The NewsWorthy — “New Direction in MN, Trump Sues IRS & Ticket Prices Pushback”

Host: Erica Mandy
Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Duration: ~10 minutes

Episode Overview

This succinct Friday edition of The NewsWorthy delivers fast, fair, and fun news coverage with a focus on major national developments, from shifting immigration enforcement tactics in Minneapolis to a high-profile lawsuit by President Trump against the IRS, and the growing backlash over exorbitant ticket prices for live events. Other highlights include upcoming weather threats, advances in longevity science, changes in Venezuelan oil policy, historic Grammy possibilities, and an uplifting story about a fitness-volunteer movement in the UK.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Minneapolis Immigration Crackdown Shifts Focus

[00:53 – 03:06]

• Tom Homan, the new "border czar" overseeing immigration crackdowns in Minneapolis, signaled a strategic change in his first public remarks.
  • “We can do better.” (Tom Homan, 01:12)
• Federal agents will now focus more on targeted arrests of immigrants with criminal records rather than sweeping street operations that have sparked public backlash.
• Homan suggested scaling back the 3,000 federal agents in Minneapolis if local leaders cooperate, e.g., by allowing ICE more access to jail releases.
• There’s also internal guidance for agents not to engage with activists ("agitators") unless absolutely necessary.
• In Minnesota, over 3,000 arrests so far; similar efforts in Maine ended after a week, netting 250 arrests.
• Nationwide protests against ICE tactics and recent officer-involved shootings are planned, with hundreds of organizations endorsing an “economic blackout,” encouraging people to skip work, school, and shopping to show dissent.

2. Government Shutdown Averted…for Now

[03:07 – 04:27]

• President Trump and Senate Democrats reached a deal to prevent a partial government shutdown:
  • Senate will pass five out of six spending bills (already House-approved); a temporary extension is planned for the sixth (Homeland Security) to allow more negotiation time.
• Some Democrats demand ICE reforms—requiring warrants, detention quotas, and updated use-of-force policies—before agreeing to final funding.
• Delays may occur due to absent House lawmakers, but any funding gap should be brief.

3. President Trump Sues His Own Treasury & IRS

[04:28 – 05:58]

• President Trump, his business, and two sons filed a $10 billion civil lawsuit against the Treasury and IRS, alleging failure to prevent the leak of Trump’s tax returns by an IRS contractor in 2019.
  • The suit claims the leak “illegally influenced the 2020 election and hurt the Trump family’s reputation.” (Erica Mandy, 05:10)
• Suit is filed in Trump’s personal capacity, not as President, which creates a unique situation: the Justice Department, which usually reports to the President, must defend agencies against him.
• At the time of the leak, both agencies were under the Trump administration.
• Highly unusual for a sitting president to sue government entities he directly oversees.

4. Officer Sentenced in Killing of Illinois Woman

[05:59 – 06:25]

• Former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson sentenced to 20 years for fatally shooting Sonia Massie, who had called 911 for help.
• Grayson admitted “terrible decisions” and apologized to Massie’s family in court (06:17).
• The case is rare: a law enforcement officer getting maximum prison time for an on-duty shooting.
• Massie’s death led to stricter Illinois police background check laws.

5. Winter Storm & Cold Snap Update

[06:26 – 07:07]

• Blizzard conditions forecast for Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee; impacts expected from Appalachia to the Southeast and parts of the Northeast.
• Extreme cold across the country, with record lows forecast as far south as Florida.

6. New Study: Longevity Is Largely Hereditary

[08:13 – 09:07]

• Mathematical-model research (using twin data) suggests genes account for over 50% of lifespan differences.
• "Healthy or unhealthy habits...can add or subtract five years or so from a life expectancy, but wouldn't...turn an 80-year-old into a centenarian." (Erica Mandy, 08:45)
• Debate remains, with calls for further research, but potential for gene-based therapies to target aging discussed.

7. Venezuela Reforms Oil Law and U.S. Lifts Sanctions

[09:08 – 09:55]

• Venezuelan interim government reforms decades-old oil policy, offering better terms for foreign companies.
• U.S. (Trump administration) responds: eases oil sanctions, grants license for increased business activity.
• American Airlines will resume U.S.-Venezuela flights; all follows weeks after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Maduro.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that political transition “won’t be fast or easy.”

8. Harry Styles Ticket Fiasco Spurs Policy Talks

[09:56 – 11:11]

• Harry Styles' tour presale tickets topping $1,000 lead to fan outrage and debates over live music affordability.
• Kid Rock testifies in Congress, proposing:
  • More artist control over ticket sales
  • 10% cap on resale prices
  • Ban on speculative pricing (listing tickets before ownership)
• Ongoing Congressional scrutiny of Live Nation/Ticketmaster’s dominance (controlling 70–80% of major venue ticketing).
• Potential reforms and legislative votes looming.

9. Grammy Awards Preview

[11:12 – 12:08]

• Grammys air Sunday. Historic possibilities:
  • Bad Bunny: could win first album of the year for a Spanish-language release.
  • Kendrick Lamar: could become first solo male rapper to win.
  • Lady Gaga: never won a top-four Grammy despite a long career.
• Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, others scheduled to perform.
• Trevor Noah returns for his sixth and final year as host.

10. Feel Good Friday: “Good Gym” Blends Fitness with Volunteering

[12:09 – 13:10]

• Thousands in the UK exercise by volunteering with Good Gym, completing tasks like gardening, clearing Christmas trees, and helping retirees while running or cycling between jobs.
• Member testimonial: "Signing up and feeling like they're a part of something positive gives them the motivation to work out regularly." (Erica Mandy paraphrasing, 12:56)
• The organization fosters giving back, fitness, and social connection, and aims to expand even further.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Minneapolis ICE strategy:

  “We can do better.”
  — Tom Homan (01:12)

• On Trump’s IRS lawsuit:

  “[The lawsuit] claims the leak was done to illegally influence the results of the 2020 election and hurt the Trump family's reputation.”
  — Erica Mandy (05:10)

• On the genetics study:

  "Healthy or unhealthy habits on their own can add or subtract five years or so from a life expectancy, but...wouldn't be enough to take someone...with the genetic potential to live to be 80 and turn them into a centenarian."
  — Erica Mandy (08:45)

• On Good Gym's impact:

  "Signing up and feeling like they're a part of something positive gives them the motivation to work out regularly."
  — Erica Mandy (12:56, paraphrasing members)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment | |-------------|-------------------------------------------| | 00:53–03:06 | Minneapolis immigration enforcement shift | | 03:07–04:27 | Government funding & shutdown debate | | 04:28–05:58 | Trump sues IRS & Treasury | | 05:59–06:25 | Illinois officer sentenced for shooting | | 06:26–07:07 | Winter storm & deep freeze | | 08:13–09:07 | Longevity genetics study | | 09:08–09:55 | Venezuela oil law reforms | | 09:56–11:11 | Harry Styles ticket controversy | | 11:12–12:08 | Grammy Awards preview | | 12:09–13:10 | “Good Gym” fitness + volunteering story |

Tone and Style

• Informative, brisk, nonpartisan, and companionable—just like having a quick, upbeat chat with a well-read friend.
• Key topics presented in a context-sensitive and fair manner, balancing both sides where relevant.
• Occasional moments of warmth and positivity, especially in the “Feel Good Friday” segment.

Summary

This NewsWorthy episode covers the evolving landscape of U.S. immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, Trump’s rare lawsuit against government agencies he leads, and the ongoing legislative fight over live event ticket prices. It touches on the latest in science, international policy, weather, pop culture, and ends with an inspirational story of community-minded fitness—all within a snappy, accessible format that keeps listeners informed and uplifted.