NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-21-2025 11AM EST

Episode Date: November 21, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corva Coleman. President Trump will meet with New York City mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani today at the White House. It's their first in-person meeting, but NPR's Elena Moore reports they've already repeatedly clashed. Trump has been a vocal opponent of Mamdani. He argues that the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist is too extreme, falsely calling him a communist. And in the lead-up to election day, even threatened to pull the city's federal funding if Momdani won. It's a narrative that Mom Dani has pushed back on, vowing to carry out his agenda focused on lowering the cost of living. He spoke about the upcoming White House visit to reporters on Thursday.

My team reached out to the White House to set up this meeting because I will work with anyone to make life more affordable for the more than 8.5 million people who call the city home. Mom Dani's meeting with Trump comes just over a month before he takes office on January 1st. Elena Moore, NPR News. Ukraine's president says his country must be unified. in fresh talks with the U.S. Ukraine is considering a new peace plan advanced by the Trump administration. It calls on Ukraine to give up territory to Russia in exchange for security guarantees. The Trump administration is proposing to expand oil and gas drilling off California,

along with regions of the Arctic and the Gulf. NPR's Kamilat Domenoski has more. The proposal calls for auctioning off leases in the eastern Gulf and the untouched high Arctic in Alaska, as well as up and down the California coast, which hasn't seen new drilling in decades. Oil and gas groups welcome the move as opening up investments. Environmental groups have denounced it as high risk and low reward. Wade Crowfoot, the California Secretary for Natural Resources, called into a press conference from the California coastline and spoke with waves crashing behind him.

Expanding offshore oil drilling is a danger. The plan will be open for public comment for 60 days. Camila Dominovsky, NPR News. Most air traffic controllers will not qualify for $10,000 bonuses awarded for perfect attendance during the federal government shutdown. NPR's Joel Rose reports the Federal Aviation Administration announced those bonuses late yesterday. Only 311 air traffic controllers out of more than 10,000 will qualify for the cash bonuses, according to the controllers' union. Controllers were required to work without pay during the 43-day shutdown. Some took on second jobs and many called out sick, as they dealt with.

with the financial pressure of missing two full paychecks and part of a third. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the bonuses, originally suggested by President Trump, are intended to reward the patriotic men and women who did not miss a single shift during the shutdown. But some controllers called the bonuses unfair and a betrayal. Their union said, quote, more than 311 of these dedicated professionals were instrumental in keeping America moving. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington. On Wall Street, stocks are mixed, but the Dow's up about 150. 50 points. This is NPR. The flight restrictions that were imposed during the government shutdown

have lifted in time for one of the busiest travel times of the year. But some travel snags are still in store for many Americans on the go for football, food, and family. NPR's Amy Held reports. If you have travel plans early to midweek leading up to Thanksgiving, there could be some issues. Meteorologist William Churchill says the system behind flooding rains in Southern California is also on the move. Bringing potential flooding to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and rain elsewhere. Like places from the mid-south, Memphis, St. Louis, eastward. For the return trip, Americans will be giving thanks for milder weather. Traveler numbers are reaching new heights, though, according to AAA. It projects a record near 82 million people are getting away for the week starting Tuesday, mostly by car. Leftovers from the shutdown. AAA says recent flight cancellations could be most. motivating even more motorists. Amy Held and PR News. The Transportation Department has released the design for new crash test dummies.

These updated designs better resemble women, and if adopted, may help make vehicles safer for women. The current model for women is rarely tested in the driver's seat, even though the majority of licensed drivers are female. Grammy-winning rapper Pras Michel of the Fujis has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. He was convicted of illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to Barack Obama's 2012 presidential campaign. Federal prosecutors had sought a life term for him. I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News in Washington.