NPR News Now – January 25, 2026, 1AM EST

Host: Dwahalisai Kowtel
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: Hourly update on top national and international stories

Main Overview

This concise episode spotlights major breaking stories nationwide and internationally, with a strong focus on immigration enforcement controversies in the U.S., the ongoing impact of severe winter weather, and significant events abroad, including Myanmar's contentious election and a deadly weather crisis in Afghanistan.

Key News Stories and Discussion Points

1. Immigration Agent Shooting in Minneapolis

[00:16] – [01:17]

• Incident Summary: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly defended an immigration agent who fatally shot a protester, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, during protests against federal immigration actions in Minneapolis.

• Key Details:

  • Noem asserts the agent acted “in accordance with their training” (00:25).
  • Pretti was claimed to be armed and to have “brandished the weapon and attacked officers,” but Noem avoided addressing when the weapon was recovered (00:38-00:48).
  • After the shooting, a White House official labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist.”
  • Third such shooting involving immigration officers in Minneapolis this month; two people have been killed.
  • Federal response has seen a surge of 2,000 officers into the city; public protests continue.

• Notable Quote:

  • “The immigration agent fired defensive shots that killed 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, asserting that he was armed with a handgun.”
    — Ximene Bustia, NPR ([00:38])

2. Texas Democratic Senate Primary Debate

[01:17] – [02:12]

• Context: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. James Talarico debate amid heightened attention to immigration enforcement, only hours after the Minneapolis incident.
• Key Points:
  • Immigration policy, especially concerning ICE’s future and funding, dominated debate questions.
  • James Talarico’s Position:
    • Strongly condemned ICE’s actions, called for radical reform.
    • Quote:
      • “ICE executed a man in broad daylight on our streets. 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 ([01:50])
  • Jasmine Crockett’s Stance:
    • Recently voted against additional funding for ICE.
    • Emphasized need for a complete overhaul: “the agency needs to be cleaned up from top to bottom.”

3. Major Winter Storm Threatens the Northeast

[02:12] – [03:08]

• Details:
  • A “powerful winter storm” is forecast to bring the heaviest snowfall New York has seen in years.
  • Mayor Zahran Mamdani is leading the city’s emergency response, assuring equal service to all residents.
  • Emergency measures are in place due to “plummeting temperatures” and forecasts of up to a foot of snow, with whiteout or blizzard-like conditions expected.
  • Over 15,000 flights canceled nationwide.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “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 ([02:34])
  • “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 ([02:49])

4. International News Roundup

[03:08] – [04:49]

• Myanmar’s Election:

  • Polls open for what the U.N. calls an “illegitimate” election, backed by China and Russia and dominated by the military-led USDP party, with a backdrop of ongoing civil war.

• Afghanistan’s Deadly Winter Weather:

  • Over 60 dead after snow and landslides, including 15 children; more than 450 homes destroyed.
  • Ongoing humanitarian crisis as deportations from neighboring countries continue.
  • Nearly half the Afghan population expected to be “severely food insecure” by March.
  • Notable neighboring tragedy: Nine family members in northern Pakistan killed by avalanche.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Authorities say the dead include 15 children... Even as tens of thousands are forcibly repatriated from their homes in neighbouring Pakistan and Iran, nearly half of all Afghans are expected to be severely food insecure by March.”
    — Dia Hadid, NPR ([04:03])

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “ICE executed a man in broad daylight on our streets. 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, Texas State Rep. ([01:50])

• “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 ([02:34])

• “Authorities say the dead include 15 children... nearly half of all Afghans are expected to be severely food insecure by March.”
  — Dia Hadid, NPR ([04:03])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:16] Immigration agent shooting reactions
• [01:17] Texas Senate primary debate and immigration
• [02:12] Winter storm preps in New York
• [03:08] Myanmar’s election and Afghan weather disaster

This episode delivered rapid, well-sourced updates on pivotal U.S. and international developments, blending political, social, and environmental reporting in NPR's succinct, urgent style.