NPR News Now – 01-09-2026 4PM EST

Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Lakshmi Singh (NPR)

Episode Overview

This concise news update spotlights rapidly developing issues in U.S. foreign policy, domestic law enforcement controversies, new changes to public health recommendations, and recent economic data. The dominant themes include U.S. intervention in Venezuela, the release of political prisoners there, a high-profile police shooting in Minneapolis, revisions to childhood vaccination guidelines, and both national and international responses to recent tragedies and labor statistics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Involvement in Venezuela

• [00:25–00:59] President Trump urges major oil companies—Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips—to invest over $100 billion to restore Venezuela's oil infrastructure after stating the U.S. is temporarily “running” the country.

  • Trump’s decision-making on which companies can operate in Venezuela is described as imminent.

  • Ongoing instability follows President Maduro’s ouster and the recent arrest of officials by U.S. forces.

  • The U.S. seized a fifth oil tanker off Venezuela's coast in recent weeks.

  • Venezuela begins releasing political prisoners as a gesture for peace.

    "We're going to be working with Venezuela. We're going to be making the decision as to which oil companies are going to go in, that we're going to allow to go in, going to cut a deal with the companies."
    — President Trump ([00:45])

2. Release of Political Prisoners in Venezuela

• [01:26–02:07] Jorge Rodriguez, Venezuela's National Assembly president, announced the release of an unspecified number of political prisoners to “seek peace,” prompting emotional gatherings outside Caracas’ infamous El Helicoide prison.

  • Notably, a former presidential candidate was among those released.

    "We're nervous and anxious. We have all kinds of emotions."
    — Frances Fernandez, family member of imprisoned journalist ([01:50], paraphrased by reporter Ada Peralta)

3. Minneapolis Police Shooting

• [02:07–03:10] Video of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shooting Renee Goode, a 37-year-old mother, in Minneapolis surfaced and was amplified by Vice President J.D. Vance. The video, taken from the ICE agent’s viewpoint, shows tense interactions, with Goode initially smiling and cooperative before attempting to drive away, at which point shots are fired.

  • Minnesota officials seek more public evidence as the FBI restricts local access to federal records.

  • The administration maintains the officer acted in self-defense, a sentiment echoed by VP Vance.

    "That's fine, dude. I'm not mad at you."
    — Renee Goode to ICE agent, moments before shooting ([02:22])

4. Labor Market and Employment Data

• [03:30–03:50] December job growth was sluggish: only 50,000 jobs were added, marking 2025 as the slowest year for hiring since the pandemic began—short of the projected 70,000 new jobs.

  "The new U.S. Labor Department numbers show U.S. hiring in December cooled further and brought to a close the slowest year of job growth since the onset of the pandemic."
  — Lakshmi Singh ([03:30])

5. Swiss Nightclub Fire Tragedy

• [03:50–04:14] Switzerland observes a national day of mourning for the 40 victims of the Alps Bar fire on New Year’s Eve; 116 were injured. The fire was triggered by sparklers on champagne bottles. The bar’s owners face a criminal investigation.

6. Confusion Over U.S. Childhood Vaccine Program Cuts

• [04:14–04:47] The Trump administration’s overhaul of childhood immunization guidelines reduced recommended vaccines from 17 to 11.

  • Pediatricians report a surge in parental confusion and concern about access and insurance.

  • Federal officials say coverage remains for all children’s vaccines, but some disease experts are “baffled” by the scientific rationale for the cuts.

    "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, California pediatrician ([04:28])

    "Childhood disease experts were baffled by the change, while federal health officials say it followed a review of the science."
    — Jackie Fortier, KFF Health News ([04:35])

7. Stock Market Update

• [04:47–04:55] Markets closed higher: Dow up 237 points, S&P up 44 points, NASDAQ up 191 points.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Venezuela deal-making:

  "We're going to be working with Venezuela. We're going to be making the decision as to which oil companies are going to go in, that we're going to allow to go in, going to cut a deal with the companies." ([00:45])

• Renee Goode, prior to being shot by ICE agent:

  "That's fine, dude. I'm not mad at you." ([02:22])

• Dr. Eric Ball on vaccine cuts:

  "Many families are worried that the vaccines will be unavailable for their children or that insurance companies will not pay for them." ([04:28])

• Reporter on confusion among experts:

  "Childhood disease experts were baffled by the change, while federal health officials say it followed a review of the science." ([04:35])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:25] – Trump presses oil investment in Venezuela
• [00:59] – Political prisoner releases begin in Caracas
• [02:07] – ICE agent’s fatal shooting in Minneapolis (video controversy)
• [03:30] – December jobs report: slowest post-pandemic year
• [03:50] – Swiss Alps Bar fire: day of mourning, criminal probe
• [04:14] – Vaccine guideline overhaul and parental confusion
• [04:47] – Stock market closes

Style & Tone

Factual, urgent, and concise, this NPR News Now report delivers breaking updates on pressing national and international stories, reflective of NPR’s signature objective news tone.