NPR News Now – January 16, 2026, 5AM EST

Host: Dave Mattingly
Length: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of the top stories as of early January 16th, 2026. Main themes include escalating tensions over federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, developments in Venezuela’s political crisis and US involvement, Australia’s crackdown on social media for minors, a major college basketball point-shaving scandal, and a quick look at Wall Street’s positive momentum.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalating Immigration Tensions in Minneapolis

[00:15-01:18]

• Incident Trigger: Protests erupted in Minneapolis after two violent ICE encounters:

  • The fatal shooting of a woman in her SUV by a US immigration officer last week.
  • The recent wounding of a Venezuelan man by another ICE agent.

• Facts about the Second Incident:

  • DHS says it began with a traffic stop involving a Venezuelan without legal status.
  • A physical altercation ensued after a foot pursuit.

• Administrative Response:

  • President Trump is considering invoking the Insurrection Act in response to ongoing protests.
  • Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison pledges to fight any such move in court.

• Pressure on Local Authorities:

  • Increased federal push for local-state cooperation with immigration enforcement.
  • Possible threats to federal funding for non-compliance.

Notable Quote:

• “Minnesota's Attorney General Keith Ellison says he will fight President Trump in court if the president tries to invoke the Insurrection act in response to ongoing protests…”
  —Dave Mattingly [00:17]

2. Legal Standoff Over Sanctuary Policies

[01:18-01:56]
Reporter: Joel Rose

• Trump’s Threats:

  • Renewed threats to cut funding to ‘sanctuary’ states and cities.
  • Reference to a previous executive order seeking to penalize non-cooperating jurisdictions.

• Judicial Pushback:

  • Courts have repeatedly ruled against the administration, blocking the use of funding as a coercive tool.

• Democratic Resolve:

  • Local leaders say they are undeterred and will challenge any funding cuts.

Notable Quote:

• “Courts have consistently cited against the administration in almost every case, saying the federal government cannot use federal funding to coerce state and local governments into cooperating with immigration enforcement.”
  —Joel Rose [01:36]

3. Venezuela: High-Stakes Diplomacy & US Involvement

[01:56-03:10]
Reporter: Carrie Kahn

• Diplomatic Symbolism:

  • Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presents her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Trump during a White House meeting.
  • Trump praises it as a “wonderful gesture.”

• Leadership & Internal Strife:

  • Venezuela’s acting President Delsey Rodriguez delivers a defiant State of the Nation speech, less than two weeks after the US military seized President Nicolás Maduro.

• Rodriguez’s Balancing Act:

  • Navigating between hardliners at home and a wary Washington.
  • Her stance: open to diplomacy but on her “own terms.”

Notable Quotes:

• “If she has to go to Washington, she will go on her own terms. ‘I will do so standing tall, not being dragged, never crawling,’ she said.”
  —Carrie Kahn quoting Delsey Rodriguez [02:52]

4. Australia Bans Social Media for Under-16s

[03:10-03:57]

• Impact:

  • Over 4.5 million children’s accounts removed from major platforms after a new law took effect last month.
  • Facebook, YouTube, X, and others face stiff fines for violations.

• Government Position:

  • Announced by the Communications Minister as a necessary step to protect children.

5. College Basketball Point-Shaving Scandal

[03:57-04:40]
Reporter: Becky Sullivan

• Scale of Allegations:

  • 20 players and 6 associates charged with game manipulation from 17 NCAA Division I teams.
  • Scheme involved bribes between $10,000 and $30,000 for intentional underperformance to affect betting spreads.

• Details:

  • At least 29 games targeted.
  • Teams include Georgetown, Butler, and St. John’s.
  • 11 players banned; investigations ongoing into 40 players.

Notable Quote:

• “Defendants are accused of bribing players with $10-30,000 apiece to deliberately underperform so that their team would lose by more than the spread set by betting markets.”
  —Becky Sullivan [04:06]

6. Wall Street Update

[04:40-04:53]

• Stock Market:
  • Dow up 292 points (over 0.5%) in the previous session—continuing a positive trend.

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode is brisk and matter-of-fact, balancing gravity (immigration protests, Venezuela upheaval, a sports scandal) with clarity and urgency.
• Strong, evocative statements from Delsey Rodriguez captured the struggles within Venezuela: “‘I will do so standing tall, not being dragged, never crawling.’”
• Courthouse and government standoffs over immigration underline a theme of ongoing constitutional tension.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Immigration Tensions & Protests: 00:15-01:18
• Sanctuary Policies & Legal Battle: 01:18-01:56
• Venezuela Political Crisis & US Involvement: 01:56-03:10
• Australia’s Social Media Ban: 03:10-03:57
• College Basketball Scandal: 03:57-04:40
• Wall Street Update: 04:40-04:53