NPR News Now – 11-15-2025 5AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder

Date: November 15, 2025

Description: Brief, top-of-the-hour newscast covering major headlines in U.S. politics, international affairs, weather, tech/media, and more.

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers concise updates on key stories of the morning, including a new federal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s connections with prominent Democrats, the fallout between Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene, Israeli military actions blocking peace activists in the West Bank, weather warnings in Southern California, a pending immigration crackdown in Charlotte, NC, and the resolution of a content blackout between YouTube TV and Disney.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein Investigation and Political Fallout

• Attorney General Appoints Special Prosecutor

  • Attorney General Pam Bondi has assigned Jay Clayton, U.S. attorney in Manhattan, to lead a federal probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to prominent Democrats, financial institutions, and former President Bill Clinton.
  • Triggered by public calls from President Trump, who accused Democrats of using the Epstein controversy to distract from their actions during the recent government shutdown.
  • House Democrats’ release of new Epstein-related emails has reignited questions regarding Trump's own connections to Epstein.

  Notable Quote:

  • Ryan Lucas (Reporter):

    "The moves come as Trump continues to face questions about his own ties to Epstein, particularly after House Democrats released a batch of emails this week that raised questions as to what Trump knew about Epstein's activities with underage girls."
    [00:52]

• Trump's Public Denial of Involvement

  • President Trump disavows any knowledge of the newly released Epstein emails, emphasizing his estrangement from Epstein.

  Notable Quote:

  • Donald Trump:

    “Jeffrey Epstein and I had a very bad relationship for many years, but he also saw strength because I was president, so he dictated a couple of memos to himself. Give me a break.”
    [01:23]

• Trump Cuts Ties with Marjorie Taylor Greene

  • Trump publicly severs ties with Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene after she and three other House Republicans sign a petition with Democrats to force a vote on releasing Epstein files.
  • Greene has also been critical of Trump and GOP leadership on various issues, including affordability.

2. Israeli Military Blocks Peace Activists in the West Bank

• Activists Thwarted from Olive Harvest Support

  • Hundreds of Israeli peace activists, affiliated with groups like Peace Now, attempted to assist Palestinian farmers in Burrin (occupied West Bank), aiming to shield them from escalating settler violence.
  • Israeli military declared Burrin a closed military zone, preventing activists’ passage “for public safety” amid a week marked by increased attacks, including the ransacking of a major dairy farm and arson at a mosque.

  Memorable Moments & Quotes:

  • Lior Amichai (Peace Now Director):

    “We will not stay silent while terror is conducting against Palestinians."
    [02:41]

    "Despite this peaceful action, the military and the police did not want us to join the Palestinians and prevented us from reaching it."
    [02:54]

  • Lauren Frayer (Reporter):

    "Settlers ransacked the West Bank's biggest dairy farm and also torched a mosque."
    [02:38]

3. Weather and Safety Warnings in Southern California

• Imminent Rain and Flood Risk
  • Heavy rains expected through the weekend, with flood watches and evacuation warnings especially in areas affected by January wildfires.
  • Officials warn of high susceptibility to mudslides and debris flows in the burn scars.

4. Federal Immigration Crackdown in Charlotte, NC

• Anticipated ICE Operation
  • The Mecklenburg County Sheriff reports he received federal notification of a likely major immigration enforcement action starting as soon as today.
  • No public confirmation from the Trump administration at time of broadcast.
  • Charlotte highlighted as the state’s largest city and a Democratic stronghold.

5. YouTube TV/Disney Blackout Ends

• Restoration of Disney Channels

  • Disney and YouTube TV reach a new distribution deal after a two-week outage affected access to ESPN and other major channels ahead of significant weekend sports programming.
  • Dispute revolved around pricing; financial terms undisclosed.
  • Financial analysis estimates Disney lost $30 million per week during the blackout.

  Notable Quote:

  • Matt Bloom (Reporter):

    “Morgan Stanley analysts estimated that the lockout cost Disney about $30 million a week.”
    [04:37]

  • Reminder that Alphabet (parent company of YouTube TV/Google) is a financial supporter of NPR.

Timeline of Key Segments

• [00:11] – Epstein investigation announced; Trump calls for probe into Democrats.
• [00:35] – Trump’s response to Epstein email release; denial and distancing.
• [01:34] – Trump publicly breaks with Marjorie Taylor Greene.
• [02:22] – Israeli activists blocked in West Bank, Peace Now statements, context of recent settler violence.
• [03:13] – Southern California rain, flood, and evacuation warnings.
• [03:33] – Charlotte, NC prepares for immigration raids.
• [04:06] – YouTube TV and Disney settle programming blackout.
• [04:50] – Show sign-off.

Memorable Quotes

• Trump on Epstein Accusations:

  “Jeffrey Epstein and I had a very bad relationship for many years, but he also saw strength because I was president, so he dictated a couple of memos to himself. Give me a break.”
  (Donald Trump, 01:23)

• Peace Now Director on Suppression of Activism:

  “We will not stay silent while terror is conducting against Palestinians.”
  (Lior Amichai, 02:41)
  "Despite this peaceful action, the military and the police did not want us to join the Palestinians and prevented us from reaching it."
  (Lior Amichai, 02:54)

• Matt Bloom on Disney-YouTube TV Fallout:

  “Morgan Stanley analysts estimated that the lockout cost Disney about $30 million a week.”
  (Matt Bloom, 04:37)

Tone and Style

The episode maintains NPR’s hallmark straightforward, fact-focused, and calm delivery. Language is neutral and concise, with measured voices and brief direct quotes from key actors. The overall tone conveys urgency (in updates on legal and political developments), concern (in reporting from the West Bank and California weather), and depth (providing context behind concise headlines).

For listeners or readers seeking a quick yet thorough understanding of current headlines on U.S. politics, Israeli/Palestinian tensions, domestic weather emergencies, immigration enforcement, and tech-media business negotiations, this episode gives a clear, reliable snapshot.