NPR News Now – January 28, 2026, 11AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman | Length: ~5 minutes
Episode Theme: The latest national and international news updates

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode covers several of the day's top stories, including U.S. foreign policy in Venezuela, political fallout following a recent U.S. military operation, turmoil within the Justice Department, looming federal government shutdown, new developments in the case of Representative Ilhan Omar, weather forecasts, Federal Reserve updates, new menopause research, and international tensions regarding Greenland.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela

(00:18 – 00:46)

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends the U.S. operation in Venezuela before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, describing the administration’s goals.

• Rubio emphasizes the U.S. wants a transition to democracy in Venezuela, aiming for a government where all of society is represented.

  "The end state here is we want to reach a phase of transition where we are left with a friendly, stable, prosperous Venezuela and democratic in which all elements of society are represented in free and fair elections."
  — Marco Rubio [00:33]

• Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D) counters, arguing the U.S. has merely replaced “one dictator for another,” and notes the costly U.S. Naval blockade.

2. Justice Department Resignations in Minnesota

(00:46 – 01:38)

• NPR reports more resignations from Minnesota's U.S. Attorney's Office.
  • Three more prosecutors have quit, following six previous resignations.
  • The departures are linked to Department of Justice pressure to investigate the widow of Renee Macklin Good, who was killed by federal agents.
  • An FBI agent resigned after being pressured to drop the inquiry into Good’s death.

3. Looming Government Shutdown & Homeland Security Funding

(01:38 – 02:15)

• Congress is one day closer to a potential shutdown.
• Senate Democrats intend to block a six-bill funding package unless the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) bill—with ICE funding—undergoes changes.
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants to pass the rest of the appropriations and separately overhaul DHS funding.
• Timing complicated by the House being in recess and funding expiring after Friday.

4. President Trump and Attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar

(02:15 – 03:10)

• President Trump suggests without evidence that Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar staged the attack on herself in Minneapolis.

  • NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben contextualizes Trump’s comments, noting Omar’s frequent targeting in Trump’s public remarks.

  "I don't think about her. I think she's a fraud. I, I really don't think about that. She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her."
  — Donald Trump, as reported by ABC’s Rachel Scott [02:52]

• Video showed a man spraying Omar with an unknown substance; she continued her appearance undeterred.

5. Financial and Weather Updates

(03:10 – 03:57)

• Wall Street: Dow Jones Industrial Average up more than 20 points.
• Weather: The National Weather Service warns of a potential winter storm for the East Coast, with the Carolinas likely hit first, followed by New England.

6. Federal Reserve and Interest Rates

(03:57 – 04:13)

• The Federal Reserve concludes a two-day meeting; economists anticipate no change to short-term interest rates.

7. Menopause Hormone Therapy and Brain Health

(03:57 – 04:36)

• New research reported by NPR’s Allison Aubrey: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may yield cognitive benefits, such as improved reaction times in women.

  "Those women that were on HRT were able to respond much faster and much more similarly to those premenopausal women."
  — Dr. Cristal Langley, University of Cambridge [04:13]

• HRT does not appear to help with anxiety or sleep issues; healthy lifestyle choices are still recommended.

8. Greenland, Denmark, and International Relations

(04:36 – 04:57)

• French President Emmanuel Macron hosts leaders of Denmark and Greenland amid renewed U.S. demands for control of Greenland, ostensibly for national security.
• Danish leader proclaims, “the world order as we know it is over,” and doubts it will return, reflecting geopolitical tensions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marco Rubio on Venezuela:

  "A friendly, stable, prosperous Venezuela and democratic in which all elements of society are represented in free and fair elections." [00:33]

• President Trump on Ilhan Omar Allegations:

  "She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her." [02:52]

• Dr. Cristal Langley on HRT Benefits:

  "Those women that were on HRT were able to respond much faster and much more similarly to those premenopausal women." [04:13]

• Danish Leader on Global Affairs:

  "The world order as we know it is over. She says she does not think it will return." [04:50]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Venezuela Policy & Senate Hearing: 00:18 – 00:46
• Minnesota Justice Dept. Resignations: 00:46 – 01:38
• Shutdown & DHS Funding Battle: 01:38 – 02:15
• Trump on Ilhan Omar Attack: 02:15 – 03:10
• Dow & Storm Forecast: 03:10 – 03:57
• Fed Meeting/Interest Rates: 03:57 – 04:13
• HRT & Cognitive Health Research: 03:57 – 04:36
• Greenland and Global Order: 04:36 – 04:57

Tone and Style

The coverage is brisk, impartial, and direct, consistent with NPR News Now’s concise news report format. Quotes from key figures are presented factually without editorialization, focusing on clarity and informativeness.