The NewsWorthy: Border Agents on Leave, FBI Raids Election Office & Bill Belichick Snubbed?

Host: Erica Mandy
Episode Date: January 29, 2026

Episode Overview

In this fast-paced 10-minute episode, host Erica Mandy covers top news stories spanning politics, law enforcement, weather, finance, sports, and entertainment. The episode centers on ongoing immigration tensions in Minnesota, shifts in administration responses to a controversial fatal shooting, an FBI raid on a Georgia election office, the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, updates on Medicare drug negotiations, and cultural phenomena from the NFL to streaming TV. The tone is informative, balanced, and quick-moving, designed for listeners seeking both depth and efficiency.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Immigration Crackdown & Minnesota Unrest

[00:27–04:00]

• Federal agents and activists continue to clash in Minneapolis and St. Paul, with reports of pepper spray and property damage by law enforcement.
• 16 people arrested in new protests, charged mainly with assault or resisting officers; dozens more arrests took place earlier in the month.
• Most Minnesota residents are described as peaceful.
• Large vigil held for Alex Preddy, an ICU nurse killed by immigration agents, attended by former patients and community members.
• Celebrities like Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, Pedro Pascal, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Bruce Springsteen—who released a protest song, "Streets of Minneapolis"—are openly supporting protestors.
  • Notable Quote: “The White House said it’s focused on removing dangerous criminals from American communities, not, quote, random songs with irrelevant opinions.” (Erica Mandy, 02:00)
• Bruce Springsteen's song reached over a million streams on YouTube within hours.
• Stephen Miller (White House Deputy Chief of Staff) shifts tone, acknowledging agents “may not have been following protocol” during the Preddy shooting, after previously labeling Preddy a “domestic terrorist.”
  • Notable Quote: "He now says that was all based on initial reports from the officers on the scene." (Erica Mandy, 02:50)
• Video evidence has emerged, showing Preddy in a prior altercation with agents, which is now part of ongoing investigations.
• Agents involved are on standard leave during the probe.
• The original federal target was not Preddy but an Ecuadorian man with misdemeanor charges, who remains uncaptured.
• Only 6% of those arrested in the Minnesota crackdown have been convicted of violent crimes.

Political Ramifications

• Senate Democrats threaten a government shutdown by withholding votes on spending, demanding ICE restrictions like mandatory identification, discontinued roving patrols, an end to detention quotas, and adoption of normal use-of-force standards.
• Talks of splitting Homeland Security funding from other critical agencies to avoid a full shutdown.
  • Notable Insight: “Even if there is a shutdown, most law enforcement is considered essential, and ICE still has plenty of leftover funding from another bill passed last year... ICE is not expected to be immediately impacted.” (Erica Mandy, 04:30)

2. FBI Raids Georgia Election Office

[05:02–06:15]

• FBI searched Fulton County election hub—central to Trump's 2020 election fraud claims.
• Search focused on records from 2020, five years after repeated investigations found no fraud.
• The raid comes days after Trump hinted at forthcoming prosecutions for "rigging the race."
  • Notable Quote: "It’s not clear exactly who might be prosecuted or what crimes they might be charged with." (Erica Mandy, 06:00)

3. Major Winter Storm Incoming

[06:18–07:00]

• Another severe winter storm to hit the East Coast, with potential snow, strong winds, and flooding from Carolinas to New England.
• Previous storm resulted in over 73 deaths and ongoing power outages; a prolonged cold stretch forecasted by the National Weather Service.

4. Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates

[07:01–07:45]

• The Fed keeps rates steady at 3.5–3.75% after three consecutive cuts, citing economic stabilization but lingering inflation.
• President Trump desires steeper rate cuts; Fed Chair Jerome Powell to be replaced soon.
  • Notable Quote: "Don’t get pulled into elected politics." (Jerome Powell’s advice to successor, as paraphrased by Erica Mandy, 07:45)

5. 'Trump Accounts' Gain Momentum

[07:46–08:32]

• Businesses like Visa, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Intel join in augmenting government ‘Trump accounts’—$1,000 investment accounts for children born 2025-2028.
• Celebrities (Nicki Minaj notably) make private pledges to fans’ children’s accounts.
• Critics argue the accounts may not benefit low-income families as intended.
  • Notable Insight: "Critics say the program's design leaves out low income Americans who can't afford to supplement the government's initial seed money while offering fewer tax benefits than other saving options..." (Erica Mandy, 08:23)
• Contributions open July 4th.

6. Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiations

[08:33–09:03]

• Government advances to next round of price negotiations, now including Trulicity, Botox, and drugs for conditions like Crohn’s, HIV, arthritis, and asthma.
• These prices will take effect in 2028; drug makers can refuse but risk exclusion from Medicare's marketplace.

7. Bill Belichick Snubbed by Hall of Fame

[09:04–09:44]

• ESPN reports legendary Patriots coach Bill Belichick did not earn enough votes for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first try.
• Noted possible influence of "Spygate" and "Deflategate" scandals.
• Prominent athletes (Tom Brady, LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes) are shocked and express support.

8. Streaming & Entertainment Highlights

[09:45–10:12]

• "Bluey" remains the most streamed show of 2025 in the U.S.—45 billion minutes watched, with few and short episodes, despite no new releases.
• "Grey’s Anatomy" and "Stranger Things" round out the top three; "Demon Hunters" is the top movie; Seth MacFarlane wins Streaming Icon of the Year, with over 60 billion minutes of viewership for his projects, led by "Family Guy."

9. Thing to Know Thursday: Rise of Political Independents

[10:13–10:50]

• Recent Gallup polling: 45% of American adults now identify as political independents—a historic high, surpassing those identifying as Democrat or Republican.
• Former Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has gone independent, stating, “More people are just looking for politicians to earn their support with policies rather than just assuming loyalty based on branding.”
• With midterm elections looming, both parties must court independents to win close races.

Notable Quotes

• On White House Response to Protests:
  • “The White House said it’s focused on removing dangerous criminals from American communities, not, quote, random songs with irrelevant opinions.”
    – Erica Mandy, 02:00
• On Administration’s Shift on Preddy Shooting:
  • “He now says that was all based on initial reports from the officers on the scene.”
    – Erica Mandy, 02:50
• On Government Shutdown Impact:
  • "ICE is not expected to be immediately impacted one way or another.”
    – Erica Mandy, 04:30
• On the Hall of Fame Belichick Snub:
  • “Belichick is considered to be one of the, if not the greatest, coach in NFL history... but ESPN says two cheating scandals known as Spygate and Deflategate came up during deliberations…”
    – Erica Mandy, 09:20
• On Political Independents:
  • "More people are just looking for politicians to earn their support with policies rather than just assuming loyalty based on branding.”
    – Karine Jean-Pierre, quoted by Erica Mandy, 10:35

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:27 — Minnesota protests and Preddy case update
• 02:50 — Stephen Miller’s change in tone
• 04:30 — Congressional dynamics and ICE funding fight
• 05:02 — FBI raid on Georgia election office
• 06:18 — Next winter storm forecast
• 07:01 — Federal Reserve interest rate decision
• 07:46 — Trump accounts and business participation
• 08:33 — Medicare drug negotiations
• 09:04 — Bill Belichick Hall of Fame news
• 09:45 — Streaming hits and entertainment recap
• 10:13 — Rise of political independents

Conclusion

This NewsWorthy episode provides a rapid yet comprehensive tour of the day's most pressing national headlines and human stories. Erica Mandy balances urgent political developments, systemic debates, and culture-driven moments, maintaining clarity and a conversational tone. The episode is especially useful for listeners needing both awareness and context, delivered through succinct, fair, and sometimes even witty reporting.