NPR News Now — January 13, 2026, 3PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh (NPR News Anchor)
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This tightly packed NPR News segment covers the latest national news, including upheaval in Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s office, economic updates impacting Federal Reserve decisions, Congressional tensions over the Epstein inquiry subpoenas, a major nurses’ strike in New York City, controversial changes to pediatric flu shot recommendations, and the passing of an influential Hong Kong investor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office Resignations

[00:25–01:30]

• Multiple top prosecutors, including Joe Thompson (noted for social services fraud cases), have resigned from Minnesota's U.S. Attorney’s office.
• The Justice Department is under pressure to investigate the widow of Renee Macklin Goode, killed by an ICE agent.
• Disagreement between the DOJ and local law enforcement: The DOJ declined to include the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in the case, prompting objections from Thompson.
• Concerns among attorneys that immigration enforcement has diverted resources from fraud prosecutions.

2. Economic Update: Inflation & Interest Rates

[01:30–01:51]

• December’s Consumer Price Index shows prices up 2.7% year-on-year, matching November’s number.

• Ongoing debate within the Federal Reserve about whether to further cut interest rates (potential fourth cut in a row).

• President Trump, speaking in Detroit, alludes to previous resistance to lowering interest rates, suggesting it held back economic rallies.

  “If you announce great numbers, they raise interest rates to try and kill it. So you can never really have the kind of rally you should have.”
  — President Trump, [01:45]

• Former Fed Chairs are uniting to defend current Chair Jerome Powell after threats of a federal investigation, with Trump's clash with Powell a focal point.

3. Congressional Subpoenas for Bill & Hillary Clinton in Epstein Inquiry

[01:51–03:07]

• The House Oversight Committee (led by Rep. James Comer, R-KY) plans to hold Bill Clinton—and potentially Hillary Clinton—in contempt for not responding to subpoenas related to the Epstein case.

  “Again, no one's accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We just have questions. And I find it odd not only they didn't show up, but that the Democrats on the committee who are so concerned about getting to the bottom of the Epstein investigation, didn't even bother to.”
  — House Republican (Reporter paraphrasing), [02:36]

• The Clintons’ response: They call the subpoenas “legally invalid and designed to embarrass political rivals,” asserting the need to defend principles.

  “Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people.”
  — Letter from the Clintons, [02:49]

4. Stock Market Update

[03:07–03:26]

• Major indices sharply lower; Dow Jones down over 400 points, S&P down 26 points.

5. New York City Nurses' Strike

[03:27–03:53]

• Thousands of NYC nurses strike for a second day, seeking higher pay and more job protections at three major hospital systems.
• The strike coincides with peak flu season, heightening tensions and health concerns.

6. New Federal Guidance on Pediatric Flu Shots

[03:53–04:41]

• The Trump administration now recommends parents consult doctors individually about flu shots rather than routinely vaccinating all children.

• Medical experts warn this could lead to lower vaccination rates amid a severe flu season (at least 288 children died last season; 9 so far this season).

  “Many doctors worry that the new recommendation will result in fewer kids getting a flu shot, more kids catching the flu, ending up in a hospital or even dying… The decision is especially alarming right now when the nation is in the midst of one of the worst flu seasons in years.”
  — Rob Stein, NPR Health Correspondent, [04:09]

7. Death of David Webb, Hong Kong Activist Investor

[04:41–05:04]

• David Webb, figurehead for investor rights and transparency in Hong Kong, has died at 65 after a battle with cancer.
• Founded “website.com” (with two B's) to provide investment data and analysis.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on the Fed’s impact on economic rallies:
  “If you announce great numbers, they raise interest rates to try and kill it. So you can never really have the kind of rally you should have.” ([01:45])

• House Oversight Committee on the Clintons’ noncompliance:
  “We just have questions. And I find it odd...that the Democrats on the committee who are so concerned about getting to the bottom of the Epstein investigation, didn't even bother to.” ([02:36])

• The Clintons’ rebuke of the subpoenas:
  “Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people.” ([02:49])

• Rob Stein on pediatric flu vaccination changes:
  “Many doctors worry that the new recommendation will result in fewer kids getting a flu shot, more kids catching the flu, ending up in a hospital or even dying.” ([04:09])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Minnesota U.S. Attorney resignations and DOJ pressure: [00:25–01:30]
• Inflation data, Fed rate cut debate, Trump speech: [01:30–01:51]
• Trump/Fed Chair Powell tensions: [01:51–02:29]
• House subpoenas for Clintons in Epstein case: [02:29–03:07]
• Stock market update: [03:07–03:26]
• NYC nurses’ strike: [03:27–03:53]
• New pediatric flu shot recommendations: [03:53–04:41]
• David Webb’s death: [04:41–05:04]

Tone and Style

• Matter-of-fact, journalistic delivery—focused on rapid dissemination of major headlines with succinct context.
• Occasional direct quotes highlight emotional or political stakes.
• Analysis is brisk, with the priority on accountability, transparency, and public impact.

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