Today's Top Stories from NBC News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026

In today's newsletter: Residents in Caracas express their fears about what's next for Venezuela's leadership. The White House says U.S. military action is an option to acquire Greenland. And California banks on tax credits saving Hollywood.

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▼ The Lead

A tense calm on the streets of Caracas masks a multitude of fears and uncertainty for Venezuelans

(Byline / Source)

Venezuela's capital Caracas has remained relatively still since the surprise capture of Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, with many residents on edge for what to expect next.

Few people are venturing from their homes, and although businesses have slowly reopened, the usual crowds at pharmacies and supermarkets have disappeared.

Some residents, like Daniel, a gardener who commutes to work, said he stayed home on Monday for fear of encountering pro-government groups that might be targeting detractors.

"I can't deny that the future makes me anxious, but I do trust that change can happen from now on," he told NBC News.

More than half a dozen people said that there has been an increased presence of government security forces and armed civilian paramilitaries loyal to the government since the attack.

President Donald Trump has made clear that he currently supports Maduro's vice president and successor, Delcy Rodríguez, but the country's unstable political system has historically used intimidation and violence to remain in power.

For those who quietly oppose the government, they hope they're finally seeing the end of a dark period in their history. For those who supported Maduro, there's uncertainty about what will happen to their leader.

Read the full story here and follow our live coverage here.

More Venezuela news:

Maduro and his wife are now detained at MDC Brooklyn, joining a list of high-profile people who have been housed at the New York City jail while awaiting trial.

Cuba could face a devastating blow to its already weakened economy if Trump halts Venezuelan oil shipments to the country.

GOP loyalists have shown little interest in limiting Trump's war powers after he waged strikes on Caracas and warned other countries of possible U.S. intervention.

The White House formalized more support for Trump's longstanding position to seize Greenland, calling the proposition a "national security priority" for the U.S., in a statement.

"The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief's disposal," the statement said.

The semi-autonomous territory of just 56,000 people has housed U.S. military bases for decades, but NATO has taken a strong position that security in the arctic should be a collective decision.

Major European allies, including Denmark, said in a joint statement that they would "not stop defending" the values of sovereignty and Greenland's territorial integrity.

Many experts believe that military action to seize the territory would spell the end of the alliance, but Trump has indicated that asserting U.S. control over the island isn't out of the realm of possibility, citing its mineral and strategic significance.

A senior White House official told NBC News that other options under consideration include purchasing the territory from Denmark or forming what's known as a compact of free association with the island, which could include financial assistance in exchange for a stronger U.S. security presence.

Read the full story here.

'The Baywatch' bailout: California banks on big tax credits to save film and TV jobs

California officials hope a new tax credit will help reverse what has been a brutal, yearslong slowdown in production in Hollywood.

After a push from Gov. Gavin Newsom and months of union lobbying, state legislators passed a $750 million film and television tax credit in 2025.

Industry watchers are expecting the benefit to start paying off this year, and 28 productions, including a planned reboot of the 90s beach drama, "Baywatch," have already received funds.

Since the Covid pandemic, Hollywood's workforce has been in deep competition with less expensive East Coast production hubs, international studios and streaming services. In 2024, the state lost about 40,000 industry jobs compared with 2022, a drop of 28%, according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"People were starting to wonder if California is still the place to make our home," said Phillip Sokosoki, vice president of integrated communications at FilmLA.

Trump has also floated a plan to implement a 100% tariff on movies made in other countries that are imported to the U.S.

The duty hasn't materialized, but the state-based tax boost, coupled with movement for a federal film tax incentive, has ignited interest in reviving the West Coast production scene.

Read the full story here.

▼ Read All About It

A series of videos revealed the suspected Brown University shooter had been planning the attack for months but provided no clear motive, officials said.

Nick Reiner is set to be arraigned today on charges he fatally stabbed his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, and faces a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

Health experts say parents may need to track their children's immunization schedules more closely after the CDC announced changes for recommended vaccines.

At least 36 people have been killed since protests broke out in Iran, with the regime's efforts to quell the demonstrations being largely unsuccessful.

▼ Staff Pick

In expensive resort towns, ski patrollers are leading the push for higher pay

There's a dark joke in ski towns that the billionaires are pushing out the millionaires. In Aspen, where celebrities like Kim Kardashian spend their vacations, there are reportedly 80 billionaires who own homes there.

As a longtime skier, I've watched the growing income inequalities of these towns over the years and listened to ski resort workers describe how living in a ski town has gone from a mere struggle to virtually impossible.

I've also seen my skier algorithm on social media populated with stories of ski patrollers unionizing and now walking off the job in Telluride, Colorado, over their ask for a few more dollars an hour in pay.

Ski patrollers are the ones who are there in the dark, while enduring early morning hours, hiking through snow to prevent avalanches.

And now, they are leading the charge for higher wages for workers in an industry increasingly facing the pressures of the rising costs of living.

I spoke with patrollers at some of the country's most exclusive resorts about why they are pushing for higher wages and what is at stake for the millions of skiers who depend on them.

— Shannon Pettypiece, senior policy reporter

Read the full story here.

▼ NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified

New year, lighter habits. Our editors explored the rise of nonalcoholic drinks for Dry January and shared what's actually worth trying. We also flagged a rare sale on the Stanley Quencher and broke down where to find solid wellness deals to start the year feeling refreshed, not deprived.