NPR News Now — January 16, 2026, 3AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder | Length: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

In this brisk, five-minute news update, NPR covers the escalating protests and federal responses in Minneapolis after a fatal shooting, new developments on health care and cryptocurrency legislation in Washington, heightened international tensions over Greenland, and a significant leadership change at Lucasfilm. The hour’s headlines reflect both national and international points of tension and transformation.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

Minneapolis Protests and Police Response

[00:17–01:14]

• Following the recent fatal shooting of Renee Macklin, protests in Minneapolis have intensified. The situation remains volatile, with increased federal law enforcement presence.
• Homeland Security has deployed over 2,000 ICE agents, and there is a palpable atmosphere of fear among demonstrators, leading many to conceal their identities.
• Law enforcement used tear gas and pepper balls to disperse crowds. Reports indicate most businesses are shuttered and citizens are vigilantly monitoring their streets for ICE agents.

Notable quote:
“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, Minneapolis correspondent [00:46]

• President Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, raising the possibility of military involvement to "quell the protests".

Health Care Policy Announcement

[01:14–02:21]

• On the last day of open enrollment, President Trump unveiled an outline for a so-called “Great Health Care Plan.”
• The plan reiterates existing Republican priorities like price transparency and health savings accounts. It does not, however, offer immediate relief for those facing high premiums or present new policy innovations.
• No current legislation enacts these goals; the White House is urging Congress to write a new bill.
• A bipartisan Senate effort is underway to restore previous, more generous Affordable Care Act subsidies after millions saw their premium costs double this year.

Notable quote:
“On healthcare.gov Trump is calling the Great Health Care plan does not have any new or large-scale policy ideas in it… What this plan would not do is extend the enhanced premium subsidies for Affordable Care act plan. Millions of people's premium costs are double what they were last year.”
— Selena Simmons Duffin, Health Policy reporter [01:33]

European Military Exercise in Greenland

[02:21–03:16]

• In response to ongoing U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland, European nations launched a joint military exercise on the island, asserting solidarity and a commitment to regional security.
• France, Sweden, Germany, and Norway are participating in the mission to evaluate security options and the potential for deeper European cooperation in the Arctic.
• The move follows unresolved disputes between the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland.

Notable quote:
“It's to give a signal to the international community that Europe is reacting and exploring its options.”
— Retired French General Pierre de Villiers [02:52]

Immigration Legal Update & Crypto Legislation Delay

[03:16–04:41]

• A federal appeals court cleared the way for the possible rearrest and deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia graduate student, reversing his earlier release.
• The Senate delayed a vote on a closely watched Cryptocurrency Bill after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly criticized it.
• Traditional banks and new crypto firms are vying for regulatory favor, with President Trump counted among crypto’s high-profile supporters.
• The Senate Banking Committee, led by Republican Tim Scott, postponed the vote pending further bipartisan negotiations.

Notable quote:
“Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, who runs the largest US Crypto exchange, posted on X that his company, quote, can't support the bill as written.”
— Maria Aspen, Financial Industry reporter [03:55]

Entertainment Industry Update — Lucasfilm Leadership Change

[04:41–04:56]

• Kathleen Kennedy will step down from her leadership role at Lucasfilm, the studio behind Star Wars.
• Disney stated Kennedy will remain a full-time producer, and Dave Filoni is named as her successor.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the mood in Minneapolis:
  “A lot of people out here are terrified of retaliation for protesting and don't want to give their full names…”
  (Jasmine Garst, 00:46)

• On the healthcare plan’s limitations:
  “Millions of people's premium costs are double what they were last year.”
  (Selena Simmons Duffin, 01:33)

• On European signaling in Greenland:
  “It's to give a signal to the international community that Europe is reacting and exploring its options…”
  (Pierre de Villiers, cited by Eleanor Beardsley, 02:52)

• On the crypto bill setback:
  “Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong... posted on X that his company, quote, can't support the bill as written.”
  (Maria Aspen, 03:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:17] Minneapolis unrest and protester fears
• [00:46] Field report from Minneapolis by Jasmine Garst
• [01:14] Trump administration’s new healthcare policy outline
• [01:33] In-depth health plan analysis by Selena Simmons Duffin
• [02:21] Coverage on European exercises in Greenland
• [02:38] Report on European mission, quotes French general
• [03:16] Legal update on Mahmoud Khalil’s case
• [03:55] Delay in cryptocurrency legislation, Coinbase CEO’s criticism
• [04:41] Leadership change at Lucasfilm

This episode distills the latest high-stakes events from Minneapolis to Washington D.C., Greenland to Hollywood—a brisk run through a night marked by protest, policy shifts, international posturing, and major industry news.