NPR News: 01-25-2026 1PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – Detailed Episode Summary

Episode: NPR News: 01-25-2026 1PM EST
Host: Windsor Johnston
Date: January 25, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines in U.S. and global news, focusing on a controversial fatal shooting by federal immigration authorities in Minnesota, escalating political and investigative tensions, ongoing protests, updates in the Israel-Gaza conflict, severe winter weather across the U.S., and the impact of storms on national box office earnings.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota ICE Shooting Controversy

• Federal vs. State Investigation Tensions

  • Federal and state officials in Minnesota are at a standoff regarding access to evidence after federal immigration agents shot and killed Alex Preddy, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen protesting an ICE operation.
    • Tina Smith (Senator, D-MN):
      • Describes the federal government's actions as ignoring a federal court order and hindering state investigators, going so far as to call it a “cover up.” ([00:40]–[01:02])

        “Our state investigators had to get a warrant to have access to the evidence of the shooting of Alex Preddy, and even then the federal agents refused to give them access to the evidence.” — Senator Tina Smith ([00:46])

      • Adds: “Smith called the government's handling of the case a cover up.” ([01:02])
  • Republican Senators Thom Tillis (NC) and Bill Cassidy (LA) are urging a joint investigation.

• Political Fallout

  • Minnesota’s governor appeals to President Trump to withdraw ICE agents after a second fatal shooting in less than a month.
  • ICE and Border Patrol leaders defend their conduct while local officials and demonstrators allege excessive force.
    • Greg Bevino (Border Patrol Commander):
      • Stands by law enforcement’s actions, asserting the victim interfered with an active crime scene.

        “Law enforcement doesn't assault anyone. Follow directions of law enforcement in an active crime scene. It's very evident he didn't want to do that. Very evident that the other individuals didn't want to do that.” — Greg Bevino ([01:51])

• Community Reaction and Protests

  • The killing has reignited ongoing protests in Minneapolis, with advocates condemning ICE for escalating violence. ([02:06])

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2. U.S.-Israel-Gaza Developments

• Diplomatic Engagements
  • U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the Gaza ceasefire’s next phase.
    • Discussions reportedly center on reopening the Gaza-Egypt border crossing, which could allow Palestinian movement for the first time in months despite Israeli objections, as the last Israeli hostage’s body remains unrecovered. ([02:27]–[03:15])
• Military Posturing
  • U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper confers with Israel’s military; American military presence is increased in the region as President Trump publicly weighs strikes on Iran.
    • Daniel Estrin (NPR, Reporting from Tel Aviv):

      “The US has been beefing up its military assets in the Mideast this past week as Trump says he's still considering strikes on Iran.” ([03:15])

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3. Severe Winter Storm and Travel Disruptions

• Weather Impact
  • A major winter storm sweeps across approximately three dozen states, bringing snow, ice, and freezing rain, leading to drastic declines in travel.
• New York Transit Adaptations
  • Jano Lieber (NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO):
    • Outlines the MTA’s preventative measures, including moving trains indoors to maintain readiness during inclement weather.

      “We're actually laying up a lot of trains indoors on the express tracks to make sure that they will be ready to move.” — Jano Lieber ([03:38])

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4. Box Office Slump Amid Weather Crisis

• Hollywood Takes a Hit
  • Nationwide storms have sharply reduced box office revenues. The single major wide release, "Mercy," about an AI justice system, opens with disappointing numbers due to theater closures and low turnout.
    • Bob Mondello (NPR Movie Critic):

      “Snowy weather is giving movie theaters very little mercy this weekend. ... What was projected to be a $15 million opening now looks more like 12 million. And observers place the blame on snow.” — Bob Mondello ([04:04])

    • More than 20 states declare emergencies. Major theater chains (AMC, Cinemark, Regal) announce multiple closures.
    • Total box office revenue for the weekend only reaches about $58 million, marking the lowest of the year so far. ([04:29])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Senator Tina Smith (on investigation obstacles):

  “Our state investigators had to get a warrant to have access to the evidence of the shooting of Alex Preddy, and even then the federal agents refused to give them access to the evidence.” ([00:46])

• Greg Bevino (defending law enforcement):

  “Law enforcement doesn't assault anyone. Follow directions of law enforcement in an active crime scene. It's very evident he didn't want to do that. Very evident that the other individuals didn't want to do that.” ([01:51])

• Daniel Estrin (on U.S.-Israel relations):

  “The US has been beefing up its military assets in the Mideast this past week as Trump says he's still considering strikes on Iran.” ([03:15])

• Jano Lieber (on NYC transit prep):

  “We're actually laying up a lot of trains indoors on the express tracks to make sure that they will be ready to move.” ([03:38])

• Bob Mondello (on box office woes):

  “Snowy weather is giving movie theaters very little mercy this weekend. ... What was projected to be a $15 million opening now looks more like 12 million. And observers place the blame on snow.” ([04:04])

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Minnesota ICE Shooting Investigation: [00:13] – [02:06]
• Israel-Gaza Diplomatic Updates: [02:27] – [03:15]
• Winter Storm Travel & NYC Transit: [03:15] – [03:57]
• Box Office and Weather-Related Slump: [03:57] – [04:50]

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Tone:
Consistent with NPR's signature tone—concise, factual, and measured, even when delivering urgent or contentious news.

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Conclusion:
This NPR News Now episode swiftly outlines the vital stories of the hour: a high-profile fatal shooting and subsequent controversy in Minnesota, the latest U.S. diplomatic and military maneuvers in the Middle East, a massive winter storm crippling travel and the entertainment sector, and the enduring ripples through communities and national discourse. The episode captures both the immediacy and gravity of these unfolding events.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

[e-mail] live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Federal and state officials in Minnesota are at odds over the investigation into the death of a man who was shot and killed by federal immigration agents. On NPR's Lou Garrett Reports. A U.S. senator from that state says the federal government is denying state investigators access to evidence.

[Senator Tina Smith]

Senator Tina Smith, a Minnesota Democrat, tells NPR the federal government is ignoring a federal court order.

[Capital One Announcer]

Our state investigators had to get a warrant to have access to the evidence of the shooting of Alex Preddy, and even then the federal agents refused to give them access to the evidence.

[Senator Tina Smith]

Smith called the government's handling of the case a cover up. On Saturday, immigration officers shot dead Alex Preddy, a 37 year old US citizen protesting the ICE operation. There are conflicting accounts of what led up to the shooting. Republican Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana are calling for a joint state and federal investigation into the killing. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Windsor Johnston]

The governor of Minnesota is calling on President Trump to remove federal immigration agents in the state after the second deadly shooting there in than a month. ICE agents are being accused of using excessive force, but Border Patrol leaders are defending their actions. Commander at large Greg Bevino tells CNN that 37 year old Alex Preddy inserted himself into an active crime scene.

[Greg Bevino]

Law enforcement doesn't assault anyone. Follow directions of law enforcement. Follow directions of law enforcement in an active crime scene. It's very evident he didn't want to do that. Very evident that the other individuals didn't want to do that.

[Windsor Johnston]

The latest shooting has reignited protests that have gripped Minneapolis since last month, with advocates accusing immigration officers of escalating tensions and using unnecessary force. President Trump's senior envoys visited Israel this weekend to discuss next steps in Gaza. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports.

[Daniel Estrin]

U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel Saturday. Witkoff's office office said they discussed the next phase in the Gaza ceasefire. Israeli media report the discussions were about reopening Gaza's border crossing with Egypt to allow Palestinians to finally be able to enter and exit Gaza again. The border is expected to open this week despite Israeli opposition, as the last Israeli hostage body in Gaza still has not been recovered. Meanwhile, US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper met with Israel's military chief of staff Saturday. The U.S. has been beefing up its military military assets in the Mideast this past week as Trump says he's still considering strikes on Iran. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Windsor Johnston]

It's npr. Travel is rapidly declining across the country today as a powerful winter storm brings heavy snow, ice and freezing rain to around three dozen states. In New York City, public transit is a major concern. Jano Lieber is the CEO of the city's Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

[Greg Bevino]

We prepare to run service and we're doing everything, including laying up trains. Instead of having them sit out in the in the big yards, which sometimes get hit by snow and have movements affected, we're actually laying up a lot of trains indoors on the express tracks to make sure that they will be ready to move.

[Windsor Johnston]

Meanwhile, Hollywood's box office numbers are down sharply this weekend. NPR's Bob Mondello reports.

[Bob Mondello]

Snowy weather is giving movie theaters very little mercy this weekend. Your trial will now commence, Mercy being the thriller about an artificial intelligence justice system that is this week's only wide release. What was projected to be a $15 million opening now looks more like 12 million. And observers place the blame on snow.

[Windsor Johnston]

Based on available evidence, I have already judged your probability of guilt to be 97.5%.

[Bob Mondello]

More than 20 states from Texas to New York have declared states of emergency, and all three of the nation's biggest mov, amc, Cinemark and Regal, announced dozens of individual theater closings. As a result, movie box offices overall will only take in about $58 million, making this the lowest weekend of the year so far. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

I'm Windsor Johnston, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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