NPR News Now – January 11, 2026, 6AM EST

Host: Louise Schiavone
Episode Theme: The latest headlines on nationwide protests over a deadly ICE shooting, ongoing crackdowns on mass protests in Iran, upcoming U.S. bank earnings, awards season in Hollywood, proposed credit card interest rate caps, and an incident at a Boston hockey game.

Major Stories and Key Discussion Points

1. Nationwide Protests After Deadly ICE Shooting

[00:18-01:08]

• Key Update: Demonstrators filled streets in New York, Los Angeles, and other cities, demanding justice following a deadly ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) shooting in Minneapolis.

• Protests are also seen as a pushback against federal immigration enforcement.

• San Francisco city leaders emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations.

  San Francisco Police Chief Derek Liu [00:41]:
  "Always plan for spontaneous events ... But bottom line is we have adequate staffing to handle anything that comes up."

• In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, organizer Lisa King rallied protestors, voicing criticism of ICE and advocating for vocal resistance:

  Lisa King [00:54]:
  "We could no longer stay silent about that. And people need to let their voices be known. ICE is not welcomed in Baton Rouge and we really don't think they're doing a great job in our country."

• The fatal encounter in question involved Minneapolis woman Renee Good, killed after shots were fired into her vehicle by ICE officers. An official investigation is ongoing.

2. Crackdown on Protests in Iran

[01:08-02:06]

• Large-scale, nationwide protests in Iran continue despite a reported brutal crackdown by security forces.

• Details remain scarce due to an Internet blackout, but hospital staff report being overwhelmed with casualties.

• BBC’s Bahman Karl Basi describes the protests as "historic," both in scale and in the severity of the response:

  Bahman Karl Basi [01:39]:
  "It is different from the other protests that I've covered and I've lived through. It is large scale. It's historic. It is across the country, it's across demographics and it has faced perhaps the most brutal, the most bloody crackdown in the last 72 hours and it hasn't died down yet... we are in for possibly a different outcome than the previous protests."

• Activists estimate at least 116 people have been killed (citing the U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency).

3. U.S. Bank Earnings and Economic Outlook

[02:06-03:14]

• Wall Street enters a new earnings season, starting with major banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs.

  Maria Aspen [02:32]:
  "These banks do business with companies and people across America, meaning that they have a pretty good window into how their customers are feeling about the economy. Investors will be looking for signs that businesses and consumers are continuing to spend money despite growing concerns about the labor market."

• There are worries due to the slowdown in hiring—government data shows the weakest job growth since the pandemic.

4. Hollywood’s Golden Globe Awards

[03:14-04:12]

• The Golden Globes return tonight, airing on CBS and Paramount. Nikki Glaser hosts, aiming for humor that balances fun and sensitivity.

  Nikki Glaser [03:34]:
  "You have to be very delicate about making jokes that aren't going to ruin anyone's night. But people at home want you to make fun of the a-listers."

• Nominations include George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance as a "washed up revolutionary."

• Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film leads in nominations; “The White Lotus” tops TV drama with six nods.

• New podcast category: Amy Poehler’s project and NPR’s own "Up First" are among the contenders.

5. Proposed Cap on Credit Card Interest Rates

[04:12-04:57]

• President Trump, in a Friday social media post, proposed a one-year, 10% cap on credit card interest rates.
• The current average rates range from 19.6% to 21.5%.
• The plan is described as potentially saving Americans tens of billions of dollars, although the credit card industry is not supportive.
• The White House will seek collaboration with congressional Republicans.

6. Incident at Boston Bruins Rangers Game

[04:57-End]

• An altercation broke out in the stands at TD Arena in Boston during a hockey game, resulting in one man being hospitalized after falling from a balcony and another man being arrested.

Selected Notable Quotes

• San Francisco Police Chief Derek Liu [00:41]:
  "Bottom line is we have adequate staffing to handle anything that comes up."
• Lisa King [00:54]:
  "ICE is not welcomed in Baton Rouge and we really don't think they're doing a great job in our country."
• Bahman Karl Basi [01:39]:
  "It is across the country, it's across demographics and it has faced perhaps the most brutal, the most bloody crackdown...and it hasn't died down yet."
• Maria Aspen [02:32]:
  "Investors will be looking for signs that businesses and consumers are continuing to spend money despite growing concerns about the labor market."
• Nikki Glaser [03:34]:
  "You have to be very delicate about making jokes that aren't going to ruin anyone's night. But people at home want you to make fun of the a-listers."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Protest Coverage: 00:18–01:08
• Iran Crackdown: 01:08–02:06
• U.S. Economic Preview: 02:06–03:14
• Golden Globes Preview: 03:14–04:12
• Interest Rate Cap Proposal: 04:12–04:57
• Boston Hockey Incident: 04:57–End

Tone:
The segment maintains NPR’s signature even-handed, informative, and direct style, with occasional direct quotes that bring in the urgency and emotion of protestors and the cautious humor of awards show hosts.