NPR News Now – January 25, 2026, 7AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: The day's top headlines — covering a high-profile fatal shooting by immigration agents, a powerful winter storm affecting much of the U.S., tributes to a late congressman, international talks on Ukraine, and a daring feat by American climber Alex Honnold.

Main Theme

This brief NPR News Now update covers the latest developments in national security, extreme weather, U.S. politics, world affairs, and human achievement. The lead stories include the fallout from a fatal shooting in Minnesota by federal immigration agents, ongoing winter storm chaos, the impact of a congressman’s death on House GOP control, diplomatic talks over the Ukraine war, and Alex Honnold’s latest climbing challenge.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fatal Shooting by Federal Immigration Agents in Minnesota

• Victim Identified: Alex Jeffrey Preddy, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen from Minneapolis, shot dead by federal agents.
  (00:15–01:11)
• Political and Community Response:
  • Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith attended a city news conference; Smith stressed Preddy “was a nurse,” challenging the Trump administration's labeling him a "domestic terrorist."
  • Senator Tina Smith: “The Trump administration has already called Alex Preddy a domestic terrorist. He was a nurse.” (00:41)
  • Concerns raised: “If this can happen in Minnesota, it can happen in any community in the country.”
• Actions Taken:
  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry requested the National Guard, who will be distinguished on duty by yellow safety vests.
• Federal Involvement and Judicial Orders:
  • Vice President J.D. Vance blamed “far left agitators working with local authorities” for the violence — without citing supporting evidence.
    • Korva Coleman: “Vance offered no evidence to support his statement.” (01:11)
  • A federal judge has ordered all evidence from the shooting be preserved for local investigation, referencing prior refusals by federal officials to share information in similar incidents.

2. Severe Winter Storms Impacting the U.S.

• Scope: Affecting over half the country with winter weather advisories; more than 300,000 power outages reported.
  (01:11–02:55)
• Regional Details:
  • South: Freezing rain and sleet
  • Northeast/New England: Up to two feet of snow expected
  • Southern Plains to Southeast: Ice warnings
• State Responses:
  • Over 30 states under advisory; governors in a dozen states declare emergencies or preparations.
  • School and university closures/virtual classes announced in hard-hit regions.
• Notable Metrics:
  • Jeff Brady: “More than 30 states are under some sort of winter weather advisory for snow, sleet, wind and extreme cold.” (02:13)
• Flight Disruptions:
  • Nearly 10,000 flights canceled, hundreds delayed — worst in Houston, Atlanta, Boston.

3. U.S. Politics: Death of Congressman Doug LaMalfa

• Congressional Risks:
  • LaMalfa’s death reduces the GOP’s House majority, seat to remain vacant until August 4 special election.
    (03:36–04:16)
• Memorial in Chico, California:
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson attended, noting travel difficulties due to the storm:
    • Mike Johnson: “This went all the way to the top, my friends, because it’s Doug LaMalfa…” (03:49)
  • LaMalfa recognized as a Trump ally; the delay in replacing him underlines GOP’s tenuous control.

4. International: Ukraine Peace Talks

• Summary:
  • Talks in UAE about the Russia–Ukraine war ended “constructively” but yielded no breakthrough.
  • President Volodymyr Zelensky focused on “possible parameters of ending the war.”
    (04:16–04:34)

5. Human Achievement: Alex Honnold Climbs Taipei 101

• Details:
  • American climber Alex Honnold free-soloed the iconic Taiwan skyscraper, without ropes, in about 90 minutes.
    (04:34–04:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Senator Tina Smith, on Alex Preddy:
  “The Trump administration has already called Alex Preddy a domestic terrorist. He was a nurse.” (00:41)
• Korva Coleman on Vice President Vance’s statement:
  “Vance offered no evidence to support his statement.” (01:11)
• Jeff Brady on the winter storm's breadth:
  “More than 30 states are under some sort of winter weather advisory for snow, sleet, wind and extreme cold.” (02:13)
• Mike Johnson at LaMalfa’s memorial:
  “This went all the way to the top, my friends, because it’s Doug LaMalfa…” (03:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:15–01:11: Identification of Alex Preddy, policy and political fallout, National Guard deployment in Minneapolis
• 01:11–02:55: Winter storm coverage: regional impacts, government actions, flight disruptions
• 03:36–04:16: LaMalfa memorial, GOP majority concerns, special election date
• 04:16–04:34: Ukraine peace talks in UAE
• 04:34–04:54: Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 climb

Summary

This brisk news round-up captures the urgency and seriousness of the day’s top stories, blending sober political developments, urgent weather alerts, and stories of resilience and audacity – embodying NPR’s succinct, fact-focused style.