Why Democrats may have 'wind at their back' after shutdown fight
The Senate just passed a government funding deal, and House members will vote soon. Many Democrats wanted the party to hold out for Affordable Care Act subsidies, and some of them have turned against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, even though he opposed the deal. Schumer's former legislative director, Jim Kessler, explains more.And, the Food and Drug Administration is removing a decades-old warning on hormone replacement therapy products for women experiencing menopause. Theresa Gaffney, a reporter at STAT, the health and medicine publication, joins us to discuss.Then, this Veterans Day, Marine Corps chaplain Navy Lt. Terry A. Roberts joins us to reflect on what the day means to him and how he sees his role as sort of a father figure to young Marines on the battlefield.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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18:29
Home heating assistance in limbo as cold snap sweeps U.S.
As lawmakers in Washington take steps toward ending the government shutdown, University of Pennsylvania energy expert Sanya Carley talks about federal home heating help known as LIHEAP, which is not being paid out to residents of several states as a cold snap arrives. Then, former Department of Justice pardon attorney Liz Oyer discusses President Trump's pardons of allies linked to efforts to undermine the 2020 election. And, the Supreme Court heard a case Monday about a Rastafari man who grew dreadlocks for his religion. When he was in prison, guards shaved his hair against his will. Shamara Wyllie Alhassan, assistant professor of African American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, explains the importance of dreadlocks in the Rastafari religion. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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21:05
Voters want affordability, elections show
High-profile wins for Democrats in New York, New Jersey and Virginia showed how important affordability is to voters. The New York Times' David Leonhardt tells us more. Then, Salman Rushdie talks about his book "The Eleventh Hour," a quintet of stories set in India, America, and England. It's his first fiction he has published since he suffered a knife attack in 2022. And, the team at the New England Aquarium in Boston has created a “geriatric island” for their elderly penguin residents. Eric Fox, associate curator of penguins at the aquarium, discusses the benefits of the special retreat.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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26:20
After 20 terms, Rep. Nancy Pelosi will not seek reelection
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday she will not seek reelection after 20 terms. Scott Shafer from KQED in San Francisco details Pelosi’s storied career.And, Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ed Markey weighs in on the news of Pelosi’s retirement and how the record-long government shutdown is impacting his constituents.Then, the Federal Aviation Administration is cutting flights by 10% at 40 airports across the country starting Friday in an attempt to keep the airspace safe amid shutdown-induced staffing shortages. David Slotnick, contributing aviation editor at The Points Guy, explains what this means.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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What Zohran Mamdani's win in NYC means for Democrats
According to New York City’s Board of Elections, more than 2 million people voted in Tuesday's mayoral race, the largest turnout in more than 50 years. The victor? Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani. Spectrum News NY1's Ayana Harry joins us. Then, Democratic National Committee vice chair Malcolm Kenyatta talks about what Democratic election wins across the U.S. mean for the party's strategy going forward. And, President Trump's family made more than $800 million from its cryptocurrency ventures in the first half of 2025 alone, according to a Reuters report. We speak with Fortune’s Jeff John Roberts about the Trump family’s increasing presence in the world of cryptocurrency.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
The news you need to know today — and the stories that will stick with you tomorrow. Plus, special series and behind-the-scenes extras from Here & Now hosts Robin Young and Scott Tong with help from Producer Chris Bentley and the team at NPR and WBUR.
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