NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-01-2026 8PM EST

Episode Date: January 2, 2026

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NPR's podcast, Trump's Terms, is your source for same-day updates on big news about the Trump administration. Short, focused episodes, one topic at a time, about five minutes or so. We carry it reporting from across all of NPR's coverage, so you are always getting the biggest, most urgent stories. Listen to Trump's terms on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Hirst. The January 6th riots on, the Capitol happened nearly five years ago, but fallout from the events of the day continue. This week, House Republicans released the transcript of their closed-door hearing with former special counsel, Jack Smith. And peers Katie Riddle has more.

Jack Smith led two investigations into President Trump, one over Trump's attempt to cast doubt on the 2020 election results, which led to the January 6th storming of the Capitol. The second was over Trump's handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. The Department of Justice dropped both these cases once Trump was elected again in 2024. And many Republicans have continued to put forth a counter-narrative around the events of January 6th. But in his recently released testimony, Smith stood by his findings. President Trump was, by a large measure, the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy. Smith resigned as former President Biden's tenure was coming to a close.

Katie O'Riddle in PR News. agencies working in Gaza, along with several international aid groups, have issued a joint appeal for Israel to reverse a ban on dozens of international organizations that provide food, shelter, and health care to Palestinians. And here's Ayyabatrawi has more. Eight-year-old Noor's and new cries in pain. As a physician at this Doctors Without Borders Clinic in Gaza City changes her dressing for severe burns sustained in the war. She's among what the Gaza The health ministry says is more than 170,000 Palestinians wounded in Israeli attacks. NPR's Anasbaba visited the clinic's waiting room, which was packed with the wounded and sick.

But it faces closure now, after Israel banned Doctors Without Borders and around 40 other aid groups from bringing aid or staff into Gaza. Israel says the decision is based on new security and transparency requirements aid groups fail to meet. Doctors Without Borders says it treated a million patients in Gaza in 2025, half the population. They say Palestinians will be deprived of essential care if aid groups lose access to Gaza. A. Abletrawe and Peer News. Flu is hitting hard around the country. In Colorado, a record number of people are hospitalized. Colorado Public Radio's John Daly has more. After Christmas, Colorado is being rocked by a wave of flu unlike any other in recent years. Nearly 800 people are hospitalized with it. Dr. Jennifer Corliss is medical director

at UC Health Primary Care in Lone Tree, Colorado. Yeah, I think we're a bit surprised. just how big this spike currently is, how contagious this strain is, and how sick patients are feeling. A state health department spokesperson says hospitals are adding staffing to manage the increased volume. For NPR News, I'm John Daly in Denver. Wall Street was closed today in observance of the New Year's Day holiday. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Starting today, Colorado families whose babies spend time in the neonated. intensive care unit will be able to take additional paid leave.

From Colorado Public Radio, Benta Berkland has more. Colorado's paid family leave program already allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of workoff to care for a new baby or for a serious family health or personal issue and receive most of their pay during that time. Now families whose babies need to spend time in neonatal intensive care can apply for an additional 12 weeks of paid leave. Backers say this acknowledges the extra strain families are under when caring for newborns with significant health problems. Illinois also allows extra leave for a NICU parents, but unlike Colorado, it doesn't have to be paid leave. For NPR News, I'm Benta Brooklyn.

Betty Boop and Blondie are joining the titles entering the public domain this New Year's Day. The first cartoons that featured Boop and the first Blondie comic strips debut. in 1930, and with the passage of 95 years, their U.S. copyrights expired yesterday. The first novels featuring Teen Detective Nancy Drew and also the first book featuring Agatha Christie's investigator Miss Marple are also becoming public domain, as are films, including the Marks Brothers Animal Crackers. And meanwhile, nine new Mickey Mouse cartoons are also becoming public domain today two years after Steamboat Willie made the first version of him public. I'm Janine Hurst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.