NPR News: 11-18-2025 12AM EST

Episode Summary

Main Theme:
This five-minute NPR News Now episode, hosted by Shea Stevens, provides a concise roundup of the major U.S. political, legal, and health headlines as of November 18, 2025. Key topics include the fallout from Larry Summers’ email exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein, a controversial U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia, shifting U.S. policy on drug interdiction, judicial scrutiny in a high-profile prosecution, a tragic stand-your-ground shooting, troubling maternal health statistics, and a stock market update.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Larry Summers Steps Away Amid Epstein Backlash (00:15–01:17)

• Details:

  • Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers announced he is stepping back from public duties.
  • Summers expressed “deep shame” and said he takes “full responsibility” for communicating with Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Email evidence showed the two remained in contact up to Epstein's 2019 arrest.
  • Summers not accused by Epstein’s victims, but President Trump recently called for investigations into Summers and other Democrats.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “He is deeply ashamed and takes full responsibility for what he said was a misguided decision to continue to communicate with Jeffrey Epstein.” — Giles Snyder (00:37)
  • “The move is part of an effort to rebuild trust and repair relationships with those closest to him.” — Giles Snyder (00:42)
  • “Summers has not been accused by any of Epstein’s victims, but last week President Trump named him and other prominent Democrats when he urged the Justice Department to investigate them.” — Giles Snyder (01:06)

2. U.S. to Sell F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia Despite Security Concerns (01:17–02:06)

• Details:
  • The Trump administration prepares to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
  • Worries voiced about potential Chinese access to sensitive U.S. weapons tech.
  • Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s first official visit to Washington will address these deals and announce a multi-billion-dollar U.S. AI investment.
  • Recent U.S. military policy has shifted: deadly strikes on drug boats replaced previous U.S. practices of seizure and prosecution.

3. Controversial Shift in U.S. Drug Interdiction Policy (02:06–02:48)

• Details:

  • The Trump administration’s use of deadly force on drug boats represents a significant break from longstanding U.S. policy.
  • Experts in transnational crime and drug trafficking question the legality; many refer to the strikes as “murder.”
  • Critiques focus on lack of due process for those killed.
  • The Trump administration defends its actions as lawful under commander-in-chief powers and self-defense.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “They all question the legality of the Trump administration’s military strikes. Many of them refer to the strikes as murder and they point out that there’s no due process here for the folks who are being killed now.” — Ryan Lucas (02:18)
  • “The Justice Department said in a statement that the administration is committed to ending drug trafficking and said that these leaks are from disgruntled employees.” — Ryan Lucas (02:44)

4. Judge Criticizes DOJ in James Comey Prosecution (02:48–03:09)

• Details:
  • Federal Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick critiques DOJ’s prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey.
  • Cites “fundamental misstatements of the law” and issues with jury transcript irregularities.

5. Indiana Stand-Your-Ground Killing and Charges (03:09–03:30)

• Details:
  • Kurt Anderson, 62, charged with involuntary manslaughter after fatally shooting Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Valisquez, a house cleaner who arrived at the wrong address.
  • Incident sparks discussion on Indiana’s “stand your ground” law.

6. U.S. Maternal & Infant Health Gets D Grade (03:30–04:42)

• Details:

  • March of Dimes gives U.S. a “D” rating in maternal and infant health.
  • 1 in 10 U.S. babies are born premature; rates higher in Mississippi, Louisiana, and among Black women and infants.
  • Only about 75% of pregnant women received first trimester prenatal care, a decline.
  • Increasing chronic conditions among mothers (hypertension, diabetes) raise risks for preterm births.
  • Report urges addressing systemic inequities and improving access to care.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “About 1 in 10 babies born across the U.S. last year was premature, and those rates were much higher in some U.S. states...and for certain racial and ethnic minorities, especially Black women and infants.” — Maria Godoy (03:59)
  • “The March of Dimes says the findings should be a call to improve systemic inequities and access to care across the country.” — Maria Godoy (04:37)

7. Market Update (04:42–04:52)

• Details:
  • U.S. stock futures are flat after a significant Dow Jones loss of 557 points in Monday trading.

Noteworthy Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They all question the legality of the Trump administration’s military strikes. Many of them refer to the strikes as murder and they point out that there's no due process here for the folks who are being killed now.”
  — Ryan Lucas (02:18)

• “Summers has not been accused by any of Epstein’s victims, but last week President Trump named him and other prominent Democrats when he urged the Justice Department to investigate them.”
  — Giles Snyder (01:06)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:15] Larry Summers & Epstein Emails
• [01:17] F-35 Deal and Saudi Prince Visit
• [02:06] Lethal Drug Interdiction Policy Debate
• [02:48] DOJ Criticized in Comey Prosecution
• [03:09] Indiana Stand-Your-Ground Shooting
• [03:58] U.S. Failing Maternal & Infant Health
• [04:42] Market Update

Tone:
Factual, succinct, with a focus on accountability and systemic challenges, reflecting NPR’s typical blend of neutrality and urgency on critical news events.