NPR News Now: 11-17-2025, 9PM EST

Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Ryland Barton
Summary by Section

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise roundup of major news stories from across the US and the world, covering immigration enforcement data, developments in the release of the Epstein files, impacts of the recent government shutdown, updates on air travel, economic data from the US and Japan, ant colony research, and policy moves in Alabama. All this in under five minutes, with direct reporting and voices from the field.

Main Stories & Segments

1. Chicago Immigration Arrests and Court Filings

Reporting by Sergio Martinez Beltran
[00:13–01:07]

• Recent court documents reveal the majority of immigrants arrested in Chicago during President Trump’s crackdown have no criminal record.
  • Of the 614 people listed, 598 (97%) have no criminal record.
  • Only 16 individuals (2.6%) have a criminal history; only 4 have convictions (crimes include domestic battery, DUI, indecent exposure, and kidnapping).
  • No one on the list was convicted or arrested for murder or rape, despite official claims.
• Notable Quote:

  "DHS regularly says that it is taking murderers and rapists off the streets. However, none of the people on this list was convicted or arrested for murder or rape."
  — Sergio Martinez Beltran [00:56]

2. House Moves Toward Release of Epstein Files

Host: Ryland Barton
[01:07–01:42]

• The House of Representatives is moving toward a vote to force the Justice Department to release documents regarding Jeffrey Epstein.
• Efforts to suppress the files were previously supported by President Trump and Republican leaders; however, Trump has shifted stance and now urges the files’ release.

3. Delays in Federal Utility Assistance in Tennessee

Filed Report by Cynthia Abrams, WPLN; includes Denise Simpson's perspective
[01:42–02:25]

• Tennessee’s utility aid program, typically funded by about $72 million yearly, has stalled due to delays from the Department of Health and Human Services post-shutdown.
• The state has begun accepting applications, but most of the 12,000 households waiting for aid—including single-mother nursing student Denise Simpson—haven't received help yet.
• Notable Quote:

  "You have to be super mom with assistance. It takes a village."
  — Denise Simpson [02:09]

4. Air Traffic Controllers Return, Flight Reductions Lifted

Reporting by Joel Rose
[02:25–03:10]

• Temporary flight reductions at major US airports have been lifted after the government shutdown, with air traffic controllers back at work and receiving back pay.
• Airlines are optimistic about returning to full operations before the Thanksgiving travel rush.
• Notable Quote:

  "Regulators say staffing conditions are now back to what they were before the shutdown. Airlines say they're confident they can ramp up quickly and should be able to return to their full schedules before Thanksgiving holiday travel begins."
  — Joel Rose [02:57]

5. Market & Global Economic Updates

Host: Ryland Barton
[03:10–03:47]

• US stock market: S&P 500 fell nearly 1% today.
• Japan’s economy contracted by 1.8% (July–September) largely due to new tariffs imposed by President Trump, negatively affecting key export sectors like automotive.

6. Science Feature: Ant Colonies and Hostile Takeovers

Reporting by Nell Greenfield Boyce
[03:47–04:38]

• New research from Japan shows some ant species’ would-be queens invade other colonies to oust the reigning queen.
• The invasive queen sprays a chemical on the resident queen, making worker ants attack their own mother and install the invader as the new queen.
• Notable Quote:

  "The workers unwittingly betray her, attacking her until she's dead. Then the female intruder becomes the new queen and uses the workers to raise her own offspring."
  — Nell Greenfield Boyce [04:25]

7. Alabama Public Television and PBS Affiliation

Host: Ryland Barton
[04:38–04:56]

• Republican Governor Kay Ivey urges the Alabama Public Television oversight board to delay a vote to sever PBS ties.
• She requests further study and public input before any decision.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "DHS regularly says that it is taking murderers and rapists off the streets. However, none of the people on this list was convicted or arrested for murder or rape." — Sergio Martinez Beltran [00:56]
• "You have to be super mom with assistance. It takes a village." — Denise Simpson, Tennessee applicant [02:09]
• "The workers unwittingly betray her, attacking her until she's dead. Then the female intruder becomes the new queen and uses the workers to raise her own offspring." — Nell Greenfield Boyce [04:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:13] Chicago immigration arrests: 97% have no criminal record
• [01:07] House vote on Epstein files, Trump’s position change
• [01:42] Tennessee's federal utility assistance delay with personal story
• [02:25] Air traffic controller staffing, travel returning to normal
• [03:10] Markets and Japan’s economic contraction
• [03:47] Ant colony takeover research
• [04:38] Alabama considers cutting PBS ties

This episode presents a rapid-fire yet informative snapshot of pressing national topics, blending data, politics, personal stories, global economics, and quirky scientific findings—all in NPR’s signature clear, factual reporting style.