NPR News Now – January 11, 2026, 2AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Episode Description: The latest national and international news headlines in five minutes.

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode covers:

• Ongoing protests in Minneapolis after the police shooting of Renee Goode
• Widespread anti-government demonstrations and crackdown in Iran
• A tragic mass shooting in Clay County, Mississippi
• Rising tensions between Iran, the U.S., and Israel
• Mail ballot concerns in Nevada due to postmark changes
• Lindsey Vonn’s recent World Cup downhill skiing victory

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Protests Over Renee Goode Shooting

[00:19]

• Thousands marched in downtown Minneapolis protesting the fatal shooting of Renee Goode by an ICE agent.
• Demonstrations remain largely peaceful, but some violence was reported—rocks and ice thrown at police.
• Mayor Jacob Frey emphasizes that violence will not be tolerated:

  “To the few that have caused damage to property and or harm to others need to be very clear. We're not going to let that happen. If you cause damage to property or put others in danger, you're going to be arrested." (Jacob Frey, 00:43)

• The vast majority of protesters are commended for peaceful action, but the city is reviewing incidents of violence.

[01:10]

• Protests are expected in cities nationwide through the weekend, highlighting a spread of unrest over police actions.

2. Iran: Protests and International Tensions

[01:10]

• Iranian authorities intensify their crackdown on two weeks of large-scale protests, labeling demonstrators as “terrorists.”
• NPR’s Willem Marx notes this is the biggest unrest in years:

  “The current set of demonstrations...are the biggest in years and the Iranian authorities have promised to safeguard their existing system of government." (Willem Marx, 01:27)

• Social media and internet restrictions hamper information flow, but videos signal ongoing protests in Tehran and beyond.
• Reza Pahlavi, exiled son of the last Shah, calls for an expanded uprising against the theocratic government.
• President Trump weighs in on social media, signaling U.S. support for Iranian protesters:

  “The U.S. stands ready to help with Iran looking at freedom perhaps like never before.” (Willem Marx quoting Trump, 01:27)

[03:13]

• Iran warns any U.S. attack could prompt retaliation against Israel and U.S. military bases.
• Israel is on high alert, underscoring volatile regional tensions.

3. Mass Shooting in Clay County, Mississippi

[02:09]

• Six people are dead after a shooting spree allegedly carried out by 24-year-old Dereka Moore.
• Victims include several family members; the tragedy spanned three locations.
• Moore faces numerous grave charges, including first-degree and soon capital murder; sexual assault was also attempted.
• District Attorney Scott Colomb characterized it as "the worst case he had seen in his 10 years in the field," with the death penalty being pursued.

4. Nevada Ballot Postmark Controversy

[03:57]

• Mail-in ballot processing in Nevada (and other states) is complicated by new postal service cost-cutting leading to delayed postmarks.
• Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar quips about impractical tech solutions:

  “You just put an apple tag on every mail ballot and you know where it is at all times. But again, that's not practical.” (Cisco Aguilar, 04:21)

• The state is working to resolve the issue before the June primary; the Supreme Court may weigh in on counting ballots post-Election Day.

5. Sports: Lindsey Vonn’s Comeback

[04:40]

• American skier Lindsey Vonn, at age 41 and after knee surgery, secured her second World Cup downhill victory this season.
• She finished with a 0.37 second lead in Austria, marking two wins in three events for her.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mayor Jacob Frey on protest violence:

  “We're not going to let that happen. If you cause damage to property or put others in danger, you're going to be arrested." (00:43)

• Willem Marx summarizing Iranian sentiment:

  “The current set of demonstrations...are the biggest in years and the Iranian authorities have promised to safeguard their existing system of government.” (01:27)

• Cisco Aguilar (humorous tech solution):

  “You just put an apple tag on every mail ballot and you know where it is at all times. But again, that's not practical.” (04:21)

• District Attorney Scott Colomb on the Mississippi shooting:

  “This was the worst case he had seen in his 10 years in the field...” (02:23)

Segment Timestamps

• [00:19] – Minneapolis protests and Mayor Frey’s response
• [01:10] – Nationwide protests and Iran’s crackdown
• [01:27] – Updates from Tehran, U.S. and Reza Pahlavi statements
• [02:09] – Clay County, Mississippi mass shooting
• [03:13] – Iran-U.S.-Israel tensions; Trump’s statements
• [03:57] – Nevada mail ballot issues
• [04:40] – Lindsey Vonn’s second World Cup victory

This summary distills the critical news, voices, and developments from this NPR News Now episode, giving listeners a concise yet informative glimpse of the day's top national and international stories.