NPR News Now — January 13, 2026, 11AM EST

Episode Overview

This five-minute news update delivers the latest headlines on U.S.-Iran tensions, congressional investigations involving the Clintons, President Trump’s visit to Detroit, economic updates, new AI laws in California, and Congressional funding for Voice of America. The host, Korva Coleman, presents concise yet substantial reporting with input from field correspondents and subject experts.

Key Discussion Points

1. U.S.-Iran Relations and President Trump’s Response

• Main news: President Trump has canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until Iran stops “attacks against Iranian protesters.”
• Trump told Iranians to “keep protesting and ‘help is on the way,’” though he did not clarify further.
  • Quote (Korva Coleman, 00:26):
    "Trump told Iranians to keep protesting and quote, help is on the way. He didn't elaborate."
• Trump announced potential tariffs on any country doing business with Iran, but provided no details.
• Expert Analysis: Javed Ali, former National Security Council senior director, questioned the legal standing of potential U.S. action:
  • Quote (Javed Ali, 00:48):
    "What legal authority can President Trump rely on to conduct attacks against Iran for Iran's crackdown against its own citizens? That is not a direct threat to the United States, at least on my read of President Trump's constitutional authorities."

2. House Oversight Committee and Deposition Request to Bill Clinton

• Key detail: Former President Bill Clinton did not appear on Capitol Hill for a deposition about Jeffrey Epstein.
• House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY), leading the investigation, called the absence “very disappointing” and announced plans to hold Clinton in contempt of Congress.
  • Quote (James Comer, 01:27):
    "We will move next week in the House Oversight Committee markup to hold former President Clinton in contempt of Congress."
• Both Bill and Hillary Clinton sent a letter declining to testify, stating they had already provided similar statements and accusing Comer of seeking to “bring Congress to a halt simply to have them imprisoned.”

3. President Trump’s Detroit Visit and Automotive Policy

• President Trump is visiting Detroit to address city business leaders at an invitation-only Detroit Economic Club event and to tour a Ford plant.
• Trump asserts tariffs will benefit the auto industry and bring manufacturing jobs back to Michigan.
• The report highlights that tariffs have increased costs despite industry-specific exemptions, and that Trump rolled back Biden-era emissions standards and eliminated EV tax credits.
• Political Context: Trump's handling of the economy is expected to play a major role in 2026 Michigan congressional and gubernatorial races.
  • Field report (Quinn Klinefelter, 02:24):
    "Trump also eased Biden era emission standards and erased tax credits designed to promote electric vehicles. His handling of the economy is seen as a key issue in the state's congressional and gubernatorial races this year."

4. Economic and Inflation Update

• Stock Market: As of the report, the Dow Jones is down more than 310 points at 49,276 (03:02).
• Inflation: The Labor Department reports inflation remained steady in December at 2.7%, consistent with the previous month and economic forecasts.

5. New AI Safety Laws in California

• As of January, seven new AI-related laws are in effect in California, the state with the most AI regulations in the U.S.
• Focus Areas: Accountability and transparency.
• Specific provisions:
  • AI chatbots cannot misrepresent themselves as licensed professionals
  • Protection for minors against abusive AI chatbots
  • Law enforcement must disclose AI use in drafting police reports
• This comes amid new federal executive orders challenging states' AI regulations.
  • Field report (Anna Kasalmi, 03:40):
    "Seven of those laws went into effect this month. They fall under two main accountability and transparency."

6. Congressional Support for Voice of America

• A bipartisan spending deal includes over $650 million for the parent company of VOA, defying President Trump’s attempts to shutter the broadcaster.
• The measure is part of a larger spending package requiring approval by Congress and the president.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• U.S.-Iran Tensions:
  "Trump told Iranians to keep protesting and quote, help is on the way. He didn't elaborate."
  (Korva Coleman, 00:26)

• Legal Authority for Action Against Iran:
  "What legal authority can President Trump rely on to conduct attacks against Iran for Iran's crackdown against its own citizens?"
  (Javed Ali, 00:48)

• Contempt Proceedings Against Clinton:
  "We will move next week in the House Oversight Committee markup to hold former President Clinton in contempt of Congress."
  (James Comer, 01:27)

• Economic Impact in Michigan:
  "Trump also eased Biden era emission standards and erased tax credits designed to promote electric vehicles. His handling of the economy is seen as a key issue in the state's congressional and gubernatorial races this year."
  (Quinn Klinefelter, 02:24)

• AI Regulation in California:
  "Seven of those laws went into effect this month. They fall under two main accountability and transparency."
  (Anna Kasalmi, 03:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S.-Iran Tensions & Trump’s Response: 00:16–01:02
• Clinton Deposition & Congressional Investigation: 01:02–01:45
• Trump’s Detroit Visit & Auto Industry: 02:00–03:02
• Economic & Inflation Updates: 03:02–03:40
• California AI Laws: 03:40–04:27
• VOA Funding & Spending Bill: 04:27–04:55

This concise episode captures fast-moving political, economic, and technological headlines, offering a clear snapshot of U.S. and world events as of January 13, 2026.