NPR News Now: Summary — January 25, 2026, 2PM EST

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers the day's top national and international stories: a major clash between Minnesota and federal law enforcement over a fatal shooting, a devastating ice storm affecting large parts of the country, escalating U.S.–Canada–China trade tensions, the results of trilateral Russia–Ukraine–US peace talks, and Alex Honnold’s stunning free solo of Taipei 101.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Fatal Shooting by Federal Agents Sparks State–Federal Clash

• Incident: Federal immigration agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Preddy in Minneapolis (Saturday).

• Conflict: State investigators were blocked by federal officers from entering the scene, even after obtaining a judicial warrant.

• Reaction:

  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz vowed a full, state-led investigation and accountability (00:58).
  • The state launched legal action to preserve evidence; a judge issued a temporary order to that effect.

• Context: Incident has renewed debates over jurisdiction, transparency, and accountability in use-of-force cases involving federal law enforcement.

  Notable Quotes

  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (00:58):

    "We need to have a fair investigation, understanding what's happening and held accountable. ... We continue to hear, and we heard it from the vice president that these folks can do whatever they want. They can have full immunity. And what I'm telling you is they will not. There will be justice to Minnesotans."

2. Severe Winter Storm Disrupting the Country

• Scope: Winter storm warnings from New Mexico to Maine’s Canadian border.

• Impact:

  • Over 800,000 utility customers without power.
  • Ice as the major hazard; trees and power lines brought down, especially in the South.
  • Danger of prolonged freezing temperatures, difficult recovery for households reliant on electric heating.

• Eyewitness Reporting:

  • Blake Farmer (WPLN, Nashville) described hazardous, surreal conditions and widespread damage.

  Memorable Moment & Quote

  • Blake Farmer (01:51):

    "It'S honestly not safe to walk outside right now, and not just because the ground is a sheet of ice. Holy cow. That's a 150-year-old oak smashing through the woods, whacking a power line and crushing some Adirondack chairs. ... Standing outside, you can hear a towering hardwood topple every few minutes. It's going to be a long day."

3. Trump Administration Threatens Tariffs on Canadian Goods

• Situation: President Trump threatens 100% tariffs if Canada signs a trade deal with China.

• Details:

  • Treasury Secretary Scott Besant clarifies new duties are “not a certainty” and conditional on Canadian actions (02:45).
  • Trump accuses China of using Canada to circumvent U.S. tariffs.
  • Canadian officials deny pursuing a full free trade agreement with China.

  Notable Quotes

  • Treasury Secretary Scott Besant (02:45):

    "There's a possibility of 100% tariffs if they do a free trade deal. So it's not now. This is if they go further than what's already happened. ... if we see that the Canadians are allowing the Chinese to dump goods."

4. Trilateral Peace Talks: Russia, Ukraine & U.S.

• Location: United Arab Emirates
• Outcome:
  • No major breakthroughs.
  • U.S. envoys included Steve Wykoff and Jared Kushner.
  • Ukraine’s President called talks “constructive,” but no agreement was reached on oversight for Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, still under Russian control.

5. Alex Honnold Free Solos Taipei 101

• Event: Noted climber Alex Honnold free-climbed Taipei 101, Taiwan’s 101-story skyscraper (over 1,600 feet).

• Conditions:

  • No rope or safety net.
  • Climb took about 90 minutes; large crowd watched.
  • Taipei 101 is considered engineering marvel, built for earthquakes.

• Honnold’s Reflection:

  • Compared the building’s scale to natural landmarks and marveled at the view (04:25).

  Notable Quotes

  • Alex Honnold (04:25):

    "If you look at a building like Taipei 101, you're just like, dude, it's so big. It's so much bigger than everything around it. The view is insane."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:13 — News anchor introduction and headlines
• 00:40 — Peter Cox: Details of Minneapolis shooting and investigation
• 00:58 — Gov. Tim Walz: Pledge for accountability
• 01:23 — Winter storm coverage introduction
• 01:51 — Blake Farmer reporting from Nashville
• 02:31 — U.S.-Canada-China trade tensions
• 02:45 — Treasury Secretary Scott Besant on tariffs
• 03:19 — Russia-Ukraine-US trilateral talks update
• 04:12 — Alex Honnold climbs Taipei 101
• 04:25 — Honnold’s reflection on the climb

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode combines urgent weather reporting with sharp political debate and an inspiring athletic feat.
• It highlights growing tensions—both political and meteorological—with vivid, immediate imagery (“a 150-year-old oak smashing through the woods”) and direct statements from public figures.
• Alex Honnold’s awe at Taipei 101 closes the news with a note of wonder and human achievement.

Overall, the episode balances critical political and public safety issues with a captivating story of human accomplishment.