NPR News Now – 01-25-2026, 7PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton (NPR)
Date: January 26, 2026
Length: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a fast-paced bulletin on major current events, including President Trump’s response to deadly immigration raids in Minnesota, intensifying legislative wrangling over government funding, severe winter weather in Massachusetts, a dazzling urban climbing feat by Alex Honnold, Israel-Gaza ceasefire developments, and France’s proposed social media ban for minors.

Key News Segments & Discussion Points

1. Minnesota Immigration Crackdown & Political Fallout

[00:00–01:21]

• President Trump blames Democrats for “chaos” during his strict immigration enforcement in Minnesota, referencing the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Preddy—both Minnesota residents killed by federal agents.
• Trump urges Congress to pass legislation banning sanctuary cities.
• Protests erupt as local officials and community groups demand federal immigration officers leave Minnesota.
  • Governor Tim Walls speaks out:

    “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.”
    — Governor Tim Walls ([00:29])

• Business leaders (over 60 CEOs, including those from 3M, Best Buy, and Target) call for cooperative action from officials amid growing protests, some targeting businesses seen as supporting federal enforcement.

2. Looming Government Shutdown Over Immigration Policy

[01:21–02:00]

• The Senate faces a Friday deadline to pass a $1.3 trillion spending package. The situation is complicated by the recent fatal shooting of a second US citizen by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.
• Most Senate Democrats refuse to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without stricter controls on immigration enforcement.
• $10 billion earmarked for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is a point of sharp contention, threatening the broader spending package.
• Possible legislative workarounds—separating DHS funding—face procedural roadblocks, especially with the House on recess.
  • Sam Greenglass (NPR):

    “Senate Republicans could agree to consider DHS funding separately from everything else, but the House would need to sign off again, and the House is on recess and is unlikely to be called back before funding lapses.”
    — Sam Greenglass ([01:47])

3. Massive Winter Storm Hits Massachusetts

[02:00–02:55]

• Massachusetts braced for up to 2 feet of snow in a winter storm expected to last until the next night—one of the region’s most intense in years.
• Governor Maura Healey asks residents to stay indoors and check on neighbors.
  • Governor Maura Healey:

    “This is the biggest storm we've seen in years. So my message to the public is, look, we're going to have massive amounts of snow. Visibility is going to be terrible.”
    — Governor Maura Healey ([02:18]) “I just ask that we look out for each other, you know, particularly if you've got folks who are elderly nearby or maybe in need of a little assistance.”
    — Governor Maura Healey ([02:30])

• Non-essential state employees are to work remotely; the state bans trucks from highways except for those carrying essentials.

4. International Update: Israel-Hamas Ceasefire & Hostage Standoff

[02:55–03:45]

• Israel launches large-scale operations in Gaza, aiming to recover the last hostage’s remains—an issue linked to ongoing ceasefire and diplomatic negotiations.
• Washington and other mediators increase pressure on both Israel and Hamas to reach a next-phase agreement.
• Israel claims Hamas is delaying, while Hamas insists it has provided all possible information.

5. Alex Honnold’s Daring Free Climb of Taipei 101

[03:45–04:27]

• Celebrated climber Alex Honnold (star of “Free Solo”) performed a no-rope, no-net free climb of Taiwan’s Taipei 101 skyscraper (~1,600 feet, 101 stories), drawing a massive live audience.
  • Alex Honnold:

    “If you look at a building like Taipei 101, you're just like, dude, it's so big. It's so much bigger than everything around it. The view is insane.”
    — Alex Honnold ([03:58])

• NPR’s Emily Feng explains the engineering protecting the building from earthquakes, underlining the feat’s challenge.
• The climb took about an hour and a half.

6. France Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 15

[04:27–end]

• French President Emmanuel Macron signals plans to fast-track a ban on social media use by those under 15, following Australia’s lead and amid British debate on similar measures.

Memorable Quotes

• “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.”
  — Governor Tim Walls ([00:29])

• “This is the biggest storm we've seen in years. So my message to the public is, look, we're going to have massive amounts of snow.”
  — Governor Maura Healey ([02:18])

• “If you look at a building like Taipei 101, you're just like, dude, it's so big. … The view is insane.”
  — Alex Honnold ([03:58])

Notable Timestamps and Segments

• [00:00] — President Trump’s statements and Minnesota crackdown context
• [00:29] — Governor Tim Walls condemns federal actions
• [01:21] — Senate negotiations on federal funding and immigration
• [02:13] — Governor Maura Healey on Massachusetts snowstorm
• [02:55] — Updates on Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage issue
• [03:45] — Alex Honnold climbs Taipei 101
• [04:27] — French move to ban social media for under-15s

Takeaway

This news brief captures major national and international headlines with succinct reporting, vivid firsthand voices, and a dynamic blend of policy, public safety, and human-interest stories—from the drama of political impasses and extreme weather, to record-setting athletic feats and ongoing global diplomatic crises.