NPR News Now – January 8, 2026, 10AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the day’s top headlines in U.S. politics, international relations, economic updates, public health debates, and a high-profile legal case, providing concise, critical updates with direct reporting from correspondents. The tone is urgent and factual, encapsulating fast-moving news stories for listeners to stay informed.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Protests in Minneapolis Over ICE Shooting

[00:24–01:27]

• Summary:
  Fresh protests have erupted in Minneapolis after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Goode in her car.

• Official Response:

  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the ICE agent, claiming Goode struck him with her car.
  • NPR reviewed several videos showing the agent was not apparently struck and was able to walk after firing.

• State Reaction:

  • Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison criticized Noem’s premature defense and her labeling of Goode as a "domestic terrorist" without evidence.

• Notable Quote:

  "You would think that the Homeland Security secretary would be the first to say, let's suspend judgment and look into it. That's not what we saw."
  — Keith Ellison, Minnesota State Attorney General [01:04]

2. US Withdraws from Dozens of International Organizations

[01:27–02:28]

• Summary:
  The Trump administration announced withdrawal from 66 international organizations, many of them UN agencies, citing waste and progressive agendas.

• Secretary of State’s Position:

  • Marco Rubio criticized "a sprawling architecture of global governance," targeting programs on gender equity and climate.
  • Further expansion of prior moves: dismantled USAID, pulled funding from UN offices combatting sexual violence and violence against children, and withdrew from the UN Peacebuilding Fund (supporting, among others, Israeli and Palestinian civil society).
  • Despite withdrawal, the US was not a top donor to the Peacebuilding Fund.

• Notable Quote:

  "He's taking aim at what he calls a sprawling architecture of global governance... blasted programs aimed at gender equity and what he calls climate orthodoxy."
  — Michelle Keleman, NPR Correspondent [01:45]

3. Economic & Labor Market Updates

[02:28–03:19]

• US Trade Deficit:

  • The trade gap narrowed significantly to just over $29 billion in October, a 39% decrease from the previous month.
  • Exports rose, imports fell.

• Workforce Productivity:

  • Labor productivity up nearly 5% in late summer/early fall, which helps wage growth without stoking inflation.
  • Wage growth overall has slowed in response to a softening labor market.
  • A slight uptick in unemployment benefit applications; detailed December unemployment report coming soon.

• Notable Quote:

  "When workers are more productive, they can earn higher wages without putting upward pressure on prices."
  — Scott Horsley, NPR Correspondent [02:55]

4. Congressional Pushback on Presidential War Powers

[03:19–03:35]

• Senate Debate:
  • Senate considering a resolution to limit President Trump’s authority for military action in Venezuela without Congressional approval.
  • Parallel Democratic efforts seek to block action against Greenland, highlighting Congressional resistance to executive military decisions.

5. Renewed Ivermectin Misinformation & Doctors’ Concerns

[03:35–04:38]

• Public Health Concern:
  Despite being discredited for COVID and lacking evidence for cancer treatment, interest in Ivermectin is rising.

  • Some patients are opting out of established cancer therapies in favor of Ivermectin.

• Medical Community:

  • Doctors are alarmed by politically-fueled disinformation, particularly propagated via conservative social media.

• Policy Developments:

  • Five Republican-led state legislatures have made Ivermectin available over the counter.
  • Florida is funding cancer research into Ivermectin.

• Notable Quote:

  "The nature of politics today, where it really does permeate so many dimensions of people's lives, makes its way into the exam room. It does. I mean, there's no doubt about that."
  — Dr. Jonathan Mizrahi, New Orleans Oncologist [04:18]

6. Legal Update: Nick Reiner Case

[04:38–05:04]

• Developments:
  • Nick Reiner, son of Rob and Michelle Reiner, was not formally charged with their deaths as his lawyer withdrew from the case, with no reason provided.
  • He will now be represented by a public defender.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Jumping to Conclusions:
  "You would think that the Homeland Security secretary would be the first to say, let's suspend judgment and look into it. That's not what we saw."
  — Keith Ellison (01:04)

• On Global Governance Critique:
  "He's taking aim at what he calls a sprawling architecture of global governance... blasted programs aimed at gender equity and what he calls climate orthodoxy."
  — Michelle Keleman (01:45)

• On Politics in Medicine:
  "The nature of politics today, where it really does permeate so many dimensions of people's lives, makes its way into the exam room."
  — Dr. Jonathan Mizrahi (04:18)

Important Timestamps

• ICE Minneapolis protest & shooting: 00:24–01:27
• US exits 66 international orgs: 01:27–02:28
• Economic updates/Trade deficit: 02:28–03:19
• Senate war powers debate & Greenland: 03:19–03:35
• Ivermectin disinformation rise: 03:35–04:38
• Nick Reiner court update: 04:38–05:04

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