NPR News Now: 11-17-2025 12PM EST

Date: November 17, 2025
Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now provides listeners with a concise roundup of the day’s top headlines: President Trump’s stance on releasing the Epstein files, a flood of overdue economic data post-government shutdown, a noteworthy arms deal between France and Ukraine, Tom Cruise’s first Oscar win, new neuroscience research on children's brains, and rising concerns about utility bill delinquencies in the U.S.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Urges House to Release Epstein Files

• [00:14–01:05]
• President Trump, despite calling the Epstein matter “a Democratic hoax,” tells House Republicans via Truth Social to vote for the release of files tied to the Epstein investigation.
• Files collected by the DOJ have been partially released to the House Oversight Committee, but some, including sensitive witness interviews, remain sealed.
• The House is likely to vote soon; measure would still need to pass both Senate and President to become law.
• Notable Quote:
  “TRUMP took to Truth Social to say even though he considers it a Democratic hoax, Republicans should vote to release the files because there's nothing to hide.”
  — Sage Miller [00:25]

2. Delayed Economic Data Set for Release

• [01:05–01:49]
• After a six-week federal shutdown, long-awaited economic indicators will be released.
• Updates include the August trade deficit (to be released Wednesday) and the September jobs report (Thursday).
• Data on inflation or unemployment for last month remains unscheduled; such data would influence future Federal Reserve decisions on interest rates.
• Notable Quote:
  “No word yet on when or even if we'll see data on inflation or unemployment for last month, which could help to shape the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates in December.”
  — Scott Horsley [01:34]

3. France Finalizes Historic Fighter Jet Deal with Ukraine

• [01:49–02:45]
• France will sell 100 Rafale fighter jets, air defense systems, and anti-drone technology to Ukraine under a new 10-year defense agreement.
• The deal, valued around $12 billion, is meant both to help Ukraine defend against Russia in the short-term and to enhance its long-term air fleet.
• The agreement marks President Zelenskyy’s ninth visit to France since Russia began its full-scale invasion.
• Notable Quote:
  “The weapons will help Ukraine fight Russia today, but the deal is also meant to show the Kremlin that France and Europe are in it for the long haul.”
  — Eleanor Beardsley [02:17]

4. Tom Cruise Wins His First Oscar

• [02:45–03:14]
• After four decades in film, Tom Cruise receives an Academy Honorary Award at the Governor’s Awards.
• Cruise delivers an emotional speech streamed by the Oscars’ website.
• Fellow honorees: Dolly Parton and Debbie Allen.
• Notable Quote:
  “I have ever made or ever will make, and I want you to know that I will always do and everything I can to help this art form.”
  — Tom Cruise (excerpted), reported by Scott Horsley [03:00]

5. Children’s Brains Grow More Sensitive to Speech with Age

• [03:14–04:05]
• New research presented at the Society for Neuroscience shows that as children age, their brains become more attuned to speech over music.
• Study involved 51 children and young adults watching a film with both music and dialogue.
• Findings may shed light on challenges faced by children with ADHD in noisy environments.
• Notable Quote:
  “The brain is showing this emerging preference for speech over music in young children... Music and speech caused about the same level of response in the brain, but by adolescence, speech was getting much more attention.”
  — Liberty Hamilton (via John Hamilton) [03:43–03:47]

6. Americans Struggle with Rising Utility Bills

• [04:05–04:53]
• The Century Foundation analysis: number of Americans behind on utility bills increased from last year.
• Average overdue balance rose from just under $600 (2022) to $789.
• The trend is expected to worsen over winter even as the administration promotes energy use by data centers for AI.
• Households set to pay more on electricity this winter than last, according to Energy Information Administration.
• Notable Quote:
  “The average overdue balance on utility bills increased from just under $600 in 2022 to $789... Last month, the Energy Information Administration projected U.S. households would pay more to heat their homes with electricity than they did last year.”
  — Lakshmi Singh [04:21–04:44]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “There’s nothing to hide.” (Sage Miller summarizing Trump’s stance on Epstein files) [00:25]
• “No word yet on when or even if we’ll see data on inflation or unemployment for last month….” (Scott Horsley on missing economic reports) [01:34]
• “France and Europe are in it for the long haul.” (Eleanor Beardsley, on the significance of the France–Ukraine defense deal) [02:17]
• “I have ever made or ever will make, and I want you to know that I will always do and everything I can to help this art form.” (Tom Cruise, acceptance speech) [03:00]
• “The brain is showing this emerging preference for speech over music in young children.” (Liberty Hamilton via John Hamilton) [03:43]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:14] — Trump urges release of Epstein files (Sage Miller)
• [01:05] — Overdue economic data to be released post-shutdown (Scott Horsley)
• [01:49] — France-Ukraine fighter jet deal (Eleanor Beardsley)
• [02:45] — Tom Cruise wins honorary Oscar (Scott Horsley)
• [03:28] — Children’s brains respond more to speech as they age (John Hamilton)
• [04:05] — More Americans falling behind on utility bills (Lakshmi Singh)

This NPR News Now episode captures pivotal developments in U.S. politics, international diplomacy, science, and American life, providing listeners with a brisk but thorough briefing on the day’s most important headlines.