NPR News Now: 5PM EST — January 24, 2026

Main Theme:
This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers succinct reporting on breaking national news stories, including a deadly incident involving federal agents in Minnesota, winter storm preparations in New York City, diplomatic efforts regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, confirmation of Hunter S. Thompson's cause of death, and a new childcare subsidy plan in San Francisco.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. Minnesota Border Patrol Shooting Amid Immigration Crackdown

• [00:01 – 01:05]
  • Incident: A US Border Patrol officer shot and killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis during an ongoing immigration raid.
    • Officers were targeting an alleged undocumented, armed individual wanted for violent assault.
    • The man shot was reportedly a US citizen.
    • Border Patrol head Greg Bovino stated the man approached officers with a handgun.
  • Police and State Response:
    • Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara believes the victim was a citizen.
    • This marks the third federal shooting incident this month in the area (two dead, one wounded).
  • Governor's Reaction:
    • Gov. Tim Walsh vocally criticized the federal presence and urged President Trump to withdraw federal forces from Minnesota.
      • Quote [00:51]:

        "Donald Trump, I call on you once again. Remove this force from Minnesota. They are sowing chaos and violence. We've seen deadly violence from federal agents again and again and again."
        — Governor Tim Walsh

2. Major Winter Storm Threatens Northeast

• [01:05 – 02:06]
  • Forecast: A powerful winter storm is sweeping across two-thirds of the U.S., expected to reach the Northeast imminently.
    • New York City could see its heaviest snowfall in years.
  • City Response:
    • Mayor Zahran Mamdani is overseeing storm preparations and promises equal service for all residents.
      • Quote [01:33]:

        "Every single New Yorker is going to receive the same level of service where we prepare the city, take care of the city, and then get the city back on its feet in time after the storm."
        — Mayor Zahran Mamdani

    • Emergency declaration issued; warnings about low visibility and high winds.
      • Quote [01:48]:

        "Visibility will be very low. Winds will be gushing at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. New Yorkers can expect whiteout or near blizzard conditions."
        — Mayor Zahran Mamdani

    • Forecast predicts a foot or more of snow from Sunday into Monday.

3. Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Show Modest Progress

• [02:06 – 02:55]
  • Location: Two days of meetings in Abu Dhabi between delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S.
  • Main Takeaways:
    • Officials characterized getting both sides to the table as a "big step" despite lacking significant breakthroughs.
      • Quote [02:13]:

        "Just getting them to the table to talk is a big step… the conversations were very respectful, even if there were no significant breakthroughs."

    • Lingering issues: division of territory and terms of de-escalation.
    • Next round of talks is scheduled in a week, also in Abu Dhabi.

4. Colorado Reaffirms Hunter S. Thompson’s Death as Suicide

• [02:55 – 04:07]
  • Background: Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reaffirmed the writer's 2005 death as a suicide after a review prompted by his widow, Anita Thompson.
    • No new evidence emerged to challenge the original finding.
    • The probe included potential new concerns raised by his widow, not publicly disclosed.
      • Quote [03:21]:

        "The Colorado Bureau of Investigations says it did not uncover any new facts or evidence to support a conclusion different from the original one…"

    • Thompson's history of depression and chronic pain acknowledged.

5. San Francisco Expands Childcare Subsidies

• [04:07 – 04:40]
  • Policy Update: Families of four earning less than $230,000 now qualify for free childcare.
    • Families earning up to $310,000 eligible for a 50% subsidy.
    • Aims to address the high cost of living based on area median income.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Governor Tim Walsh on federal agents in Minnesota [00:51]:

  "Remove this force from Minnesota. They are sowing chaos and violence. We've seen deadly violence from federal agents again and again and again."

• Mayor Zahran Mamdani on equitable storm response [01:33]:

  "Every single New Yorker is going to receive the same level of service..."

• NPR reporting official on Ukraine-Russia talks [02:13]:

  "Just getting them to the table to talk is a big step…"

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Minnesota border shooting & governor’s response: 00:01 – 01:05
• Northeast winter storm preparations: 01:05 – 02:06
• Russia-Ukraine talks update: 02:06 – 02:55
• Hunter S. Thompson’s death review: 02:55 – 04:07
• San Francisco childcare subsidy: 04:07 – 04:40

This NPR News Now episode delivers a rapid-fire summary of serious and diverse national issues—ranging from federal policing controversies and extreme winter weather responses to international diplomacy and socioeconomic policy changes—providing listeners with pressing updates in just five minutes.