NPR News Now — 11-20-2025, 12AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens
Date: November 20, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode covers the latest major headlines in U.S. politics, technology, labor statistics, and pop culture as of November 20, 2025. Key topics include the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, developments with Larry Summers, contentious congressional hearings about immigration enforcement, Nvidia’s record earnings, updates on labor reports, legal challenges facing James Comey, President Biden's plans for Dick Cheney’s memorial, and excitement over the upcoming “Wicked” movie sequel.

Key Stories & Discussions

1. Release of Jeffrey Epstein Government Files

• [00:20] President Trump has signed a bill requiring the public release of government files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized transparency in a statement:
  • Pam Bondi [00:36]: “We have released 33,000, over 33,000 Epstein documents to the Hill and will continue to follow the law and to have maximum transparency. Also, we will always encourage all victims to come forward.”
• Some of Epstein’s victims spoke out ahead of congressional votes, sharing trauma and urging further action.

2. Larry Summers Resigns from OpenAI Board

• [00:52] Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers resigned from OpenAI’s board and took a leave from Harvard due to an investigation into his ties with Epstein.

3. Contentious Senate Hearing on Immigration Enforcement Violence

• [00:52-01:51] Senate Democrats boycotted a Judiciary hearing about violence against immigration enforcement.
  • Martin Kosti, NPR reporter, covers the hearing:
    • Republican Chairman John Cornyn condemned interference with ICE:
      • Cornyn [01:18]: “Everything from straight up thugs committing physical violence to activists dressed as dinosaurs.”
    • Ranking Democrat Alex Padilla criticized the GOP for not inviting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) witnesses:
      • Padilla [01:42]: “If today’s hearing was indeed a serious effort to protect our law enforcement, we would have government witnesses fielding our questions as a committee.”
    • Controversy over DHS claims (e.g., 8,000% increase in ICE death threats) with Padilla saying they’ve not received requested data.

4. Nvidia’s Historic Profits & the AI “Bubble” Debate

• [02:03] Nvidia posted record quarterly revenues ($57 billion), up 62% year-over-year, and profited nearly $32 billion—a 65% jump.
  • John Ruich, NPR reporter:
    • CEO Jensen Huang dismissed concerns over an AI bubble, seeing AI as a “transformational” trend.
    • U.S. government blocks Nvidia from selling high-end chips to China amid trade tensions, keeping world's No. 2 economy “off limits.”

5. Labor Department Employment Reports

• [03:00] The Labor Department will release its September hiring figures Thursday. October’s partial report and November’s full report will be published mid-December.

6. Legal Uncertainty in the Case Against James Comey

• [03:00] A federal judge scrutinizes the Justice Department’s case against former FBI Director James Comey. Points of contention:
  • The full grand jury did not review the indictment’s final version.
  • Comey seeks dismissal, arguing the case is vindictive and led by inexperienced prosecutors.
  • Comey has pleaded not guilty to obstruction and lying to Congress over the Russia/2016 Trump probe.

7. Memorial for Dick Cheney

• [03:00] Former President Joe Biden will attend ex-Vice President Dick Cheney’s memorial Thursday. Attendance from President Trump remains uncertain. Cheney died Nov. 3 at age 84.

8. Anticipation for “Wicked for Good” Movie

• [04:24] NPR’s Netta Ulaby reports on the excitement for the new "Wicked" sequel, “Wicked for Good,” expected to be a major blockbuster.
  • The first “Wicked” film was the fifth-highest grossing movie of 2024.
  • Featured voices from super-fans, including self-identified witches at a Michigan street festival:
    • Fan quote [04:41]: “It’s just a beautiful film and I’m very excited to see the second one. We’re going to have to go together. Yeah, we should go together.”
    • Fans appreciate the film for giving “witches a fair shake.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pam Bondi [00:36]: “We have released 33,000, over 33,000 Epstein documents to the Hill and will continue to follow the law and to have maximum transparency.”
• John Cornyn [01:26]: “Everything from straight up thugs committing physical violence to activists dressed as dinosaurs.”
• Alex Padilla [01:42]: “If today’s hearing was indeed a serious effort to protect our law enforcement, we would have government witnesses fielding our questions as a committee.”
• Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang [02:16] (paraphrased): Nvidia does not believe there's an AI bubble—AI is now transformational and changing how people use computers.
• Wicked superfan [04:41]: “It’s just a beautiful film and I’m very excited to see the second one. We’re going to have to go together. Yeah, we should go together.”

Major Segment Timestamps

• 00:20–00:52 — Epstein files released; Pam Bondi statement, Larry Summers resigns.
• 00:52–01:51 — Senate hearing on ICE violence; partisan dispute and lack of DHS participation.
• 02:03–03:00 — Nvidia record earnings; AI bubble debate; U.S.–China chip ban.
• 03:00–04:24 — Labor Department report updates; case against James Comey; Dick Cheney remembrance.
• 04:24–04:55 — “Wicked for Good” movie hype; interviews with fans.

This five-minute episode packed major headlines with succinct updates and soundbites, blending U.S. politics, big tech, justice news, and cultural phenomena in NPR’s usual brisk, informative style.