NPR News Now – January 9, 2026, 11AM EST

Episode Overview

This hourly news update delivers key headlines from around the U.S. and the world, focusing on breaking developments in immigration enforcement, political contrasts between state and federal governments, international legal challenges, public health policy changes, and sports.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Immigration Enforcement Backlash in Minneapolis and Portland

• Minneapolis & Portland Mayors Demand ICE Leave
  • Both cities' mayors are calling on federal immigration authorities to leave after a fatal ICE-involved shooting in Minnesota.
  • The Trump administration is defending both the ICE officers and their ongoing operations.
• Official Responses
  • Vice President J.D. Vance: Defended the ICE agent's actions, stating it was self-defense. (00:58)
  • DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: Asserted the incident won't stop enforcement:

    "The shooting will not deter her agency from carrying out enforcement operations across Minneapolis and the country." (01:10)

  • In Portland, two people were wounded during a separate border patrol stop.

2. California Politics: Newsom’s Final State of the State

• Governor Gavin Newsom's Last Address (01:14–02:18)
  • Praised California’s progress and criticized the Trump administration’s federal interventions:
    • Reduced unsheltered homelessness by 9%
    • Instituted an $11 cap on insulin
    • Raised minimum wages for fast food and healthcare workers
  • Direct rebuke to federal policies:

    “Mr. President, you can't cut off critical food assistance for millions of people. You can't send the military into American cities without justification, and you cannot cruelly and illegally cut off funding for medical research, homeland security or disaster response. That is wrong.”
    — Governor Gavin Newsom (01:42)

  • Newsom is term-limited and expected to run for president in 2028.

3. Prosecution of Nicolás Maduro in the U.S.

• Complex Legal Landscape (02:18–03:19)
  • Legal experts predict years-long proceedings due to complicated immunity questions.
  • Maduro’s lawyer plans to argue for head-of-state immunity against narco-terrorism and cocaine charges.
    • The U.S. president decides which foreign leaders to recognize, affecting Maduro’s status.
    • Reference to a recent Supreme Court decision expanding immunity for U.S. presidents’ official acts.
  • Maduro and his wife are scheduled to appear in federal court in March.

4. U.S. Job Market Report

• Slower December Growth
  • Only 50,000 jobs were added—below the 75,000 expected by economists.
  • Unemployment rate edged down from 4.5% to 4.4%. (03:19–03:48)

5. Overhaul of Childhood Vaccine Guidelines

• CDC Changes Stir Confusion (03:48–04:35)
  • Immunization recommendations cut from 17 diseases to 11.
  • Pediatricians like Dr. Eric Ball are receiving many anxious calls:

    “Many families are worried that the vaccines will be unavailable for their children or that insurance companies will not pay for them.”
    — Dr. Eric Ball (04:15)

  • Insurance will still cover removed vaccines, but experts are puzzled by the CDC’s rationale.
  • HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Says the changes are meant to give parents more choices.

6. College Football Update

• Miami Advances:
  • Miami to play in the national title game after beating Ole Miss 31–27; awaits Indiana vs. Oregon outcome for their opponent. (04:35–04:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Governor Newsom on Federal Power:

  "Mr. President, you can't cut off critical food assistance for millions of people...That is wrong."
  (01:42, attributed to Governor Newsom)

• Dr. Eric Ball (Pediatrician) on Vaccine Concerns:

  "Many families are worried that the vaccines will be unavailable for their children or that insurance companies will not pay for them."
  (04:15, quoted by Jackie Fortier)

Important Timestamps

• 00:30 — Newscast begins: Minneapolis, Portland officials demand ICE departure
• 01:14 — Governor Newsom’s State of the State address
• 02:18 — Legal analysis on Nicolas Maduro case
• 03:19 — December U.S. jobs report
• 04:01 — Overhaul of U.S. childhood vaccine guidelines
• 04:35 — College football national title update

This NPR News Now episode delivers essential updates on government clashes over immigration enforcement, state-federal political divides, complex legal proceedings abroad, public health policy, and a major sporting event—all in under five minutes.