NPR News: 01-24-2026 11PM EST

Summary

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

Host: NPR | Date: January 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

This rapid-fire NPR News Now episode covers the biggest stories of the day in the U.S. and beyond. Key themes include the aftermath of a deadly federal immigration operation in Minneapolis, an impending major winter storm across the Eastern U.S., the Democratic National Committee’s push for voter registration ahead of the midterms, deadly weather in Afghanistan, and a high-profile military investigation in China.

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Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. Deadly Federal Immigration Operation in Minneapolis

• Public Reaction & Local Leader Response

  • Residents of Minneapolis are “responding with shock and anger” following the shooting death of Alex Jeffrey Pretty, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, during a federal immigration (ICE) operation.
  • Mayor Jacob Frey, in a press briefing, emphasized the loss and challenged the necessity of the escalation.
  • [00:35] Political Analyst: “The chaos that we are seeing is...”
  • [00:38] Doua Khalilpal: “Caused directly by ICE, border control and this federal administration.”

• Security and Legal Actions

  • [00:56] Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara describes efforts to de-escalate a tense protest:
    • "State and local law enforcement did deploy less lethal and gas munitions at that assembly in order to allow for a safe egress of law enforcement and to prevent further violence and damage."
  • Governor Tim Walz has activated the National Guard to assist local police, and the mayor is seeking a court order to halt immigration enforcement.

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2. Major Winter Storm Threatening Eastern U.S.

• Forecast and Warnings

  • [01:37] Chris Van Buskirk (WBOR):
    • Over 15 inches of snow expected in parts of New England, from Texas to Massachusetts.
    • Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has declared a remote workday for state employees as a precaution.

• Preparedness and Potential Impact

  • [01:58] Governor Maura Healey:
    • “We're taking this storm very seriously. I have activated the state Emergency Operations center and directed all relevant agencies to deploy resources.”
  • [02:07] Chris Van Buskirk:
    • The National Weather Service warns of “widespread travel disruptions, prolonged power outages and vast tree damage are likely across the country.”

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3. DNC Plans Major Voter Registration Investment Ahead of 2026 Midterms

• Strategy Shift

  • [02:30] Ben Giles (KJZZ):
    • DNC Chair Ken Martin announces millions in funding for direct voter registration, moving beyond previous reliance on nonpartisan organizations.
    • The strategy aims to engage underrepresented and traditionally Democratic-leaning voter groups more directly.

• Memorable Quote & Political Lessons

  • [02:50] Political Analyst:
    • “As we learned in 2024, we can't just assume that certain demographics, whether they be young voters, voters of color or otherwise, will automatically support the Democratic party. We have to earn registration so that we can earn every vote.”
  • Additional note: In Arizona, Republicans currently outnumber Democrats by 300,000 registered voters.

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4. Deadly Weather Disaster in Afghanistan

• Impact and International Response
  • [03:11] Doua Khalilpal reports:
    • At least 61 dead and 110 injured in Afghanistan due to avalanches and heavy snowfall.
    • Key highways are cut off; 18 million people still need aid after last year’s earthquakes.
    • The United Nations appeals for $1.7 billion in humanitarian relief.

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5. China Investigates Senior Military General Amid Larger Crackdown

• Latest and Highest-Ranking Target in Anti-Corruption Drive
  • [04:04] Emily Feng:
    • General Zhang Youxia, 75, is under investigation for “suspected violations of Communist Party discipline.”
    • Zhang is a veteran and a “princeling,” aligning him closely with Xi Jinping.
    • Chinese Defense Ministry is also probing General Liu Junli.
    • Recent months have seen the removal or purge of multiple senior military officials in Xi’s push to consolidate power.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Minneapolis ICE Operation:

  • [00:38] Doua Khalilpal: “Caused directly by ICE, border control and this federal administration.”
  • [00:56] Chief Brian O’Hara: “State and local law enforcement did deploy less lethal and gas munitions at that assembly in order to allow for a safe egress of law enforcement and to prevent further violence and damage.”

• On DNC Voter Strategy:

  • [02:50] Political Analyst: “We have to earn registration so that we can earn every vote.”

• On Storm Preparedness:

  • [01:58] Governor Maura Healey: “We're taking this storm very seriously. I have activated the state Emergency Operations center and directed all relevant agencies to deploy resources.”

• On China’s Military Purge:

  • [04:04] Emily Feng: “This is the most high-ranking official yet to be targeted.”

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Timestamps of Key Segments

• Minneapolis ICE shooting and response: 00:15–01:09
• Winter storm warnings and preparations: 01:09–02:19
• DNC moves on voter registration: 02:19–03:11
• Deadly Afghanistan snowstorms: 03:11–03:54
• Chinese military investigation: 03:54–04:48

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Conclusion

This edition of NPR News Now delivers urgent updates on public safety, political strategy, and global crises, featuring direct commentary from leaders and analysts. Listeners are kept informed and prepared for rapidly unfolding events at home and abroad.

Transcript

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[Doua Khalilpal]

Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Dwahili Sai Kowtow. Minnesotans are tonight responding with shock and anger after another person was shot and killed during a federal immigration operation. In Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Fry, during a press briefing, asked how many more Americans need to die.

[Political Analyst]

The chaos that we are seeing is.

[Doua Khalilpal]

Caused directly by ice, border control and this federal administration. Hours after the victim was identified as 37 year old Alex Jeffrey Pretty, an intensive care unit nurse at the local VA hospital, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian o' Hara described the scene.

[Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara]

State and local law enforcement did deploy less lethal and gas munitions at that assembly in order to allow for a safe egress of law enforcement and to prevent further violence and damage.

[Doua Khalilpal]

Governor Tim Walls has now activated the National Guard to help local police. And the mayor says he's asked a judge for a restraining order to end immigration enforcement and prevent more tragic deaths. A massive winter storm is forecast to hit states from Texas to Massachusetts, leaving residents facing ice, snow and frigid temperatures. Officials in New England are warning residents to stay off the road. As Chris Van Burskik of member station.

[Chris Van Buskirk]

WBOR reports, more than 15 inches of snow are expected to fall across parts of New England starting mid Sunday into Monday morning. State officials in Massachusetts say the intensity of the snowfall will make road conditions dangerous. Governor Maury Healey declared Monday a remote workday for most state employees.

[Governor Maura Healey]

We're taking this storm very seriously. I have activated the state Emergency Operations center and directed all relevant agencies to deploy resources.

[Chris Van Buskirk]

The National Weather Service says widespread travel disruptions, prolonged power outages and vast tree damage are likely across the country. For NPR News, I'm Chris Van Buskirk in Boston.

[Doua Khalilpal]

The Democratic National Committee says it will spend millions to register voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. From member station KJZZ, Ben Giles reports.

[Ben Giles]

DNC Chair Ken Martin says the investment is part of efforts to get the party more involved in voter registration. In the past, he says, Democrats have relied on nonpartisan groups barred from discussing the party's candidates or core values. Directly involving party leaders from the national to local level will allow volunteers to better connect with voters that Martin says Democrats have taken for granted.

[Political Analyst]

As we learned in 2024, we can't just assume that certain demographics, whether they be young voters, voters of color or otherwise, will automatically support the Democratic party. We have to earn registration so that we can earn every vote.

[Ben Giles]

Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 300,000 voters in Arizona. For NPR News, I'm Ben Giles in Phoenix.

[Doua Khalilpal]

This is NPR. In Afghanistan, at least 61 people have died in the country's central and northern provinces due to heavy rain and major snowfall that caused avalanches. A disaster management spokesperson told local media that another 110 people were injured. Yousef Hamad also said key highways were cut off off. The United nations and other humanitarian partners continue to appeal for $1.7 billion to help 18 million people who are still recovering from devastating earthquakes that hit last August and in November. China says it's investigating the country's top senior military general. This as President Xi Jinping has been purging dozens of high ranking defense officials and executives. But NPR's Emily Feng reports. This is the most high ranking official yet to be targeted.

[Emily Feng]

General Zhang Youxia is being investigated for suspected violations of Communist Party discipline. 75 year old Zhang is a veteran of one of the only foreign wars China's military has fought. And like China's top leader, Xi Jinping, Zhang is what political analysts call a princeling, the son of a senior revolutionary who fought in a 1940 civil war which propelled the ruling Communist Party to power. A Defense Ministry spokesperson also said another general, Liu Junli, was under investigation as well. As this past October, China's Defense Ministry officially removed nine generals from its ranks. And in Xi Jinping's consolidation of power, he has purged several other high level defense officials in an effort to tighten discipline and reduce corruption. Emily Fang, NPR News.

[Doua Khalilpal]

And I'm Doua Halisai Kowtel, NPR News in New York City.

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