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Another Federal Agent Shooting, West Wing Remodel? & Golden Globes - Friday, January 9, 2026
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Today is Friday, January 9th. We'll tell you about another shooting involving federal immigration officers, this time in Portland, Oregon, and how both incidents this week have sparked protests nationwide. Also, what to know about escalating protests in Iran and the release of political prisoners in Venezuela. Plus, it's not just the East Wing. Looks like the West Wing of the White House could get a remodel, too, where a winter storm is bringing snow. And what to watch for at the Golden Globes this weekend. Those stories and even more news to know coming up. Welcome to the Newsworthy. All the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica. Mandy, thanks so much for being here. Let's do this. Protests erupted all around the US A day after an American citizen was shot and killed by an ICE agent. So far, those demonstrations have mostly been peaceful but tense. People have been rallying in every corner of the country, from New York City to Los Angeles to Seattle to Washington, D.C. to Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans and beyond. And even more protests are being planned all over the US this weekend. Of course, some of the most heated protests have been in Minnesota, where Renee Goode was shot by an ICE agent. Last night in Minneapolis, hundreds of people marched in freezing rain demanding federal immigration agents leave their city. But at this point, the opposite is happening. The New York Times reports the federal government decided after the shooting to send more than 100 Border Patrol agents to Minnesota. And that's on top of the more than 2,000 ICE officers who are already there. Remember, federal officials have said Renee Goode tried to use her car to run over law enforcement officers and that's why an ICE agent opened fire. State and local elected officials say that's not true, that the ICE officer fired recklessly into the car of someone who was just trying to drive away. Now, the shooting is under investigation, but the US Justice Department is apparently working alone. The Minnesota agency that typically investigates officer involved shootings was told it had no jurisdiction, meaning it won't be allowed to take part in the investigation of whether any crimes were committed. The AP reports Good's death is at least the fifth tied to immigration sweeps since President Trump took office. And even more people have now been hurt. In fact, just yesterday, federal immigration officers shot and wounded two people in Portland, Oregon. They were taken to the hospital, but at this point, it's not clear how badly they were hurt. Federal officials say they stopped a vehicle because both people inside were undocumented immigrants involved in a notorious Venezuelan criminal organization. Then, similar to the Minneapolis incident, they say the driver tried to run them over so they opened fire. But Oregon's Governor, Tina Kotak called the shooting, quote, another terrible, unnecessary, violent event instigated by the reckless agenda of the Trump administration. Local officials are demanding a full investigation and for federal agents to leave their city. In the meantime, the FBI is also leading that investigation. This week, Iran has been seeing its largest protests in years. We're talking about mass demonstrations and extended strikes, and in cities and towns all across the country where protesting is actually illegal without government permission. They started with frustration over Iran's struggling economy and have escalated into protesters chanting against Iran's theocracy and calling for democracy. Things really took off last night when a former crown prince called on Iranians to join protests. Many shouted from their windows or stormed the streets, and businesses have shut down their storefronts, while Iran's government responded by cutting off the country from the Internet and international phone calls. Human rights groups say security forces have responded violently in many instances, including killing protesters, raiding hospitals, and arresting thousands of people. And President Trump has threatened the US could get involved. Specifically, he warned that if Iranian officials violently kill peaceful protesters, that America will, quote, come to their rescue and that Iran's leaders will have to pay hell. In response, Iran's army chief threatened military action. Though there's been no immediate sign of Iran preparing for an actual attack, there are already signs of possible change coming from inside Venezuela now that its leader, Nicolas Maduro, is in U.S. custody. Yesterday, Venezuela's government started to release political prisoners from two notorious prisons. For example, one of Venezuela's most prominent security experts who had investigated her country's authoritarian government, a former presidential candidate who was jailed for demanding voting records from the disputed 2024 election, and an opposition leader arrested during protests after that same vote, just to name a few. Rights groups estimate that between 800 and 900 political prisoners are incarcerated in Venezuela, many under harsh conditions and many just for exercising basic political rights. Reports say the idea that some of them are being released signaled at least some change since Maduro's seizure, even though his regime has intensified a crackdown on other citizens. As we've told you, officials have been interrogating people and searching their phones for signs that they might have supported the American raid that captured Maduro. Still, the US has been working with the existing government while also staying in contact with the opposition. President Trump says he plans to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Karina Machado next week. Trump also said it would be a great honor if Machado decided to give him the Nobel Peace Prize that she won last year here in the US there's been pushback over the Trump administration's actions in Venezuela, even from some Republicans. Yesterday, the US Senate voted to move forward on a resolution to keep President Trump from taking more military action against Venezuela without Congress signing off first. Five Republicans joined all Democrats in voting yes, saying there needs to be some checks and balances to prevent power grabs. Other Republicans who voted no say Trump has full authority to do what he's continuing to do. A final Senate vote is expected next week, though even if it passes there and in the House, it's still not expected to have much real world impact, since the White House says the president would veto it. Meanwhile, Trump is promising more military action if needed, and he said US Oversight of Venezuela could last years. The US has now suspended all assistance to the government of Somalia. It comes after an American official accused Somalia of destroying an American funded warehouse and illegally seizing food aid that was meant for vulnerable Somalis. That's an especially big deal since the World Food Program says almost a quarter of Somalia's population are facing crisis levels of hunger or worse, while Somali officials say the allegations aren't true. And the World Food Program says even though the warehouse was partially demolished, the food was not looted. Either way, the US Government says if Somalia wants any assistance back, it will have to take accountability and remedial steps. Of course, this is just the latest factor in the deteriorating relationship between Somalia and the Trump administration. President Trump has already banned its citizens from entering the US and his administration started auditing immigration cases involving people from Somalia who have already become American citizens. Plus, there are the ongoing fraud allegations against some nonprofit groups in Minnesota's Somali community. So there don't seem to be signs of these tensions letting up anytime soon. Another winter storm is moving across the US it's expected to bring snow to several states too today, and heavy rain to others. Snow is in the forecast in parts of Colorado, Arizona, Michigan, New Mexico, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin ahead of the wintry conditions. Tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma yesterday, and now much of the US south is under a flood watch. The heaviest rain is expected in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama by tomorrow. Parts of the east coast could be affected, especially in New England, where people could see a significant amount of snow. Meanwhile, the western US Seems to be dealing with a snow drought. Some of it could fall today, but not enough to make up for a below average season. And after that, there's not a lot of snow in the forecast for weeks. To be continued. More news is still coming up, but first a break for our sponsor. I love the feeling of starting a new year with a wardrobe that actually works. Pieces that I feel great in that layer well and mix easily and that feels polished without feeling fussy. That's why I keep reaching for quince. My newest Mongolian cashmere boat neck sweater feels incredibly soft and luxe. I've been wearing mine constantly recently. I love the material, but also I love the style of the boat neck and the sea spray green color that I got. In fact, I love that quince has a variety of colors and styles, so there's something for everyone. And I continue to hear great things about their Italian wool coats. So one of those might need to be my next pick because I know it'll last me beyond just this year. I generally appreciate knowing everything is made with premium materials in ethical, trusted factories, then priced far below what similar luxury brands charge. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Don't wait. Go to quints.comnewworthy for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.comnewsworthy to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.comnewsworthy now back to the news. The most ambitious White House transformation in modern history might end up being even bigger than originally thought. We're talking about the massive ballroom project that's already underway. In fact, the entire East Wing was already demolished to make room. Well, the first public hearing on it just happened yesterday before the National Capitol Planning Commission, and at that hearing, the lead architect told members the White House is considering a West Wing addition, too. He said another story could be added to the West Wing colonnade to make the campus a little more symmetrical. He also offered more details on the current project, saying the overall ballroom building would add more than 89,000 square feet to the White House complex. Now, for context, the White House's main building is about 55,000 square feet, so there have been concerns the new ballroom will overwhelm the rest of the White House. Yesterday's hearing did not get into the estimated price tag for the project, but President Trump suggested last month it could cost $400 million. Donors include major corporations as well as some of President Trump's personal friends. There actually aren't a lot of bureaucratic steps required to make a change to the White House, but one of them is approval from this National Capital Planning Commission. Over the summer, President Trump made significant changes to the commission's membership. The panel is expected to now formally approve all the plans at a future meeting A group of Republicans sided with Democrats this week to force a vote on a health care bill, and it actually passed. The bill would extend the expired health care subsidies for three years for Americans who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Of course, this is the issue that was at the center of last year's historic government shutdown. And this year Republican leadership had no plans to bring the bill to the floor. But lawmakers used a rare tool called a discharge petition that got so much support it forced the vote to happen. And in the end, 17 GOP lawmakers joined every Democrat in support of it. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would increase the nation's deficit by about $80.6 billion over the decade. It would also increase the number of people with health insurance by 100,000 this year, 3 million in 2027 and 4 million in 2028. Now the bill moves to the Senate, where a bipartisan group of senators is already talking about some kind of compromise. So stay tuned. The road to the super bowl kicks off tomorrow. The NFL playoffs are starting with three straight days of first round games. Right now. The Seattle Seahawks are the favorites to lift the Lombardi Trophy as Super bowl winners, but they're not playing this weekend. They earned a week off as the top seed in the nfc. The Denver Broncos also have a break for earning the best record in the afc and it's considered another top contender for the super bowl as well as the Los Angeles Rams and the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. For now, the month long tournament begins, all leading to Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, California. If football isn't your thing, how about one of the biggest nights in Hollywood? The Golden Globes happens this weekend celebrating some of the best work in both movies and tv. The movie One Battle after Another leads all nominees with nine. The White Lotus leads all TV nominees with six. Already a couple of honors were handed out. Helen Mirren won what's basically a lifetime achievement award for her work in movies and Sarah Jessica Parker got the equivalent for her career in television at the main show. Many top stars are expected to be there from nominees like Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothee Chalamet, Cynthia Erivo and Emma Stone. Presenters include a listers like George Clooney, Julia Roberts and dozens more. Comedian Nikki Glaser is hosting for the second year in a row. You can watch from home this Sunday on CBS or paramount starting at 8pm Eastern. That's it for the main news today. So now it's time for Feel Good Friday when we bring you one extra feel good or positive news story before the weekend, but first a break to thank our sponsor as I'm working on my closet review and refresh. Skims is one of those brands that is my go to for so many of my everyday essentials from short and long sleeve tees to bras and underwear to my pajamas. If you've been listening for a while, you know I've been talking about them for a long time now. I reach for the tees time and time again for their form fitting silhouette that flatters my waist and their super soft material they feel so great on and I can wear them on their own or use them for layering. They're also versatile for a super casual look or a dressier night out depending on what I pair them with. In fact, everything I've ever gotten from Skims is such a great material I can feel the softness and the quality right away. Skims lives up to the hype, so shop my favorite bras, underwear, tees, pajamas and more@skims.com after you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you select podcast in the survey and be sure to select our show the newsworthy in the dropdown menu that follows. Now back to Feel Good Friday Today we're talking about a couple in Washington state who took a mismanaged forest and turned it into a healthy tree farm. Becky and Lynn Minor bought 100 acres of land back in 1992, but it needed a lot of work since they say it had been shaped by generations of poor logging practices. At the time, they didn't know much about forests, trees or wildlife, so they reached out to many agencies like the Department of Resources, National Resource Conservation Service and others to learn how to best rehabilitate the land. Since then, they've planted 11,000 trees on top of flowers and shrubs. They created wildlife habitats, wildlife migration corridors and 700 nest boxes for birds, slowly bringing life back to the forest. Today, more than 80 species of birds and small animals call the tree farm home. On average, Lynn Miner says he and his wife spend at least 20 hours a week over 30 years reshaping the forest on top of their full time jobs. Now they're donating their tree farm to Washington State University for teaching Hands on Forest Management. WSU says it will preserve the forest and use it as a living classroom for decades to come. The miners say they feel good knowing their life's work will live on and they're proud to have left the world a better place than when they found it. Thank you so much for listening today. We'll be back tomorrow with our special edition Saturday episode to go deeper on Venezuela. Our guest expert offers explainers of the relevant history, analysis of the current situation, and an overview of what to watch for next. Find that in your podcast feed tomorrow morning. Then we'll be back on Monday with the latest news to know. For now, have a great weekend.