Police officer Brian Sicknick died after being assaulted while defending the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. His brother, Craig Sicknick, explains his anger and frustration over false narratives about that day and President Trump’s sweeping pardons of people charged or convicted of participating in the attack.And, Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire is one of the lawmakers demanding more information about U.S. operations in Venezuela. She lays out the questions she still has about the removal of President Nicolás Maduro.Then, Douglas Farah, president of IBI Consultants, breaks down what could happen in Venezuela following Maduro’s arrest, and NPR’s Joe Hernandez details what we know about the criminal prosecution of Maduro at a New York City court.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

When President Trump spoke about Venezuela's future on Saturday, after the U.S. military action and arrest of its president, Nicolás Maduro, he said that the country's decimated oil infrastructure will be rebuilt and start making money again. Rice University's Francisco Monaldi talks about the major challenges of rebuilding the Venezuelan oil industry and how it will require many years and tens of billions of dollars. Then, Adelys Ferro, an immigration activist in Doral, Florida, the American city with the most Venezuelans, talks about how her community is feeling after Maduro’s capture. And, Texas Tech University Law School's Geoffrey Corn talks about the legal issues surrounding Maduro's capture.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Protests in Iran have stretched on for six days, sparked by rising prices and the collapse of the country’s currency, the rial. Johns Hopkins University professor Vali Nasr joins us.And, Israel will soon ban more than three dozen aid organizations operating in Gaza. The American Friends Service Committee is one of those groups. AFSC's Kerri Kennedy explains why she thinks complying with Israel’s demands would put workers at risk.Then, a group that tracks conflicts around the world says in a new report that "high levels of conflict are the new normal." Clionadh Raleigh details what her organization’s report found.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

New laws are taking effect across the country on Jan. 1. In Hawai'i, there is now a new tax on tourists that will fund efforts to fight climate change. And in Utah, a new law took effect that restricts some people with drunk driving convictions from purchasing alcohol. The Associated Press’ David Lieb breaks down some trends in state laws.And, Zohran Mamdani is now officially the mayor of New York City. He took the oath of office shortly after midnight on Jan. 1. Vox host Astead Herndon interviewed Mamdani days before his inauguration, and joins us to talk about Mamdani’s policies and how he may influence the Democratic Party.Then, piano bar pianist Jesse Rifkin explains what popularly requested songs say about the state of our politics.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Affordable Care Act subsidies are set to expire as the new year begins, and some states are trying to take action. In Georgia, Democrats are pushing for the state to cover the subsidies, but many Republicans there are opposed. Georgia Democratic State Representative Sam Park and Georgia Republican State Senator Ben Watson join us to discuss the state of the debate.And, counting down the last few seconds before the clock strikes midnight is a New Year’s Eve tradition. But did you know it’s a modern phenomenon? Historian Alexis McCrossen explains how it came to be.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The new hit science fiction show “Pluribus” takes place in a world where a hive mind links everyone’s thoughts and actions in the name of collective good. Karolina Wydra plays Zosia and joins us to talk about the show’s popularity and what it says about society.Then, writer-director-producer Rian Johnson and his cousin, composer Nathan Johnson, talk about merging mystery and faith in their newest addition to the “Knives Out” franchise: “Wake Up Dead Man.”Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Next year, the Supreme Court is expected to issue consequential rulings on President Trump's most controversial policies, including his ability to issue tariffs without congressional approval and fire a member of the Federal Reserve. Law professor Barbara McQuade explains more.Then, the Trump administration is suing 21 states and Washington, D.C., to hand over detailed voter data, citing efforts to ensure election security. Loyola Law School professor Justin Levitt details the implications.And, we catalogue NPR staff recommendations from their annual “Books We Love” list, which, this year, contains mainly fiction picks.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

"Cocktails Illustrated" is America's Test Kitchen's inclusive guide to cocktails and mocktails. More than 400 recipes are packed into the book, which also serves to educate on the science and history of the world of mixed drinks. Joe Gitter, senior editor on ATK's books team, contributed many of the recipes in the book. Gitter joins host Indira Lakshmanan for his recommendations and advice on all things cocktail.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

There has been a 19% drop in the number of international students arriving in the U.S. compared to last year, according to government data. Education journalist Kavitha Cardoza talks about the impact of the Trump administration on international students. Then, Esther Phillips was a hugely popular teenage R&B singer who, in 1962, recorded the top-10 hit "Release Me." That success would lead to the album "The Country Side of Esther Phillips." But the record fell into obscurity. Journalist Michael Hall talks about Phillips’ legacy. And, this Sunday marks 50 years since the original iconic Hail Mary football play. Hall of Fame receiver Drew Pearson relives the moment.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Dick Van Dyke just turned 100 years old. Fellow comedian and long-time friend Mel Brooks reflects on their relationship and what it feels like to head toward the century mark. Then, Grammy-winning songwriter John Prine died of COVID-19 complications in April 2020. More than two years later, musicians gathered to pay tribute. Now, a new documentary film, "You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine," captures those concerts. We speak with Fiona Whelan Prine, Prine's widow, and producer of the concerts and the film. And, the Capitol Movie Theatre in Arlington, Massachusetts, has also turned 100. Here & Now's Thomas Danielian heads to the theater to see how they're doing on their big birthday.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy