NPR News: 01-07-2026 9PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: January 7, 2026, 9PM EST

Overview

This rapid-fire five-minute episode of NPR News Now brings listeners up to speed with the day's most important news. Major stories include the Trump administration's education policy in Iowa, community tensions in Minnesota after a fatal ICE shooting, President Trump's evolving relationship with Colombia, the closure of Pittsburgh's historic Post-Gazette, and dangerous winter weather conditions in New England.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Education Policy Flexibility for Iowa

[00:15]–[00:55]

• Ryland Barton reports that the Trump administration is granting Iowa greater control over spending its federal education funds.
  • Iowa was the first to apply for an exemption following Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s invitation to states for more flexibility.
  • Indiana and Oklahoma are pursuing similar exemptions.
• Context: These waivers have existed for years but are gaining renewed traction under President Trump’s administration.

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2. Fatal ICE Shooting in Minnesota & Political Tensions

[00:55]–[01:46]

• Dana Ferguson updates on the shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman, by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
  • DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: The officer fired because he feared the woman would ram her car into him or others.
  • Witness accounts: Officers issued contradictory orders; the victim was apparently trying to turn around.
• Governor Tim Walls (Memorable Quote, [01:23]):

  "I don't want to be right about this, but I said if they do this, they're going to create a chaotic situation where someone innocent is going to get killed. And they did it. And now we hear more political rhetoric. Enough. Enough is enough."

  • Urges protesters to remain nonviolent.
  • Opposes potential deployment of National Guard troops by the Trump administration.

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3. U.S.–Colombia Relations and Public Protests

[01:46]–[02:50]

• Ryland Barton: President Trump suddenly shifts tone after days of antagonism toward Colombian President Gustavo Petro, including threats of military action; after a phone call, Trump invites Petro to the White House.
• Kerry Khan reporting from a massive protest in Bogotá:
  • Crowds display strong support for Petro and anger over U.S. interference in Latin America, especially U.S. actions in Venezuela.
  • Protesters denounce Trump’s personal attacks on Petro ("drug addict," "drug trafficker") and the threat that "maybe he would be next to be removed from office."
  • Protester's Quote (summarized, [02:09]):
    • "President Trump is a psychopath, there's no reason to dialogue with him and they are just here to show their support for Petro."
• Context: Protests reflect escalating tensions in U.S.–Latin American relations.

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4. Stock Market Update

[02:50]–[03:10]

• Ryland Barton:
  • Dow: -1%
  • S&P 500: -0.3%
  • Nasdaq: +0.2%
• Quick snapshot of the day’s closing numbers.

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5. Closure of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[03:11]–[04:37]

• Rachel McDevitt details the imminent shutdown of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after a legal defeat relating to union healthcare reinstatement.
  • The paper's owner opts to close in May rather than fulfill contractual obligations to the union.
  • Attorney Joseph Pass (Memorable Quote, [04:14]):

    "During our negotiations, we have asked them more than once, are you folks claiming you don't have the ability to pay? Oh, no, we are not claiming that."

  • The newsroom strike lasted over three years—the country’s longest—and the Post-Gazette had been in print since 1786.

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6. Dangerous Winter Weather in New England

[04:37]–[04:56]

• Severe storm brings snow, ice, freezing rain, and hazardous roads across all six New England states.
• Dozens of school districts closed; entire region under a National Weather Service advisory.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Governor Tim Walls ([01:23]):

  "I don't want to be right about this, but I said if they do this, they're going to create a chaotic situation where someone innocent is going to get killed. And they did it. And now we hear more political rhetoric. Enough. Enough is enough."

• Protester in Colombia (paraphrased by Kerry Khan, [02:09]):

  "President Trump is a psychopath, there's no reason to dialogue with him and they are just here to show their support for Petro."

• Attorney Joseph Pass ([04:14]):

  "During our negotiations, we have asked them more than once, are you folks claiming you don't have the ability to pay? Oh, no, we are not claiming that."

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Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------|--------------| | Education Waivers for Iowa | 00:15–00:55 | | ICE Shooting in Minnesota | 00:55–01:46 | | U.S.–Colombia Relations | 01:46–02:50 | | Stock Market Update | 02:50–03:10 | | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Closing | 03:11–04:37 | | Winter Storm in New England | 04:37–04:56 |

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Tone & Style

The reporting is brisk, impartial, and matter-of-fact, though emotions break through in direct quotes from affected individuals and officials. The episode moves quickly but gives attention to the day’s main stories, with reporters in multiple locations and perspectives from officials, witnesses, and the public.

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Transcript

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[Ryland Barton]

See Terms Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The Trump administration is giving Iowa more power to decide how it spends its federal education money. Iowa was the first state to apply for an exemption from certain spending rules after Linda McMahon invited states to request the flexibility last year. Such waivers have been offered for years but are finding new interest under President Trump. Indiana and Oklahoma have made similar requests. Minnesota Governor Tim Walls is calling on the state to keep the peace and for the country to ramp down political rhetoric after an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Dana Ferguson reports.

[Dana Ferguson]

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says an ICE officer shot the 37 year old woman in her car, fearing she would ram him or others. Witnesses at the scene say officers yelled contradictory orders at the woman and that she was attempting to turn her car around when the officer fired. The Minneapolis City Council identified the woman as Renee Nicole Good. Walls said local leaders warned about the potential danger of scaling up immigration operations in the state.

[Tim Walls]

I don't want to be right about this, but I said if they do this, they're going to create a chaotic situation where someone innocent is going to get killed. And they did it. And now we hear more political rhetoric. Enough. Enough is enough.

[Dana Ferguson]

He urged protesters to avoid violence and said he didn't want the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops to the state. For NPR News, I'm Dana Ferguson in Minneapolis.

[Ryland Barton]

President Trump has abruptly changed his tone about Colombian President Gustavo Petro days after threatening his country with a military strike. Now Trump says they exchanged a friendly phone call and he invited the Colombian leader to the White House to. Meanwhile, demonstrations took place across Colombia today after Petro denounced U.S. interference in Latin America. NPR's Kerry Khan is at a protest in Bogota.

[Kerry Khan]

The main plaza in downtown Bogota is packed with protesters. They're waving flags, Colombian flags, and shouting their support for Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Many people are expressing indignation over the recent U.S. attacks in neighboring Venezuela and the threats that President Trump has made against their president Gustavo Petro here. He's called him a drug addict, a drug trafficker, and has even threatened that maybe he would be next to be removed from office. I spoke to one man who called President Trump a psychopath, said there's no reason to dialogue with him and they are just here to show their Support. From Pedro.

[Ryland Barton]

NPR's Kerry Kahn in Bogota, Colombia, stocks closed mixed today. At last check, the Dow dropped 1%, the S&P 500 dropped 3/10 of a percent, and the Nasdaq nudged up 2/10 of a percent. I'm Ryland Barton. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The Trump administration is giving Iowa more power to decide how it spends its federal education money. Iowa was the first state to apply for an exemption from certain spending rules after Education Secretary Linda McMahon invited states to request the flexibility last year. Such waivers have been offered for years but are finding new interest under President Trump. Indiana and Oklahoma have made similar requests. Pittsburgh is losing its biggest and oldest newspaper and will become the latest major US city without a paper of record. From member station WESA, Rachel McDevitt reports. The Post Gazette announced it'll shut down following a court loss to its reporters union.

[Rachel McDevitt]

The paper's owner announced it would close this May. On the same day, the US Supreme Court denied the company's request request to pause reinstatement of health care for union members who had been on strike. Attorney for the union, Joseph Pass says the company is choosing to fold instead of honor past contract agreements.

[Joseph Pass]

During our negotiations, we have asked them more than once, are you folks claiming you don't have the ability to pay? Oh, no, we are not claiming that.

[Rachel McDevitt]

Journalists were on strike for more than three years, the longest running strike in the country. The Post Gazette has been in operation in some form since 1786. For NPR News, I'm Rachel McDevitt in Pittsburgh.

[Ryland Barton]

A winter storm system brought snow, ice, freezing rain and dangerous driving to New England. The region is preparing for more unpleasant conditions later in the week. The combination of rain, snow and slush have blanketed roads and caused dozens of school districts to close. All six New England states were under a National Weather Service winter weather advisory today. It's npr.

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