NPR News Now: 11-18-2025 3AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens
Date: November 18, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now update covers pivotal developments in U.S. politics, international affairs, health research, and state broadcasting. Headlines include the upcoming House vote on federal employee collective bargaining rights, U.S. military policy shifts in drug trafficking enforcement, Indiana's redistricting struggles, the UN endorsement of Trump's Gaza peace plan, the impact of arsenic in drinking water, and Alabama's PBS programming challenge.

Key News Stories & Discussion

1. House Vote on Federal Employee Collective Bargaining

[00:15–01:17]

• Theme: The U.S. House is preparing to vote on the Protect America's Workforce Act, a bipartisan bill to restore collective bargaining rights to most federal employees.
• Background: The bill was introduced in response to a Trump executive order that revoked these rights for about a million federal workers.
• Notable Insight: The bill reached the floor after two Republicans signed a discharge petition, achieving the required threshold for a vote.
• Quote:
  • "Every American deserves the right to have a voice in the workplace."
    — Rep. Mike Lawler (R–NY), Statement cited by Andrea Hsu [00:52]
• Legal Context: While lawsuits challenge the executive order, some federal agencies have already scaled back or ignored bargaining agreements.

2. Deadly U.S. Military Strikes on Drug Boats

[01:17–02:12]

• Theme: The Trump administration has begun authorizing military strikes against suspected drug boats, a break from previous U.S. drug enforcement practices.
• Expert Opinion: Current and former officials specializing in drug trafficking question the legality and ethics of these strikes.
• Memorable Moment: Several officials interviewed described the strikes as "murder" due to the absence of due process for those targeted.
• Quote:
  • "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 [01:42]
• Official Position: The Trump administration asserts the actions are legal under Article 2 powers and defense needs, dismissing criticism as coming from "disgruntled employees."

3. Indiana Redistricting Showdown

[02:12–03:12]

• Theme: Indiana Governor Mike Braun orders lawmakers back to session to attempt redrawing congressional maps amid party infighting.
• Background: Despite pressure from President Trump for more favorable maps, state legislators claim they lack the votes to proceed.
• Political Fallout: Trump expresses disappointment and threatens primary challenges for Republicans not supporting redistricting aligned with the "MAGA agenda."
• Quote:
  • "Braun said lawmakers must take a public vote on maps to counter Democratic redistricting in California and efforts underway in other states."
    — Ben Thorpe [02:58]

4. UN Endorses Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

[03:12–03:51]

• Theme: The UN Security Council endorses President Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza, with Russia and China abstaining.
• Plan Details: Calls for a two-year international stabilization force in Gaza, aiming to protect civilians and dismantle Hamas military infrastructure.

5. Arsenic in Drinking Water and Health Risks

[03:12–04:35]

• Theme: New research highlights health risks from arsenic in drinking water and the impact of interventions to reduce exposure.
• Study Details: Decades-long research in Bangladesh tracked 10,000 people, showing that reducing arsenic exposure can halve disease risk, even after years of contamination.
• Memorable Moment:
  • "People whose exposure went from high to low levels had similar disease risk as those who never drank contaminated water."
    — Jonathan Lambert [04:25]

6. Alabama’s PBS Programming at Risk

[04:35–04:54]

• Theme: Governor Kay Ivey urges delay on a decision that could sever Alabama’s ties with PBS, spotlighting tensions over public broadcasting.
• Current Status: The Alabama Educational Television Commission will consider the issue in their meeting today.

Notable Quotes

• Rep. Mike Lawler (on Workplace Rights):
  "Every American deserves the right to have a voice in the workplace." [00:52]
• Ryan Lucas (on Drug Boat 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." [01:42]
• Jonathan Lambert (on Arsenic Exposure):
  "People whose exposure went from high to low levels had similar disease risk as those who never drank contaminated water." [04:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:15–01:17: Federal Employee Collective Bargaining
• 01:17–02:12: Military Strikes on Drug Boats
• 02:12–03:12: Indiana Redistricting Battles
• 03:12–03:51: UN Gaza Peace Plan Endorsement
• 03:51–04:35: Arsenic in Drinking Water Research
• 04:35–04:54: Alabama PBS Programming

Tone and Language

The episode maintains NPR's hallmark clarity, neutrality, and informative tone. Direct quotes provide insight into the perspectives of lawmakers, officials, and researchers. The reporting style is concise, focusing on facts while highlighting the controversy and public stakes involved in each issue.