NPR News Now – January 25, 2026, 12AM EST

Host: Dwahali Sai Kowtow
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme:
A concise roundup of breaking news, including updates on immigration enforcement and protest in Minneapolis, unrest at a Texas ICE detention center, a major winter storm in the South, U.S.-Canada trade tensions, and the deteriorating situation in Haiti.

1. Immigration Enforcement & Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis

Segment Start: [00:15]

• Summary:
  Elected officials in Minnesota urge peaceful protest after a second fatal shooting by immigration officers in Minneapolis. The National Guard now supports local law enforcement efforts.
• Key Details:
  • The Department of Homeland Security claims officer shot Alex Preddy, 37, in self-defense as he allegedly approached with a gun.
  • Witness video challenges this account, showing agents wrestling Preddy to the ground before shooting; unclear if Preddy attempted to use his firearm.
  • Preddy was a permitted gun owner, an ICU nurse, and had no criminal record.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry:

    “The chaos that we are seeing is caused directly by ICE border control and this federal administration.” [00:59]

2. Protest & Disturbance at Texas ICE Detention Facility

Segment Start: [01:20]

• Summary:
  Immigration attorney Eric Lee recounts a mass protest at the Dilley, Texas ICE detention center, triggered by the treatment of a five-year-old detainee from Minneapolis, Liam Conejo Ramos.
• Key Details:
  • Guards evacuated the facility after an incident, while Lee heard “hundreds of children shouting” upon leaving.
  • ICE did not comment at this time.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Immigration Attorney Eric Lee:

    “Guards started to shout, everybody out. Everybody out. There's been an incident... as I was walking back to my car, I heard what sounded like hundreds of children shouting.” [01:49]

3. Major Winter Storm Impacts the Southern U.S.

Segment Start: [02:14]

• Summary:
  A severe ice storm has disrupted power for over 100,000 in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. More states, including Mississippi and Tennessee, are in the storm’s path.
• Key Details:
  • Ice accumulations may reach an inch, recalling a devastating storm in the Mississippi Delta 30 years ago.
  • Extended outages could threaten health and welfare, especially for vulnerable students and families.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Janice Kitchens, teacher in Mississippi:

    “It's all fun and games when you have everything you need at home, but a week or two without food or without proper food or enough, it could mean life or death.” [02:48]

  • “Kitchen says resilience is a prerequisite for living in the delta, but she's hoping her community misses the brunt of the storm.” [02:58]

4. U.S.–Canada Trade Tensions & Tariff Threats

Segment Start: [03:09]

• Summary:
  Canadian leadership gives a subdued response to new tariff threats from President Trump, targeting Canada’s relationship with China.
• Key Details:
  • Trump threatened a 100% tariff, accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of making Canada a “drop off port” for Chinese goods.
  • The threats follow Carney’s support for Greenland’s sovereignty and an Ottawa-Beijing deal.
  • Canadian officials deny a China free trade agreement, stressing Canada-U.S. relations.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Dan Karpenchuk (reporter):

    “Trump accused Carney of trying to turn Canada into a drop off port for Chinese exports into the US... But in the wake of Davos and Carney's support of Greenland's sovereignty, Trump lashed out.” [03:24]

5. Haiti: UN Assistance and Political Turmoil

Segment Start: [04:01]

• Summary:
  The UN plans to send up to 5,500 troops to support Haitian police, who are struggling to reclaim the capital from armed gangs controlling over 80% of Port-au-Prince.
• Key Details:
  • Haiti faces dire humanitarian conditions, with 1.4 million internally displaced.
  • The Transitional Presidential Council moves to oust Prime Minister Alex Didier Fils Ami.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Carlos Ruiz Massu, UN Special Representative:

    "The humanitarian situation, as you know, is still rather dire... 1.4 million internally displaced due to violence. But we do hope that the situation moves forward during 2026." [04:21]

6. Closing and Sign-Off

Segment End: [04:36+]

• Dwahali Sai Kowtow:

  “You are listening to NPR News from New York City. And I'm Dwahli Saikowtao.” [04:36]

Memorable Moments

• The stark contrast between official narratives (ICE's account) and witness video in the Minneapolis shooting.
• The haunting sound of “hundreds of children shouting” inside a detention facility [01:49].
• Community anxieties in Mississippi facing another “life or death” winter storm [02:48].
• Canada’s calm protestations in the face of sharp U.S. trade threats.

Timestamps at a Glance

• [00:15] – Minneapolis ICE shooting and protests
• [01:20] – Detention center protest over child detainee
• [02:14] – Ice storm disrupts power in the South
• [03:09] – Trump’s tariff threats to Canada
• [04:01] – Haiti’s plea for more UN troops amid gang violence