NPR News Now – January 25, 2026, 2AM EST

Host: Dwahali Sai Kowtel
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of major national news stories, including the fatal federal immigration operation in Minneapolis, a major winter storm impacting the Northeast, the political implications of Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s death, and the UN’s response to the ongoing crisis in Haiti.

1. Minneapolis Federal Immigration Operation Turns Deadly

Main Points:

• A fatal shooting occurred during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis, leading to shock and anger among residents.
• Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent further fatal encounters and urged for peaceful protests.

Quotes and Key Moments:

• [00:16-00:42] Dwahali Sai Kowtel (host):
  “Minnesotans are responding with shock and anger after another person was shot and killed during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis. Mayor Jacob Fry now plans to ask a judge... He also called for more peaceful protests.”
• [00:42-00:54] Jacob Frey (Mayor of Minneapolis):
  “Most of the protests that we've seen have remained peaceful. Let's keep it that way. Let's not counter Donald Trump's chaos with our own version of chaos here. I understand that people are angry. I'm angry.”
• [00:54-01:10] Dwahali Sai Kowtel:
  The victim, Alex Jeffrey Preeti, was a “37 year old ICU nurse at a local VA hospital with no criminal record.”
• [01:10-01:25] Senator Amy Klobuchar:
  “One Renee Good, mother of three, and now Alex Preeti, a 37 year old Minneapolis man, a citizen, also a nurse. They both have families that love them very much.”

Additional Reporting:

• Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard to help maintain order.
• [01:25-01:54] Jeff Brumfield (NPR):
  Bystander videos contradict Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statements, showing that Preeti was filming with his phone and disarmed before being shot by officers.

Key Contradiction:

• [01:41-01:54] Kristi Noem (Secretary of Homeland Security):
  “Alex Preeti had approached DHS officers with a pistol and... was killed after he resisted attempts to disarm him.”
• [01:54-02:24] Jeff Brumfield:
  “Videos show Preeti was filming with his phone... Officers pepper sprayed him and grappled him to the ground... one of the officers actually did disarm him. The videos show the officer running away with Preeti's distinctive Sig Sauer pistol about a second before another officer fired multiple shots, ending his life.”

2. Major Winter Storm Sweeps the Northeast

Main Points:

• A significant winter storm is hitting a large portion of the U.S., especially New England.
• Connecticut could receive up to 20 inches of snow; officials urge residents to stay home.

Key Moments & Quotes:

• [02:32-02:55] Chris Polanski (Connecticut Public Radio):
  “Officials say Connecticut could see up to 20 inches of snow... 900 snowplow drivers are at the ready. He asks residents to stay off the roads.”
• [02:55-03:03] Governor Ned Lamont:
  “Weather Channel often hypes up these storms. This is the real McCoy, and I want you to pay special attention.”
• [03:03-03:10] National Weather Service:
  Issued winter storm warnings for “most of southern New England from Sunday morning through Monday evening.”

3. Political Update: Death of Congressman Doug LaMalfa

Main Points:

• U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson attends memorial for late Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa in California.
• LaMalfa’s passing narrows the Republican House majority; his seat will remain vacant until a special election on August 4th.

Quotes & Insights:

• [03:37-03:52] Claudia Brankert (North State Public Radio):
  “The memorial was in Chico... Speaker Johnson said he arranged to take Air Force Two... as a winter storm grounded thousands of flights across the US.”
• [03:52-04:17] Claudia Brankert:
  “Doug La Malfa was a longtime ally to President Donald Trump. His death narrows House Republicans hold on the chamber, and the Republican seat will remain empty for months... Governor Gavin Newsom... scheduled a special election... for August 4th.”

4. UN Reinforcements in Haiti Amid Ongoing Crisis

Main Points:

• The UN is sending more troops to Haiti to help police in Port-au-Prince, where gangs have taken over 80% of the capital.
• The humanitarian situation remains dire, with 1.4 million internally displaced.

Key Quotes:

• [04:29-04:44] Carlos Ruiz Masiu (UN Special Representative in Haiti):
  “The humanitarian situation, as you know, is still rather dire in terms of 1.4 million internally displaced due to violence, but we do hope that the situation moves forward during 2026.”

5. Closing

• Host Dwahali Sai Kowtel signs off from NPR News in New York. [04:44-04:55]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:16-02:24] – Minneapolis immigration shooting and aftermath
• [02:32-03:10] – Winter storm warnings and preparations in New England
• [03:37-04:17] – Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s memorial and political consequences
• [04:17-04:44] – Haiti crisis and UN plans

Notable Quotes Recap

• Jacob Frey, Mayor:
  “Let's not counter Donald Trump's chaos with our own version of chaos here. I understand that people are angry. I'm angry.” [00:42]
• Gov. Ned Lamont:
  “Weather Channel often hypes up these storms. This is the real McCoy, and I want you to pay special attention.” [02:55]
• Carlos Ruiz Masiu, UN:
  “The humanitarian situation... is still rather dire in terms of 1.4 million internally displaced due to violence…” [04:29]

Tone:
Clear, urgent, factual, and empathetic to the major stories and undercurrent of public emotion.

This summary provides an engaging and detailed recap for listeners, highlighting pivotal news, analysis, and direct voices from the episode.