NPR News Now – January 6, 2026, 4PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: January 6, 2026
Episode Length: 5 minutes

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now provides a concise, up-to-the-minute roundup of major headlines and developments from around the world and the U.S. Key stories include upheaval in Venezuela following the ousting of President Nicolas Maduro, ongoing political tensions in the U.S. on the anniversary of the January 6th Capitol attack, concerns over a NASA library closure, a major abortion ruling in Wyoming, and the close of the Vatican’s jubilee year. The episode delivers critical context, a range of voices, and insights on matters of immediate public and political consequence.

Major News Stories and Key Insights

1. Venezuelan Unrest After Maduro’s Downfall

[00:19–01:00]

• Large-scale Pro-Maduro Marches:

  • Crowds gathered in Caracas supporting deposed President Maduro, contrasting with celebrations by Venezuelans abroad.
  • Ongoing uncertainty and mixed feelings about recent U.S. intervention.

• U.S. Military Involvement:

  • President Trump claims a complex raid was executed, involving 152 aircraft and significant ground forces.
  • Trump’s rhetorical style:

    "People are saying it goes down with one of the most incredible. It was so complex, 152 airplanes. Many, many talk about boots on the ground. We had a lot of boots on the ground."
    (Donald Trump, 00:49)

• Aftermath:

  • Venezuelan officials report dozens of civilian casualties during the raid.

2. Political Violence and January 6th Anniversary in the U.S.

[01:00–02:11]

• Capitol Attack, Five Years Later:

  • Some individuals convicted in the 2021 Capitol attack marched to the Capitol once again, marking the anniversary.

• Continued Divisiveness:

  • Data highlight persistently high political violence, with experts blaming heated rhetoric from leaders.
  • Pardoned rioters continue to promote conspiracy theories; echoes of unsubstantiated fraud claims appear on official channels.

• Expert Perspective:

  • Shannon Hiller of Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative expresses concern:

    "What I worry about the attack on January 6th is that we're actually diverging in this country further. That sets us back in where we ultimately need to be, which is at least agreeing on some of the facts of that day so that we can agree on the way forward from there."
    (Shannon Hiller, 01:46)

  • The mistrust and violence have reportedly begun to erode local community unity.

3. NASA Goddard Library Closure Sparks Preservation Fears

[02:11–03:03]

• Closure of Historic Research Library:

  • Goddard's staff criticize the "hasty and disorganized" shutdown, fearing the loss of irreplaceable scientific documents.
  • The closure is part of a Trump administration campus consolidation.

• Concerns from Scientists:

  • Retired planetary scientist Dave Williams highlights the unique and continuing utility of data from early planetary probes:

    "It's sort of a long term record, really of the solar system. In other words, probes that went to Mars or Venus or whatever in the 60s and 70s, you know, those data are still useful to see."
    (Dave Williams, 02:47)

• Response:

  • NASA and Goddard officials assert staff will retain access to necessary resources.

4. Financial Markets

[03:03–03:16]

• Stock Update:
  • U.S. stocks climbed, with the Dow closing up 484 points (almost 1%) at 49,462.

5. Wyoming Supreme Court Strikes Down Abortion Bans

[03:16–04:06]

• Legal Milestone:
  • The court invalidated bans, including those restricting abortions to certain scenarios and a full ban on abortion pills.
  • Ruling hinged on Wyoming’s constitutional amendment regarding adult autonomy over healthcare.
  • State attorneys failed to convince the court that the amendment did not apply to abortion rights.

6. Vatican Jubilee Year Closes with Call for Compassion

[04:06–04:55]

• Ceremony at the Vatican:

  • Pope Leo concludes the jubilee year by shutting the holy door of St. Peter's Basilica—an act witnessed by record numbers of pilgrims.

• Papal Message:

  • Central theme: support and care for immigrants.
  • The Pope urges Christians to "welcome strangers" and "resist... the flattery and seduction of those in power."

• Memorable Quote:

  "In the place of inequality, may there be fairness, and may the industry of war be replaced by the craft of peace."
  (Pope Leo, paraphrased in Ruth Sherlock's report, 04:40)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump on the Venezuela raid:
  "It was so complex, 152 airplanes... We had a lot of boots on the ground." (00:49)

• Shannon Hiller on January 6th's impact:
  "What I worry about the attack on January 6th is that we're actually diverging in this country further. That sets us back..." (01:46)

• Dave Williams on NASA document preservation:
  "It's sort of a long term record... those data are still useful to see." (02:47)

• Pope Leo via Ruth Sherlock:
  "In the place of inequality, may there be fairness, and may the industry of war be replaced by the craft of peace." (04:40)

Segment Timestamps

• Venezuelan unrest & U.S. intervention: 00:19–01:00
• January 6th anniversary & political violence: 01:00–02:11
• NASA Goddard library closure: 02:11–03:03
• Stock market update: 03:03–03:16
• Wyoming abortion ruling: 03:16–04:06
• Vatican jubilee ceremony & pope’s message: 04:06–04:55

NPR News Now delivers a focused global and national news roundup, highlighting stories of political transformation, ongoing polarization, institutional change, legal battles, and moral appeals for justice and compassion.