NPR News: 01-25-2026 3PM EST

Summary

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NPR News: 01-25-2026 3PM EST – Detailed Summary

Episode Overview

In this January 25th, 2026 edition of NPR News Now, anchor Windsor Johnston delivers a rapid-fire update on the day’s biggest stories: a tense situation in Minnesota following a fatal ICE shooting, widespread havoc from a historic winter storm, political pressure on the Federal Reserve, headline moments at the final Utah-based Sundance Film Festival, and the emotional farewell to Japan's last pandas. Each segment provides timely insight into the political, cultural, and weather-related events shaping the nation and the globe.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota Governor Demands ICE Withdrawal After Fatal Shooting

Segment: [00:13]–[01:26]

• Incident: ICE agents shot and killed Alex Preddy, a 37-year-old US citizen, in Minneapolis.
• State Response: Minnesota Governor Tim Walls makes a public appeal for President Trump to remove 3,000 federal immigration agents from the state.
• Governor Tim Walls (Quote, 00:30):

  “We believe in law and order in this state. We believe in peace, and we believe that Donald Trump needs to pull these 3,000 untrained agents out of Minnesota before they kill another person. And we're up here telling another story of a Minnesotan just trying to live their life without the interference.”

• Federal Position: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem states that Preddy attempted to impede law enforcement.
• Political Impact: Both Democratic and some Republican leaders are advocating for a deeper investigation into federal immigration tactics, reflecting bipartisan concern over the situation.

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2. Massive Winter Storm Paralyzes Central and Eastern U.S.

Segment: [01:26]–[02:04]

• Scope & Impact: The storm stretches from Texas to the Northeast, resulting in heavy snow, ice, widespread power outages, and dangerous road conditions.
• Kentucky Focus:
  • Reporter Karen Zarr documents thousands without power across Kentucky.
  • State and local road crews are working continuously.
• Governor Andy Beshear Issues Warning (Quote, 01:37):

  “It is simply unsafe in basically any part of Kentucky right now to be out on the roads. All you're doing is putting yourself and other people in harm.”

• Response Measures:
  • Beshear calls it an “all hands on deck situation” potentially lasting the week, with continuing sub-freezing temperatures.
• National Response:
  • President Trump approves emergency declarations for multiple states.
  • Over 10,000 flights are canceled nationwide, highlighting the storm’s severity.

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3. Federal Reserve Faces Political Pressure Ahead of Key Meeting

Segment: [02:04]–[03:13]

• Current Economic Climate:
  • The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates in its past three meetings to support the struggling job market.
  • Inflation remains high; further cuts are not expected at the upcoming meeting.
• Political Backdrop:
  • President Trump pressures the Fed for deeper rate cuts and launches a Justice Department investigation into the central bank.
• Fed Stance:
  • Chairman Jerome Powell strives to maintain the Federal Reserve’s independence.
  • Notable Powell Quote (paraphrased by Scott Horsley, 02:32):

    “…public service sometimes requires standing firm in the face of threats.”

  • This week’s post-meeting news conference is anticipated as a platform for Powell to defend the Fed’s autonomy.
• Correspondent: Scott Horsley provides analysis from Washington.

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4. Culture & Events: From Record-Breaking Feats to Indie Film

Segment: [03:13]–[04:31]

• Daredevil Climb in Taipei:
  • American rock climber Alex Honnold scales Taipei 101 with no ropes or protective gear, completing the ascent in 90 minutes—a global headline for sports and adventure fans.
• Sundance’s Utah Farewell:
  • The iconic film festival celebrates its last year in Park City before moving to Boulder, Colorado.
  • Tribute to Robert Redford: Festival founder honored.
  • Lineup features classic indie films (“Little Miss Sunshine”) and current buzz titles (“the Moment” starring Charli Xcx).
  • Festival Attendee Dialogue (04:03–04:06):
    • “Don't you just think the whole, like, keep having a brat summer thing is a bit cringe?”
    • “It's all cringe.”
  • Charli Xcx features in three films; Olivia Wilde stars and directs “the Invite.”
  • The festival mixes premieres of midnight movies, documentaries, and TV series, continuing both in person and online.
• Correspondent: Mandalit del Barco reports from Sundance.

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5. International: End of an Era for Japan’s Pandas

Segment: [04:31]–[04:56]

• Event: Tokyo hosts crowds for a farewell to the last two panda cubs, who are returning to China.
• Historical Context:
  • Japan’s first pandas arrived in 1972 as a diplomatic gesture marking restored ties with China.
  • Current relations between the countries have soured, symbolized by the pandas’ repatriation.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Gov. Tim Walls ([00:30]):

  “...pull these 3,000 untrained agents out of Minnesota before they kill another person.”

• Gov. Andy Beshear ([01:37]):

  “It is simply unsafe in basically any part of Kentucky right now to be out on the roads.”

• Scott Horsley quoting Powell ([02:32]):

  “…standing firm in the face of threats.”

• Sundance Attendee Exchange ([04:03–04:06]):

  “Don't you just think the whole, like, keep having a brat summer thing is a bit cringe?”
  “It's all cringe.”

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Important Timestamps

• 00:13 – Show begins, main headlines
• 00:30 – Minnesota Governor Tim Walls addresses ICE shooting
• 01:26 – Severe winter storm update from Kentucky
• 02:04 – Federal Reserve rate policy and political tension
• 03:13 – Cultural updates: Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 climb, Sundance wrap
• 04:31 – Japan’s last pandas’ farewell in Tokyo

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This fast-moving NPR News Now episode delivers essential national and international headlines with a clear, balanced, and informative tone, keeping listeners up to speed on unfolding stories in politics, weather, economics, and culture.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Minnesota Governor Tim Walls is once again calling on President Trump to immediately remove federal immigration agents from his state.

[Minnesota Governor Tim Walls]

We believe in law and order in this state. We believe in peace, and we believe that Donald Trump needs to pull these 3,000 untrained agents out of Minnesota before they kill another person. And we're up here telling another story of a Minnesotan just trying to live their life without the interference.

[NPR News Anchor]

ICE agents shot and killed 37 year old Alex Preddy, a US citizen in Minneapolis on Saturday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says Preddy showed up to impede a law enforcement. Democrats and some Republicans are now calling for a deeper investigation into federal immigration tactics. A massive winter storm is stretching from Texas to the Northeast, bringing heavy snow, ice and widespread power outages. Karen Zarr from member station WUKY reports. Thousands are without power across Kentucky.

[Reporter Karen Zarr]

State and local road crews are working around the clock and officials are calling travel conditions treacherous. Across Kentucky. Governor Andy Beshear is asking everyone to stay home.

[Governor Andy Beshear]

It is simply unsafe in basically any part of Kentucky right now to be out on the roads. All you're doing is putting yourself and other people in harm.

[Reporter Karen Zarr]

Beshear calls the state's response a quote, all hands on deck situation that could last throughout the week as forecasters call for temperatures to stay well below freezing for the next several days. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in Lexington.

[NPR News Anchor]

President Trump has approved emergency declarations in a number of states as snow and ICE knock out power and bring travel to a standstill. More than 10,000 flights have been canceled across the country today. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady when policymakers meet this week. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. All eyes will be on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, who's been the target of a pressure campaign by President Trump.

[Reporter Scott Horsley]

The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates at its last three meetings in an effort to prop up the sagging job market. But with inflation still elevated, the central bank has signaled it will be cautious about additional rate cuts. President Trump, who wants much lower rates, has gone to great lengths to bend the Fed in that direction. The Justice Department has even launched an investigation of the central bank. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has generally tried to avoid getting dragged into a fight with the president. But earlier this month Powell said public service sometimes requires standing firm in the face of threats. This week's post meeting news conference will give Powell another chance to make the case for why the fed should be insulated from political interference. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[NPR News Anchor]

This is NPR News. American rock climber Alex Honnold scaled the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper today in Taiwan. He didn't use any ropes or protective equipment. It took him an hour and a half to get to the top. The Sundance Film Festival is in full swing for the last time in Park City, Utah, before it moves to Boulder, Colorado, next year. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports on some of this year's films.

[Reporter Mandalit Del Barco]

For its Last Dance in Utah, Sundance is paying tribute to the late Robert Redford, who started the festival for independent film more than 40 years ago. This year, the festival is screening some of its old hits like Little Miss Sunshine, as well as buzzy films like the Moment, a mockumentary starring pop singer Charli xcx.

[Festival Attendee 1]

Don't you just think the whole, like, keep having a brat summer thing is a bit cringe?

[Festival Attendee 2]

It's all cringe.

[Reporter Mandalit Del Barco]

Charli Xcx is in three films at Sundance, including the Gallerist with Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega, and I Want yout Sex with Olivia Wilde. Wilde also directed and stars in the Invite with Seth Rogen and Penelope Cruz. Among the indie films premiering at the festival are midnight movies, documentaries and TV episodes. Sundance continues all week in person and online. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

Park City crowds gathered at the zoo in Tokyo today to say farewell to Japan's last two pandas. The twin cubs are heading back to China this week. Japan received its first pandas in 1972, a gift that marked the normalization of diplomatic ties with Beijing. But the relationship between the two nations has since deteriorated. This is NPR News.

[Festival Attendee 2]

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