ICE in Minnesota; Iran-U.S. talks; Federal Reserve : NPR

Good day! Welcome to the latest edition of the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to receive it directly in your inbox, and don’t forget to tune in to the Up First podcast for your daily news briefing.

Top stories for today

Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security Secretary, is dispatching additional federal agents to Minnesota. This decision comes amidst ongoing nationwide protests following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis last week. Some elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, are challenging DHS’s deployment of more agents and are calling for a thorough investigation into Good’s death. Previously, U.S. representatives could make unannounced visits to ICE detention facilities, but Homeland Security now requires a seven-day notice for entry.

• 🎧 Tensions are escalating in Minneapolis, as NPR’s Jason DeRose reports on Up First. The community is on edge, with sirens and helicopters heard day and night, creating a sense of unease. Despite the fear in the area, residents are coming together to support one another. Hundreds gathered at a local church near the shooting site last week, marching a mile loop to offer comfort. Throughout the march, they sang and observed moments of silence at places where ICE agents recently made arrests. DeRose will be closely monitoring the actions of the additional agents on the ground and the response of community members who oppose ICE’s presence in the days ahead.

President Trump is considering military strikes on Iran despite reports that Tehran has expressed interest in negotiations with the U.S. Iran has witnessed significant protests in recent weeks, posing a major challenge to the theocratic government. In response, the Iranian authorities have cracked down harshly, resulting in the deaths of approximately 500 protesters, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

• 🎧 The Iranian regime’s awareness of U.S. military capabilities and their potential impact on missile facilities and political targets may have prompted their outreach to the Trump administration for talks, according to Nader Habibi, an expert on Middle East economics, in a conversation with NPR’s Jackie Northam. Iran has indicated that U.S. military bases and ships could be targets for preemptive strikes if there is a perceived threat of U.S. action. Currently, Iran’s regime is vulnerable following a 12-day conflict with Israel last summer, which resulted in the loss of key government figures and a weakening of its military capabilities.

The Trump administration is intensifying its push for the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell confirmed that the Justice Department subpoenaed the central bank last week for information related to Powell’s testimony before the Senate Banking Committee in June 2025.

• 🎧 During that hearing, Powell faced questions about the escalating costs of the Fed’s headquarters renovation, which soared from $1.9 billion to $2.5 billion. However, Powell pushed back in a strongly worded video statement, suggesting that the DOJ’s inquiry goes beyond project expenses. President Trump has been vocal about his desire for lower interest rates and has previously threatened to dismiss Powell. Nevertheless, the Federal Reserve was designed to operate independently from political influence to enable policymakers to make decisions in the long-term interest of the economy.

The U.S. figure skating community is gearing up to send what many consider to be its strongest team in recent memory to the Winter Olympics. Sixteen skaters will represent Team USA across all four disciplines: men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance. Get to know the world champions, seasoned competitors, and up-and-coming talents who have secured their spots on the roster.

• 📷 NPR’s Brian Munoz covered the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. His experience left him with a newfound appreciation for the sport. Check out his photos capturing the athletes vying for a spot on the Olympic team.

Enhancing quality of life