NPR News: 01-10-2026 10AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: 01-10-2026 10AM EST

Date: January 10, 2026
Host: NPR News Team
Duration: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This concise episode of NPR News Now delivers a roundup of the hour’s most urgent news stories from around the globe. The main themes include ongoing unrest in Iran, a controversial police-involved shooting in Minneapolis, another shooting with alleged gang connections in Portland, the impact of the flu season in the U.S., regulatory challenges facing Texas’ booming AI data center industry, and an update on the deadly Swiss bar fire.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iranian Protests Intensify

[00:25 – 01:27]

• Protests have entered their second week, with thousands on the streets chanting “death to the dictator,” referring to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• Authorities warn that protestors will be treated as “enemies of God”—a capital offense.
• Casualties: Human rights groups report dozens killed and hundreds detained by security forces.
• The Iranian regime is perceived as especially vulnerable due to a crumbling economy and lingering effects from last summer’s Israeli attack, which weakened Iran’s military and killed senior security officials.
• International tension: President Trump has warned of U.S. retaliation if Iran kills protesters. Khamenei responded, suggesting Trump should "concentrate on problems in the US instead."
• Quote:
  • Jackie Northam [00:42]: “Friday's protests were some of the largest since Iranians first turned out on the streets about two weeks ago… The regime is particularly vulnerable. The economy is crumbling and Iran's military was weakened after Israel attacked last summer.”

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2. Shooting in Minneapolis Sparks Federal-State Tension

[01:27 – 01:49]

• A Minnesota prosecutor calls for the public’s help in submitting evidence related to the killing of Renee Good by an immigration agent.
• State senators are urging the Justice Department to include state police in the investigation.
• Political friction:
  • Democratic Senators Smith and Klobuchar: By excluding state authorities, the investigation’s legitimacy is questioned; bystander video allegedly contradicts federal claims.
  • Vice President J.D. Vance dismisses local involvement:
    • Quote:
      • Vice President J.D. Vance [01:49]: “A bunch of radicals in Minneapol should have no part in the investigation.”

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3. Controversy Over Border Patrol Shooting in Portland, Oregon

[02:09 – 03:06]

• Two people shot and wounded by Border Patrol are alleged by federal officials to be associates of a Venezuelan gang. That characterization is disputed by one of the victims’ attorneys.
• Local law enforcement and federal statements both allege gang connections.
• Counterpoint from the public defender:
  • Quote:
    • Fidel Casino Decloux [02:43]: “The shooting by federal officers and the subsequent accusations leveled against the victims of that shooting follow a well worn playbook that the government has developed to justify the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of its agents.”
• Both individuals remain in stable condition and in federal custody. The FBI leads the investigation.

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4. U.S. Flu Season Update

[03:06 – 03:38]

• Over 15 million flu cases reported in what is called a “moderately severe” season.
• The CDC urges the sick to stay home until fever and major symptoms resolve.

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5. Texas’ Booming AI Data Centers Strain Regulators

[03:38 – 04:25]

• Texas is rapidly expanding its AI data center infrastructure (over 400 centers), raising environmental concerns.
• The state commission tasked with environmental oversight is reportedly stretched thin.
• Former regulator’s warning:
  • Quote:
    • Catherine Guerra [04:04]: “The TCEQ doesn't have near the resources it needs to enforce the permits that it's issuing, and that should be really concerning for policymakers and for communities.”
• While additional state funding has been provided, it falls short of agency requests—raising the likelihood of regulatory lapses affecting pollution and water supply.

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6. Deadly Swiss Bar Fire Investigation

[04:25 – 05:04]

• Background: Over 40 people died in a New Year’s Day fire at a bar in Crans-Montana.
• Update: Owner Jacques Moretti is now in pre-trial detention along with his wife.
• Authorities allege negligence, noting that required safety checks had not been conducted.
• Moretti and his wife pledge to cooperate fully.
• 116 others were injured, many severely.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jackie Northam (on Iran):
  "Friday's protests were some of the largest since Iranians first turned out on the streets about two weeks ago… The regime is particularly vulnerable. The economy is crumbling and Iran's military was weakened after Israel attacked last summer." [00:42]

• VP J.D. Vance (on Minneapolis shooting probe):
  "A bunch of radicals in Minneapol should have no part in the investigation." [01:49]

• Fidel Casino Decloux (Oregon public defender):
  "The shooting by federal officers and the subsequent accusations leveled against the victims of that shooting follow a well worn playbook that the government has developed to justify the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of its agents." [02:43]

• Catherine Guerra (former TCEQ employee on Texas data centers):
  "The TCEQ doesn't have near the resources it needs to enforce the permits that it's issuing, and that should be really concerning for policymakers and for communities." [04:04]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Iran Protests: 00:25 – 01:27
• Minneapolis Shooting Investigation: 01:27 – 01:49
• Border Patrol Shooting in Portland: 02:09 – 03:06
• Flu Season Update: 03:06 – 03:38
• AI Data Centers in Texas: 03:38 – 04:25
• Swiss Bar Fire Update: 04:25 – 05:04

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This summary captures the tone and essential facts reported in this fast-paced NPR newscast, providing clear context, quotes, and timestamps for those needing a thorough briefing.

Transcript

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[Louise Schiavone]

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[Host]

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[Host]

Is no Up First. Now a Golden Globe nominee for best podcast.

[Louise Schiavone]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. In Iran, as protests continue through second week, Iran's attorney general is warning that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an enemy of God, which is a death penalty charge. NPR's Jackie Northam has the latest.

[Jackie Northam]

Friday's protests were some of the largest since Iranians first turned out on the streets about two weeks ago. They chanted death to the dictator, meaning Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and some mosques were set on fire. Human rights groups say Iranian security forces have killed dozens of civilians and detained hundreds more. These protests come at a time when the regime is particularly vulnerable. The economy is crumbling and Iran's military was weakened after Israel attacked last summer. Many senior members of the security forces and intelligence agencies were also killed in those strikes. President Trump has warned the US Will hit hard if Iran kills protesters. Khamenei told Trump to concentrate on problems in the US Instead. Jackie Northam, NPR News.

[Louise Schiavone]

A Minnesota prosecutor is calling on the public to share with investigators any recordings and evidence connected to the fatal incident involving an immigration agent and Minneapolis woman, Renee Good. At the same time, the state's elected officials are asking the Justice Department to include state police in the probe. Details from Minnesota Public Radio's Matt Sepik.

[Matt Sepik]

Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar say in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi that it's wrong to exclude state authorities from the investigation into the killing of Renee Good. The Democrats note that bystander video contradicts claims from Trump administration officials. Vice President J.D. vance says, quote, a bunch of radicals in Minneapol should have no part in the investigation.

[Louise Schiavone]

Police say that the two people shot and wounded by Border Patrol officers in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday have an association with a Venezuelan gang. One attorney disputes that charge. Conrad Wilson with Oregon Public broadcasting reports.

[Conrad Wilson]

The U.S. department of Homeland Security says the two people shot in Portland were suspected trendeague gang associates who were stopped by federal immigration officers a day after the shooting. Portland's police chief added the pair have a, quote, nexus with the gang. Oregon's federal public defender, Fidel casino. Decloux says those claims are without evidence.

[Unknown Commentator]

The shooting by federal officers and the subsequent accusations leveled against the victims of that shooting follow a well worn playbook that the government has developed to justify the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of its agents.

[Conrad Wilson]

The two people Border Patrol shot are in stable condition and in federal custody. The FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting. For NPR News, I'm Conrad Wilson in Portland.

[Louise Schiavone]

Federal officials are saying that there have been more than 15 million flu cases in what the CDC is describing as a moderately severe season. Health officials say if you do get sick, stay home until your fever and major symptoms have subsided. This is NPR News in Washington. Texas is seeing rapid growth in artificial intelligence data centers, but questions are arising about whether the state can regulate them. Of member station KERA Reports.

[Emanuel Rivas]

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality oversees permits for air emissions, water use and hazardous materials tied to data centers. But advocates say the agency is already stretched thin as more than 400 data centers operate across the state. Former TCEQ employee Catherine Guerra says without more funding and stronger policy enforcement could lag, leaving communities vulnerable to pollution and water shortages.

[Catherine Guerra]

The TCEQ doesn't have near the resources it needs to enforce the permits that it's issuing, and that should be really concerning for policymakers and for communities.

[Emanuel Rivas]

The legislator did grant the agency the additional funds it requested, but not the full amount. For NPR News, I'm Emanuel Rivas in Dallas.

[Louise Schiavone]

The owner of a Swiss bar where more than 40 people died in a fire on New Year's Day has been taken into custody. Jacques Moretti is in pre trial detention. Moretti and his wife and co owner are being investigated for homic by negligence and other crimes related to the fire that broke out in their bar in the resort town of Krons, Montana, as revelers celebrated the new Year. They say they'll cooperate fully with the probe. Authorities say there had not been proper safety checks on the establishment. In addition to the dead, 116 people were hurt, many severely. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

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