NPR News Now: January 15, 2026, 4PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: January 15, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This brief NPR News Now episode delivers the latest headlines from around the U.S. and abroad. Major themes include intensifying immigration protests in Minnesota, new U.S. sanctions on Iran, charges against a prominent actor, changes in school milk policy, and notable economic updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immigration Protests and Federal Response in Minnesota

Segment: [00:17]–[01:38]

• Escalating Tensions:
  • Protests erupted in north Minneapolis after an ICE agent shot and wounded a Venezuelan immigrant accused of resisting arrest.
  • Community unrest has been growing since an ICE officer fatally shot another immigrant, Renee Macklin Goode, the previous week.
• Federal Response:
  • President Trump threatened to invoke the rarely used Insurrection Act to deploy federal troops if Minnesota officials don’t control the protests.
  • "The president said he would institute the act if state officials don't, quote, stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the patriots of ICE." — Meg Anderson [00:50]
• Agencies' Conduct:
  • ICE has responded with more agents and aggressive crowd control tactics, including tear gas, pepper balls, and flashbangs.
  • The last invocation of the Insurrection Act was during the 1992 LA riots, which led to deadly misunderstandings.

2. New U.S. Sanctions on Iran

Segment: [01:38]–[02:25]

• Targeted Sanctions:
  • The Treasury Department announced new sanctions on 18 individuals and entities tied to Iran, specifically targeting mechanisms for sanction evasion.
  • Quoting Treasury Secretary Scott Besant: "Today's sanctions target 18 individuals and entities that the regime uses to evade sanctions on Iranian oil and divert proceeds from its energy sales away from...the Iranian people." — Danielle Kurtzleben [02:00]
• Broader Context:
  • The move comes amid a violent crackdown on Iranian protesters, whose movement began after the collapse of the national currency but has shifted into general opposition to Iran's authoritarian leadership.

3. Charges Against Actor Timothy Busfield

Segment: [02:25]–[02:53]

• Legal Proceedings:
  • Actor Timothy Busfield, known for roles in "The West Wing" and "Thirtysomething," is held in New Mexico on charges of criminal sexual contact and child abuse.
  • "The defendant is currently charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor child under 13 and one count of child abuse." — District Attorney Sam Bregman [02:40]
  • Busfield, who turned himself in, denies the allegations. A detention hearing is pending.

4. International Space Station Crew Returns Early

Segment: [02:53]–[03:49]

• Four astronauts returned from the ISS more than a month early due to a serious crew medical issue, as announced by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
• SpaceX managed the splashdown off California's coast.

5. Whole Milk Returns to U.S. Schools

Segment: [03:49]–[04:32]

• Policy Change:
  • President Trump signed a bill reversing Obama-era limitations, now allowing whole, 2%, 1% fat, skim, and lactose-free milk options in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
• Rationale & Reactions:
  • This reflects new U.S. dietary guidelines that accept higher-fat dairy products amid ongoing debates about the health impacts of saturated fat in milk.
  • “Concerns about whole milk have largely centered on its saturated fat content and higher amount of calories. However, some nutrition researchers have pushed back on the recommendation in recent years, saying it’s not clear from the evidence that the saturated fat in dairy is all that bad for you.” — Will Stone [04:14]
  • The dairy industry has welcomed the move.

6. Economic Update

Segment: [04:32]–[04:57]

• Labor Market:
  • Unemployment claims fell to 198,000 last week—9,000 less than the previous week.
• Stock Market:
  • The Dow closed up by 292 points at 49,442, a gain of more than half a percent.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The president said he would institute the [Insurrection] act if state officials don't, quote, stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the patriots of ICE.”
  — Meg Anderson [00:50]
• “Today’s sanctions target 18 individuals and entities that the regime uses to evade sanctions on Iranian oil and divert proceeds from its energy sales away from...the Iranian people.”
  — Danielle Kurtzleben, quoting Treasury Secretary Scott Besant [02:00]
• “The defendant is currently charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor child under 13 and one count of child abuse.”
  — Sam Bregman, Bernalillo County DA [02:40]
• “Concerns about whole milk have largely centered on its saturated fat content and higher amount of calories. However, some nutrition researchers ... say it’s not clear from the evidence that the saturated fat in dairy is all that bad for you.”
  — Will Stone [04:14]

Segment Timestamps

• Minnesota ICE Protests & Insurrection Act Threat: 00:17–01:38
• Sanctions on Iran: 01:38–02:25
• Timothy Busfield Charged: 02:25–02:53
• ISS Astronauts Return & Milk in Schools: 02:53–04:32
• Economic Updates: 04:32–04:57

This concise news roundup highlights rapidly developing stories on immigration and federal power, international policy, high-profile criminal cases, nutrition debates, space missions, and economic signals.