially squeezing out a whole lot of moisture in a short period.” [02:25]

• Anthony Kuhn:
  “It’ll purchase $25 billion worth of U.S. military hardware by 2030 and pay substantially more to host the roughly 28,500 U.S. troops currently based in the South.” [03:48]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Tariff Rollback & Economic Impact: [00:00–00:52]
• Epstein Investigation Expanded: [00:52–01:50]
• Purdue Pharma Settlement: [01:50–02:24]
• Los Angeles Storm & Debris Threat: [02:24–02:57]
• Botulism Outbreak & Formula Recall: [02:57–03:33]
• U.S.–South Korea Deal: [03:33–04:19]
• Spider Web Discovery: [04:19–end]

This episode delivers tightly summarized, high-priority news for the hour, focusing on policy changes, accountability moves, public health alerts, global alliances, and an odd but fascinating scientific find—all in NPR’s signature informative and impartial tone.