NPR News Now – January 16, 2026, 12AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder, NPR
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: Rapid developments in U.S. immigration tensions, federal-city relations, mail delivery issues affecting voting, a major Pakistan-cryptocurrency deal involving the Trump family, and a large-scale college basketball game-fixing scheme.

Overview

This NPR News Now episode covers overnight breaking news, highlighting surging tensions in Minneapolis over immigration enforcement, the Trump administration's escalating pressure against sanctuary cities, new challenges to voting and mail-in ballots, a landmark crypto payments deal between Pakistan and the Trump family’s firm, and revelations of a college basketball game-rigging scandal. The fast-paced summary provides listeners with key national and international updates relevant to current affairs and governance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Immigration Tensions

Timestamps: 00:16 – 01:05

• Setting: Minneapolis remains on edge after two recent shootings involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – the killing of Renee Macklin Good and the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant by a federal agent.
• Atmosphere:
  • “The mood is very tense.” (Jasmine Garst, 00:37)
  • Over 2,000 ICE agents deployed, growing anxiety among residents and protesters.
  • Stores are largely shuttered and citizens monitor ICE activity in their neighborhoods.
• Public Fear: Protesters fear retaliation and many refuse to give their full names.

2. White House Threatens Military Action and Funding Cuts

Timestamps: 01:05 – 01:59

• Administration Actions:
  • President Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy military forces to quell protests.
  • The administration ramps up threats to cut funding to "sanctuary cities" that aren't cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.
• Legal Landscape:
  • Previous executive orders attempting to withhold funds from sanctuary cities have been blocked by courts.
  • “Courts have consistently sided against the administration in almost every case.” (Joel Rose, 01:38)
  • Democratic leaders are pushing back and pledge to fight in court.

3. Voting Rights and Postal Service Changes

Timestamps: 01:59 – 03:12

• Federal Lawsuit:
  • A federal judge dismisses the Trump administration’s lawsuit against California over voting records, citing the potential chilling effect on voter registration.
• Postal Service Reorganization:
  • New USPS policies delay postmarks for mail originating more than 50 miles from processing centers.
  • “That means some first class mail may not get postmarked until the day after it's collected.” (Hansi Lo Wang, 02:33)
• Voter Impact:
  • Democratic senators urge the USPS to reconsider changes due to the risk of mail-in ballots being rejected.
  • Suggested remedies: Ask for a same-day postmark at a post office or deliver ballots in person.

4. Pakistan-Trump Family Cryptocurrency Deal

Timestamps: 03:12 – 04:22

• Historic Agreement:
  • Pakistan formalizes an agreement with World Liberty Financial, the main crypto business of the Trump family, to use the USD1 stablecoin for digital and cross-border payments.
  • “Reuters reports the deal makes Pakistan the first sovereign state to publicly announce a deal with World Liberty, which was co founded by Trump and his sons.” (Omkar Khandekar, 03:52)
• Growing Ties:
  • Pakistan is strengthening bilateral relations, having previously recommended Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize and given permission for U.S. mineral mining in-country.
  • The deal was personally signed by Zach Witkoff, co-founder and son of Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy.

5. College Basketball Game-Fixing Scandal

Timestamps: 04:22 – 04:47

• Indictment Unsealed:
  • Federal prosecutors reveal a major scheme to fix college basketball games, involving 39 players from 17 Division 1 teams, with over 29 games affected.
  • The scheme reportedly started with two professional games in China before expanding into the U.S. college system.

6. Markets Update

Timestamps: 04:47 – 04:55

• Stocks:
  • After two days of decline, the S&P 500 rises by 0.3%.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Minneapolis Tension:

  • “A lot of people out here are terrified of retaliation for protesting and don't want to give their full names. Right now the streets are fairly empty. A lot of stores have their doors locked. And on every street corner there are one or two people, citizens just standing monitoring for ICE agents.”
    – Jasmine Garst, 00:42

• On Federal Threats Against Sanctuary Cities:

  • “The president signed an executive order nearly a year ago directing the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to make a list of sanctuary cities and withhold money from them. But courts have consistently sided against the administration in almost every case...”
    – Joel Rose, 01:35

• On Voting by Mail Disruptions:

  • “Senators Alex Padilla and Jeff Merkley, plus a dozen other Senate Democrats, say they're concerned this change could lead to more voters getting their mail-in ballots rejected.”
    – Hansi Lo Wang, 02:53

• On the Pakistan-Trump Crypto Deal:

  • “Pakistan said the deal with World Liberty affiliate company SC Financial Technologies will help them use their USD1 stablecoin for digital payments and cross border remittances.”
    – Omkar Khandekar, 03:35

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:16] – News begins: Tension in Minneapolis, ICE deployments
• [00:37] – On-the-ground report from Jasmine Garst in Minneapolis
• [01:05] – Trump administration threatens military intervention
• [01:22] – Funding threats to sanctuary cities; legal and political reactions
• [01:59] – Federal judge dismisses lawsuit on California’s voting records
• [02:28] – Postal service changes and their effects on mail-in ballots
• [03:12] – Pakistan’s deal with Trump family’s cryptocurrency firm
• [04:22] – Basketball game-fixing indictment
• [04:47] – Wall Street market update

Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers a snapshot of rising domestic tensions around immigration enforcement, the friction between federal and local governments, evolving obstacles to voting access, international financial partnerships with political implications, and the continued shadow of corruption in college sports. Each story is presented with context and relevant quotes, capturing the urgency and complexity of current events.