NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-04-2025 9AM EST

Episode Date: November 4, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corva Coleman. Polls are opening across the country for general elections today. In closely watched elections, voters will choose a new mayor in New York City. And NPR's Ashley Lopez says voters are selecting governors in New Jersey and in Virginia. Democrats are out of power in Washington, obviously, but governorships have been this area of government where they've been able to somewhat push back against the Trump administration. So the stakes of these races are particularly high for Democrats. In Virginia, Democrats have a decent shot. Abigail Spanberger, a former member of Congress is polling ahead in that race against Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome, Earl Sears. And there's a history of the party and power in the White House typically losing the race for governor in Virginia. NPR's Ashley Lopez reporting. Former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney has died. He was 84 years old. Cheney served as vice president in the administration of George W. Bush. He's survived by his wife Lynn and daughters Mary and Liz Cheney, the former Wyoming Congresswoman. The Trump administration is

restarting SNAP food benefits after a pair of federal court rulings, but they'll pay out just half of what 42 million Americans normally receive. As Chris Polanski of Connecticut public radio reports, one state lawmaker is trying to raise awareness of the hardship faced by SNAP recipients. Connecticut state senator Saude Anwar has spent more than a week living on $6.20 a day. That's the amount an average person on SNAP receives and assistance. Onwar, a Democrat, says the experiment is meant to shine a light on those going without as the federal government shutdown continues. That's the real focus that I want people to pay attention to. And I also want people to pay attention to the fact that we have a responsibility to take care of

our neighbors and the people in our community. How can we sleep when our neighbors are sleeping hungry? More than 360,000 Connecticut residents receive SNAP benefits. For NPR news, I'm clear. Chris Polansky in Hartford, Connecticut. The U.S. is drafting a proposal for a multinational peacekeeping force for Gaza. The proposal would have the force patrolling Gaza for two years. And Biers Daniel Estrin reports. The U.S. is aiming to submit a United Nations Security Council resolution to mandate a multinational force in Gaza. That's according to a person briefed on the matter who is not authorized to speak publicly.

As Axios first reported, the International Stabilization Force would support a new Palestinian police force. Israel and the U.S. want the multinational force to help demilitarize Hamas. Arab countries have resisted the idea of sending peacekeeping troops to do that. The Gaza ceasefire has been broken twice by deadly violence from Hamas and Israel. To prevent more skirmishes, the U.S. asked Israel to allow Hamas militants safe passage out of Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza. Israel is opposing that. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv. You're listening to NPR News. from Washington.

Russia officials say Ukrainian drones have struck a petrochemical plant. The plant is about a thousand miles away from the Ukrainian border deep inside Russia. The plant makes rubber and jet fuel. And officials in Russia say the attack

partially collapsed the plant's water treatment system. No casualties have been reported. The world is still on track for damaging climate change impacts according to a new report from the United Nations. The findings come just before international climate negotiations begin in Brazil next week.

NPR's Lauren Summer has more. Many countries have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, which are warming up the atmosphere like a big blanket. But right now, they're not hitting those goals. The world is still on track for 5 degrees Fahrenheit of warming by the end of the century, compared to pre-industrial temperatures. according to the United Nations Environment Program.

Research shows that would create more extreme storms, heat waves, and droughts. Countries are gathering next week to discuss their climate change efforts, but the U.S. is not planning to send an official delegation. In its first day in office, President Trump announced that the U.S. would pull out of the international agreement on climate change. Lauren Summer, NPR News. A typhoon has crashed into the Central Philippines, sending tens of thousands of people inland to safety. At least three people have been killed in the severe weather.

Authorities are reporting significant flooding. Officials in Vietnam say they are preparing for the storm to reach them next. I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor-free on Amazon Music with a prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR NewsNow Plus at plus.npr.org. That's plus. npr.org.