NPR News: 01-25-2026 4PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: 01-25-2026 – 4PM EST

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode provides a concise, five-minute update on several major stories unfolding in the U.S. and abroad. Topics include clashes between state and federal authorities over a police shooting in Minnesota, severe winter weather across multiple states, escalating U.S.–Canada trade tensions, slow progress in Russia–Ukraine–U.S. peace talks, developments in the Syrian ceasefire, and heightened warnings from Iranian military leaders.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Minnesota Shooting Sparks Federal–State Clash

• Controversy over Federal Obstruction:
  State and federal officials are in open conflict regarding the investigation into the death of Alex Preddy, a U.S. citizen killed by federal immigration agents during a protest.

• Access to Evidence Denied:
  Senator Tina Smith (MN) alleges that federal authorities refused state investigators access to evidence, even after a court-authorized warrant.

• Bipartisan Demand for Transparency:
  Republican senators join Democratic calls for a joint investigation.

  "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 (00:43)

• Handling Called a "Cover Up":
  Smith expresses concern over federal stonewalling:

  "Smith called the government's handling of the case a cover up." (00:59)

2. Major Winter Storm Cripples Northeast Travel

• Changing Forecast but Ongoing Danger:
  Snow totals initially expected to reach 12–18 inches revised down to 6–10, but dangerous ice accumulation raises concerns for infrastructure.
• Power and Transportation at Risk:
  Ice threatens to bring down power lines, while travel is “expected to grind to a halt.”

  "That ice could wreak more havoc than the snow, as it has the potential to weigh down power lines and prompt widespread power outages."
  — Bruce Konviser (01:51)

• Service Suspensions Announced:
  NJ Transit to suspend service; most NYC area airport flights canceled.

3. U.S.–Canada Trade Tensions Erupt

• Trump Threatens Major Tariffs:
  President Trump reverses his public stance on Canada's China policy, threatening a 100% tariff in response to a Canadian/China trade deal.

• Reaction to Diplomatic Remarks:
  The move follows critical remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Carney at Davos.

• Unpredictability as Foreign Policy:
  NPR’s Mara Liasson observes Trump’s inconsistency:

  "What's interesting about this is when that trade deal was announced, Trump was positive about it... But then after Carney's speech, he changed his mind and threatened tariffs. So I think the bottom line here is that Trump is very unpredictable."
  — Mara Liasson (02:39)

  "That's why he's forcing other countries to de risk to separate from the United States and look for other partners."
  — Mara Liasson (02:54)

4. Diplomacy: Russia–Ukraine–U.S. Peace Talks

• No Breakthroughs, Cautious Progress:
  Talks in the UAE end with no agreement on the key issue of oversight at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
• U.S. Envoys Involved:
  Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (President Trump’s son-in-law) participate.
• Ukraine Calls Talks "Constructive":
  President Zelensky notes talks were positive, but no actionable results.

5. Syrian Ceasefire Extended, ISIS Prisoners in Focus

• Ceasefire Threatened, Then Renewed:
  After fighting risked the safety of ISIS prisons, Syrian government and Kurdish forces agree to a 15-day extension.

• Transfer of High-Risk Detainees to Iraq:
  A rare gesture: Syria’s defense ministry will let the U.S. move “potentially dangerous” ISIS prisoners.

  "Tens of thousands of ISIS fighters and families have been held for years without being charged with a crime in northeastern Syria."
  — Jane Araf (04:13)

6. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Commander Issues Warning

• Escalating Rhetoric:
  The IRGC commander threatens U.S. and Israel, stating Iran’s “finger is on the trigger.”
• Background:
  Warning follows Trump’s condemnation of Iran’s crackdown on protests.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "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 (00:43)

• "Smith called the government's handling of the case a cover up." (00:59)

• "That ice could wreak more havoc than the snow, as it has the potential to weigh down power lines and prompt widespread power outages."
  — Bruce Konviser (01:51)

• "What's interesting about this is when that trade deal was announced, Trump was positive about it... But then after Carney's speech, he changed his mind and threatened tariffs."
  — Mara Liasson (02:39)

• "So I think the bottom line here is that Trump is very unpredictable. That's why he's forcing other countries to de risk to separate from the United States and look for other partners."
  — Mara Liasson (02:54)

• "Tens of thousands of ISIS fighters and families have been held for years without being charged with a crime in northeastern Syria."
  — Jane Araf (04:13)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Minnesota shooting investigation & federal–state conflict – 00:14–01:22
• Winter storm hits U.S. Northeast – 01:22–02:20
• U.S.–Canada trade dispute emerges – 02:20–03:03
• Russia–Ukraine–U.S. trilateral peace talks – 03:03–03:50
• Syrian ceasefire and ISIS detention developments – 03:50–04:24
• Iran–U.S.–Israel tensions rise – 04:24–04:53

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This news update captures critical developments in U.S. domestic affairs, international diplomacy, and global security, providing insight into rapidly evolving events and the personalities shaping them.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

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 Alex Preddy, who was shot and killed by federal immigration agents on Saturday. NPR's Lou Garrett reports. A U.S. senator from states 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.

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.

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]

A massive winter storm is making its way across a large part of the country today, bringing heavy snow, ice and freezing rain to more than states. Bruce Konviser reports from New Jersey, where whiteout conditions are making travel treacherous.

[Bruce Konviser]

Predicted snow totals have dropped for much of the state, but that doesn't make the storm less dangerous. Instead of 12 to 18 inches of snow, a large swath of the state is now looking at 6 to 10 inches. But in addition to the snow, a glaze of ice is also expected. That ice could wreak more havoc than the snow, as it has the potential to weigh down power lines and prompt widespread power outages. Travel is expected to grind to a halt. Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads. On Sunday, New Jersey Transit said it will be suspending rail and bus service shortly after the storm hits. Air travel has already been disrupted. Most inbound flights to New York City's three area airports were canceled Saturday. For NPR News, I'm Bruce Konfeiser in Greenbrook, New Jersey.

[Windsor Johnston]

President Trump is threatening to slap a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if it goes ahead with a trade deal with China. The sudden shift comes just days after Prime Minister Carney made critical remarks at the World Economic Forum In Davos, Switzerland. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.

[Mara Liasson]

What's interesting about this is when that trade deal was announced, Trump was positive about it. He said quote, this is what you should be doing. If you can get a deal with China, you should do that. But then after Carney's speech, he changed his mind and threatened tariffs. So I think the bottom line here is that Trump is very unpredictable. That's why he's forcing other countries to de risk to separate from the United States and look for other partners.

[Windsor Johnston]

That's NPR's Mara Liasson reporting. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US have wrapped up in the United Arab Emirates. No major breakthroughs were announced, but US Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son in law, took part in the discussions. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the talks constructive, but said no agreement was reached on oversight of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. The Syrian government and Syrian Kurdish fighters have agreed to extend a ceasefire that paused fighting in the country's northeast. NPR's Jane Araf reports.

[Jane Araf]

Fighting between Kurdish led Syrian fighters and Syrian government forces last week has threatened the security of ISIS prisons and detention camps. A ceasefire expired Saturday night, but now the two sides have renewed it for 15 days. Syria's defense ministry said it would allow the US to move some of what it considers the most potentially dangerous ISIS prisoners to neighboring Iraq. Tens of thousands of ISIS fighters and families have been held for years without being charged with a crime in northeastern Syria. Jane Araf, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Aman, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, is warning that his forces are prepared. A news outlet in Iran says the general is warning the United States and Israel that Iran's, quote, finger is on the trigger. Tensions remain high after President Trump warned Tehran over its violent crackdown against anti government protesters. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

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