NPR News Now – January 12, 2026, 4PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the top news stories from the United States and around the world in a concise, five-minute format. Headlines include a criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, legal action involving Senator Mark Kelly and the Pentagon, a mass ICE enforcement action in Minneapolis, labor unrest among New York nurses, and a new autistic Barbie doll from Mattel. Additional topics touch on shifting U.S.-Canada-China relations and corporate legal drama involving Paramount and Warner Bros.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. Justice Department Investigates Fed Chair Jerome Powell

• [00:18] Lakshmi Singh reports that a criminal investigation is underway targeting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, after his statements to Congress about headquarters renovations.
• This comes amid pressure from the Trump administration for more aggressive interest rate cuts.
• Political reactions:
  • Democratic Senator Dick Durbin:
    • Quote: “It's another example of President Trump trying to weaponize the government against opponents of his agenda.”
    • (00:38, via Barbara Sprunt)
  • GOP Senator Thom Tillis:
    • Quote: “It's the independence and credibility of the Justice Department that’s in question and said he'll oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed until the legal matter is resolved.”
  • Republican Congressman French Hill:
    • Quote: “[Powell is] a man of integrity and... pursuing criminal charges creates an unnecessary distraction.”

2. Sen. Mark Kelly Faces Pentagon Censure, Responds with Lawsuit

• [01:17] Senator Mark Kelly is suing the Pentagon after being censured for urging military personnel via video to defy illegal orders.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had issued the censure, possibly jeopardizing Kelly’s retired rank and pension.

3. Escalating Tensions with Iran

• Iran signals willingness to negotiate but readiness to fight if necessary.
• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt:
  • Quote: “The US also prefers diplomacy, but the president has shown he's unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary. And nobody knows that better than Iran.” (approx. 01:40)
• Human rights groups report over 500 protestors killed by Iranian authorities since mass demonstrations began in late December.

4. ICE Enforcement Action in Minneapolis

• [02:07] Large-scale ICE operations observed in Minneapolis neighborhoods.
• Reporter Sergio Martinez Beltran:
  • Describes 2,000+ immigration agents, unmarked cars, and community responses:

    “Residents [are] following [ICE agents] and alerting the community that ICE is around. I have witnessed some of these operations… agents stopped at a parking lot and asked people charging their electric cars for proof of immigration status. All of the drivers were people of color and all of them had proof.” (02:07-02:39)

5. New York City Nurses on Strike

• [02:39] Thousands of nurses are striking against major hospital systems, demanding:
  • Higher pay
  • More staffing
  • Better job security
• New York State Attorney General Letitia James:
  • Joined strikers, noting:

    “Three years ago, there was a strike and the union negotiated with management a deal on safe staffing. They have reneged on that deal.” (02:39)

• Hospitals maintain that the union’s demands are excessive.

6. Paramount vs. Warner Bros. Discovery: Takeover Battle

• Paramount Skydance sues Warner Bros. Discovery for details on why Warner rejected its higher-value takeover bid in favor of Netflix’s offer.
• Paramount (CBS parent) also plans to nominate new Warner Bros. board directors. (03:27)

7. Mattel Introduces Autistic Barbie

• [03:50] Mattel launches its first autistic Barbie, designed with input from ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network).
  • Features:
    • Articulated elbows and wrists for expressive gestures
    • Sensory-sensitive clothing
    • Eyes gazing slightly off-center
  • Part of a broader lineup representing diverse conditions, including Down syndrome, type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, prosthetic limbs, and use of wheelchairs.
• Reporter Anastasia Siulkas:
  • Quote: “The Barbie has articulated elbows and wrists so the doll can make the type of gestures that some autistic people use. Its clothes are sensory sensitive, and the doll's eyes gaze slightly off center, reflecting how some autistic people avoid direct eye contact.” (03:50-04:32)

8. US-Canada-China Diplomatic Developments

• [04:35] Canada aims to mend China relations and lessen U.S. dependence, as tensions with the Trump administration grow.
• Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first such visit in over eight years.
• Canadian frustration heightened by Trump administration’s comments suggesting Canada should “become the 51st state.”

Financial Markets Update

• [02:56 | 04:49]: The Dow Jones ended the day up by over 80 points.

Selected Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “It's another example of President Trump trying to weaponize the government against opponents of his agenda.”
  — Senator Dick Durbin (Democrat), via Barbara Sprunt (00:38)
• “It's the independence and credibility of the Justice Department that's in question…”
  — Senator Thom Tillis (GOP) (00:46)
• “The US also prefers diplomacy, but the president has shown he's unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary. And nobody knows that better than Iran.”
  — White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt (01:40)
• “All of the drivers were people of color and all of them had proof.”
  — Sergio Martinez Beltran, on ICE stops in Minneapolis (02:28)
• “Three years ago, there was a strike and the union negotiated with management a deal on safe staffing. They have reneged on that deal.”
  — NY Attorney General Letitia James (02:46)
• “The Barbie has articulated elbows and wrists so the doll can make the type of gestures that some autistic people use.”
  — Anastasia Siulkas (03:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• DOJ probes Fed Chair – 00:18–01:17
• Mark Kelly v. Pentagon – 01:17–01:40
• Iran & US tension – 01:40–02:07
• Minneapolis ICE raids – 02:07–02:39
• NYC nurse strike – 02:39–03:10
• Paramount v. Warner Bros. – 03:27–03:50
• Autistic Barbie launch – 03:50–04:35
• Canada-China diplomacy – 04:35–04:57

This concise NPR News Now update covers rapid, impactful shifts across U.S. politics, international relations, social movements, and cultural representation, providing listeners with the most pressing headlines and insightful context in a mere five minutes.