NPR News: 01-17-2026 2PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now — 01-17-2026, 2PM EST

Host: Nora Ram, NPR
Date: January 17, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

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Overview

This episode covers critical global and domestic headlines for January 17, 2026. Key stories include President Trump’s announcement of new tariffs tied to US interest in purchasing Greenland, protests in Denmark, federal investigations into Minnesota leaders regarding immigration enforcement, legal updates on wind energy projects, a search and rescue in Indonesia, the opening of the Australian Open tennis tournament, and NASA’s new moon rocket rollout.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Tariffs and the Greenland Controversy

• President Trump announced heightened tariffs on European allies, starting Feb 1st (10%), increasing to 25% on June 1st.

• The tariffs serve as leverage in the administration's effort to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

• Danish public reaction: Significant protests in Copenhagen, with bipartisan Congressional visits meant to save diplomatic ties.

  “President Trump announced on social media today he's imposing higher tariffs on European allies until a deal is reached to allow the US to buy Greenland from Denmark.” — Nora Ram (00:17)

  “Here at the rally, there are signs criticizing President Trump... Signs say ‘Yankee go home’, ‘this land is not for sale’, and ‘Americans I know there is good in you. Come back to sanity.’” — Barbara Sprunt, from Copenhagen (00:57)

• Timestamps:

  • Announcement & context: 00:17–00:46
  • On-the-ground report: 00:46–01:22

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2. Federal Probe into MN Leaders & Immigration Protests

• Justice Department investigation into Minnesota Gov. Tim Walls and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry for comments about immigration crackdowns.

• Federal judge restricts immigration agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters and bans certain crowd-control tactics.

• Protests erupted following the fatal shooting of Renee Macklin, leading to daily demonstrations.

  "The judge ordered federal agents not to retaliate against people, quote, 'engaging in peaceful and unobstructive protest activity.'" — Jasmine Garst, Minneapolis (01:48)

• 2,500 ICE agents now deployed in Minneapolis.

• Timestamps:

  • Update & legal development: 01:22–01:48
  • Details on protests & federal actions: 01:48–02:25

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3. Wind Farm Legal Victory in Virginia

• Federal judge allows offshore wind farm construction to resume off Virginia Beach, overturning a Trump administration halt that cited vague national security risks.

• Judge finds administration failed to specify the alleged threats or collaborate with developer Dominion.

• Follows similar court wins for Empire Wind (NY) and Revolution Wind (New England).

  "Judge Jamar Walker said the administration failed to outline how construction on the Virginia project would threaten national security, or why the government has not tried to work with Dominion to resolve concerns.” — Katherine Haffner (02:41)

• Timestamps: 02:25–03:09

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4. Search and Rescue in Indonesia

• A regional passenger plane with 11 people lost contact while flying between Java and Sulawesi over mountainous terrain; search operations are underway.

• Timestamps: 03:09–03:27

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5. Australian Open Tennis Tournament Begins

• 39 Americans in competition, with Madison Keyes as defending women’s champ.

• Notable matchups: Frances Tiafoe vs. Jason Kubler; Venus Williams (45) receives wildcard, facing Olga Danilovic (24).

• Williams is highlighted as a two-time runner-up at the event.

  “45 year old Venus Williams plays 24 year old Olga Danilovic of Serbia. Williams, who was twice runner up to her sister Serena at the Australian Open, received a wildcard entry…” — Lindsay Arkley, Melbourne (03:56)

• Timestamps: 03:40–04:24

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6. NASA’s Artemis Moon Rocket Rolls to Launch Pad

• The new moon rocket slowly moves from assembly building to launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, expected to take until nightfall.

• The mission aims to send four astronauts around the moon in February, marking the first such journey since Apollo’s end in 1972.

  “NASA's giant new moon rocket is on its slow journey... to blast off to the moon with four astronauts on board as early as February....for the first time since the Apollo lunar landing program ended in 1972.” — Nora Ram (04:24)

• Timestamps: 04:24–04:55

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Americans I know there is good in you. Come back to sanity.” — Protest sign quoted by Barbara Sprunt, Copenhagen (01:09)
• “45 year old Venus Williams plays 24 year old Olga Danilovic of Serbia. Williams...received a wildcard entry…” — Lindsay Arkley, Melbourne (03:56)
• “Judge Jamar Walker said the administration failed to outline how construction... would threaten national security.” — Katherine Haffner, WHRO (02:46)

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Segment Timestamps At-a-Glance

• US-Greenland Tariffs & Protests: 00:17–01:22
• MN Immigration Probe & Protests: 01:22–02:25
• Virginia Wind Farm Court Ruling: 02:25–03:09
• Indonesia Plane Search: 03:09–03:27
• Australian Open Preview: 03:40–04:24
• NASA Moon Rocket Rollout: 04:24–04:55

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This summary provides a comprehensive guide to each key story from NPR News Now's 2PM newscast on January 17, 2026.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ram. President Trump announced on social media today he's imposing higher tariffs on European allies until a deal is reached to allow the US to buy Greenland from Denmark. He said he'll raise tariffs by 10% starting February 1st. On June 1st, he'll increase the tariff to 25%. Earlier today, crowds had gathered in Denmark to protest his demand for Greenland. NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports from Copenhagen.

[C]

In front of Copenhagen City Town hall, what looks like thousands of people are gathered waving flags of Greenland. This is coming on the heels of a congressional delegation to Denmark, a reassurance tour of sorts. US Lawmakers met with Danish members of government and business leaders to reaffirm the long standing relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark. Here at the rally, there are signs criticizing President Trump, who's doubled down on his rhetoric recently about the US Taking over Greenland. Signs say Yankee go home, this land is not for sale, and Americans I know there is good in you. Come back to sanity. Barbara Sprunt, NPR News, Copenhagen.

[B]

The Justice Department is investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walls and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry over public comments they've made about the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. The government is looking into whether their statements have impeded federal immigration enforcement. A federal judge in Minnesota is restricting immigration agents from retaliating against protesters in the state. NPR's Jasmine Gars reports.

[D]

The judge ordered federal agents not to retaliate against people, quote, engaging in peaceful and unobstructive protest activity. She also ordered Agen not to use pepper spray or other crowd dispersal tools in retaliation for protected speech. Minneapolis is the latest target in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Homeland Security says There are over 2,500 ICE agents on the ground. Protests erupted last week after an agent shot and killed 37 year old Renee Macklin.

[B]

Good.

[D]

And have continued every day since. Jasmine Garst, NPR News, Minneapolis.

[B]

A federal judge has cleared the way for a wind farm off the Virginia beach coach to resume construction after the Trump administration had halted work last month. It's nearly 70% complete. Katherine Haffner of member station WHRO reports.

[A]

The Interior Department's stop work order cited national security concerns, but government officials have declined to provide more detail. Judge Jamar Walker said the administration failed to outline how construction on the Virginia project would threaten national security, or why the government has not tried to work with Dominion to resolve concerns. Dominion is the third offshore wind developer to win in court this week. Judges issued similar rulings for Empire Wind in New York and Revolution Wind in New England.

[B]

Kathryn Haffner reporting. This is NPR News in Washington. A search and rescue operation is underway in Indonesia after a regional passenger plane lost contact with ground control. It was carrying 11 people when it vanished, vanished from radar screens while approaching a mountainous region between Java and Sulawesi islands. Play is about to get underway in the Australian Open tennis tournament. Lindsey Arkley reports on day one of the first Grand Slam of the year.

[E]

This year's Australian Open features 39Americans, 21 in the men's draw and 18 in the women's, with Madison Keyes, the defending women's champion. The highest ranked US Player in action on day one will be in the men's singles when Francis Teofo, the 29th seed, takes on a qualifier from Australia, Jason Kubler. Later on day one in the women's singles, 45 year old Venus Williams plays 24 year old Olga Danilovic of Serbia. Williams, who was twice runner up to her sister Serena at the Australian Open, received a wildcard entry to this year's tournament. For NPR News, I'm Lindsay arkley in Melbourne.

[B]

NASA's giant new moon rocket is on its slow journey from the Kennedy Space Center's vehicle assembly building to the launch pad. It started this morning, and at 1 mph, it could take until nightfall to get there. It's to blast off to the moon with four astronauts on board as early as February, is to carry them around the moon and then come back to Earth for the first time since the Apollo lunar landing program ended in 1972. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

[F]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR news [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.