The Department of Homeland Security is pausing immigration applications from 20 additional countries following increased scrutiny on people who seek legal pathways for immigrating to the U.S. #news #NPR https://www.npr.org/2026/01/02/g-s1-104284/dhs-pause-immigration-applications-20-countries

Rep. Ro Khanna of California says the Justice Department should've started preparing Epstein files for release months ago. Now, he tells NPR how Congress could intervene to speed up the process. #news #NPR https://www.npr.org/2026/01/02/nx-s1-5664083/rep-ro-khanna-d-calif-talks-about-the-dojs-release-of-the-epstein-files

The French government says it granted George and Amal Clooney citizenship because of their contributions to its international influence. Their family has primarily lived in France since 2021. #news #NPR https://www.npr.org/2026/01/02/nx-s1-5664809/george-clooney-french-citizenship-trump

From CRT to DEI, a history of moral panics #npr #podcast https://pca.st/episode/801cadb9-ea7a-4f9c-a415-c815ee100d3e

President Trump warned Iran not to kill protesters. A top Iranian official fired back to stay out of it, alleging the U.S. and Israel were stoking the economic protests sweeping parts of Iran. #news #NPR https://www.npr.org/2026/01/02/g-s1-104265/trump-iran-protests

Somali-run daycare centers in Minnesota report receiving threats following a viral video that accused them of fraud. And, how Trump could play a role in extending ACA subsidies. #news #NPR https://www.npr.org/2026/01/02/g-s1-104263/up-first-newsletter-minnesota-childcare-epstein-files-aca-subsidies

For StoryCorps, a reflection on how a child's vaccination fear sparked the creation of one of the most beloved songs in the movie, "Mary Poppins." #news #NPR https://www.npr.org/2026/01/02/nx-s1-5661453/songwriters-son-shares-how-fear-over-a-shot-created-a-sweet-disney-musical-classic

NPR's A Martinez asks Cindy Lehnhoff, director of the National Child Care Association, about the Trump administration's freeze on federal funding to help low-income families pay for child care. #news #NPR https://www.npr.org/2026/01/02/nx-s1-5664081/how-the-trump-administrations-freeze-on-childcare-funding-will-affect-families

A right-wing media influencer accused Somali day care operators in Minnesota of defrauding the federal government. This has led to threats against staff and a federal child care funding freeze. #news #NPR https://www.npr.org/2026/01/02/nx-s1-5664111/right-wing-influencers-fraud-claim-leads-to-threats-for-somali-daycare-owners