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At present’s prime tales
NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent Domenico Montanaro joins the publication as we speak to interrupt down the 2025 off-year elections.
Up and down the poll, Democrats did nicely, from the marquee gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey to a key redistricting poll initiative in California and even state Supreme Court docket races in Pennsylvania. Listed here are 5 takeaways from the 2025 off-year elections:
Voters forged their ballots at a polling station on Nov. 4, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. Virginians hit the polls on Election Day to select their subsequent governor.
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Alex Wong/Getty Photos
It is nonetheless the price of residing, silly. Costs, costs, costs. Affordability was a via line in a lot of the races Tuesday. President Trump’s lack of deal with it probably damage his social gathering, as voters overwhelmingly sided with Democrats on the economic system. Republicans nonetheless have a Trump downside — in two other ways. Republican candidates are in a quandary — Trump is unpopular and a drag with independents, however with out him on the poll, they proceed to have issues turning out base voters. The Trump stoop with Latinos seems to be actual. Trump made inroads with Latinos in 2024, however that has slid backward. Latinos selected Democrats within the governors’ races by 2-to-1 margins. The redistricting arms race is on, and Democrats received a lift Tuesday on that entrance. Sure on Prop 50 gained huge, giving Democrats an opportunity to counterbalance GOP efforts to squeeze out extra Republican Home seats. It was an enormous win for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, too. The Democratic Get together should wrestle with its identification over the subsequent 12 months. From Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York to Abigail Spanberger for Virginia governor, there’s going to be an actual debate on how greatest for Democrats to current themselves to win in subsequent 12 months’s midterm elections.
Keep knowledgeable with extra information and evaluation by subscribing to the NPR Politics publication and listening to the NPR Politics podcast.
At present marks day 36 of the continued authorities shutdown, making it the longest in U.S. historical past. It takes the title from the latest shutdown, which stretched from December 2018 to January 2019 throughout President Trump’s first time period in workplace. With no sign of ending, Individuals are feeling the worsening impacts daily, from disruptions at airports throughout the U.S. to federal employees going and not using a paycheck. This is how this shutdown compares to earlier ones.
The Supreme Court docket hears arguments as we speak on whether or not Trump can unilaterally set tariff charges beneath the Worldwide Emergency Financial Powers Act. Decrease courts say he has exceeded his authority, whereas Trump argues that the measure permits him to impose tariffs to deal with commerce imbalances and fentanyl imports. Tariffs are producing billions of {dollars} for the federal authorities, however they’re additionally elevating the prices of products for customers and irritating companies. Hearken to the oral arguments within the case right here.
Israeli authorities have arrested and detained the army’s prime lawyer after she admitted leaking footage of Israeli troopers sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee at a facility the place Israel has held Palestinian prisoners all through the warfare in Gaza. The army advocate normal, Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, acknowledged in her resignation letter that she licensed the video’s launch to defuse assaults on investigators dealing with the case. Tomer-Yerushalmi has now been arrested for leaking the footage. Hearken to NPR’s Daniel Estrin focus on the importance of the case with Morning Version or learn the transcript right here.
At present’s hear

Callery pear blossoms.
Charles A. Tilford/Flickr
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Charles A. Tilford/Flickr
Callery pear blossoms.
Charles A. Tilford/Flickr
From each day stress to nonstop information, all of us may want a second to calm our nerves occasionally. NPR’s All Songs Thought of has launched its fourth installment of music to calm you down. It options new releases showcasing ambient sounds from Ozbolt and Klein alongside the hope and good firm discovered within the music of Samia, Hand Habits, KeiyaA, and extra. Hearken to snippets of the songs. You may also immerse your self within the playlist right here.
Dwelling Higher

Our physique is an beautiful time-keeping machine. Each cell that has DNA has a molecular clock, however they do not maintain excellent time on their very own.
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AzmanL/E+/Getty Photos
Dwelling Higher is a particular collection about what it takes to remain wholesome in America.
Scientists say returning to “commonplace time” is useful for our well being, however the adjustment might be disruptive. When our physique’s circadian rhythm is out of sync, dangers for diabetes and coronary heart illness can rise. Listed here are some methods to realign your habits:
⏰ Eat inside a 10-hour window. Additionally, drop the late-night snack.⏰ Preserve a constant sleep schedule so your physique can keep in rhythm.⏰Train whenever you really feel most alert to assist cue your physique to be awake.
The time change presents a fantastic alternative to reset your sleep schedule. Learn extra concerning the adolescent biology of sleep patterns.
3 issues to know earlier than you go

Teen Vogue signage is seen through the 2025 Teen Vogue Summit at NYA WEST on September 20, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Photos for Teen Vogue
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Phillip Faraone/Getty Photos for Teen Vogue
Teen Vogue staffers introduced that they have been laid off because the outlet strikes beneath Vogue.com. The outlet coated trend, superstar, politics and social justice points.Final night time, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear mentioned that there have been at the least seven confirmed deaths and 11 accidents from a United Parcel Service cargo aircraft crash close to the Louisville airport. (by way of LPM)Math lecturers at an Arizona highschool are dealing with demise threats after a Turning Level USA worker falsely accused them of carrying Halloween costumes that mocked the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The educators say it was only a joke about fixing math issues. (by way of KJZZ)
This text was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.



