NPR News Now: January 23, 2026 – 6AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman, NPR
Date: January 23, 2026
Episode Overview:
This five-minute update covers breaking national and international stories, including the arrival of a massive winter storm in the US, major developments regarding TikTok’s ownership, Congressional efforts to limit presidential war powers, analysis of President Trump's second term, calls for a general strike in Minnesota, the US-Denmark-Greenland relationship, and controversy over a vaccine trial in Guinea Bissau.

Major Winter Storm Threatens Half the US Population

[00:00–00:57]

• The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings stretching from Albuquerque, NM, to western Pennsylvania.
• Meteorologist Frank Perera explains the widespread impact:

  "Perhaps even up to half the US Population will be impacted by this storm, which is going to develop later today over parts of the Central and Southern Rockies into the Plains and is going to gradually work its way further to the east, bringing a widespread swath of heavy snow all the way from the southern Central Rockies eastward to eventually New England." ([00:36])

• After the snowstorm, Arctic temperatures will settle over impacted areas, making recovery difficult for those experiencing power outages.

TikTok Forced to Sell Chinese Stake

[00:57–01:40]

• TikTok concludes negotiations to sell most of its Chinese-owned stakes to new investors due to a federal law citing national security.
• This sale responds to ongoing US concerns about Chinese ownership and data privacy.

Congress Blocks Resolution on War Powers for Venezuela

[01:40–02:23]

• A House resolution to require President Trump to seek Congressional approval to use military force in Venezuela failed to pass, ending in a tie vote.
• House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R) opposed the resolution:

  "US Military operations in Venezuela are over. There are no troops in Venezuela. We are not at war." ([01:40])

• Massachusetts Democrat Jim McGovern criticized the majority’s approach:

  "The best we can get from the current majority here is that there's never a good time for Congress to assert its war powers." ([02:00])

• Only two Republicans joined all Democrats in support; the resolution did not pass.

President Trump’s Second Term: Loyalty and Leadership

[02:23–03:12]

• President Trump’s first year back in office has seen little internal dissent compared to his previous term.
• NPR's Tamara Keith notes staff loyalty as a defining theme:

  "There were a lot of people in the administration who tried to rein in his impulses. This time he said his people, quote, don't rebuff me too much." ([02:32])

• Trump at a Detroit event:

  "I told you we're going to do a lot of things. Nobody thought it was going to turn out like this. This has been crazy." ([02:41])

• Ty Cobb, former Trump White House attorney, remarks:

  "Trump was still learning the levers of government and had not yet determined as he has now, that he can do whatever he wants if he finds the people who are willing to be loyal to him." ([02:54])

Minnesota Activists Call for General Strike

[03:12–03:35]

• Activists organize a strike to protest federal immigration enforcement tactics.
• Local officials allege agents are entering homes without warrants and detaining US citizens without cause.

Greenland Deal Sparks International Discussion

[03:35–04:04]

• Denmark’s Prime Minister met with NATO’s Secretary General amidst news that President Trump, at Davos, claimed to secure “total US Access” to Greenland.
• Greenland remains a territory under Danish control; deal terms have not been disclosed.

Controversy Over US-Funded Vaccine Trial in Guinea Bissau

[04:04–04:52]

• $1.6 million from CDC is funding a hepatitis B vaccine study for 14,000 infants in Guinea Bissau.
• Critics (physicians and bioethicists) call the study unnecessary, given decades of evidence on vaccine safety.
• Guinea Bissau’s Health Minister Quinhin Nantote stated (through an interpreter):

  "We decided to suspend or even cancel the above mentioned study." ([04:30])

• The US Department of Health and Human Services countered the statement, asserting the study remains active.

Memorable Quotes

• Frank Perera, NWS:
  "Perhaps even up to half the US Population will be impacted by this storm..." ([00:36])
• Jim McGovern, Congressman:
  "There's never a good time for Congress to assert its war powers." ([02:00])
• President Trump:
  "Nobody thought it was going to turn out like this. This has been crazy." ([02:41])
• Ty Cobb, former White House attorney:
  "He can do whatever he wants if he finds the people who are willing to be loyal to him." ([02:54])
• Minister Quinhin Nantote:
  "We decided to suspend or even cancel the above mentioned study." ([04:30])

Key Timestamps

• Winter storm warning coverage: [00:00–00:57]
• TikTok sale news: [00:57–01:40]
• Venezuela war powers debate: [01:40–02:23]
• Trump’s second term analysis: [02:23–03:12]
• Minnesota strike: [03:12–03:35]
• Greenland deal: [03:35–04:04]
• Guinea Bissau vaccine trial controversy: [04:04–04:52]

This episode provides a brisk yet thorough update of the critical news stories shaping national policy, international relations, and public health debates in early 2026.