NPR News Now – January 8, 2026, 6AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Length: ~5 minutes
Theme: Overnight and early-morning headlines covering a police shooting in Minneapolis, a deadly event at a Salt Lake City church, US military operations in Venezuela, sweeping federal policy changes, and breaking news in Los Angeles.

1. Fatal ICE Shooting Sparks Outrage in Minneapolis

[00:13–01:46]

• Incident Overview:

  • A woman, Renee Nicole Goode, was shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
  • Official accounts diverge: the Trump administration claims self-defense, but videos viewed by NPR depict an officer demanding Goode exit her SUV, grabbing the door, and then the vehicle moving as the agent fires.

• Community Reaction (Erica Zurek reporting):

  • Hundreds gathered for a vigil; the crowd chanted and mourned along Portland Avenue.
  • Local resident Simia Osman voiced a sense of fear and frustration:

    “We're being targeted and this is not acceptable. An innocent woman, Renee Nicole Goode, just got killed for no reason. I want her to rest in peace and I want our city and our nation to wake up.”
    —Simia Osman [01:17]

  • The vigil attendees emphasized solidarity with the Goode family and broader concerns over ICE activity in their neighborhoods.

2. Deadly Shooting at Salt Lake City Church

[01:46–02:15]

• Incident Summary:
  • A shooting occurred outside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints during a funeral service.
  • Salt Lake City Police said at least eight people were shot:

    “We know that there are at least eight victims. I can confirm that two of them have died. Three of them are in critical condition and three others are in unknown condition.”
    —Glenn Mills, SLC police spokesman [02:05]

  • No suspects were in custody as of the report.

3. US Military Operation in Venezuela – Congressional Response

[02:15–03:14]

• Briefing Details (Barbara Sprunt reporting):
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed Congress after a US military operation in Venezuela concluded—lawmakers had not been notified beforehand.
  • Outlined three “steps”:
    1. Quarantine: Sanctioned oil sales, with proceeds managed under US oversight.
    2. Recovery: Future reopening of the Venezuelan market under “fair” principles, with details lacking.
    3. Transition: Unspecified plans for governance or further intervention.
  • Political Divide:
    • Republicans praised the operation.
    • Democrats criticized lack of transparency and called for public hearings.

      “Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on the administration to answer questions in public hearings.”
      [paraphrased, 03:09]

4. Trump Administration Cuts International Funding

[03:14–03:36]

• Policy Shift:
  • Funding withdrawn from 66 international organizations, including UN agencies and NGOs in migration, Mideast peace, and climate change.
  • Secretary Rubio condemned programs tied to “climate orthodoxy.”

5. New Dietary Guidelines Announced

[03:36–04:32]

• Overview (Allison Aubrey reporting):

  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. introduced new nutrition guidelines—the most sweeping in decades.
  • The new food pyramid gives prominence to red meat, vegetables, and fruits.
  • Emphasis on whole foods, healthy proteins, and fats; a move away from highly refined foods and limits on added sugars.
  • Kennedy’s comments:

    “Protein and healthy fats are essential, and we're wrongly discouraged in prior dietary guidelines. We are ending the war on saturated fats.”
    —Robert F. Kennedy Jr. [04:11]

• Impact:

  • Guidelines shape school meals, military rations, and federal food aid.

6. Legal Update – Nick Reiner Case

[04:32–04:56]

• Case Status:
  • In Los Angeles, Nick Reiner (son of director Rob Reiner) was not formally charged with the killing of his parents; never entered a plea.
  • His attorney withdrew for undisclosed reasons; he will now have a public defender.

Memorable Quotes

• “We're being targeted and this is not acceptable... I want our city and our nation to wake up.”
  —Simia Osman, Minneapolis resident [01:17]

• “We know that there are at least eight victims... two of them have died.”
  —Glenn Mills, Salt Lake City Police [02:05]

• “Protein and healthy fats are essential... We are ending the war on saturated fats.”
  —Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health [04:11]

Notable Timestamps

• 00:13 — Korva Coleman: Minneapolis ICE shooting overview
• 00:59 — Erica Zurek: On-the-ground reporting at the Minneapolis vigil
• 01:46 — Salt Lake City church shooting update
• 02:15 — Venezuela operation briefing and partisan reactions
• 03:14 — Trump administration international funding cuts
• 03:54 — New federal dietary guidelines announced
• 04:32 — Nick Reiner case status update

Episode Takeaway

This episode delivers a concise yet packed update on major overnight events—from police violence and community trauma in Minneapolis, a tragic church shooting in Salt Lake City, U.S. foreign policy maneuvers in South America, transformative food policy, and a developing Hollywood legal story. Each story highlights sharp divides—either in community outrage, political response, or policy direction—shaping the national conversation as the day begins.