NPR News Now – January 13, 2026, 1AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder (NPR)
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of the hour’s top national and international news, with updates on Iran protests and US policy, legal challenges to immigration enforcement in Minnesota and Illinois, offshore wind power litigation, a synagogue arson case in Mississippi, a New York City nurses’ strike, and a Japanese stock market surge.

1. U.S. Escalates Pressure Over Iran Protests

[00:17 – 00:59]

• Background: After a government crackdown on protesters in Iran, President Trump announces a 25% tariff on any nation that does business with Tehran.
  • “The White House says diplomacy is the first option, but that Trump is willing to go much further.” — Giles Snyder [00:23].
• White House stance:
  • Franco Ordoñez (NPR) reports the administration is reviewing “military and non-military options.”
  • President Trump claims Iranian leaders “reached out over the weekend and want to negotiate," but also warns that “they might have to act sooner if this violence continues.” — Ordoñez [00:37—00:59].
• Human toll: Rights groups report over 640 people killed and thousands detained during the protests.

2. Minnesota & Illinois Push Back Against Federal Immigration Enforcement

[00:59 – 02:02]

• Minnesota lawsuit:
  • State officials, led by Attorney General Keith Ellison and local mayors, file suit against the Trump administration alleging constitutional violations after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis.
  • “Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry, and St. Paul Mayor Kelleher say ICE and Border Patrol agents here are violating Minnesotans’ constitutional rights and overstepping their authority.” — Dana Ferguson (MPR) [01:21].
  • Quote: “It just has to stop. We allege that the obvious targeting of Minnesota for our diversity, for our democracy and our differences of opinion with the federal government is a violation of the Constitution and of federal law.” — Keith Ellison [01:37].
  • DHS response: They wouldn’t need federal officers if locals cooperated.
• Illinois follows suit:
  • The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago sue for restrictions on federal enforcement practices such as using tear gas, trespassing, and concealing plates. — Giles Snyder [02:02].

3. Offshore Wind Project Greenlit Despite Security Claims

[02:02 – 03:14]

• Legal battle in Rhode Island:
  • Federal judge allows construction to resume on a nearly finished offshore wind project (Revolution Wind) after the Trump administration paused several projects, citing “national security concerns.”
  • The judge doubts the government’s reasoning: “In issuing the injunction, the judge said public comments by administration officials made him wonder if this was pretext.” — Miriam Wasser (WBUR) [02:35].
  • Nick Krakoff, Conservation Law Foundation: “He did not find credible the national security reasons that the government relied on for issuing the stop work order on the project.” [02:55].
  • The decision is a “significant, albeit temporary, win” for the developers. Several related lawsuits remain pending. — Miriam Wasser [03:02].

4. Mississippi Synagogue Arson: New Details

[03:14 – 04:16]

• First court appearance:
  • 19-year-old Steven Spencer Pittman, accused of setting fire to the historic Beth Israel synagogue, appears in court via video, hands bandaged.
  • FBI affidavit reveals Pittman’s father said his son confessed: “Pittman allegedly text him, I did my research. Investigators say Pittman referred to Beth Israel as the synagogue of Satan.” — Shamira Muhammad (MPB) [03:32].
  • The fire significantly damaged the synagogue’s library.
  • Notable moment: Pittman, when asked if he understood his rights, “responded, gave, ‘Yes, sir. Jesus Christ is Lord.’” — [04:08].
  • He is due back in court next week.

5. New York City Nurses’ Strike

[04:16 – 04:40]

• Thousands striking:
  • Nurses at several major NYC hospitals begin strike after failed negotiations.
  • Demands: manageable workloads, improved security.
  • Hospitals’ stance: Union demands deemed too costly.

6. Asian Markets Surge

[04:40 – 04:56]

• Record highs in Japan and beyond:
  • “Japan’s benchmark Nikkei is at a record intraday high. The Nikkei has been trading above 3% with tech-related stocks lifting shares in Tokyo. The markets in South Korea and Taiwan also in record territory.” — Giles Snyder [04:46].

Notable Quotes

• “They might have to act sooner if this violence continues.” — Franco Ordoñez quoting President Trump [00:59]
• “It just has to stop. We allege that the obvious targeting of Minnesota for our diversity, for our democracy and our differences of opinion with the federal government is a violation of the Constitution and of federal law.” — Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General [01:37]
• “He did not find credible the national security reasons that the government relied on for issuing the stop work order on the project.” — Nick Krakoff, Conservation Law Foundation [02:55]
• “Pittman allegedly text him, ‘I did my research.’ Investigators say Pittman referred to Beth Israel as the synagogue of Satan.” — Shamira Muhammad, quoting affidavit [03:36]
• When asked in court if he understood his rights, Pittman replied, “Yes, sir. Jesus Christ is Lord.” — Pittman [04:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:17 — Iran tariffs and White House options
• 00:59 — Minnesota sues over immigration enforcement shooting
• 02:02 — Illinois/Chicago lawsuit, wind project court ruling
• 03:14 — Synagogue arson suspect’s court appearance
• 04:16 — NYC nurses strike
• 04:40 — Asian financial market boom

This summary delivers the top news stories covered in NPR’s hourly update, highlighting direct quotes and the human impact behind breaking headlines.