NPR News Now – January 24, 2026, 11AM EST

Host: Louise Schiavone
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme: Rapid-fire update on major U.S. and global news events, including severe winter weather, political and economic developments, Ukraine conflict, U.S. drug interdiction, a museum controversy, and sports milestones.

Major Winter Storm Disruptions

[00:17-01:20]

• Flights and Power Outages:

  • Nearly 10,000 flights canceled as a winter storm disrupts travel across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
  • Power outages reported due to snow, sleet, and rain.

• Widespread Effects & Official Responses:

  • Matt Bloom reports:

    "Ice and extreme cold are expected to make travel difficult, if not impossible, in many areas of the Central and Eastern U.S." [00:39]

  • Most airlines waive rebooking fees, urge passengers to alter plans.
  • Roads will be treacherous; Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry warns:

    "Ice on a road is not only dangerous, it is deadly." [01:03]

  • Over a dozen state governors (from Texas to New York) declare states of emergency, mobilize equipment, pretreat roads, and activate National Guard troops.

US-Canada-China Trade Tensions & Wall Street Turbulence

[01:20-02:29]

• President Trump’s Tariff Threat:

  • Threatens a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if Canada signs a trade deal with China.
  • On social media, Trump says he will not allow Canada to be a "drop off port for Chinese goods" entering the U.S.

• Wall Street Volatility & "Taco Trade":

  • Rafael Nam reports on fluctuating markets:
    • Rising investor anxiety over U.S. demand for control of Greenland and subsequent tariff threats to European allies.
    • "The taco trade" is referenced, with Nam explaining:

      "Trump always chickens out. It's a phrase the president deeply dislikes. But Wall street investors stand by what they call the taco trade, like this week." [01:45]

    • After initial market drops, Trump reportedly backs down, calming investors—though week still ends slightly down.
  • Memorable moment:

    "Once again, the taco trade came through." – Rafael Nam [02:23]

Russia's Overnight Bombardment of Ukraine

[02:29-03:13]

• Missile Strikes Amid Peace Talks:
  • Ukraine’s foreign minister criticizes Vladimir Putin for ordering major bombings during negotiations in Abu Dhabi.
  • Sarah Rainsford (BBC) on the ground:

    "About 1:30 in the morning, the air raid alarms went off and the missile threat warnings started coming in." [02:43]

    • At least one killed, more without heat and power in Kyiv.
    • Russian attacks appear aimed at cripple civilian infrastructure, "deliberate and clearly meant to freeze people here into submission."

U.S. Southern Command Drug Strike in the Pacific

[03:13-03:59]

• Pentagon Confirms Action:
  • Lethal strike destroys a small boat allegedly carrying drugs.
  • Social media video shows vessel exploding; two crew members killed, search underway for a survivor (per U.S. Coast Guard).

Philadelphia Sues National Park Service Over Slavery Exhibit

[03:59-04:39]

• Controversy Over Dismantled Exhibit:
  • Outdoor display at Independence National Historical Park, joint project with the city, honored enslaved people who worked for George Washington.
  • Elizabeth Blair reports:

    "The National Park Service workers pulled down artwork and signage that told the stories of nine enslaved people who worked for George and Martha Washington..." [03:59]

  • Department of the Interior claims removal is in line with President Trump’s executive order on "restoring truth and sanity to American history."
  • Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapir responds:

    "Donald Trump will take any opportunity to rewrite and whitewash our history. We learn from our history in Pennsylvania, even when it's painful."

Sports Highlight: Djokovic at the Australian Open

[04:39-04:56]

• Novak Djokovic Sets Records:
  • Achieves his 400th Grand Slam match win, beating Bottek Wanda zaanskop in the third round.
  • Marks Djokovic’s 102nd win at the Australian Open.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On winter weather dangers:

  "Ice on a road is not only dangerous, it is deadly." – Governor Jeff Landry [01:03]

• On Wall Street’s “taco trade” reaction:

  "Trump always chickens out. It's a phrase the president deeply dislikes. But Wall street investors stand by what they call the taco trade, like this week." – Rafael Nam [01:45]

• On Russia’s strategy in Ukraine:

  "Again, it seems like Russia was targeting the civilian infrastructure here... which is deliberate and which is clearly meant to freeze people here into submission." – Sarah Rainsford [02:55]

• On whitewashing history:

  "Donald Trump will take any opportunity to rewrite and whitewash our history. We learn from our history in Pennsylvania, even when it's painful." – Governor Josh Shapir [04:27]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------|------------| | Winter Storm Disruption | 00:17-01:20| | Trade & Wall Street News | 01:20-02:29| | Ukraine Bombardment | 02:29-03:13| | Drug Interdiction | 03:13-03:59| | Philadelphia Lawsuit | 03:59-04:39| | Djokovic’s Record | 04:39-04:56|

Summary:
This five-minute NPR News update covers major weather disruptions, the latest headlines involving the Trump administration, ongoing international conflict, a noteworthy cultural controversy, and a record-breaking sports achievement. The episode blends urgent, fact-driven reporting with insight into both the immediate and broader implications of current events.