2025 election results; Longest government shutdown : NPR

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Today's top news

Senior Political Editor/NPR Correspondent Domenico Montanaro joins the newsletter today to report on the upcoming 2025 elections.

Democrats did well in votingfrom high-profile gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey to a key redistricting initiative in California and even to a state Supreme Court election in Pennsylvania. Here five takeaways from the 2025 elections:

1. It's still the cost of living, stupid. Prices, prices, prices. Availability was a deciding factor in most of Tuesday's races. President Trump's lack of focus on the issue has likely hurt his party, as voters have overwhelmingly sided with Democrats on the economy.
2. Republicans still have a problem with Trump, for two reasons. Republican candidates are in a quandary: Trump is unpopular and is making it difficult for independent candidates, but without him on the ballot they still have trouble selecting base voters.
3. Trump's decline among Latinos appears real. In 2024, Trump made a foray into Latinos, but the situation has reversed. Latinos chose Democrats in gubernatorial races by a 2-to-1 margin.
4. The redistricting arms race continues, and Democrats got a boost on that front Tuesday. Yes, Proposition 50 won big.giving Democrats a chance to counterbalance GOP efforts to squeeze out more Republican House seats. It was a big victory for California Governor Gavin Newsom as well.
5. The Democratic Party will have to wrestle with its identity over the next year. From Zohran Mamdani – mayor from New York to Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginiathere will be real debate about how Democrats can best position themselves to win next year's midterm elections.

Stay up to date with news and analytics by subscribing to NPR Politics Newsletter and listening NPR Politics Podcast.

Today marks day 36 of the ongoing government shutdown.making it the longest in US history. It takes its name from the last shutdown, which lasted from December 2018 to January 2019, during President Trump's first term. With no end in sight, Americans are feeling the effects worsen every day, from disruptions at airports across the US to federal workers going without pay. Here How does this shutdown differ from previous ones?.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on whether Trump can unilaterally set tariff rates in accordance with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Lower courts say he overstepped his authority, and Trump argues the measure allows him to impose tariffs to address trade imbalances and fentanyl imports. Tariffs generate billions of dollars for the federal government, but they also increasing the cost of goods for consumers and disappoints business. Listen to oral arguments in the case Here.

Israeli authorities arrested and detained top military lawyer after she admitted to releasing footage of Israeli soldiers sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at a facility where Israel held Palestinian prisoners throughout the Gaza war. Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi said in her resignation letter that she authorized the release of the video to prevent attacks on investigators working on the case. Tomer-Yerushalmi is now under arrest for leaking the footage. Listen to NPR's Daniel Estrin discuss importance of the case With Morning Edition or read the transcript Here.

Today's audition

From daily stress to non-stop news, we can all need a moment to calm our nerves every now and then. NPR All songs reviewed released the fourth part of music that will calm you down. It features new releases showcasing the ambient sounds from Ozbolt and Klein, as well as the hope and good company found in the music of Samia, Hand Habits, KeiyaA and more. Listen to song fragments. You can also dive into the playlist Here.

Live better

Living better is special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.

Scientists say a return to “standard time” is good for our health, but the adjustment could be devastating. When our body's circadian rhythm is out of sync, our risk of developing diabetes and heart disease can increase. Here several ways to change your habits:

• ⏰ Eat within a 10-hour window. Also, avoid late-night snacking.
• ⏰ Maintain a consistent sleep schedule so your body can stay in rhythm.
• ⏰ Exercise when you feel most alert to give your body a signal to stay awake.

Changing your time provides a great opportunity to reset your sleep schedule. Read more about biology of adolescent sleep.

3 things you need to know before your trip

1. Teenage fashion employees reported that they were fired as the outlet is taken over by Vogue.com. The publication covered issues of fashion, celebrities, politics and social justice.
2. Last night, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said there were at least seven confirmed deaths and 11 injuries from the crash. United Parcel Service cargo plane crash close to Louisville Airport. (by using l/min)
3. Arizona high school math teachers receive death threats after Turning Point USA employee gives false information accused them of wearing Halloween costumes that made fun of the murder of Charlie Kirk. The teachers say it was just a joke about solving math problems. (by using KJZZ)

This newsletter has been edited Majd All-Why.