NPR News: 01-25-2026 5PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: 01-25-2026, 5PM EST

Host: NPR (Ryland Barton)
Date: January 25, 2026

Overview

This concise five-minute NPR News Now episode provides listeners with critical updates on national and international headlines, including a contentious federal shooting in Minnesota, a major winter storm disrupting the American South, U.S. diplomatic maneuvers in the Middle East, political fallout over President Trump’s Greenland policy, progress in Ukraine’s security talks, impacts of severe weather on Hollywood’s box office, and a daring skyscraper climb in Taipei.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota Shooting and Federal-State Clash

[00:15 - 01:17]

• Incident: Immigration agents fatally shot Alex Jeffrey Preddy in Minneapolis.

• Jurisdictional Conflict: State investigators were reportedly barred from the crime scene by federal agents, even after producing a judicial warrant.

• Governor Walls Responds: Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walls declared the state would conduct its own investigation and invoked concerns over federal agent accountability.

• Legal Action: The state has sued to prevent destruction of evidence, and a judge ordered its preservation.

  • Notable Quote:
    “What I'm telling you is they will not. There will be justice to Minnesotans.”
    — Minnesota Governor Tim Walls, [00:52]

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2. Severe Winter Storm: Nationwide Impacts

[01:17 - 01:55]

• Power Outages: About one million people, mainly in the South, are without electricity.

• Hazardous Conditions: Black ice poses a prolonged road danger; freezing temperatures preventing thawing.

• Travel Disruptions: Over 11,000 flights canceled nationally.

  • Tactical Advice:
    “Secondary roads in particular aren’t going to get treated as quickly. ... So understand that road conditions will remain dangerous into next week.”
    — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, [01:33]

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3. U.S. Envoys in Israel: Gaza Ceasefire and Border Discussions

[01:55 - 02:55]

• Meetings: Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff (U.S. envoys) met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding next steps in the Gaza ceasefire process.

• Potential Developments: Talks centered on reopening Gaza’s crossing with Egypt, possibly allowing Palestinians cross-border movement for the first time in years.

• Military Posturing: U.S. CENTCOM’s Admiral Brad Cooper discussed security with Israel’s military chief amid speculation about possible U.S. strikes on Iran.

  • Notable Context:
    “The border is expected to open this week despite Israeli opposition, as the last Israeli hostage body in Gaza still has not been recovered.”
    — Daniel Estrin, [02:22]

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4. Trump’s Greenland Policy Draws Right-Wing Criticism in Europe

[02:55 - 03:21]

• Issue: President Trump’s ambitions to control Greenland have strained relations not just internationally but also with European far-right leaders, who are traditionally supportive.
• Reactions: Figures from Germany, France, and the U.K. (notably Nigel Farage) describe the plans as “hostile” or a “mistake”.

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5. Ukraine Security and EU Aspirations

[03:21 - 03:46]

• Security Agreement: President Zelensky states a U.S.-Ukraine security pact is “100% ready,” pending a signing date.
• EU Membership: Zelensky emphasizes EU admission by 2027 as a vital economic security measure.
• Negotiations: Talks with Russia and the U.S. set to resume February 1.

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6. Hollywood Box Office Suffers Amid Winter Storm

[03:46 - 04:32]

• Low Turnout: Severe weather has driven weekend box office numbers down, with only $58 million in receipts—the year’s lowest.

• Major Film: The major new release is “Mercy,” a thriller about an AI justice system.

• Closing Theaters: Major chains temporarily close numerous theaters across 20+ states.

  • Memorable Movie Line:
    “Your trial will now commence, Mercy being.”
    — Mercy (AI Justice System Character), [03:50]

  • Industry Insight:
    “What was projected to be a $15 million opening now looks more like 12 million. And observers place the blame on snow.”
    — Bob Mondello, [03:52]

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7. Alex Honnold’s Rope-less Skyscraper Climb

[04:32 - 04:55]

• Event: American climber Alex Honnold scales a 1,667-foot skyscraper in Taipei, unaided by ropes or protection.
• Spectacle: Cheered on by a crowd, the 90-minute ascent was broadcast live on Netflix.

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Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “There will be justice to Minnesotans.”
  — Minnesota Governor Tim Walls, [00:52]
• “Secondary roads in particular aren’t going to get treated as quickly. … So understand that road conditions will remain dangerous into next week.”
  — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, [01:33]
• “Your trial will now commence, Mercy being.”
  — Mercy (AI Justice System Character), [03:50]
• “What was projected to be a $15 million opening now looks more like 12 million. And observers place the blame on snow.”
  — Bob Mondello, [03:52]

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Segment Timestamps

• Minnesota Federal Shooting and Investigation: [00:15 - 01:17]
• Winter Storm and Power Outages: [01:17 - 01:55]
• US Envoys in Israel, Gaza Discussions: [01:55 - 02:55]
• Trump’s Greenland Policy Criticized: [02:55 - 03:21]
• Ukraine Security and EU Talks: [03:21 - 03:46]
• Box Office Weather Effects, “Mercy” Movie: [03:46 - 04:32]
• Alex Honnold Taipei Skyscraper Climb: [04:32 - 04:55]

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Tone: Direct, fact-driven, urgent, and brisk—typical of NPR hourly newscasts.
For Listeners: This summary captures the most pressing developments from a fast-paced news cycle, offering context and key voices from each headline story.

Transcript

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[Ryland Barton]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Minnesota and federal law enforcement officials are clashing over the fatal shooting of a man by immigration agents in Minneapolis yesterday. The incident has reignited tensions over jurisdiction and transparency in use of force cases. Peter Cox with Minnesota Public Radio reports.

[Peter Cox]

After federal immigration agents shot and killed 37 year old Alex Jeffrey Preddy. State investigators say they were blocked from the scene by federal law enforcement even after returning with a signed judicial warrant. Minnesota Governor Tim Walls says the state will do its own investigation.

[Minnesota Governor Tim Walls]

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.

[Peter Cox]

The state is suing to prevent the destruction of evidence and a judge granted a temporary order to preserve it. For NPR News, I'm Peter Cox in St. Paul.

[Ryland Barton]

About a million people, mostly in the south, are without power as a massive winter storm rolls across much of the country. The ice and snowfall are expected to continue tomorrow followed by very low temperatures. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein urged people stay off the road if they can.

[North Carolina Governor Josh Stein]

Black ice is going to stick around for a few days. Every night this week we're going to get below freezing. So whatever precipitation is on the ground is going to turn to ice overnight. Secondary roads in particular aren't going to get treated as quickly. There are just too many of them across the state. So understand that road conditions will remain dangerous into next week.

[Ryland Barton]

More than 11,000 flights have been canceled across the U.S. today. President Trump's senior envoys visited Israel this weekend to discuss the next steps in Gaza. NPR's Daniel Estrin has more from Tel Aviv.

[Daniel Estrin]

U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel Saturday. Witkoff's office said they discussed the next phase in the Gaza ceasefire. Israeli media report the discussions were about reopening Gaza's border crossing with Egypt to allow Palestinians to finally be able to enter and exit Gaza again. The border is expected to open this week despite Israeli opposition, as the last Israeli hostage body in Gaza still has not been recovered. Meanwhile, US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper met with Israel's military chief of staff Saturday. The U.S. has been beefing up its military assets in the Mideast this past week, as Trump says he's still considering strikes on Iran. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Ryland Barton]

President Trump's plans to control Greenland have caused a rift between his base and Europe's far right. Far right leaders in Germany and France have criticized Trump's Greenland plans. Even Britain's Nigel Farage, a longtime ally, called them a very hostile act. Italy's prime minister called the threats a mistake. This is NPR News from Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says a security agreement with the US is 100% ready. He says Ukraine is waiting for its partners to set a signing date. Zelensky says Ukraine's push for European Union membership by 2027 is an economic security guarantee. He acknowledged fundamental differences with Russia over territorial concessions. Negotiations between Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. will resume February 1st. Hollywood's box office numbers are down sharply this weekend. NPR's Bob Mondello reports.

[Bob Mondello]

Snowy weather is giving movie theaters very little mercy this weekend.

[Mercy (AI Justice System Character)]

Your trial will now commence, Mercy being.

[Bob Mondello]

The thriller about an artificial intelligence justice system that is this week's only wide release. What was projected to be a $15 million opening now looks more like 12 million. And observers place the blame on snow.

[Mercy (AI Justice System Character)]

Based on available evidence, I have already judged your probability of g to be 97.5%.

[Bob Mondello]

More than 20 states from Texas to New York have declared states of emergency, and all three of the nation's biggest movie chains, amc, Cinemark and Regal, announced dozens of individual theater closings. As a result, movie box offices overall will only take in about $58 million, making this the lowest weekend of the year so far. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

American rock climber Alex Honnold has climbed a 1667 foot skyscraper in Taipei without any ropes or protective equipment. Cheers erupted from a street level crowd as he reached the top of the spire in about 90 minutes. Yesterday. The climb in Taiwan's capital was broadcast live on Netflix. I'm Ryland Barton. This is NPR News from Washington.

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