NPR News Now – 8PM EST, November 21, 2025

Host: NPR News (Main anchor: Ryland Barton)
Date: November 22, 2025
Episode Summary:
A concise roundup of major news stories for the hour, covering the Supreme Court's decision on Texas's congressional maps, a notable Oval Office meeting between President Trump and New York’s mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani, developments on IRS-immigration data sharing, introduction of a new crash test dummy based on female physiology, financial markets, the Israeli-Palestinian situation, a sweeping artist-led movement for democracy, and an unusual judicial resignation in Missouri.

Main Theme

Headline coverage of significant political, legal, social, and cultural developments in the U.S. and globally, aimed at providing listeners with a quick, thorough update on the latest events.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Supreme Court Allows Texas Gerrymandered Map to Stand (00:18–01:17)

• The Supreme Court has permitted Texas’s recently redrawn congressional districts to be used, at least temporarily.
• The fight centers around accusations of unconstitutional racial gerrymandering; lower courts had found likely proof that new maps intended to dilute Black and Latino voting power.
• Insight: The decision could enable Republicans to gain up to five more seats in the U.S. House in upcoming midterms.
• Urgency: The candidate filing deadline in Texas is just two weeks away, making any changes difficult before elections.

"Multiple Republican lawmakers made public statements suggesting they passed it to eliminate existing districts where Black and Latino voters together make up the majority."
— Hansi Lo Wang (00:43)

2. President Trump Meets with New York Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani (01:17–01:40)

• Despite previous mutual insults—Trump calling Mamdani a "communist lunatic" and Mamdani referring to Trump as a "fascist"—the two leaders met in the Oval Office.
• They discussed mutual interests in reducing crime, building housing, and lowering rents, though they admitted to tactical disagreements.
• Tone: The meeting was surprisingly collaborative, with both sides indicating a willingness to work through differences, notably on immigration policy.

"He wants to see no crime. He wants to see housing being built. He wants to see rents coming down, all things that I agree with. Now we may disagree how we get there…"
— President Trump (01:28)

3. Federal Court Blocks IRS Data Sharing with Immigration Officials (01:40–02:05)

• A U.S. district judge halted the IRS's policy of sharing taxpayer information with immigration authorities, labeling it "arbitrary" and in violation of taxpayer confidentiality laws.
• Implication: This may limit the federal government's ability to use tax data for immigration enforcement.

4. Gender-Inclusive Crash Test Dummy Design Announced (02:05–03:08)

• The Trump administration published specs for a crash test dummy that represents the female body, after years of advocacy and regulatory work.
• Context: Women are statistically more likely to be injured in car accidents, and traditional dummies have been male-based.
• Quote of Note:

"It was designed around what injuries a female would have, not just what a small male would have."
— Chris O’Connor, CEO, Humanetics (02:49)

5. Financial Market Update (03:08–03:15)

• Major U.S. stock indexes closed higher after a volatile trading day.

6. Israel Faces U.S. Pressure over Settler Violence (03:15–03:46)

• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met with security officials amid rising violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
• The U.S. pressures Israel to contain the situation, fearing it could jeopardize the current Gaza peace process.

7. “Fall of Freedom”: National Artistic Resistance to Authoritarianism (03:46–04:32)

• Over 600 artistic events are taking place across the U.S. under the umbrella "Fall of Freedom," aiming to resist political paralysis and authoritarian impulses.
• Brainchild: Dred Scott, visual artist.
• Notable Participants: Lynn Nottage (playwright), Ava DuVernay (filmmaker), John Legend (musician).
• Core Message: This effort encourages collective action and support in the face of political pressure.

"They might be able to pick one or two of us off, but they can’t get us all if we all collectively stand together."
— Dred Scott (04:14–04:19)

8. Missouri Judge to Resign Over Courtroom Antics (04:32–04:56)

• Judge Matthew Thornhill of St. Charles County will resign after wearing an Elvis wig and playing Presley music during court, accepting a deal to avoid a disciplinary hearing.
• The Missouri Supreme Court must approve the resignation.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "They might be able to pick one or two of us off, but they can’t get us all if we all collectively stand together." — Dred Scott (04:14–04:19)
• "He wants to see no crime. He wants to see housing being built. He wants to see rents coming down, all things that I agree with." — President Trump (01:28)
• "It was designed around what injuries a female would have, not just what a small male would have." — Chris O’Connor (02:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:18 – Supreme Court allows Texas redistricting map
• 01:17 – Trump and Mamdani Oval Office meeting
• 01:40 – Federal court blocks IRS-immigration data sharing
• 02:33 – Gender-inclusive crash test dummy
• 03:08 – Stock market update
• 03:15 – Israeli settler violence and US peace efforts
• 03:46 – “Fall of Freedom” artist resistance
• 04:32 – Missouri Elvis wig judge resignation

Overall Tone:
Concise, factual, with occasional direct speech giving emotional resonance and immediacy to political events and cultural movements.

Useful For:
Anyone seeking a quick, authoritative briefing on major current events in the U.S. and worldwide, plus a sampling of culture-grounded activism and notable American legal oddities.