NPR News Now – November 19, 2025, 11AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman (NPR)
Date: November 19, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes
(Advertisements, intros/outros omitted. All timestamps MM:SS)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the top news headlines for mid-morning November 19, 2025, covering significant legislative action on Jeffrey Epstein documents, major U.S.–Saudi investment news, diplomatic tensions between Poland and Russia, a new school safety drone initiative in Florida, findings on the Key Bridge collapse, updates on California wildfires, and cultural buzz around the new "Wicked" movie.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Senate Passes Epstein Records Disclosure Bill

[00:11–00:37]

• Summary:

  • The U.S. Senate has finalized approval for a bill mandating the Justice Department to publish all files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • The bill now heads to President Trump, who confirmed he would sign it—after a change in stance from initially opposing it.
  • Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson attempted to block the bill, but growing support prompted Trump to instruct Republicans to back its passage.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Trump did an about face earlier this week and told Republicans to vote for it. They did.”
    — Korva Coleman [00:37]

2. U.S.–Saudi Investment Announcements

[00:37–01:33]

• Summary:
  • President Trump is set to attend the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
  • The countries have struck several deals, with Saudi Arabia pledging nearly $1 trillion in U.S. investments.
  • Trump announced Saudi Arabia will become a major non-NATO ally.

3. Poland Orders Closure of Last Russian Consulate

[01:33–02:14]

• Summary:

  • Poland is expelling Russia’s last consulate (in Gdansk) as retaliation for a recent railway sabotage, blamed on Moscow.
  • The move leaves only the Russian embassy operating in Warsaw.
  • Polish officials allege two Ukrainian citizens, collaborating with Russian secret services, sabotaged a vital rail link to Ukraine before fleeing to Belarus.
  • Russia denies any involvement.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says two Ukrainian citizens working for Russia are suspected of the act while collaborating with Russian secret services.”
    — Rob Schmitz [01:48]

4. Florida to Test Drones for School Safety

[02:14–03:10]

• Summary:

  • Florida’s Department of Education is launching a $557,000 pilot program in Leon, Broward, and Volusia counties to use drones in K–12 schools for emergency response.
  • The drones, called Campus Guardian Angel, are designed to distract and potentially disarm assailants.
  • Justin Marston, CEO: Explains the drones use sirens and verbal commands, escalating to pepper spray if needed.
  • Libertarian opposition: The program raises concerns about student surveillance and state overreach.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “We start off with the siren and we tell the person to drop the gun, lay on the ground, surrender. If they don’t surrender, our next step in that escalation. Escalation is to use pepper spray.”
    — Justin Marston [02:47]
  • “The program treats children as subjects of a, quote, state run surveillance system.”
    — Matt Johnson, Florida Libertarian Party [02:57]

5. NTSB Report on Baltimore’s Key Bridge Collapse

[03:10–03:52]

• Summary:
  • The National Transportation Safety Board released its final report on the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore last year.
  • Fault is attributed to a loose wire on the cargo ship that struck the bridge and communication failures to the construction workers, six of whom died.
  • Maryland transit authorities estimate the cost of a new bridge at over $5 billion, double initial projections.

6. California Wildfire Suspect to Remain Jailed

[03:52–04:11]

• Summary:
  • Jonathan Rindernacht, accused of starting the deadly Palisades fire in Los Angeles (12 deaths), will remain in custody as a flight risk, having pleaded not guilty.

7. “Wicked” Movie Sequel Anticipation

[04:11–04:48]

• Summary:

  • "Wicked for Good," sequel to the blockbuster about the Wicked Witch, opens this weekend.
  • The film has a passionate fanbase, including "self-identified witches."
  • The first film was the fifth highest-grossing movie in 2024; advanced sales for the sequel are strong.

• Memorable Moment:

  • Two fans, Tiffany Walker and “Mama Rainbow,” at a witch-themed street festival, share excitement to see the film together.
  • “It’s just a beautiful film and I’m very excited to see the second one.”
    — Tiffany Walker [04:32]

8. Market Update

[04:48–04:54]

• Summary:
  • Brief report: The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 55 points.

Notable Quotes

• On Epstein Bill:
  “Trump did an about face earlier this week and told Republicans to vote for it. They did.” — Korva Coleman [00:37]

• On Polish Response to Sabotage:
  “Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says two Ukrainian citizens working for Russia are suspected of the act while collaborating with Russian secret services.” — Rob Schmitz [01:48]

• On Drone School Safety Program:
  “We start off with the siren and we tell the person to drop the gun, lay on the ground, surrender. If they don’t surrender, our next step in that escalation. Escalation is to use pepper spray.” — Justin Marston [02:47]
  “The program treats children as subjects of a, quote, state run surveillance system.” — Matt Johnson [02:57]

• On Wicked Movie Fandom:
  “It’s just a beautiful film and I’m very excited to see the second one. We’re gonna have to go together.” — Tiffany Walker [04:32]

Timestamps at a Glance

• [00:11] — Senate passes Epstein files bill
• [00:37] — U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum news
• [01:33] — Poland shuts Russian consulate after rail sabotage
• [02:14] — Florida school safety drone pilot program
• [03:10] — Final NTSB report: Key Bridge collapse
• [03:52] — L.A. wildfire suspect held
• [04:11] — “Wicked” movie sequel excitement
• [04:48] — Market update

This concise news roundup highlights legislative, diplomatic, technological, safety, and cultural developments, offering listeners the most pressing updates in under five minutes.