NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-14-2026 1AM EST

Episode Date: January 14, 2026

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This message comes from Databricks, the data and AI company. Are your AI agents working? Most aren't reliable for business. You need AI that's accurate. Agent Bricks, AI agents grounded in your data and built for your goals. Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. President Trump told business leaders in Detroit that his administration is creating an economic boom. Quinn Kleinfelter of member station WDET.

reports that Trump says his tariffs are helping automakers. Trump said during his address to the Detroit Economic Club that he's making good on pledges to protect U.S. auto workers by placing tariffs on foreign-made vehicles and auto parts. He says his policies have helped lower gasoline prices and create a roaring stock market. And Trump also claims he's been a special friend to the auto industry by easing emission standards and erasing tax credits for electric vehicles.

I terminated the insane electric vehicle mandated, the war on internal combustion engines, once and for all those engines were gone. But tariffs have also forced Detroit automakers to make a sea change from focusing on electric vehicle fleets, costing them billions of dollars. For NPR news, I'm Quinn Kleinfelter in Detroit. While speaking in Detroit, Trump repeated a message he delivered on social media to protesters in Iran, saying that help is on the way. NPR's Jackie Northam. Trump doesn't say what he means by help. He just told the pro-exam. protesters to keep going, take over their institutions, and to save the names of, quote,

killers and abusers and that they will pay a big price. Trump added that he has canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the killing stops. Before Trump's comments, we had been hearing that there was an effort using intermediaries to find a diplomatic solution to this increasingly heated rhetoric and threats between the U.S. and Iran over these protests, but it seems that that's now broken down. casualties have not been verified, but the U.S.-based human rights activist news agency says a number of deaths from the protests now top 2,500 and nearly 17,000 have been detained. Iranian officials accuse the United States and Israel of fueling violence in the country. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee has announced plans to hold former President Bill Clinton and potentially former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress.

The committee subpoenaed the Clintons for testimony related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and PR Sam Greenglass reports. House Oversight Chair Kentucky Republican Congressman James Comer announced his plans after President Bill Clinton did not show up for a deposition. Again, no one's accusing the Clintons of any wrong gun. We just have questions. I find it odd. Not only they didn't show up, but that the Democrats on the committee who are so concerned about getting to the bottom of the Epstein investigation didn't even bother to show. In a letter to the committee, the Clintons called the subpoenas legally invalid and designed to embarrass political rivals, writing that, quote, every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles, and its people. Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington. And you're listening to NPR News. Even as senators work on an agreement to bring back enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act marketplace, many people face premium. spikes, they can't afford. NPR Selena Simmons-Duffin reports that for one man, the solution was

marrying his best friend. When he found his Affordable Care Act premium would be double what it was last year, Matthew decided he would marry his best friend, Christina. He has a condition that requires medication transfusions, and she has employer-sponsored health benefits. NPR agreed not to use Matthew's full name because he fears the health insurance company could cut off his coverage. He says, it's an odd situation because he's gay. For me to be able to see my doctor to tend to my autoimmune disease, I had to marry my best friend. It's like some weird twisted plot of Will & Grace.

He says he liked his ACA plan. He hopes Congress makes a deal on subsidies for everyone who doesn't have a best friend they can marry. Selena Simmons-Duffin and PR News, Washington. The Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield is expected to make a court appearance. on Wednesday after turning himself into authorities in New Mexico. Albuquerque police issued in a West warrant on Friday, accusing him of child abuse and criminal sexual contact of a minor. Busfield says he will fight the charges.

The creator of the Dilbert comic strip has died. Scott Adams was 68. His former wife announced his death on Tuesday. Adams announced he had prostate cancer last May. In 2023, Adams faced a backlash following a racist rant. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News. This message comes from Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe.

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