NPR News Now: 01-22-2026 5PM EST

Summary & Key Highlights

Theme:
This episode delivers a concise update on major national and international news stories, including immigration enforcement in Minnesota, legal and political updates involving former President Trump, developments in global health emergencies, and lighter cultural news.

1. Child Detained by ICE in Minnesota

[00:31 - 01:32]

• Incident Overview:

  • A five-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, was taken into custody by federal immigration agents in Minnesota and is now held in Texas.
  • He is the fourth child from the Columbia Heights Public Schools district to be detained in recent weeks.

• Conflicting Accounts:

  • Zena Stanvik (School Superintendent) alleges agents used the child as "bait" to coax family members outside:

    “She claims the child was used as bait to bring his family members out of their home.” (Sarah Ventri, 00:47)

  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated the child was "abandoned by his parents."

• Context:

  • Both child and father are at the Dilley Detention Center, Texas.
  • DHS asserts its focus is removing “dangerous criminals” and notes 3,000 arrests in Minneapolis region over six weeks.

2. Jack Smith Defends Trump Investigations

[01:32 - 02:20]

• Main Points:

  • Former special counsel Jack Smith appeared before Congress to defend two criminal indictments against President Trump (2020 election overturn efforts and classified documents mishandling).
  • Neither case reached a jury before Trump returned to the White House.

• Smith’s Commentary:

  "Smith says he had proof beyond a reasonable doubt both cases and that he was not motivated by politics." (Carrie Johnson, 01:42)

  • Regrets not showing enough support for prosecutors and FBI agents involved.
  • Highlighted that some public servants were fired or threatened for pursuing their duties.

3. Trump Sues JPMorgan Chase

[02:20 - 03:20]

• Lawsuit Details:

  • President Trump is suing JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon for $5 billion, alleging his accounts were closed due to “political and social motivations” post-January 6th riots.

• Reactions:

  • JPMorgan Chase states the suit "has no merit" and denies closing accounts for political or religious reasons:

    “The bank, quote, does not close accounts for political or religious reasons.” (Maria Aspen, 02:33)

• Political Background:

  • Trump has a history of accusing major banks of “debanking” conservatives.
  • Banks claim closures are due to legal and regulatory issues, not politics.

4. Olympic Flame in Venice

[03:20 - 03:34]

• Highlight:
  • The Olympic flame travels down Venice’s Grand Canal ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Games, scheduled for February 6th.

5. FDA Considers New Zyn Nicotine Pouch Messaging

[03:34 - 04:02]

• Details:
  • Philip Morris requests the FDA allow marketing Zyn nicotine pouches as a less harmful alternative for adult smokers.
  • Company studies claim Zyn reduces risk of smoking-related diseases, pending FDA review.

6. Africa CDC Lifts MPOX Emergency Status

[04:02 - 04:44]

• Health Update:

  • Africa CDC rescinds its public health emergency over MPOX (formerly monkeypox), after cases dropped 90% in six weeks to 140 cases last week.
  • First time African Union’s CDC declared, and then lifted, a health emergency.

• Official Caution:

  “Emergence of coronavirus security doesn't mean that MPOX is eliminated. It means we are considering MPOX as a disease we need to control.”
  — Jean Kaseya, Director General, Africa CDC (04:34)

• Continued Monitoring:

  • Ongoing support to countries with active outbreaks.

7. Rhode Island’s Mr. Potato Head Plates May End

[04:53 - 05:11]

• Background:
  • Rhode Island may discontinue Mr. Potato Head specialty license plates as Hasbro moves headquarters to Boston.
  • The plates originated in 2002 to celebrate the toy’s 50th anniversary.

Notable Quotes

• On ICE Child Detention:

  "She claims the child was used as bait to bring his family members out of their home."
  — Sarah Ventri (00:47)

• On Jack Smith’s Motivation:

  "Smith says he had proof beyond a reasonable doubt both cases and that he was not motivated by politics."
  — Carrie Johnson (01:42)

• On JPMorgan’s Response:

  “The bank, quote, does not close accounts for political or religious reasons.”
  — Maria Aspen (02:33)

• On MPOX Emergency Lifted:

  “Emergence of coronavirus security doesn't mean that MPOX is eliminated. It means we are considering MPOX as a disease we need to control.”
  — Jean Kaseya (04:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:31 – ICE detains 5-year-old in Minnesota
• 01:32 – Jack Smith defends Trump investigations
• 02:20 – Trump sues JPMorgan Chase
• 03:20 – Olympic flame travels through Venice
• 03:34 – FDA weighs new Zyn nicotine pouch ads
• 04:02 – Africa CDC lifts MPOX health emergency
• 04:53 – Rhode Island may end Mr. Potato Head plates

This episode efficiently covers urgent news stories in immigration, politics, global health, and culture, with clear summaries and relevant quotes for listeners seeking a rapid and comprehensive update.