NPR News: 01-05-2026 7AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – 7AM EST, January 5, 2026: Episode Summary

Overview

This morning’s NPR News Now delivers a fast-paced rundown of major global and U.S. stories, ranging from dramatic political developments in Venezuela to new turns in the Uvalde school shooting response trial, updates from the entertainment industry, and a heads-up on severe weather in California.

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Key News Highlights & Discussion Points

1. Venezuelan Political Upheaval & U.S. Involvement

• Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is set for a New York City court appearance on charges of narco terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S.

• Celia Maduro, Nicolás’ wife, also faces charges. The couple was apprehended by U.S. forces during a raid in Caracas.

• Power shift in Venezuela: Delsey Rodriguez, previously vice president under Maduro, has been sworn in as president by a loyalist Supreme Court. Her initial hardline stance shifted to a more conciliatory tone post-capture.

• U.S. political response: Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump have demanded compliance from Venezuela's new government, hinting at further military actions if demands are not met.

• Exiled opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez (regarded as the 2024 election winner) released a video claiming the presidency and calling for the release of political prisoners.

  “Venezuelan officials now in power must follow US Demands or face further military action.”
  — Carrie Kahn, NPR Reporter (00:55)

  “Rodriguez put out a conciliatory statement late Sunday, hours after both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump...”
  — Carrie Kahn (00:55)

2. U.S. and Regional Foreign Policy Escalation

• President Trump escalates rhetoric, suggesting possible action against Colombia and controversial comments on Greenland.

  “Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he’s not going to be doing it very long.”
  — President Trump (01:51)

• The president’s claim that the U.S. “needs to control Greenland” raises alarm internationally. Greenlandic authorities calmly reiterate their autonomy and non-negotiable status (02:00).

3. Uvalde Shooting Trial Developments

• Adrian Gonzalez, a former Uvalde school police officer, faces 29 felony counts over alleged inaction during the 2022 Robb Elementary school shooting.

• He has pleaded not guilty; trial moved to Corpus Christi for impartiality.

• Only two officers have been indicted for their response to the tragedy.

  “Gonzalez faces 29 felony counts of abandoning or endangering a child for his alleged inactions during the response. He’s pleaded not guilty to all the charges.”
  — Marianne Navarro, Texas Public Radio (02:34)

4. Judicial News in Wisconsin

• Judge Hannah Dugan resigns post-conviction for obstructing justice. She unlawfully assisted a migrant in evading immigration authorities and faced threats of impeachment.

5. Movie Industry Recovery & Upcoming Releases

• Box office up 20% over last year; sequels "Avatar 3" and "Zootopia 2" cited as driving forces.

• Anticipated 2026 releases:

  • "Mercy" (AI justice system run amok)
  • "Project Hail Mary" (starring Ryan Gosling as an astronaut)
  • "Goat and P" (animated consciousness-swap sports epic)
  • Two horror sequels: "Scream 7" and "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple"

  “One weekend in, ticket revenue is up 20% over last year, thanks to holiday sequels.”
  — Bob Mondello, NPR (03:47)

  “I met an alien. He’s kind of growing on me. At least he’s not growing in me, you know, which was a concern for a little while.”
  — Unnamed character from "Project Hail Mary" (04:10)

6. Weather Alert: Northern California Flooding

• Flood watches for most of Northern California due to saturated ground, high tides, and a full moon.
  • Coastal flood warnings for the San Francisco Bay are in effect.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Rodriguez put out a conciliatory statement late Sunday, hours after both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump said Venezuelan officials now in power must follow US Demands or face further military action.”
  — Carrie Kahn, 00:55

• President Trump on Colombia's leadership:
  "Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he's not going to be doing it very long."
  — 01:51

• On upcoming cinema:
  "I met an alien. He's kind of growing on me. At least he's not growing in me, you know, which was a concern for a little while."
  — 04:10

• Movie commentary exchange:
  "This is like Avatar." — 04:22
  "This is nothing like Avatar." — 04:23

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Venezuelan Power Shift & U.S. Relations: 00:18–01:38
• Trump Comments on Colombia & Greenland: 01:38–02:00
• Uvalde Officer Trial: 02:34–03:12
• Wisconsin Judge Resignation: 03:12–03:47
• Movies & Entertainment Industry Outlook: 03:47–04:25
• California Flooding Alert: 04:33–04:56

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This brisk episode of NPR News Now keeps listeners abreast of headline events — each element shaping the political, judicial, cultural, and environmental landscape as the week begins.

Transcript

[A]

This message comes from Capital One. With the Venture X card, earn unlimited double miles, a $300 annual capital one travel credit and access to airport lounges. Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms apply. [e-mail] live from NPR News.

[B]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro is set to make a federal court appearance in a few hours in New York City. He faces charges of narco terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S. maduro's wife, Celia, also faces charges. The Maduros were taken over the weekend by US Forces during a raid in Caracas. Venezuela's new leader, Delsey Rodriguez, says she's ready to cooperate with the U.S. she's also urging dialogue. The softer tone is a big shift away from what Rodriguez first said after the U.S. military captured the Maduros. NPR's Carrie Kahn reports.

[C]

Rodriguez put out a conciliatory statement late Sunday, hours after both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump said Venezuelan officials now in power must follow US Demands or face further military action. Rodriguez, who was vice president for the last seven years, was sworn into office by Maduro's loyalist Pact Supreme Court. State media says she was ordered to assume the presidency by the tribunal. And yesterday, Edmundo Gonzalez, who's widely believed to have won Venezuela Venezuela's 2024 election and is now in exile, put out a video calling himself president and demanding all political prisoners in Venezuela be released. Kerry Khan, NPR News, Bogota, Colombia.

[B]

President Trump has been hinting the US Military could take more action. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One yesterday, Trump suggested that might include the president of Colombia, a country that borders Venezuelan.

[D]

Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he's not going to be doing it very long.

[B]

Trump is also saying the US Needs to control Greenland. The remarks have alarmed other countries. Greenland is the largest island in the world with a semi autonomous government. It's controlled by Denmark. Greenlandic authorities say they will continue to calmly point out their island is not for sale. Jury selection begins today in a case related to the mass school shooting in uvalde, Texas, in 2022. A former school district police officer is facing trial over the response to the attack. Texas Public Radio's Marianne Navarro has more.

[E]

Adrian Gonzalez was part of the law enforcement response to the mass shooting at Robb elementary school, which killed 19 students and two teachers. Gonzalez faces 29 felony counts of abandoning or endangering a child for his alleged inactions during the response. He's pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The case will be heard in a Corpus Christi courtroom after Gonzalez's lawyers successfully secured a venue change away from Uvalde, citing concerns that a local jury could not be impartial. Former Uvalde Schools Police Chief P. Arredondo is the only other officer to be indicted. He's awaiting a separate trial. I'm Marianne Navarro in San Antonio.

[B]

You're listening to NPR News. A Wisconsin judge has resigned. Hannah Dugan was convicted last month of obstructing justice after she helped a migrant who appeared in her courtroom earlier last year evade immigration officials. Members of the Republican controlled Wisconsin Legislature had threatened to impeach her. Some films did really well over the weekend at the box office. They include fire and ash. NPR's Bob Mondella reports. Hollywood is hoping this will mean a bright 2026.

[F]

One weekend in ticket revenue is up 20% over last year, thanks to holiday sequels. Avatar 3 and Zootopia 2 never pull a bunny's ear. A single weekend doesn't mean much, but theater owners have reason to be optimistic. The next few months, usually a slow period on the release calendar, will bring two high profile sci fi epics, Mercy, about an AI justice system run amok, and Project Hail Mary, which sends Ryan Gosling into space.

[G]

I met an alien. He's kind of growing on me. At least he's not growing in me, you know, which was a concern for a little while.

[F]

There'll be an animated sports epic called Goat and P about a human consciousness hopping into an animal's body.

[E]

This is like Avatar.

[C]

This is nothing like Avatar.

[F]

Also, two major horror sequels, Scream 7 and 28 years later, the Bone Temple, all before Easter. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[B]

The National Weather Service says flood watches are up for much of Northern California. There are coastal flood warnings, too, around the San Francisco Bay area. The region was saturated by storms over the weekend. The flooding was fueled by exceptionally high tides that came along with the weekend's full moon. I'm Korfa Coleman, NPR News.

[H]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now. [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.