NPR News Now: 01-24-2026 10PM EST

Date: January 25, 2026
Host: Jeanine Hurst
Duration: 5 minutes
Main Theme:
This rapid-fire NPR News update provides coverage of the day's most pressing national and international headlines, including a controversial police shooting in Minneapolis, a major winter storm affecting much of the country, progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks, the reaffirmation of Hunter S. Thompson’s cause of death, and a significant new child care initiative in a major U.S. city.

1. Minneapolis Police Shooting: Conflicting Accounts

(00:15 – 01:14)

Key Points:

• New bystander videos raise doubts about the official account of a fatal police shooting in Minneapolis.
• Trump administration statements, delivered by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, claimed the suspect, Alex Preeti (37), approached DHS officers with a pistol and was killed after resisting disarmament.
• However, video evidence suggests Preeti was holding only a phone while being pepper sprayed and restrained. Footage verifies an officer successfully disarmed Preeti an instant before another officer fired fatal shots.

Notable Quotes:

• “Videos show Preeti was filming with his phone at the time officers pepper sprayed him and grappled him to the ground.” – Kristi Noem [00:51]
• “The videos show the officer running away with Preeti's distinctive Sig Sauer pistol about a second before another officer fired multiple shots, ending his life.” – Jeff Brumfield [01:06]

2. Major Winter Storm Impacts Much of U.S.

(01:14 – 02:14)

Key Points:

• A massive winter storm is sweeping from the Southwest to the Northeast, causing outages and widespread cancellations.
• Over 100,000 people have lost power; more outages expected due to ice bringing down trees and power lines.
• Nearly 14,000 flights canceled over the weekend.
• Warnings issued across more than 30 states for snow, sleet, wind, and extreme cold.
• Multiple states have declared emergencies; many schools and colleges anticipate closures or virtual classes on Monday.

Notable Quotes:

• “The storm is sweeping across the south with freezing rain and sleet and up into the northeast in New England with up to 2ft of snow expected in some places.” – Jeff Brady [01:32]
• “Governors in more than a dozen states have warned their residents about the storm and declared some form of emergency or state of preparation.” – Jeff Brady [01:57]

3. Russia–Ukraine Peace Talks: Modest Progress

(02:14 – 03:09)

Key Points:

• U.S. officials report progress in talks with Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, though details remain limited.
• Just getting both parties in the same room was described as a “big step.”
• Talks were characterized as “very respectful,” despite no major breakthroughs.
• Major issues (territorial divisions, terms of de-escalation) remain unresolved.
• Next meeting scheduled in Abu Dhabi for the following week.

Notable Quotes:

• “Just getting them to the table to talk is a big step.” – US Official, as reported by Tamara Keith [02:33]
• “The conversations were very respectful, even if there were no significant breakthroughs.” – Tamara Keith [02:36]

4. Hunter S. Thompson’s Death: Case Reaffirmed as Suicide

(03:09 – 04:21)

Key Points:

• Colorado Bureau of Investigation reaffirms that Thompson died by suicide in 2005, after a new review initiated by his widow Anita Thompson.
• No new evidence was found to contradict the original conclusion of self-inflicted gunshot wound.
• The author, famous for "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," had spoken about his struggles with depression, chronic pain, and suicidal thoughts.

Notable Quotes:

• “The Colorado Bureau of Investigations says it did not uncover any new facts or evidence to support a conclusion different from the original one.” – Chloe Veltman [03:35]
• “He was 66. The bureau says Thompson's widow, Anita Thompson, contacted the Pitkin county sheriff last summer to share, quote, new concerns and potential information about her husband's death.” – Chloe Veltman [03:46]

5. Major City Expands Free Child Care Eligibility

(04:21 – 04:54)

Key Points:

• Families making under $230,000 annually now qualify for free child care, funded by a voter-approved tax.
• Families making up to $310,000 a year receive a 50% subsidy.
• Eligibility is based on area median income and aims to counteract high cost of living.

Notable Quotes:

• “A family of four making less than $230,000 a year now qualifies for free child care.” – Jeanine Hurst [04:21]
• “The city is using funds from a voter approved tax measure specifically to fund child care.” – Jeanine Hurst [04:46]

Notable Moments & Tone

• High-impact journalism: The segment on the Minneapolis police shooting highlights NPR’s commitment to fact-checking official accounts with independent evidence.
• Urgency: Both the winter storm and the Russia-Ukraine peace talks underscore the immediacy of NPR’s reporting—warnings, updates, and next steps are all provided in concise fashion.
• Human element: The piece on Hunter S. Thompson’s case balances official statements with a respectful mention of his personal struggles.
• Practical policy news: The child care announcement closes the bulletin with a focus on impactful, locally-driven policy changes.