NPR News: 01-01-2026 8PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – January 1, 2026, 8PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: January 2, 2026
Description: The latest key headlines and updates in five minutes.

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Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode covers major U.S. and international developments, public health updates, and cultural milestones as the new year begins. Highlights include fallout from the January 6th Capitol riots, a new humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a severe flu wave in Colorado, paid family leave expansion for NICU parents, and notable works entering the public domain.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Ongoing Fallout from January 6th & Congressional Investigations

[00:15 – 01:22]

• House Republicans Release Jack Smith Testimony

  • The transcript from a closed-door hearing with former special counsel Jack Smith has been released.

  • Smith led investigations into Donald Trump:

    • Alleged efforts to overturn 2020 election results leading to the January 6th, 2021 riots.
    • Improper handling of classified documents post-presidency.

  • Both cases were dropped after Trump’s re-election in 2024; Republicans continue to promote counter-narratives.

  • Jack Smith stands by his work, emphasizing Trump’s personal responsibility:

    “President Trump was, by a large measure, the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy.”
    — Jack Smith (01:08)

• Smith resigned at the closing of Biden’s presidency.

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2. Humanitarian Crisis: Gaza Aid Restrictions

[01:22 – 02:26]

• UN Agencies & NGOs Appeal Israeli Ban on Aid Orgs

  • Israel banned around 40 international organizations (including Doctors Without Borders) from providing aid in Gaza, citing new security and transparency regulations.

  • On-the-ground impact:

    • Noor Zinu, an eight-year-old burn victim, typifies the suffering among 170,000+ injured Palestinians (Gaza health ministry figures).
    • NPR reports the Doctors Without Borders clinic is overwhelmed and faces imminent closure.

    “Doctors Without Borders says it treated a million patients in Gaza in 2025, half the population. They say Palestinians will be deprived of essential care if aid groups lose access to Gaza.”
    — Aya Petrawi (02:08)

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3. Flu Surge in Colorado

[02:26 – 03:08]

• Record Spike in Hospitalizations Post-Christmas

  • Nearly 800 Coloradans hospitalized—an unprecedented figure.

  • Dr. Jennifer Corless (UC Health) comments on the unexpected severity and spread:

    “Colorado, yeah, I think we’re a bit surprised just how big this spike currently is, how contagious this strain is and how sick patients are feeling.”
    — Dr. Jennifer Corless (02:49)

  • Hospitals are bringing in more staff to handle demand.

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4. Expansion of Paid Family Leave for NICU Parents in Colorado

[03:08 – 04:10]

• Additional Paid Leave Now Available
  • Colorado families with babies in neonatal intensive care units can now get another 12 weeks paid leave, in addition to previous allowances.
  • Advocates stress this recognizes the additional hardships:

    “...the extra strain families are under when caring for newborns with significant health problems.”
    — Benta Berkland (03:38)

  • Illinois has similar provisions, but not paid.

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5. Cultural Notes: Works Entering the Public Domain

[04:10 – 04:57]

• Key Works Now Public for the First Time (U.S.)
  • Comics & Animation:
    • Betty Boop and Blondie debut cartoons/strips (initially from 1930).
  • Literature:
    • First Nancy Drew and Miss Marple books.
  • Cinema:
    • Films like Marx Brothers' Animal Crackers.
    • Nine more Mickey Mouse cartoons, two years after Steamboat Willie's first version entered the public domain.

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Highlighted Quotes

• Jack Smith on Accountability:

  “President Trump was, by a large measure, the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy.”
  — Jack Smith, 01:08

• Gaza Aid Crisis Perspective:

  “Doctors Without Borders says it treated a million patients in Gaza in 2025, half the population. They say Palestinians will be deprived of essential care if aid groups lose access to Gaza.”
  — Aya Petrawi, 02:08

• Flu Outbreak Reaction:

  “Colorado, yeah, I think we’re a bit surprised just how big this spike currently is, how contagious this strain is and how sick patients are feeling.”
  — Dr. Jennifer Corless, 02:49

• On Paid Leave for NICU Families:

  “...the extra strain families are under when caring for newborns with significant health problems.”
  — Benta Berkland, 03:38

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Notable Moments & Timestamps

• Smith’s emphatic statement on Trump’s role: 01:08
• Scenes from overcrowded Gaza clinics: 01:42–02:26
• Medical perspective on the Colorado flu crisis: 02:49
• Expansion of paid family leave explained: 03:30–04:10
• Public domain cultural shift explained: 04:10–04:57

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This episode succinctly covers significant political, humanitarian, health, and cultural developments of national and international importance, providing listeners with an informed snapshot of early 2026.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

See Terms Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The January 6th riots on the Capitol happened nearly five years ago, but fallout from the events of the day continue. This week, House Republicans released the transcript of their closed door hearing with former special counsel Jack Smith. NPR's Kadia Riddle has more.

[Kadia Riddle]

Jack Smith led two investigations into President Trump, one over Trump's attempt to cast doubt on the 2020 election results, which led to the January 6th storming of the Capitol. The second was over Trump's handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. The Department of Justice dropped both these cases once Trump was elected again in 2024. And many Republicans have continued to put forth a counternarrative around the events of January. But in his recently released testimony, Smith stood by his findings.

[Jack Smith]

President Trump was, by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy.

[Kadia Riddle]

Smith resigned as former President Biden's tenure was coming to a close. Katie Ariddle, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

UN Agencies working in Gaza, along with several international aid groups, have issued a joint appeal for Israel to reverse a ban on dozens of international organizations that provide food, shelter and health care to Palestinians. MPR Zaire Batrawi has more.

[Aya Petrawi]

Eight year old Noor Zinu cries in pain as a physician at this Doctors Without Borders clinic in Gaza City changes her dressing for severe burns sustained in the war. She's among what the Gaza health ministry says is more than 170,000 Palestinians wounded in Israeli attacks. NPR's Anis Baba visited the clinic's waiting room, which was packed with the wounded and sick. But it faces closure now after Israel banned Doctors Without Borders and around 40 other aid groups from bringing aid or staff into Gaza. Israel says the decision is based on new security and transparency requirements aid groups fail to meet. Doctors Without Borders says it treated a million patients in Gaza in 2025, half the population. They say Palestinians will be deprived of essential care if aid groups lose access to Gaza. Aya Petrawi, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Flu is hitting hard around the country. In Colorado, a record number of people are hospitalized. Colorado Public Radio's John Daly has more.

[John Daly]

After Christmas, Colorado is being rocked by a wave of flu unlike any other in recent years. Nearly 800 people are hospitalized with it. Dr. Jennifer Corless is medical director at UC Health Primary Care in Lone Tree.

[Dr. Jennifer Corless]

Colorado yeah, I think we're a bit surprised just how big this spike currently is, how contagious this strain is and how sick patients are feeling.

[John Daly]

A state health department spokesperson says hospitals are adding staffing to manage the increased volume. For NPR News, I'm John Daly in Denver.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Wall street was closed today in observance of the New Year's Day holiday. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Starting today, Colorado families whose babies spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit or will be able to take additional paid leave. From Colorado Public Radio, Benta Berkland has more.

[Benta Berkland]

Colorado's paid family leave program already allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of work off to care for a new baby or for a serious family health or personal issue and receive most of their pay during that time. Now, families whose babies need to spend time in neonatal intensive care can apply for an additional 12 weeks of paid leave. Backers say this acknowledges the extra strain families are under when caring for newborns with significant health problems. Illinois also allows extra leave for NICU parents, but unlike Colorado, it doesn't have to be paid leave. For NPR News, I'm Benta Brookland.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Betty Boop and Blondie are joining the titles entering the public domain this New Year's day. The first cartoons that featured Boop and the first Blondie comic strips debuted in 1930, and with the passage of 95 years, their US copyrights expired yesterday. The first novels featuring teen detective Nancy Drew and also the first book featuring Agatha Christie's investigator Ms. Marple are also becoming public domain, as are films including the Marx Brothers, Animal Crackers. And meanwhile, nine new Mickey Mouse cartoons are also becoming public domain today, two years after Steamboat Willie made the first version of him public. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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