NPR News Now — November 15, 2025, 11AM EST

Host: Amy Held
Episode Theme: The episode delivers concise reporting on the latest national and international news, with a focus on U.S. economic policy changes, community impacts of immigration enforcement, market performance, severe weather in California, and reconciliation steps by the Vatican with indigenous Canadians.

1. Tariff Rollbacks Following Election Results

• [00:16] Amy Held: Reports that President Trump has removed tariffs on several import items, notably groceries, as a response to Democratic wins in recent elections focused on affordability.

• Key Points:

  • Tariffs lifted on “foods like fruits and vegetables, beef and coffee,” reversing earlier “reciprocal tariffs.”
  • The removal aims to lower consumer costs, as tariffs had “passed costs on to US consumers.” (Danielle Kurtzleben, [00:37])
  • The shift comes after declining public approval of Trump’s economic policies and falling consumer confidence.

• Notable Quote:

  “Removing these tariffs could therefore lower the higher prices the tariffs caused... Recent polls have shown Americans approval of Trump on the economy... has slipped.”
  — Danielle Kurtzleben ([00:37])

• President Trump is expected to begin a national tour, acknowledging some improvements but promising to address continued economic strains. ([01:10])

2. Border Patrol Deployment in Charlotte, North Carolina

• [01:10] Amy Held: North Carolina Governor Josh Stein urges calm ahead of the imminent arrival of Border Patrol agents in Charlotte.
• Key Points:
  • Increased enforcement presence has already prompted fear and economic decline among immigrant communities.
  • Local businesses, particularly immigrant-owned, see sharp drops in business.
• Firsthand Reports:
  • Manolo Benticour, bakery owner:

    “No, everybody's hitting, man. Nobody's coming out.” ([01:51])
    “Easy, easy. We can make 50 quinceanera cakes between spring and summer. This year we just have one quinceanera.” ([02:00])

  • Governor Stein encourages documenting agent behavior on phones and restraint from provocation.
• Demonstrations are planned for the afternoon.

3. U.S. Markets and Economic Indicators

• [02:21] Amy Held & Scott Horsley: The stock market had a mixed week, influenced by the end of a lengthy government shutdown and concerns over tech valuations.

• Key Points:

  • The government shutdown lasted six weeks, reducing GDP by an estimated $90 billion.
  • Some economic losses are permanent, though some recovery is anticipated with government resuming operations.
  • Investors are wary of a possible artificial intelligence bubble; tech stocks fell, with the Nasdaq down about 0.5%.
  • The S&P 500 eked out a 0.1% gain; Dow up 0.3%.

• Notable Quote:

  “The six week government shutdown was a drag on the US economy..." ([02:32])
  "We'll also get a better handle on the economy once the government number crunchers... start churning out reports again.”
  — Scott Horsley ([02:32])

• Next jobs report expected Thursday, almost seven weeks late due to the shutdown.

4. Atmospheric River Hits Southern California

• [03:13] Amy Held: Reports on intense rainstorms bringing flood and landslide risks to SoCal, especially wildfire burn areas.
• Key Points:
  • Los Angeles Fire Chief Jamie Moore emphasizes proactive monitoring and readiness.
• Notable Quote:

  “When we see a heavy saturation on burn scars... it starts ramping things up, and we need to be able to react proactively... so that in the event that something does start happening, we're already there.”
  — Jamie Moore ([03:32])

• Evacuation warnings are in effect for parts of Ventura County.

5. Vatican Returns Indigenous Artifacts to Canada

• [03:49] Amy Held & Dan Karpenschuk: The Vatican announces the return of 62 indigenous artifacts als part of reconciliation with Canadians.
• Key Points:
  • Artifacts include a “100-year-old Inuit kayak, wampum belts, war clubs, masks, and beaded moccasins.”
  • Returned to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops as a sign of dialogue, respect, and fraternity.
  • Items are part of a collection taken during colonial times and are tied to debates about forced assimilation and cultural genocide.
  • Artifacts will be displayed at the Canadian Museum of History before being relocated.
• Notable Quote:

  “They were part of a controversial collection that sparked a debate over cultural items taken from indigenous peoples during colonial periods and the church's role in helping the Canadian government's forced assimilation policy, which some historians have called cultural genocide.”
  — Dan Karpenschuk ([04:09])

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Manolo Benticour, on community fear:

  “No, everybody's hitting, man. Nobody's coming out.” ([01:51])

• Scott Horsley, on shutdown's impact:

  “Some of that will be made up now that the government's reopened, but some of the loss will be permanent…” ([02:32])

• Jamie Moore, on disaster readiness:

  “…we need to be able to react proactively to those changes so that in the event that something does start happening, we're already there.” ([03:32])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tariff Rollback & Economic Policy: [00:16]–[01:10]
• Immigration Enforcement in Charlotte: [01:10]–[02:21]
• Stock Market & Government Shutdown: [02:21]–[03:13]
• California Atmospheric River/Weather Response: [03:13]–[03:49]
• Vatican Returns Artifacts to Canada: [03:49]–[04:52]

NPR News Now condenses major national and global stories into a five-minute bulletin, reflecting the rapidly shifting political and social climate across the U.S. and beyond.