NPR News Now (01-25-2026, 3AM EST) – Episode Summary

Main Theme

This five-minute news update covers key national and international events, including a deadly Minneapolis shooting by federal agents, massive winter storm disaster declarations, the Democratic Party's voter registration push ahead of the 2026 midterms, a lack of progress in Russia-Ukraine-US peace talks, and the abrupt cancellation of solar projects in Puerto Rico.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Minneapolis Shooting Victim Identified

Timestamps: 00:16–01:16

• Officials in Minnesota have identified the person shot and killed in Minneapolis as Alex Jeffrey Preddy, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, U.S. citizen, and Minneapolis resident.
• He is the second person to be killed by federal immigration agents in less than three weeks.
• At a press conference, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith addressed the shooting.
  • Senator Smith emphasized (00:45) that “the Trump administration has already called Alex Preddy a domestic terrorist. He was a nurse.”
• Senator Smith also warned communities nationwide:
  • "She stressed that if this can happen in Minnesota, it can happen in any community in the country." (00:55)
• Mayor Jacob Frey has requested National Guard assistance for local police. Guard members will be distinguished with yellow safety vests.

2. President Trump Approves Emergency Disaster Declarations Amid Massive Winter Storm

Timestamps: 01:16–02:16

• President Trump approved disaster declarations for multiple states (Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, West Virginia) due to a severe winter storm.
• Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed swift federal and state aid deployment.
• General Stephen Nordhaus, Kentucky Guard Bureau Chief, reported hundreds of National Guard troops activated in 12 states.
  • Ben Giles, DNC Correspondent: “We are prepared. We have National Guard ready all over.” (01:54)
• Freezing rain is expected to cause widespread power outages.

3. Democratic National Committee Vows Increased Voter Registration Efforts

Timestamps: 02:16–03:09

• The DNC will commit millions to register voters prior to the 2026 midterm elections, seeking a more direct party role rather than relying exclusively on nonpartisan groups.
• DNC Chair Ken Martin on lessons from 2024:
  • “As we learned in 2024, we can't just assume that certain demographics, whether they be young voters, voters of color or otherwise, will automatically support the Democratic Party. We have to earn every registration so that we can earn every vote.” (02:48)
• Noted context: Republicans now outnumber Democrats by more than 300,000 registered voters in Arizona.

4. Russia-Ukraine-US Trilateral Peace Talks End Without Breakthrough

Timestamps: 03:09–04:09

• Two days of negotiations in the United Arab Emirates—featuring US Envoys Steve Whitcomb and Jared Kushner—ended with no publicly announced outcomes.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the talks as “constructive,” but no agreement was reached about oversight of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, under Russian occupation.
• Talks concluded as Russia continued attacks on Ukraine.

5. Trump Administration Cancels Puerto Rico Solar Projects

Timestamps: 04:09–04:52

• Despite persistent power outages and a failing grid, federal authorities canceled solar energy projects intended for 30,000 low-income households in Puerto Rico.
• The Energy Department, in a leaked email, argued Puerto Rico's ambitious shift to 100% renewable energy threatens grid reliability, citing instability from rapid rooftop solar expansion.
• The projects, funded by a $1 billion congressional approval in 2022, were designed to fortify an energy system battered by 2017’s Hurricane Maria and years of neglect.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Senator Tina Smith on Preddy shooting:

  “The Trump administration has already called Alex Preddy a domestic terrorist. He was a nurse.” (00:45)

• DNC Chair Ken Martin on voter outreach:

  “We have to earn every registration so that we can earn every vote.” (02:48)

• Ben Giles, DNC Correspondent, on National Guard readiness:

  “We are prepared. We have National Guard ready all over.” (01:54)

• Energy Department’s caution on Puerto Rican grid:

  “The rapid expansion of rooftop solar has created instability, arguing the grid cannot currently support widespread distributed solar power.” (04:09)

Summary Structure

• Minnesota Shooting: Local and national officials respond to the killing of an ICU nurse by federal agents, sparking concerns about community safety and political labeling.
• Winter Storm Response: Emergency measures announced for widespread winter weather, with a strong National Guard mobilization.
• DNC Voter Registration Push: Democratic Party shifts to direct outreach, acknowledging the need to “earn” support from traditional voter bases.
• Russia-Ukraine-US Talks: High-level diplomacy with US involvement ends without resolution on nuclear plant control, amid active conflict.
• Puerto Rico Solar Project Cancellations: Federal concerns over grid reliability cited as reason to halt renewable energy projects for vulnerable households, despite ongoing energy failures.

This brisk news roundup delivers major headlines with concise reporting, urgent tone, and direct statements from officials and newsmakers.