NPR News Now: January 25, 2026, 6AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman (NPR)
Length: 5 minutes
Overview:
This NPR News Now episode delivers rapid updates on major national and international headlines as of January 25, 2026. Key stories include escalating protest tensions in Minnesota, severe winter storms affecting millions, high-level warnings from Iran’s military leadership, notable arts cancellations at the Kennedy Center, and a symbolic farewell to China’s pandas in Japan.

Major Headline Summaries

Minnesota Protester Killed by Federal Immigration Official

[00:15 – 01:11]

• Incident Overview:
  Korva Coleman covers the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy, a demonstrator, by a federal immigration agent in Minnesota.
• Investigation Details:
  • Matt Sepik (Minnesota Public Radio): Reports the Department of Homeland Security claims self-defense, stating Preddy “approached with a handgun.”
  • Contradicting evidence: “Witness video shows a group of agents struggling with Preddy and knocking him to the ground before one opens fire. It’s unclear from the video whether Preddy attempted to use the firearm in his possession.” (Sepik, 00:35)
• Community Response:
  • Mayor Jacob Frey holds ICE responsible for recent violence:

    "The chaos that we are seeing is caused directly by ICE border control and this federal administration." (Frey via Sepik, 00:48)

  • Preddy: Nurse, legal firearm carrier, no criminal record.
• Authorities Call for Peace: Ongoing calls for peaceful protests.

Sports Delays & Massive Winter Storms

[01:11 – 02:54]

• NBA Game Postponed:

  • Timberwolves vs. Warriors delayed to “prioritize safety and security” in Minneapolis (Coleman, 01:11).

• Winter Storm Warnings:

  • Over 170 million people under alerts “from eastern Arizona to New England.”
  • States urge the public to stay indoors.

• Local Impacts:

  • Memphis, TN:

    • Feels like zero degrees.
    • Mayor Paul Young:

      “We know that there are some individuals that have to get out, but we want anybody that can to stay home because we know that these conditions can be dangerous.” (Young, 01:47)

  • New York City:

    • Approaching blizzard.
    • Steve Kastenbaum:

      "Every single New Yorker is going to receive the same level of service where we prepare the city to take care of the city and then get the city back on its feet in time." (Kastenbaum quoting Mayor Zahran Mamdani, 02:21)

      • After the storm: Near single-digit temperatures, emergency declaration.
    • Kastenbaum highlights dangers:

      “Visibility will be very low. Winds will be gushing at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. New Yorkers can expect whiteout or near blizzard conditions.” (Kastenbaum, 02:36)

    • Snowfall of a foot or more expected.

• Broader Travel Disruptions:

  • President Trump approves emergency declarations in a dozen states.
  • Nearly 10,000 flights canceled.
  • Major airport delays: Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C.

International Tensions: Iran & U.S.

[02:54 – 03:50]

• Military Standoff:
  • Iranian Revolutionary Guard signals readiness; General says, “Iran’s finger is on the trigger” toward the U.S. and Israel (Coleman, 03:08).
  • Response to President Trump’s warning over Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests.

Kennedy Center Cancellations

[03:50 – 04:36]

• Renee Fleming Withdrawal:

  • Famed soprano cancels upcoming concerts due to “scheduling conflict.”
  • No comment from Fleming or Kennedy Center.
  • Chloe Veltman reports Fleming recently had “a close relationship with the venue,” was a Kennedy Center honoree, and resigned as advisor after Trump installed himself as chairman.

• Artist Exodus:

  • Several artists and groups, including the Washington National Opera and banjoist Bela Fleck, have also withdrawn.

• Memorable Fleming quote from 2023 honoree video:

  "This is another level, and it's not comparable to anything else." (Fleming, 04:15)

Farewell to China’s Pandas in Japan

[04:36 – 04:54]

• Last two Chinese giant pandas in Japan leave Tokyo zoo amid “deepening tension between the countries.” (Coleman, 04:36)
• Crowds gather to say farewell.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Mayor Jacob Frey (Minneapolis, via Matt Sepik):

  "The chaos that we are seeing is caused directly by ICE border control and this federal administration."
  [00:48]

• Memphis Mayor Paul Young:

  “We know that there are some individuals that have to get out, but we want anybody that can to stay home because we know that these conditions can be dangerous.”
  [01:47]

• Steve Kastenbaum reporting on NYC Mayor Zahran Mamdani’s storm preparations:

  "Every single New Yorker is going to receive the same level of service where we prepare the city to take care of the city and then get the city back on its feet in time."
  [02:21]

• Steve Kastenbaum, weather situation in NYC:

  “Visibility will be very low. Winds will be gushing at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. New Yorkers can expect whiteout or near blizzard conditions.”
  [02:36]

• Renee Fleming (on Kennedy Center honor):

  "This is another level, and it's not comparable to anything else."
  [04:15]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Protester killed by immigration officials: 00:15 – 01:11
• Severe winter storm / NBA postponement: 01:11 – 02:54
• Iran–US tensions: 02:54 – 03:50
• Arts/Kennedy Center cancellations: 03:50 – 04:36
• Japan–China panda departure: 04:36 – 04:54

Tone:
The episode delivers news in NPR’s clear, calm, and factual style—occasionally punctuated by emotional statements from officials and artists.

In summary:
This concise episode gives listeners rapid, essential updates on ongoing civil unrest, severe and widespread winter weather, high-level geopolitical saber-rattling, major cultural fallout at the Kennedy Center, and a symbolic animal farewell amid diplomatic tension between Japan and China.