NPR News Now: January 8, 2026 at 1PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst (NPR)
Date: January 8, 2026

Overview

This 5-minute NPR News Now update provides listeners with the latest national headlines, focusing on ongoing protests in Minnesota after a fatal ICE shooting, legislative attempts to curtail military action in Venezuela, a dramatic U.S. seizure of an oil tanker, a church shooting in Utah, and Avelo Airlines’ decision to end deportation flights. The episode is concise, urgent, and marked by frequent updates on breaking events.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Minneapolis Protests and ICE Shooting

• Incident: Protests in Minneapolis continue after Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot by an ICE agent while in her car.
• Official Response:
  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agent, stating he "was just doing his job" and alleging Good "drove at the agent," a claim disputed by Minnesota officials.
• National Guard Activation:
  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walsh (Democrat) has issued a warning order, putting the state's National Guard on standby.
  • Quote (Kat Lonsdorf, 01:22): "I remind you a warning order is a heads up for folks and these National Guard troops are our National Guard troops."
• Federal Involvement Concerns:
  • Context of recent federalization of state National Guards by President Trump against wishes of Democratic governors, mainly to protect federal immigration interests.
  • Governor Walsh, at a press conference, addressed President Trump directly, emphasizing that "Minnesota does not need any more involvement from the federal government."
• Reporting: Kat Lonsdorf and Greg Myre contributed updates on the unfolding events.

Timestamps:

• [00:37] - Update on protests and shooting
• [01:09] - Governor’s response
• [01:22] - Context of federal vs. state control

2. Senate Advances War Powers Resolution on Venezuela

• Legislative Update:
  • The Senate voted 52–47 to advance a resolution requiring President Trump to obtain Congressional approval before additional military action in Venezuela.
  • Five Republicans joined Democrats in voting for the measure.
• White House Response:
  • President Trump criticized GOP supporters, calling the War Powers Act "unconstitutional" on social media.
• Legislative Odds:
  • Difficult prospects in the GOP-controlled House; a presidential veto expected if it passes.
• Additional Context:
  • U.S. military forces are currently escorting an oil tanker to the U.S. as part of an anti-‘ghost ship’ campaign targeting Venezuelan oil transport.

Timestamps:

• [01:49] - Senate action and reactions
• [02:41] - Details on the oil tanker chase

3. US Military Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tanker

• Incident:
  • U.S. forces pursued the tanker formerly known as Bella 1 as it tried to fetch oil from Venezuela.
  • The ship changed name and flag mid-chase (from Guyana’s flag to Russia’s), but was seized in the North Atlantic between Britain and Iceland.
  • Both ship and crew are now in American custody; this is the fourth such seizure since the campaign started last month.
  • Quote (Kat Lonsdorf, 02:41): "Somewhere along the way, the tanker changed its name from the Bella 1 to the Maranera and also changed its flag from that of Guyana to Russia."

Timestamps:

• [02:41] - Details of the ship’s chase and seizure

4. Salt Lake City Church Shooting

• Incident:
  • Gunman opened fire outside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a memorial service in Salt Lake City.
  • Casualties: 2 killed, 6 injured (at least 3 in critical condition), all adults.
• Investigation:
  • Police: Not a targeted attack against Mormons, but not random either.
• Quote (Jeanine Herbst, 03:25): "At least two people were killed, six others injured outside a church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."

Timestamps:

• [03:25] - Breaking news on church shooting

5. Avelo Airlines Ends Deportation Flights

• Company Update:
  • Budget airline Avelo ends cooperation with ICE, citing lack of profitability.
• Protests and Reaction:
  • The airline had faced protests for its participation in deportation flights; the New Haven Immigrants Coalition called for a boycott.
  • Quote (Ann Watkins, 04:31): "We're really thrilled that they've decided to stop participating in human trafficking and kidnapping, detention and deportation of people of our friends, our neighbors, our colleagues, our kids, teachers."
• Flights Ending:
  • Final flights from Mesa, Arizona, scheduled to end later this month.

Timestamps:

• [04:11] - Avelo’s announcement and protester reaction

6. Markets Update

• Current Indices:
  • Dow: +319 points
  • NASDAQ: –117 points
  • S&P 500: +2 points

Timestamps:

• [04:52] - Financial markets update

Notable Quotes and Moments

• State-Federal Tension over National Guard

  • Governor Walsh, via Kat Lonsdorf: "These National Guard troops are our National Guard troops." [01:22]

• War Powers Debate

  • Jeanine Herbst: "On social media, Trump slammed Republicans who voted for it, calling it a War Powers act unconstitutional." [01:49]

• Tanker Seizure Tactics

  • Kat Lonsdorf: "The tanker changed its name from the Bella 1 to the Maranera and also changed its flag from that of Guyana to Russia." [02:41]

• Community Reaction to Deportation Flights

  • Ann Watkins: "We're really thrilled that they've decided to stop participating in human trafficking and kidnapping, detention and deportation of people of our friends, our neighbors, our colleagues, our kids, teachers." [04:31]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:37] Minneapolis protests & ICE shooting update
• [01:09] National Guard standby order explained
• [01:49] Senate Venezuela War Powers resolution
• [02:41] U.S. military’s oil tanker seizure
• [03:25] Salt Lake City church shooting
• [04:11] Avelo Airlines ends ICE flights
• [04:52] Markets update

This episode offered a rapid yet thorough rundown of breaking national news. The tone remained objective and urgent, with direct reporting and clear attributions, keeping listeners informed of the latest developments across the U.S.