NPR News Now: 5-Minute News Update

Episode: NPR News: 01-24-2026 9PM EST
Date: January 25, 2026
Host: Jeanine Herbst

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now provides a concise, five-minute roundup of the day’s most pressing news. Key stories include the fallout from a fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, a high-stakes Senate primary debate in Texas, a massive winter storm impacting much of the U.S., rising energy prices, and federal policy shifts in Puerto Rico’s energy infrastructure.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fatal Shooting by Immigration Agents in Minneapolis

• Victim Identified as Alex Jeffrey Preddy
  • [00:15] Jeanine Herbst introduces the story, noting that Preddy was the second person killed by federal immigration agents in less than three weeks in Minneapolis.
  • [00:32] Meg Anderson details:
    • Preddy was a 37-year-old ICU nurse, U.S. citizen, and Minneapolis resident.
    • Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith commented at a news conference:
      • Senator Tina Smith: “If this can happen in Minnesota, it can happen in any community in the country.” [00:45]
    • The Trump administration referred to Preddy as a domestic terrorist, which Senator Smith disputed.
    • Mayor Jacob Frey requests National Guard support; guard members to wear yellow vests for identification.

Notable Quote:

“If this can happen in Minnesota, it can happen in any community in the country.” — Sen. Tina Smith [00:45]

2. Texas Democratic Senate Debate: Immigration Takes Center Stage

• [01:19] Jeanine Herbst transitions to Texas, where Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Rep. James Talarico debated immigration, especially in the wake of the Minneapolis shooting.
• [01:33] Blaze Gainey recaps:
  • Immigration policy, especially ICE’s role and funding, was a central topic.
  • [01:50] During the debate, Talarico says:

    “ICE executed a man in broad daylight on our streets just this morning. It’s time to tear down this secret police force and replace it with an agency that actually is going to focus on public safety.” — James Talarico [01:51]

  • Crockett opposes further ICE funding and calls for comprehensive reform.

3. Massive Winter Storm Impacts Central and Eastern U.S.

• [02:14] Jeanine Herbst reports on a major storm affecting over half the U.S. population.
  • Snow, sleet, and rain across the South; spread into Ohio, Tennessee, and Louisiana.
  • [02:31] Frank Morris:
    • Tens of thousands without power in Texas and Arkansas.
    • Risk of extended outages from Texas to Virginia.
    • Leon Craigel (Tulsa): “We will start plowing...but that’s probably looking more like Sunday afternoon before we can get to that point.” [02:51]
    • Thousands of flights canceled, mostly in the southeast and east coast.

Notable Quote:

“We will start plowing...but that’s probably looking more like Sunday afternoon before we can get to that point.” — Leon Craigel [02:51]

4. Winter Storm Drives Up Natural Gas Prices and Threatens Refineries

• [03:12] Jeanine Herbst notes:
  • Natural gas prices up >50% this week as cold disrupts supply, causes production stoppages, and freezes infrastructure.
  • Possible gasoline shortages at refineries, though supplies currently stable.
  • Gas prices up only a few cents week-over-week.

5. Trump Administration Cancels Solar Projects in Puerto Rico

• [03:31] The administration cancels solar initiatives despite recurring outages and grid failures.
  • [03:59] Windsor Johnston details:
    • Energy Department claims rapid rooftop solar expansion threatens grid stability.
    • Projects were intended for ~30,000 low-income rural households, as funded by a $1 billion program in 2022.
    • Context: Puerto Rico’s grid remains fragile since Hurricane Maria in 2017 and years of underinvestment.

Notable Quote:

“The rapid expansion of rooftop solar has created instability, arguing the grid cannot currently support widespread distributed solar power.” — Windsor Johnston [04:05]

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• [00:45] Sen. Tina Smith: “If this can happen in Minnesota, it can happen in any community in the country.”
• [01:51] James Talarico: “ICE executed a man in broad daylight on our streets just this morning. It’s time to tear down this secret police force and replace it with an agency that actually is going to focus on public safety.”
• [02:51] Leon Craigel: “We will start plowing...but that’s probably looking more like Sunday afternoon before we can get to that point.”
• [04:05] Windsor Johnston: “The rapid expansion of rooftop solar has created instability, arguing the grid cannot currently support widespread distributed solar power.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:15] Minneapolis shooting by federal immigration agents
• [01:19] Texas Democratic Senate debate on immigration and ICE
• [02:14] Winter storm impacts (weather & travel)
• [03:12] Energy price spike and refinery concerns
• [03:59] Puerto Rico solar project cancellations

Summary:
This tightly-packed update covers critical and fast-moving stories, notably government action and responses around immigration enforcement, an intensifying winter storm’s nationwide impacts, shifting energy supplies and prices, and policy moves affecting renewable energy access in Puerto Rico. The episode serves as a concise but multifaceted briefing for listeners who need to stay current.