NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-13-2025 6AM EST

Episode Date: November 13, 2025

NPR News: 11-13-2025 6AM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, on Korva Coleman, the historic federal government shutdown has come to an end. The House passed the short-term spending bill last night. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports, President Trump signed it soon after. President Trump signed the bill in a late-night ceremony from the White House where he continued to blame the Democrats for the shutdown. This was an easy extension, but they didn't want to do it the easier way. They had to do it the hard way. They looked very bad the Democrats do. The package funds most of the government through the end of January, but also includes three years of funding for some other programs, including agriculture and military.

The legislation also includes a provision that would reverse layoffs of federal workers that were made during the shutdown and ensure retroactive pay for those who were furloughed. And Trump again pressed to end the Senate's filibuster rule that requires 60 votes to bring legislation to the floor. Franco, Ordonez, NPR News. With the House back in session, Speaker Mike Johnson swore Arizona Democratic Congresswoman Adelaide Gerhalva into office. Her oath taking was delayed for 50 days. That also delayed action on a discharge petition intended to force a House vote. This demands the full release of files on late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Girhalva spoke immediately after taking her oath. I will sign the discharge petition right now.

to release the Epstein files. Her signature provides a majority for the petition. Speaker Johnson says he'll hold that vote next week. This came on the day Democrats and then Republicans on the House Oversight Committee released emails from Epstein's estate. Some emails raise new questions about his ties to President Trump. The White House says the emails prove nothing and were released by Democrats in an effort to smear the president.

Even though the government shutdown is over, air travel is still reduced. The government has cut flights in the U.S. by 6%. That is, until enough air traffic controllers are able to return to work. The U.S. Mint says it has stopped making pennies after producing them for more than 200 years. NPR's Rafael NAM says the last penny coin was minted in Philadelphia. The end of this tiny little coin had already been announced by President Trump back in February. Producing each penny was costing the U.S. government. nearly four cents, and ending production will save the U.S. more than $50 million a year. But the move to face at the penny has been a big pain for many retailers and banks,

which are struggling to provide exact change. After all, pennies remain legal tender, meaning that they can still be used. Chances are, though, many of them will stay where they've probably been for years, in big jars, coffee cans, or somewhere under the cushion of your couch. Rafael NAMM, NPR News. This is NPR. Civil rights leader, Reverend Jesse Jackson, has been hospitalized in Chicago. His organization, the Rainbow Push Coalition, says he is being treated for a neurodegenerative condition. It's called progressive supranuclear palsy.

The group says he has been managing PSP for more than a decade. Jackson is 84. Missouri National Guard troops are being deployed to assist ICE agents in that state, Missouri's largest black police union is objecting. Members fear the deployment could break trust with communities of color. From St. Louis Public Radio, Andrea Henderson has more. Early last month, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe authorized troops to help ICE agents with clerical duties as arrest spike under the Trump administration. Donnie Walters leads the Ethical Society of Police, St. Louis's Black Police Union. He says the heavy-handed tactics from federal agents and troops seem.

in some cities across the country, makes them worry about what happens after they leave. Let's say they come in for six weeks, and whatever they're doing, when they leave, we now are left with the fallout. Walter says sending in more troops and ICE agents doesn't reduce crime. Job training and equal access to education and housing does. For NPR News, I'm Andrea Henderson in St. Louis. The Robotoxy Company Waymo says it's going to expand its service to include freeways and interstates. The driverless taxis will offer this service in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. Waymo's greatly expanded service in the Bay Area down to San Jose.

I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News.