NPR News: 01-17-2026 10PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: 01-17-2026 10PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: January 18, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major national and international news stories at the hour. Key focuses include escalating diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Denmark over Greenland, ongoing domestic legal and political disputes, healthcare coverage concerns, and notable cultural developments in arts and energy.

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Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. U.S.–Denmark Tensions over Greenland

[00:16–01:10]

• President Trump's Tariff Threats: President Trump is threatening new tariffs (an initial 10%, rising to 25% in June) on eight European countries as leverage in his campaign to acquire Greenland from Denmark.
• Congressional Diplomacy: A bipartisan U.S. delegation (including Senators Lisa Murkowski and Chris Coons) visited Copenhagen to calm relations.
• Bipartisan Voices for Partnership:
  • Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski called for "open and continuing talks."
  • Democratic Senator Chris Coons highlighted openness for U.S. investments in Greenland, as long as they are respectful and in partnership:

    "It was made very clear to us, as it has been repeatedly over the years, that if the United States seeks to invest in partnership respectfully with the people of Greenland...that that would be welcome."
    — Chris Coons [00:53]

• Denmark's Response: Greenland is "not for sale," but Denmark will allow expanded U.S. military presence.
• U.S. Justification: President Trump continues to argue U.S. control over Greenland is "for its national security."

2. Justice Department Probes in Minnesota

[01:10–02:13]

• Investigation Launched: The Justice Department is investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walsh and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry for allegedly impeding ICE agents via social media.
• Political Tension: Walsh labels the probe "an authoritarian tactic."

  "Weaponizing the Justice Department against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic."
  — Tim Walsh [Paraphrased, 01:10]

• Protests in Minneapolis: Two protests unfold—a smaller anti-immigration march organized by a pardoned January 6th rioter, and a larger counter-protest.
• Judicial Ruling: A judge ruled ICE agents cannot detain or tear gas peaceful protesters who are not interfering, even if they are observing ICE actions.

3. Healthcare.gov Open Enrollment Update

[02:13–02:54]

• Open Enrollment Closes: Despite higher average premiums (double compared to last year) and no enhanced subsidies, 22.8 million Americans have picked or auto-renewed healthcare plans—a 3% drop from last year.
• Key Insight: Cynthia Cox of KFF notes:

  "Some people are having this lingering hope that there might be a deal in Congress, but if nothing comes along, then they might not be able to continue to afford their coverage and might drop it."
  — Cynthia Cox [02:35]

• Bipartisan Negotiations Stalled: Senate talks for restoring subsidies are slow, but Senator Lisa Murkowski remains cautiously optimistic:

  "I don't think it is too late to salvage something."
  — Lisa Murkowski [02:50]

4. House Contempt Threat over Epstein Files

[02:58–03:39]

• Congressional Action: Representatives Thomas Massie (Republican) and Ro Khanna (Democrat) vow to bring contempt charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi for failing to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates public release of government-held Jeffrey Epstein records.

5. Arts & Culture: Kennedy Center Cancellations

[03:39–04:17]

• Martha Graham Dance Company: The legendary troupe cancels its gig at the embattled Kennedy Center, joining others withdrawing since the venue adopted President Trump’s name.
  • Official Statement: The dance company expressed regret and a wish to return, but offered no specific reason.
  • Venue Reaction: No comment from management; Kennedy Center head Richard Grinnell has previously criticized performers who withdrew for politicized reasons.

6. Offshore Wind Farm Laws & Rulings

[04:17–04:55]

• Virginia Wind Farm: A federal judge allows Dominion Energy’s nearly-complete offshore project off Virginia Beach to continue, despite the Trump administration citing "national security" to halt it.
  • Ruling marks the third legal victory for wind projects this week after similar cases in New England and New York.
  • Context: The Virginia Beach wind farm is poised to become the largest commercial installation of its kind in the U.S.

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Notable Quotes & Highlights

• "It was made very clear to us...that if the United States seeks to invest in partnership respectfully with the people of Greenland...that that would be welcome."
  — Senator Chris Coons [00:53]

• "Weaponizing the Justice Department against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic."
  — Gov. Tim Walsh [Paraphrased, 01:10]

• "Some people are having this lingering hope that there might be a deal in Congress, but if nothing comes along, then they might not be able to continue to afford their coverage and might drop it."
  — Cynthia Cox [02:35]

• "I don't think it is too late to salvage something."
  — Senator Lisa Murkowski [02:50]

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Timeline of Major Segments

• 00:16–01:10 — U.S.–Denmark/Greenland, Tariffs, and Congressional visit
• 01:10–02:13 — Minnesota ICE probe, protests, and legal ruling
• 02:13–02:54 — Healthcare.gov enrollment stats and political deadlock
• 02:58–03:39 — Epstein files Congress-DOJ standoff
• 03:39–04:17 — Martha Graham Dance Company cancels Kennedy Center appearance
• 04:17–04:55 — Virginia offshore wind farm legal update

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This episode succinctly covers significant developments shaping U.S. foreign policy, domestic governance, social movements, and sectors like health and energy, with clear attributions to key political figures and expert voices throughout.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump is threatening to impose an additional 10% tariff on eight European countries as part of his campaign to get control of Greenland, a Danish territory. And he says if Denmark doesn't sell Greenland to the U.S. the tariffs will go up to 25% in June. Meanwhile, a bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers visited Copenhagen today in a bid to ease tensions. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski urged open and continuing talks. Democratic Senator Chris Coons says there's a way for cooperation.

[U.S. Lawmaker or Official]

It was made very clear to us, as it has been repeatedly over the years, that if the United States seeks to invest in partnership respectfully with the people of Greenland in accessing possibly newly available critical minerals or rare earths, that that would be welcome.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Denmark says Greenland isn't for sale, though it says it will let the US Expand its military presence there. Trump insists the US has to control Greenland for its national security. The Justice Department says it's investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walsh and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry for allegedly impeding ICE agents on social media. Wall says weaponizing the Justice Department against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic. This as tensions remain high in Minneapolis with two opposing protests taking place today, one an anti immigration march organized by a pardoned January 6 rioter, which was outnumbered by a nearby counter protest. Meanwhile, a judge says ICE agents can't detain or tear gas peaceful protesters who aren't obstructing authorities, including when they're watching agents. This week marked the end of a chaotic and confusing open enrollment period for healthcare.gov as NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin reports, millions have re enrolled in coverage despite much higher premiums this year.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

The Latest data shows 22.8 million people picked a plan or auto renewed during open enrollment so far, a 3% drop from the year before. That's despite the fact that premium costs are double on average compared to last year. And Congress hasn't been able to make a deal to bring back enhanced subsidies. Cynthia Cox is with the health research organization kff.

[Cynthia Cox]

Some people are having this lingering hope that there might be a deal in Congress, but if nothing comes along, then they might not be able to continue to afford their coverage and might drop it.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

Bipartisan talks in the Senate have slowed, but Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska hasn't given up.

[Jeanine Herbst]

I don't think it is too late to salvage something.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

Selena Simmons Duffen, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A bipartisan duo in the House says they'll bring contempt charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi for allegedly flouting a new law forcing the release of the Epstein files in the government's possession. Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna say Bondi hasn't fulfilled the Epstein files transparency act. This is npr. The Martha Graham Dance Company says it will not be stopping at the John F. Kennedy center for the Performing arts in Washington, D.C. on its centennial tour this spring. NPR's Chloe the internationally celebrated troupe joins a growing list of performers to withdraw from the embattled venue since the start of the second Trump presidency.

[Chloe Veltman]

The Martha Graham Dance Company did not give a reason for its decision to cancel its scheduled Kennedy center run in April. In a statement shared with npr, the nation's oldest dance troupe only said it regretted its decision and expressed a desire to return in the future. The Kennedy Centre did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment, and the venue's leader, Richard Grinnell, has not personally commented on this development on social media. But he has strongly criticised others who have cancelled dates, especially those such as jazz musician Chuck Red, whose actions came in response to the addition in December of President Donald Trump's name to the building. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A federal judge says construction of an offshore wind farm off the coast of Virginia can continue this after the Trump administration halted the work last month. The administration claimed the project would threaten national security, but the judge ruled the government prove that Dominion Energy's project off Virginia Beach's coast is about 70% finished and it will become the country's biggest commercial offshore wind farm. It's the third win for an offshore wind farm. This week, similar rulings were issued for wind farms in New England and New York. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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