NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-03-2025 4PM EST

Episode Date: November 3, 2025

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You care about what's happening in the world. Stay informed with NPR's State of the World podcast. In just a few minutes, we take you to stories around the globe. You might hear the latest developments in world conflicts or about what global events mean for the price of your coffee. Listen to the state of the world podcast from NPR. Live from NPR news, I'm Lakshmi Singh.

The Trump administration says it will restart snap food benefits, but will pay out only half the amount people normally get. And PR's Jennifer Ludden reports it's also not clear how soon that money will get to those who rely on it. The Trump administration says it will use just over $4.5 billion in a contingency fund for SNAP payments. That comes after they stopped for millions of people this weekend. And after two federal judges ruled that freezing payments for the country's biggest anti-hunger program is unlawful. But the contingency fund covers only about half the full cost of SNAP benefits each month. States who administer SNAP will now have to recalculate for partial payments.

And in its court filing, officials say that could take weeks or even months, especially in states with older systems. The administration also says depleting its contingency fund means there will be no money to sign up new people for SNAP in November. Jennifer Lutton, NPR News, Washington. voters will decide some races and ballot measures. They include redrawing the congressional map in California. The Democratic Party's response to similar GOP actions in some red states ahead of next year's midterm elections. A three-way race involving a Republican, a Democrat, and a Democrat

running as an independent to replace New York City Democratic mayor, Eric Adams, and gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia. VPM's Jad Khalil is watching the latter. Regardless of who wins, Virginia will have its first woman governor. Democrats nominated former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and Republicans chose Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears. Both candidates closing arguments included kitchen table issues like affordability, health care, education, and energy. Spanberger has also spoken about being a bulwark against Trump, while Earl Sears has spent a lot of airtime opposing accommodating transgender students. That's Chad Khalil reporting. Management of the Food and Drug Administration's getting shaken up again. Again, the agency's top drug official has resigned. Here's NPR, Sidney Lepkin. Dr. George Tidmarsh, who led the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, has left the agency. He's being sued by Orinia Pharmaceuticals, according to a complaint filed in federal court in Maryland on November 2nd.

The company alleges that Tidmarsh posted false and defamatory remarks on social media about one of its drugs following a, quote, longstanding personal vendetta against one of its executives. Tidmarsh joined the FDA in late July. Before that, he was part of the pharmaceutical industry, serving as founder and CEO of several biopharma companies. HHS said Tidmarsh was placed on administrative leave Friday after it learned about his personal conduct. He resigned Sunday effective immediately. MPR couldn't immediately reach Tidmarsh for comment. Sydney Lupkin, NPR News. This is NPR. In Los Angeles today, tens of thousands of Dodgers fans are saluting their favorite team after the Dodgers' thrilling Game 7 World Series win over the weekend. Steve Futterman with details.

The streets in downtown L.A. were lined up with Dodger fans wearing caps and jerseys, carrying signs, and cheering. One of the most popular Dodgers being saluted was pitcher Clayton Kershaw, the longest serving Dodger. In his final year as a player, he won his third World Series. I know the Dodgers have always been a lot to the sitting for generations. It's part of people's families. And so for us to get to do this in front of them, it just means a world to me, and I know all the rest of the guys. The Dodgers are the first major league team to win back-to-back World Series in 25 years, and some of the optimistic fans are already talking about a three-peat next season.

For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles. OpenAI has signed a $38 billion deal with Amazon to run OpenAI systems on Amazon's cloud services. Last week, regulators in Delaware and California clear the way for Open AI to continue with a new business structure to raise capital and make a profit. Amazon is a financial supporter of NPR. Kleenex maker Kimberly Clark is offering to buy Tylenol's parent company in a deal that's valued at nearly $49 billion. Tylenol maker Kenvue stock suffered in recent weeks following unfounded claims by President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kenney, Jr. about the safety of the pain reliever. This is NPR News. Making time for the news is important, but when you need a break, we've got you covered on

All Songs Considered, NPR's music podcast. Think of it like a music discovery show, a well-deserved escape with friends, and yeah, some serious music insight. I'm going to keep it real. I have no idea what the story is about. Your new episodes of All Songs Considered every Tuesday, wherever you get podcasts.