NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-19-2025 7AM EST

Episode Date: November 19, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington on Corva Coleman, Congress has passed legislation intended to force the Justice Department to publish all files on late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. House Speaker Mike Johnson had held up the bill. Over the summer, he dismissed the House early for recess to delay a vote on it, but it passed the House yesterday after President Trump told Republicans to support it. New Mexico Democratic Congresswoman Teresa Lega Fernandez was speaking to a bipartisan vigil when the bill passed the Senate. as many of us who are looking at our phones know that the Senate has passed the bill under unanimous. President Trump has said he would sign it. The legislation instructs the Justice Department to publish the files in 30 days. Names of the victims and information about ongoing federal investigations of Epstein can be redacted. A new NPR, PBS News,

Marist poll is out today. It finds that ahead of next year's midterm elections, Democrats have a big advantage. NPR's Domenico Montanaro explains. The more than 1,400 respondents were asked if the midterm elections took place today, which parties candidate would they vote for in their district? Democrats came out 14 points ahead. That's a whopping lead. The last time it was that wide was eight years ago during President Trump's first term. In 2018, when Democrats won 40 seats and control of the House, their edge was between

six and 12 points. The only question is whether this advantage is coming too soon for the party. A year from now, the political landscape could look very different, but right now, Democrats have the upper hand. Domenico Montanaro, NPR News, Washington. A federal appeals court panel has blocked a Texas effort to redraw its congressional district maps. President Trump had demanded this as a way to send up to five more Republican lawmakers to Congress. Texas officials have appealed. A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Texas law that requires displays of the Ten Commandments in state public schools.

The Texas newsrooms, Lucia Vasquez, has more. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia says it would be, quote, impractical, if not impossible, to protect Texas students from unwelcome religious displays without blocking the law. The bill went into effect in September, but it's already sparked multiple legal challenges. Federal judges and separate cases have blocked the law for 25 school districts across Texas. But in total, the state is home to just over 1,200 districts, and the rulings have mainly impacted the state's largest state. cities. Similar laws in Louisiana and Arkansas have also been struck down by federal courts. For NPR News, I'm Lucio Vasquez in Houston. The Trump administration says it will move

Education Department responsibilities to other agencies. Trump administration officials say this is part of their plan to limit the role of the Education Department. Critics in the move say only Congress has this authority. You're listening to NPR News. Officials in Ukraine say that Russia fired more missiles and drones overnight. At least 19 people have been killed and dozens of others wounded in western Ukraine. Russia hit a Ukrainian apartment building. The attacks were about 120 miles away from Ukraine's border with Poland. These attacks were so heavy, Poland temporarily closed some of its airspace.

There's been a huge fire today in southwestern Japan. The blaze has burned at least 170 homes, at least one person has been killed. For the first time last night, restaurants in Philadelphia and Boston became Michelin Star Destinations. The famous dining guide held an award ceremony in Philadelphia last evening. Michelin officials have announced updates for their northeast cities. From member station W.H.Y.Y., Julia Binswanger, has more.

Michelin's undercover inspectors finally hit Philly in Boston. It's not that the two historic towns lacked star-worthy spots before. this is just the first time their tourism boards have paid for Michelin to come in. Chad and Hannah Williams, the team behind Philadelphia's Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and its newly minted Michelin star, we're grateful that the guide is expanding. Here's Chad. Because the talent is here, the chefs are here, the servers are here, the Psalms are here. We just needed that light to shine on us so we can go forward.

In total, one Boston restaurant and three Philly restaurants received one Michelin Star each. Sushi show in New York was the only restaurant awarded three Michelin stars last night. For NPR news, I'm Julia Binswinger in Philadelphia. This is NPR.