NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-06-2026 12AM EST

Episode Date: January 6, 2026

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Public media counts on your support to ensure that the reporting and programs you depend on thrive. Make a recurring donation today to get special access to more than 20 NPR podcasts, perks like sponsor-free listening, bonus episodes, early access, and more. So start supporting what you love today at plus.npr.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shay Stephens. Nelson Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro and his wife Celia Flores has pleaded guilty, not guilty, that is, to U.S. charges, including narco-terrorism. Maduro told the judge that he is a kidnapped prisoner of war. A crowd of protesters gathered outside the Manhattan Courthouse Monday, and NPR's Jasmine Garis was there. So by the time Maluto appeared in court, there was a sizable crowd outside.

Protesters and counter-protesters. one hand, you had this contingent protesting American intervention in Venezuela. I met one young man, Abtasham Ahmed, who said, this should alarm all Americans. None of these wars go to benefit the people of the United States. They take away, you know, funding for health care, funding for education, funding for, you know, other social services, and direct it to buying new weapons, to buying bombs. And we've seen this story played in Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Libya, and the U.S., it seems like, is on track to do it again in Venezuela. NPR's Jasmine Garz reporting.

Trump administration officials are arguing this weekend's military operation in Venezuela was nothing like the foreign intervention Trump has long opposed. As NPR's Tamara Keith reports, President Nicholas Maduro was removed by force to face narco-terrorism charges in the U.S. Trump has campaigned against regime change for as long as he's been in politics. We must abandon the failed policy of nation-building and regime change. We're not looking for regime change. We've learned that lesson a long time ago.

We're not looking for regime change. They've tried that. That was Trump in 2016, 2019, and 2020. This was him on Saturday announcing Maduro's arrest. We are going to run the country. It's still not clear what form that will take. But U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Mike Walts, says the U.S. is not occupying Venezuela. And Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, says comparing this to the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is like apples and oranges.

Tamara Keith, NPR News. Medical professionals across the U.S. are reporting a surge in flu cases over the holidays, mostly from a strain of the virus called H3N2. Some 45 states are reporting high flu activity during the Christmas hospital. holiday. That's up from 30 states the week before. The CDC data was released as the Trump administration announced they would no longer recommend flu shots and other vaccine for children of all ages. On Wall Street, stocks closed higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 595 points. The NASDAQ composite index rose 160. This is NPR. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is dropping his bid for third term in office.

Walls cited fraud allegations surrounding Somalil-run daycare centers in Minneapolis as being among his reasons. He suggests that he would not be fair to Minnesotans if he spent his time defending his political decisions instead of focusing on their needs. The daycare controversy gathered steam after a right-wing YouTuber's video of him visiting child care centers in Minneapolis went by. viral. As the National Football League's top teams might for a shot at the Super Bowl, some who missed the playoffs are shaking up their coaching staffs. From member station, WABE in Atlanta, Marlon Hyde, has more. The Monday after the regular season ends, also known as Black Monday, is typically a rough day for head coaches that failed to make it into the postseason. Four teams are now searching for new locker room leadership. The Atlanta Falcons let go of their

head coach, Rahim Morris, along with the team's general manager Sunday, after the team missed the poll season for the eighth season in a row. The Arizona Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon. The Las Vegas Raiders let go of Pete Carroll after one season. And the Cleveland Browns are moving on from Kevin Stefanski. Two NFL teams got started early. The Tennessee Titans and the New York Giants fired their coaches during the season. For NPR News, I'm Marlon Hyde in Atlanta. It was five years ago today that a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol Building to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election. victory. Five people died as a result of their injuries from the attack, and every individual

charged in the riot was pardoned after President Trump returned to office last year. This is NPR News. Netflix's Stranger Things has reached its end, and we're unpacking the biggest moments in the final season. We'll talk about what we thought of the finale, what happened to our heroes when they set out to battle the forces of evil one last time, and, of course, the terrible wigs. Listen to pop culture happy hour in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.