Chapter 1: What recent events occurred at an ICE detention center in Minnesota?
Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Dualisa Kautel. Three Minnesota Democratic members of Congress were turned away from an ICE detention center in St. Paul today. The visit from the lawmakers comes as some 2,000 federal agents are expected to arrive to the Twin Cities and follows the fatal shooting of Rene Good by an ICE officer on Wednesday. Minnesota Public Radio's Clay Masters reports.
Democratic U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig, and Kelly Morrison were initially allowed into the facility. But Omar says it was not long before officials said they were no longer allowed access to the building. What happened today is a blatant attempt to obstruct... members of Congress from doing their oversight duties.
Chapter 2: How are protests in Iran impacting the government's stance?
The lawmakers say they were told their denial is because the facility was funded by the Big Beautiful Bill Act, which they dispute. For NPR News, I'm Clay Masters in Minneapolis. This weekend, immigrants' rights group and activists planned more than 1,000 demonstrations across the country, from New York City to Minneapolis to Portland.
In Iran, anti-government protests continue in Tehran and other parts of the country, while the Internet and phone lines remain cut. At least 72 people have been killed, according to the U.S.-based human rights activist agency. And today, the country's attorney general warns that participating in mass demonstrations could result in protesters being charged as, quote, an enemy of God.
NPR's Jackie Northam explains how this began. This was started at the end of December when shopkeepers turned out in large numbers to protest against the economy. Inflation is red hot, close to 50%. And the local currency, the riel, has lost half its value since September.
Chapter 3: What does the latest job market report reveal about U.S. employment?
But, you know, the economy is often the trigger for protests in Iran, but this one quickly spread. President Trump, writing on his Truth Social account, said Iran is looking at freedom, perhaps like never before. The U.S., he said, stands ready to help. Stocks gained ground this week, despite a disappointing report on the job market. NPR's Scott Horsley reports 2025 was the worst year for
for hiring since the beginning of the pandemic. Investors mostly shrugged off the report from the Labor Department, showing U.S. employers added just 50,000 jobs in December. Job growth for all of last year was down more than 70 percent from 2024. The ouster of Venezuela's president gave a modest boost to oil company stocks.
Chapter 4: How are the NFL playoffs structured this year?
Shares of Chevron, the only U.S. company operating in Venezuela, rose nearly 4 percent. Meanwhile, retail gasoline prices are lower now than they were a week ago. For the week, the S&P 500 index gained 1.6 percent, the Nasdaq climbed 1.9 percent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 2.3 percent. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. And you are listening to NPR News from New York City.
The National Football League playoffs get underway today, with the first two of what will be six games over the next three days. From Milwaukee, Chuck Kornbach reports. First up in this weekend's wildcard round is the contest between the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers.
Then tonight, the 104-year-old rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers resumes at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Chapter 5: What recent tragedies have impacted Texas Hill Country residents?
Despite the expected intensity of the game, It's only being broadcast over the air in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Elsewhere, viewers need a subscription to Amazon Prime Video or access to another online service that carries NFL games. The pro football playoffs continue for two more weekends leading up to the Super Bowl on February 8th. For NPR News, I'm Chuck Quirmbach in Milwaukee.
Chapter 6: What personal stories highlight the aftermath of flooding in Texas?
It's been six months since more than 130 people, including nearly 30 children, died near Kerrville, Texas, along the Guadalupe River. Texas Hill Country residents Joe and Lillian Herrera managed to survive thanks to neighbors who pulled them out of floodwaters rising to the attic of their home. The two told the Texas newsroom's Lucio Vasquez they are the lucky ones.
The husband, who has Parkinson's, said every day he prays to God. Thankful for what he has, a local editor, Louis Amistoy, said, the beauty and the calmness of that river, to see the damage that it's done, it's really hard for people to understand. I'm Dwahili Saikautau, NPR News, from New York City.