NPR News Now – November 15, 2025, 6PM EST

Overview

This episode presents a succinct roundup of the day’s most significant news updates in global politics, U.S. domestic affairs, weather, and cultural recognition. The tone is fast-paced and factual, with each story delivered in direct, journalistic language.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Flexes Military Muscle Near Venezuela

• Arrival of USS Gerald Ford: The world’s largest aircraft carrier heads to the northern Caribbean amid heightened tensions with Venezuela.

• Context: U.S. recent operations targeted boats allegedly carrying drug trafficked out of Venezuela.

  “The USS Gerald Ford will arrive in the northern Caribbean tomorrow amid increasing tensions with Venezuela.”
  — Luis Schiavone [00:18]

2. Trump Cuts Ties with Marjorie Taylor Greene Over Epstein Files

• Rift Origin: President Trump withdraws support from Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, urging conservatives to run against her in the primaries.

• Trigger: Greene’s vocal push for the release of the “Epstein files” is cited as the main reason for the fallout.

• Political Dynamics: Greene accuses Trump of trying to “make an example of her to scare other Republicans” ahead of a House vote on releasing the Epstein files.

  “If the right person runs, they will have my complete and unyielding support.”
  — Donald Trump, via Eva Pukach [00:54]

  “She said Trump is trying to make an example of her to scare other Republicans ahead of the House’s vote to force the release of the Epstein files.”
  — Eva Pukach [01:13]

3. Immigration Enforcement Operation in Charlotte, NC

• Incident Details: Border Patrol agents conduct a public immigration sweep targeting the city’s immigrant corridor.

• On the Ground: Violent arrests occur, including agents smashing a car window and forcibly detaining an individual. Business owners and workers are visibly distressed.

• Community Impact: Small businesses fear closure if workers are taken.

  “The business depends on clients and workers. And if my workers are taken, I gotta close my business.”
  — Unnamed business owner [02:08]

  “Restaurants locked their doors as agents chased a man into a laundromat…”
  — Nick Della Canal [01:55]

4. Corruption Probe in Ukraine’s Energy Sector

• Major Findings: Probe reveals associates of President Zelensky plotted to embezzle millions via Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company (Enerho Atom).

• Duration and Scale: 15 months, 1,000 hours wiretapped, 7 suspects including Zelensky ally Timur Mindich.

• Fallout: Resignation of two government ministers; Zelenskyy himself unimplicated and calling for prosecution of those accused.

  “Investigators say this group manipulated contracts… and they got kickbacks laundering roughly $100 million.”
  — Joanna Kakissis [02:51]

5. Southern California Faces Flooding from Atmospheric River

• Weather Update: Coasts inundated at an inch per hour. Heavily burned areas after wildfires now face landslide dangers.
• Scope: Flood warnings stretch from Ventura County through Malibu to Los Angeles.

6. Historic Recognition of Ely Parker, Native American Civil War General

• Posthumous Admission: Ely Parker, Seneca chief and Civil War general, admitted to the New York State Bar over a century after facing racist denial.

• Significance: First Native American posthumously admitted; reflects ongoing struggle for minority recognition in the legal field.

• Legacy: Noted for drafting Civil War surrender, advocating for land rights, and serving as first Native American Bureau of Indian Affairs commissioner.

  “Parker went on to advocate for Native land rights, draft the final terms of surrender for the Civil War, become an army general, and was then appointed the first Native American commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.”
  — Emily Watkins [03:59]

7. Dispute over U.S.-Brazil Tariffs on Key Commodities

• Policy Change: President Trump claims to have dropped tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits amid inflation.

• Contradiction: Brazilian officials say many products, like coffee, beef, still face 40% tariffs, with only some commodities (such as orange juice) exempted for now.

  “Brazil's vice president...says Brazilian goods like coffee, beef and tropical fruits will still face a 40% tariff.”
  — Luis Schiavone [04:38]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Immigration Operation:

  “Agents were filmed smashing a man's car window and pulling him from a vehicle.”
  — Nick Della Canal [01:51]

• On Political Pressure in Congress:

  “She said Trump is trying to make an example of her to scare other Republicans ahead of the House’s vote to force the release of the Epstein files.”
  — Eva Pukach [01:13]

• On Native Recognition:

  “On Friday, he again made history as the first Native American to be posthumously admitted to the bar.”
  — Emily Watkins [04:07]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:15] U.S. military escalation in the Caribbean / Venezuela
• [00:54] Trump-Greene split over Epstein files
• [01:37] Immigration enforcement action in Charlotte, NC
• [02:26] Ukrainian energy sector corruption probe
• [03:09] Severe flooding and landslide warnings in Southern California
• [03:47] Ely Parker’s posthumous legal recognition
• [04:26] Mixed signals on U.S.-Brazil tariffs

The episode succinctly encapsulates breaking developments across politics, international relations, justice, immigration, and historic recognition, maintaining NPR’s hallmark of concise, clear news reporting.