NPR News Now — January 8, 2026, 12AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens
Length: ~5 minutes
Theme: Rapid-fire updates on breaking national and international news, with major political, geopolitical, business, and economic developments.

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now centers on a series of urgent news events in the US and globally:

• The controversial fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by US immigration officers and growing protests in the city.
• The Trump administration’s openness to military options for acquiring Greenland, raising tensions with Denmark and NATO.
• A diplomatic thaw between President Trump and Colombia’s President amid regional protests.
• US seizure of tankers linked to Venezuelan oil in violation of sanctions.
• Business shakeup as Warner Bros. Discovery rejects a major takeover bid from Larry Ellison’s family in favor of Netflix.
• Market updates and outlook.

Major News Stories

1. Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis by Immigration Officer

• [00:20] Host Shea Stevens reports on conflicting accounts following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Goode, 37, by a US immigration officer.

  • The Trump administration claims Goode posed a threat; local witnesses disagree.
  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz rebukes the federal response:

    “These are the consequences of governance by fear and reality tv.”
    (Shea Stevens quoting Governor Walz, 00:43)

• [00:45] On-the-ground reaction from a Minneapolis resident/protester:

  “They don't tell us they're coming. They don't say why they're sending the largest deployment in American history to Minneapolis... They're not making us any safer… They should be talking to us when we do these things. Let us know we are going to be down here. This is going to happen.”
  (Minneapolis Resident/Protester, 00:45-01:00)

• [01:00] Protesters gathered in the snow for a vigil honoring Goode.

2. U.S. Considers Military Options for Greenland

• [01:00] Host reports White House has not ruled out military actions regarding US acquisition of Greenland.
• [01:23] Deepa Shivaram’s report:
  • Press Secretary Caroline Levitt asserts:

    "The president has been very open and clear with all of you and with the world that he views it in the best interest of the United States to deter Russian and Chinese aggression in the Arctic region."
    (Caroline Levitt, 01:36)

  • US justifies the move as vital for Arctic control; Denmark firmly opposes any sale or force.
  • Denmark’s Prime Minister warns a US military action would "effectively dissolve NATO."
  • President Trump posts US loyalty to NATO, “even if it's not reciprocated.”

3. Trump-Petro Diplomatic Thaw amid Colombian Protests

• [02:11] President Trump and Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro reportedly set to meet after months of tense exchanges.
• [02:29] Gary Khan reporting from Bogotá:
  • At a mass protest, Petro adopts a softer tone, emphasizing direct dialogue.
  • Background: Trump had previously threatened military intervention in Colombia, referencing Venezuela.
  • Protesters rally with slogans: "Latin America doesn't want kings" and "Colombia will never be a colony."
  • 74-year-old protester Roberto Cordoba expresses skepticism:

    "You can't trust that man… He's a psychopath." (Roberto Cordoba, 03:06)

4. Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tankers

• [03:16] The US seizes two tankers allegedly in violation of sanctions, per the Trump administration.
  • Vessels were surveilled and apprehended in the North Atlantic.
  • Crew to be prosecuted in the US.

5. Warner Bros. Discovery Rejects Larry Ellison Takeover

• [03:54] David Folkenflick covers the failed $100B+ bid by Oracle’s Larry Ellison and his son.
  • Ellison’s offer personally backed by $40B in guarantees, aimed to merge with Paramount for streaming supremacy.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery’s Sam DiPiazza says Netflix’s bid is preferred:

    "Ultimately he didn't raise the price. So in our perspective, Netflix continues to be the superior offer, a clear path to closing." (Sam DiPiazza, 04:21)

  • Concerns that regulators would likely reject a Paramount takeover due to antitrust risks.

6. Market Updates

• [04:41] US stocks flat in after-hours trading after Wednesday’s losses.
  • The Dow fell 466 points.
  • Asia-Pacific markets mixed, with declines in Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Governor Tim Walz:

  “These are the consequences of governance by fear and reality tv.” (00:43)

• Minneapolis Protester:

  "They're not making us any safer... They should be talking to us..." (00:45-01:00)

• Press Secretary Caroline Levitt:

  "...it’s in the best interest of the United States to deter Russian and Chinese aggression in the Arctic region." (01:36)

• Colombian Protester Roberto Cordoba:

  "You can't trust that man... He's a psychopath." (03:06)

• Sam DiPiazza (Warner Bros. Discovery):

  "Netflix continues to be the superior offer, a clear path to closing." (04:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Fatal Minneapolis Shooting: 00:20 – 01:00
• Greenland Takeover Debate: 01:00 – 02:11
• US-Colombia Diplomacy/Protests: 02:11 – 03:16
• US Seizes Venezuelan Tankers: 03:16 – 03:54
• Warner Bros. Business News: 03:54 – 04:41
• Market Recap: 04:41 – 04:58

Summary:
This newscast vividly captures the unrest and political turbulence in Minneapolis, the Trump administration’s bold foreign policy posturing, growing Latin American anxieties over US intervention, a high-stakes showdown in the streaming and entertainment industries, and a quick global financial snapshot—all in NPR's signature concise, urgent tone.