NPR News Now — 7PM EST — January 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This edition of NPR News Now delivers a rapid-fire update of major news events and developing stories in under five minutes. The January 11, 2026, 7PM EST update covers U.S. military actions in Syria, nationwide protests following an incident in Minneapolis, ongoing demonstrations in Iran, a mass murder arrest in Mississippi, a new study on the dangers of burning plastic waste, and challenges facing General Motors amid shifting electric vehicle policies.

Key News Highlights

1. U.S. Military Strikes Against ISIS in Syria

• [00:15] Jeanine Herbst reports that the Pentagon has launched "large scale strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria."
• The strikes are portrayed as a direct response to a recent deadly attack in which "two American soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter" were killed.
• No further operational details provided.

2. Nationwide Protests After Death by ICE in Minneapolis

• [00:33] Protests continue over the death of 37-year-old Renee Good, who died in a recent encounter with ICE in Minneapolis.
• [00:39] Immigrant rights groups are driving more than 1,000 planned demonstrations nationwide.
  • Notable cities: New York City, Minneapolis, Portland, Oregon.
• [00:56] ICE Detention Center Tensions:
  • Three Democratic U.S. representatives (Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig, Kelly Morrison) were initially permitted, then denied, access to a St. Paul ICE facility.
  • Presence of the Department of Homeland Security has increased in the Twin Cities.

Memorable Quotes & Attribution

• Rep. Ilhan Omar [01:24]: "What happened today is a blatant attempt... to obstruct members of Congress from doing their oversight duties." (Omar's words continued by reporter Willem Marks)

• Clay Masters [01:36]: Says facility officials justified denying access by claiming funding came from the "Big Beautiful Bill act," which lawmakers contest.

3. Iranian Authorities Crack Down on Mass Protests

• [01:47] The Iranian Revolutionary Guards pledge to curb "large scale anti government protests," blaming unrest on terrorists.

• Willem Marks [02:01]:

  • Notes current protests are "the biggest in years" and authorities are committed to preserving the government.
  • President Trump expresses support for Iranian protesters, claiming the U.S. stands "ready to help," and referencing Iran’s pursuit of "freedom perhaps like never before."
  • Ongoing internet restrictions limit information flow.
  • Reza Pahlavi, heir to the pre-1979 monarchy, publicly encourages protest expansion.

4. Arrest Made in Mississippi Mass Murder Case

• [02:44] Coverage of the arrest of 24-year-old Dereka Moore, accused of killing six people, including family members and a seven-year-old relative, in Clay County, Mississippi.
  • Sheriff Eddie Scott [03:04]: "[Moore] is currently charged with first degree murder. That charge will be upgraded here shortly to captive murder, with additional murder charges forthcoming..."
• Preliminary hearing set for Monday; no motive publicly identified.

5. Rise of Plastic Burning for Heat and Cooking

• [03:30] Jonathan Lambert reports new research reveals widespread burning of plastic waste, especially in low-income countries.
  • Over a billion tons of plastic produced yearly, much becomes trash.
  • Across two dozen countries surveyed: "Nearly one in three people... reported being aware of households burning plastic. 16% said they'd done it themselves."
  • Burning plastic creates toxic fumes and contaminates food supplies.
  • The problem could sharply worsen as plastic waste is "on track to triple by 2060."
• Jonathan Lambert [03:56]: “Burning plastic can create toxic fumes that harm health and contaminate food.”

6. General Motors Faces Heavy Losses on Electric Vehicles

• [04:16] GM announces an anticipated $6 billion loss from scaling back its electric vehicle strategy, adding to a $1.6 billion charge from October 2025.

• The move follows a decline in EV sales after the Trump administration rolled back EV incentives and eased emissions standards, despite previous investment by automakers in anticipation of stricter Biden-era regulations.

  • “GM and other automakers invested heavily in EV plans ahead of stringent environmental regulations... But the Trump administration rolled those plans back.” – Jeanine Herbst [04:44]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Rep. Ilhan Omar [01:24]: "What happened today is a blatant attempt... to obstruct members of Congress from doing their oversight duties."
• Sheriff Eddie Scott [03:04]: "[Moore] is currently charged with first degree murder. That charge will be upgraded here shortly... with additional murder charges forthcoming..."
• Jonathan Lambert [03:56]: "Burning plastic can create toxic fumes that harm health and contaminate food."
• Jeanine Herbst [04:44]: "GM and other automakers invested heavily in EV plans ahead of stringent environmental regulations... But the Trump administration rolled those plans back."

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------|------------| | U.S. Strikes on ISIS in Syria | 00:15 | | ICE/Minneapolis Protests | 00:33 — 01:47 | | Iran Protest Crackdown | 01:47 — 02:44 | | Mississippi Mass Murder Arrest | 02:44 — 03:30 | | Burning Plastic Research | 03:30 — 04:16 | | GM Electric Vehicle Losses | 04:16 — 04:57 |

Summary

In this packed five-minute episode, NPR News Now covers a sweeping range of crucial developments—from U.S. military action and domestic protests to international unrest and urgent environmental research. Synthesizing the heart of each story through direct reporting and compelling on-the-ground voices, the episode provides listeners a concise yet comprehensive update on the day's top events, framed by clear quotations and rooted in the fast-paced tone of breaking news.