NPR News Now – January 12, 2026, 1PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme:
A concise update on national and international news, focusing on local responses to federal enforcement, international tensions involving Iran, labor unrest in NYC hospitals, cultural controversies, and an upcoming federal safety hearing.

1. Minneapolis Public Schools Respond to Immigration Enforcement Standoff

[00:16–01:17]

• Remote Learning Option:
  Minneapolis Public Schools are allowing students to opt for remote learning for the next month due to ongoing tensions following heightened immigration enforcement operations.

• Enforcement Numbers:
  Over 2,000 arrests by Department of Homeland Security since December.

• Community Outrage:
  Community tension remains high after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Macklin Good, a US citizen and mother of three.

• Official Stance:
  DHS defends agents' actions as necessary for community safety.

• Criticism of ICE:
  Local officials accuse ICE of racial profiling, specifically targeting Somali and Latino populations.

  Notable Quote:

  • “What’s happening is full on discrimination. It’s targeting Somali people in our city, targeting Latino people in Minneapolis and looking for a problem that, to be clear, we are not seeing on our streets.”
    — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey ([01:00])

2. U.S.–Iran Tensions Escalate Amid Ongoing Protests

[01:17–02:20]

• Potential Negotiations:
  President Trump claims Tehran has requested negotiations regarding widespread Iranian protests.

• U.S. Threats:
  Trump does not rule out possible U.S. strikes before any meeting.

• Situation in Iran:

  • Widespread protests: Large-scale riots, buildings burning, and casualties reported throughout Iran.
  • Communications restricted: Internet and cell phone blackouts hinder information flow.

• Iranian Response:

  • Official channels silent about negotiations.
  • Iranian parliament member warns U.S. bases/ships may be targeted if attacks seem imminent.
  • Iran’s military described as weakened after last June’s 12-day war with Israel.

  Notable Moment:

  • “Thousands of protesters poured into the streets… Videos of large crowds burning buildings and dead bodies in the street and morgues were posted on social media despite an ongoing Internet and cell phone blackout.”
    — Jackie Northam, NPR News ([01:34])

3. NYC Nurses Strike for Benefits, Safety

[02:20–03:11]

• Strike Scale:
  Up to 15,000 nurses from five New York City hospitals on strike.

• Primary Demands:

  • Preservation of healthcare benefits.
  • Safer staffing levels.
  • Enhanced protections against workplace violence.

• Recent Incident:

  • Nurse referenced the unpredictability and ubiquity of violence in hospital settings.
  • Recent shooting: Man with a weapon killed by police at a Brooklyn hospital.

• Staffing Crisis:
  Ongoing strike exacerbated by a difficult flu season; NY Governor declared a disaster emergency due to staffing shortages.

  Notable Quote:

  • “That succeeding with our job it can go from 0 to 100. And you can’t really say it’s just an emergency unit or a psych department. It can happen anywhere in the hospital.”
    — Darla Joiner, nurse and bargaining committee member ([02:49])

4. Smithsonian Amends Trump Portrait Exhibit Amid Pressure

[03:11–04:16]

• Portrait Change:
  The new portrait of President Trump at the National Portrait Gallery in DC omits references to both of his impeachments and other aspects of his presidency.

• Smithsonian Statement:
  Officials cite ongoing exhibition updates, promise additional labeling.

• Political Backdrop:

  • Trump executive order last year to remove “divisive race centered ideology” from museums.
  • Summer review of eight Smithsonian museums was initiated by the White House.

  Notable Moment:

  • “It does not say that Trump was impeached twice or share other details about his time in office.”
    — Joe Hernandez, NPR News ([03:33])

5. NTSB Schedules Hearing on Deadly Air Collision

[04:16–04:54]

• Upcoming Hearing:
  The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a hearing on January 27 on last year’s collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. military helicopter near DC, which killed 67 people.
• Hearing Purpose:
  Board to discuss safety issues, vote on probable cause, and recommend measures to prevent future accidents.
• Timing:
  The hearing will happen just before the crash’s one-year anniversary.

Notable Quotes Overview

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:00 | Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey | “What’s happening is full on discrimination. It’s targeting Somali people in our city, targeting Latino people in Minneapolis and looking for a problem that, to be clear, we are not seeing on our streets.” | | 01:34 | Jackie Northam, NPR News | “Thousands of protesters poured into the streets… Videos of large crowds burning buildings and dead bodies in the street and morgues were posted on social media despite an ongoing Internet and cell phone blackout.” | | 02:49 | Darla Joiner, nurse/union rep | “That succeeding with our job it can go from 0 to 100. And you can’t really say it’s just an emergency unit or a psych department. It can happen anywhere in the hospital.” | | 03:33 | Joe Hernandez, NPR News | “It does not say that Trump was impeached twice or share other details about his time in office.” |

Episode Summary

This NPR News Now episode provided a rapid yet detailed look at the day’s most urgent stories:

• Local officials and educators in Minneapolis address mounting fears and accusations of racial targeting following aggressive ICE operations and a fatal shooting.
• Global tensions heighten as the Trump administration mulls talks—with military action still on the table—while Iran reels from internal unrest.
• A city-wide nurses’ strike in New York highlights persistent dangers and demands for increased protections in hospitals amid a public health crisis.
• Cultural institutions face political pressure as the Smithsonian reshapes its narrative on President Trump’s legacy.
• Safety on American transportation again comes into focus, with a major federal hearing scheduled on a deadly air accident.

Listeners received a succinct, authoritative briefing at the intersection of local, national, and global news.