NPR News: 01-25-2026 8PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – Summary

Episode: NPR News: 01-25-2026 8PM EST
Host: Ryland Barton
Date: January 26, 2026
Length: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode provides a rapid rundown of critical national and international stories: President Trump's response to deadly federal immigration raids in Minnesota and ensuing political fallout, an Israeli military operation in Gaza, major global and domestic developments including U.S.-Canada trade tensions, diplomatic shifts in Latin America, and highlights from the final Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immigration Raids and Political Fallout in Minnesota

[00:15–01:54]

• President Trump’s Response
  President Trump blames Democrats for the deaths of two people, Renee Good and Alex Preddy, during federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.

  • "President Trump is blaming Democrats for what he calls the chaos that caused the deaths of two people during his immigration crackdown in Minnesota." – Ryland Barton [00:15]

• Law Enforcement Defense
  Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino defends the agent involved, emphasizing the speed and pressure of the situation.

  • "That agent had a split seconds to make a decision." – Commentator/Analyst [00:35]

• Democratic Opposition
  Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, vow to block any spending bill that funds Homeland Security under current immigration policy.

  • "Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says what's happening in Minnesota is appalling, and he's pledging that Democrats will block the funding package." – Ryland Barton [00:44]

• Minnesota Officials Push Back
  The Minnesota Department of Corrections disputes claims of non-cooperation with federal agents and points to discrepancies in how the Department of Homeland Security is presenting immigration enforcement events:

  • The agency clarifies that the supposed target was never in state custody and only held by federal immigration in 2018 (during Trump’s earlier term).
  • State officials claim DHS has misattributed successes that were actually Minnesota’s.
  • "Homeland Security has repeatedly cited lack of local cooperation to justify its immigration surges, but Minnesota’s Department of Corrections says it’s not true." – Jennifer Ludden [01:12]

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2. Israeli Military Operation in Gaza

[01:54–02:56]

• Recovery Mission
  The Israeli military begins a large-scale operation to recover the body of Ronnie Gavili, the last unrecovered Israeli hostage from the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

  • "Israel’s government is calling this a large scale operation to locate the body of one final hostage, Ronnie Gavili..." – Daniel Estrin [02:03]

• Ceasefire Terms and Ongoing Efforts
  All other hostages (alive and deceased) have been returned; Hamas claims it has provided what information it can. Israeli troops are searching in a cemetery in a military-controlled part of northern Gaza.

  • The U.S. is eager to move toward the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire, and Gaza’s border with Egypt is expected to reopen this week.

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3. Domestic & Global Headlines

[02:56–04:03]

• Hollywood’s Quiet Box Office
  Severe storms force hundreds of theaters to close, allowing the sci-fi film Mercy to overtake Avatar: Fire and Ash for the week’s top box office spot.

• U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions
  President Trump threatens a 100% tariff on all Canadian imports if Canada pursues a significant trade deal with China. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is positioning himself as a notable figure countering Trump’s policies.

• Diplomatic Shifts in South America
  Brazil assumes responsibility for Mexico’s diplomatic interests in Peru amid a diplomatic dispute triggered by the Peruvian government’s response to Mexico granting asylum to a politician. Brazil will now guard the Mexican embassy in Peru.

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4. Sundance Film Festival – Final Year in Utah

[04:03–04:51]

• Tribute to Sundance’s Roots
  For its final year in Park City, Utah, the festival pays homage to founder Robert Redford and screens classics like Little Miss Sunshine.

• Film Highlights and Celebrity Involvement

  • Rising films: the Moment (a mockumentary with pop star Charli XCX).
  • Charli XCX features in three films, including the Gallerist (with Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega) and I Want Your Sex (with Olivia Wilde, who also directs the Invite starring Seth Rogen and Penelope Cruz).
  • The festival continues to premiere diverse new content, including midnight movies, documentaries, and TV episodes.
  • "Charli XCX is in three films at Sundance, including the Gallerist with Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega, and I Want your Sex with Olivia Wilde." – Mandalit del Barco [04:26]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "That agent had a split seconds to make a decision."
  – Commentator/Analyst [00:35]

• "Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says what's happening in Minnesota is appalling, and he's pledging that Democrats will block the funding package."
  – Ryland Barton [00:44]

• "Israel’s government is calling this a large scale operation to locate the body of one final hostage, Ronnie Gavili..."
  – Daniel Estrin [02:03]

• "Charli XCX is in three films at Sundance, including the Gallerist with Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega, and I Want your Sex with Olivia Wilde."
  – Mandalit del Barco [04:26]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Minnesota Immigration Crackdown & Fallout: 00:15–01:54
• Israeli Military Operation in Gaza: 01:54–02:56
• Hollywood Box Office & U.S.-Canada Tariffs: 02:56–04:03
• Sundance Film Festival Coverage: 04:03–04:51

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Tone and Style

Faithful to the NPR News Now format: fast-paced, informative, neutral, and clear. Key facts and political stances are presented with journalistic objectivity, spotlighting direct quotes and soundbites from newsmakers and NPR correspondents.

Transcript

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[Ryland Barton]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump is blaming Democrats for what he calls the chaos that caused the deaths of two people during his immigration crackdown in Minnesota. Both Renee Good and Alex Preddy were killed by federal agents. Border Patrol Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is defending the agent who killed Preddy Yesterday.

[Commentator/Analyst]

You've had 24 hours to try and armchair quarterback things. That agent had a split seconds to make a decision.

[Ryland Barton]

Democratic senators are vowing to oppose a spending bill that includes funds for the Department of Homeland Security that increases the prospect of a partial government shutdown by week's end. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says what's happening in Minnesota is appalling, and he's pledging that Democrats will block the funding package. Minnesota officials are pushing back claims by the Trump administration that they do not help with immigration enforcement. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports. The state has even created a new website to refute the attacks.

[Jennifer Ludden]

Homeland Security has repeatedly cited lack of local cooperation to justify its immigration surges, but Minnesota's Department of Corrections says it's not true. As an example, it checked on the man DHS said it was targeting Saturday when its agents shot and killed another man. The state agency says that immigrant was never in its custody and had no felony record. But he was in federal immigration custody in 2018, so any decision to release him would have been during Trump's first term. Minnesota's correction commissioner also says DHS has taken credit for catching some immigrants when in fact the state had turned them over. Jennifer Lutton, NPR News, Minneapolis.

[Ryland Barton]

The Israeli military has launched an operation to find the body of the last deceased Israeli hostage in Gaza. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv.

[Commentator/Analyst]

Israel's government is calling this a large scale operation to locate the body of one final hostage, Ronnie Gavili, an Israeli policeman killed on October 7, 2023, while fighting Hamas militants. Hamas already handed over all other living and dead hostages since the ceasefire was declared in October, but it says it was unable to retrieve this final body. Hamas says it provided information it has about the location of the body. Israeli forces are searching in a cemetery in northern Gaza in an area under Israeli military control, according to the terms of the cease. A military official says troops are acting based on intelligence the US Is eager to advance the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire. Gaza's border with Egypt is expected to be reopened this week. It's been mostly closed since mid 2024. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Ryland Barton]

Hollywood had its quietest weekend of the year at the box office sci fi thriller Mercy, Dethroned, Avatar, Fire and Ash. From the number one spot. Hundreds of theaters were forced to close due to the storm spreading from Texas to Main. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. President Trump is threatening to impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada if the country goes ahead with a major trade deal with China. Prime Minister Mark Carney has become a rising voice in the West's pushback to Trump's new world order. It's unclear when Trump might impose the threatened tariff. Brazil's Foreign Ministry says it has taken over Mexico's diplomatic interests in Peru. That's after a diplomatic rift over a Peruvian politician who was granted a sign by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The Brazilian Foreign ministry says it made the move at the request of both countries. It added it will guard the Mexican Embassy building. The Sundance Film Festival is in full swing for the last time in Park City, Utah, before it moves to Boulder, Colorado, next year. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports on some of this year's films.

[Mandalit del Barco]

For its Last Dance in Utah, Sundance is paying tribute to the late Robert Redford, who started the festival for independent film more than 40 years ago. This year, the festival is screening some of its old hits like Little Miss Sunshine, as well as buzzy films like the Moment, a mockumentary starring pop singer Charli xcx.

[Ryland Barton]

Don't you just think the whole, like, keep having a brat summer thing is a bit cringe?

[Commentator/Analyst]

It's all cringe.

[Mandalit del Barco]

Charli XCX is in three films at Sundance, including the Gallerist with Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega, and I Want yout Sex with Olivia Wilde. Wilde also directed and stars in the Invite with Seth Rogen and Penelope Cruz. Among the indie films premiering at the festival are midnight movies, documentaries and TV episodes. Sundance continues all week in person and online. Mandalit del Barco, NPR News, Park City.

[Ryland Barton]

This is NPR News from Washington.

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