NPR News Now – January 24, 2026, 1PM EST

Host: Louise Schiavone

The latest national and international news delivered in five minutes.

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode provides concise updates on several major stories: a fatal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shooting and ensuing protests in Minneapolis; a sweeping, record-setting winter storm impacting much of the U.S.; the cancellation of renewable energy projects in Puerto Rico; new U.S.-Canada trade tensions; China’s anti-corruption crackdown on military leadership; and notable events in the Australian Open.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis and Protests

• Incident Details

  • This marks the third federal agent-involved shooting in Minneapolis in January.
  • Occurred outside a donut shop south of downtown; person reportedly approached officers with a 9mm handgun, agents responded with gunfire, and the individual died at the scene.
  • Louise Schiavone (Host) [00:16]: “Another shooting involving federal immigration agents took place this morning in Minneapolis… an agent fired defensive shots. The person was pronounced dead at the scene.”

• Protest Response

  • Dozens of protesters gathered quickly, chanting for ICE to leave.
  • Local police barricaded the area and used tear gas to disperse crowds.
  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the shooting “sickening” and demanded federal officers leave the state.
  • The Trump administration accused protesters of violence and interference.
  • Jennifer Ludden [00:43]: “Local police barricaded streets for blocks and blocks. They pushed the crowd away and deployed multiple rounds of tear gas.”
  • Quote – Governor Tim Walz [00:43]: “…thousands of violent, untrained federal officers should leave the state now.”

2. Massive Winter Storm Threatening Much of the U.S.

• Scope & Impact

  • The storm is described as historic in terms of both impact on the population and geographical reach.
  • Forecasts predict more than half the U.S. will be affected by substantial snow, dangerous ice, and sub-zero temperatures.
  • Authorities are urging people to stay home, but many—especially the unhoused—are exposed to dangerous conditions.

• On-the-ground Perspective

  • Whitney Slater, Detroit resident [01:56]:* “It’s brutal out there. It’s so cold it hurts, like it hurts, it’s painful.”

• Expert Commentary

  • Frank Pereira, National Weather Service meteorologist [01:33, 01:43]:*
    • “This may be the all time both population impact and geographical scope.”
    • “With more than half the US population hit by some combination of snow topping a foot in parts, ice up to an inch or more, and cold as low as sub-zero.”

• Infrastructure Risks

  • Special warnings for catastrophic ice impacts in the South, threatening power grids.

3. Puerto Rico Solar Projects Canceled Amid Grid Concerns

• Policy Shift

  • The Trump administration has canceled major federal solar projects in Puerto Rico, despite ongoing outages and a grid in crisis.
  • Projects were aimed at rural households and funded by a $1B Congressional package.
  • The Energy Department claims rapid rooftop solar expansion has destabilized the grid, suggesting widespread distributed solar cannot yet be supported.

• Historical Context

  • Puerto Rico’s grid has been severely under-resourced since Hurricane Maria in 2017.
  • Windsor Johnston [02:30]: “Those solar projects were funded through a $1 billion program approved by Congress in 2022 to strengthen Puerto Rico's energy system, which has struggled since Hurricane Maria.”

4. U.S.-Canada Trade Tension over China Deal

• New Tariff Threat
  • President Trump has threatened a 100% tariff on Canadian imports if Canada moves forward with a trade deal with China.
  • He warned, via social media, that Canada would not be permitted to act as a “drop off port” for Chinese products entering the U.S.

5. China’s Crackdown in the Military

• High-Profile Investigations

  • China is investigating General Zhang Yousan for alleged violations—he is the most senior military figure yet to be targeted.
  • Reflects Xi Jinping’s ongoing campaign to consolidate power and purge corruption in the defense establishment.

• Additional Details

  • At least nine generals were officially dismissed in October; the recent investigation also targets General Liu Junli.
  • Political analysts describe these figures as “princelings”—children of revolutionary elites.
  • Emily Feng [03:52]: “General Zhang Yousan is being investigated for suspected violations of Communist Party discipline… Zhang is what political analysts call a princeling, the son of a senior revolutionary who fought in a 1940 civil war.”

6. Australian Open Update

• Day’s Highlights
  • Play paused due to extreme heat; after the break, Jannik Sinner overcame cramps to defeat Elliot Spitzeri and advance to round four.
  • Naomi Osaka withdrew from women’s singles (abdominal injury).
  • Louise Schiavone [04:36]: “Jannik Sinner came back from a case of cramps to beat Elliot Spitzeri and move on to play in the fourth round. In women's play, Naomi Osaka withdrew… due to an abdominal injury.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Governor Tim Walz [00:43]: “…thousands of violent, untrained federal officers should leave the state now.”
• Frank Pereira, NWS meteorologist [01:33]: “This may be the all time both population impact and geographical scope.”
• Whitney Slater, warming center visitor [01:56]: “It’s brutal out there. It’s so cold it hurts, like it hurts, it’s painful.”
• Emily Feng, China reporting [03:52]: “General Zhang Yousan… is what political analysts call a princeling, the son of a senior revolutionary…”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:16 — Federal agent-involved shooting in Minneapolis and protest response
• 01:21 — Massive winter storm and its impact
• 02:16 — Puerto Rico solar project cancellations
• 03:16 — New U.S.-Canada tariff threats and China defense purge
• 04:36 — Australian Open disrupted by extreme heat

This episode blends urgency and gravitas, covering stories of national security, environmental crisis, international power plays, and sports—delivered in NPR's trademark factual, concise, and authoritative style.