NPR News Now – 9AM EST, January 25, 2026

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme:
A brisk, comprehensive update of top national and global news stories, focusing on a contentious federal-state investigation in Minnesota, a powerful winter storm, a Democratic voter registration push, heightened Iran-U.S. tensions, Myanmar’s controversial election, and Japan’s farewell to its last Chinese giant pandas.

1. Minnesota-Federal Tensions Over Protester Shooting

[00:15–01:12]

• Incident:
  A Minneapolis protester, Alex Preddy (37), was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent. Federal officials claim the agent acted in self-defense, while Minnesota authorities seek to lead the investigation.
• Key Details:
  • State vs. federal agencies dispute who controls the investigation and access to evidence.
  • This mirrors a previous conflict over the Renee Macklin Goode case, where access issues also arose.
  • Minnesota law enforcement was blocked from the scene—twice, even after presenting a judicial warrant.
  • Ruling: A federal judge has instructed that all evidence be preserved.
• Notable Quote:

  “When Minnesota's law enforcement division showed up at the scene yesterday, they say they were blocked from it by federal officials and were again blocked from it when they came back with a signed judicial warrant.”
  —Peter Cox, [00:47]

2. Major Winter Storm Paralyzes Eastern U.S.

[01:12–02:07]

• Impact:
  • “Well over half a million utility customers are without power.”
    —Jeff Brady, [01:26]
  • Areas most affected include eastern Texas and northern Louisiana.
  • More than a dozen state governors have issued emergency declarations or preparatory measures.
  • President Trump has provided federal emergency assistance to states like North Carolina.
• Warnings & Response:
  • North Carolina Governor, Josh Stein:

    “Fellow North Carolinians, this is a serious storm. We are taking it seriously. We and so should you.”
    —Josh Stein, [01:41]

  • Northeast regions are bracing for up to 2 feet of snow; schools and colleges are closed.
• Air Travel:
  • “About 10,000 [flights] have been canceled so far today.”
    —Korva Coleman, [02:07]

3. DNC Targets Voter Registration in Swing States

[02:07–03:04]

• Strategy:
  The Democratic National Committee (DNC) plans to invest millions to register voters ahead of the midterms, focusing initially on Arizona and Nevada.
• Context:
  • Past strategies relied on nonpartisan groups, limiting engagement and party affiliation discussions.
  • New approach involves direct party leader engagement, aiming to connect with voters previously overlooked.
• Notable Quote:

  “As we learned in 2024, we can’t just assume that certain demographics, whether they be young voters, voters of color or otherwise, will automatically support the Democratic Party. We have to earn every registration so that we can earn every vote.”
  —Ken Martin, DNC Chair, [02:50]

• Statistics:
  • Republicans outnumber Democrats by over 300,000 voters in Arizona.

4. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Escalates Rhetoric

[03:11–03:31]

• Situation:
  The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warns Iran is ready to respond to threats from the U.S. and Israel, stating the nation’s “finger is on the trigger.”
  • Tensions have risen since President Trump’s warning to Iran over its crackdown on anti-government protests.

5. Myanmar’s Controversial Elections

[03:31–04:38]

• Election Overview:
  • Myanmar nears the end of a one-month general election widely seen as illegitimate.
  • Pro-military parties and proxies guaranteed victory; opposition parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s, are banned.
• Concerns:
  • Elections take place amidst a civil war, with voting blocked in high-conflict areas.
  • Military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party leads; one-fourth of parliamentary seats already reserved for the military.
  • Expected Outcome: Coup leader General Min Aung Lang is likely to become president.
• Notable Quote:

  “Critics call the election a sham, its goal to legitimize the military’s power after it ousted the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021.”
  —Michael Sullivan, [03:50]

6. China Repatriates Last Japanese Pandas Amid Tensions

[04:38–04:55]

• Event:
  • Tokyo crowds gathered to bid farewell to the last two Chinese giant pandas in Japan.
  • The pandas’ return to China reflects deepening diplomatic tensions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• State-Federal Investigation Conflict:

  “They say they were blocked from it by federal officials and were again blocked from it when they came back with a signed judicial warrant.”
  —Peter Cox, [00:47]

• Winter Weather Warning:

  “This is a serious storm. We are taking it seriously. We and so should you.”
  —Governor Josh Stein, [01:41]

• DNC Strategy Shift:

  “We can’t just assume that certain demographics…will automatically support the Democratic Party. We have to earn every registration…”
  —Ken Martin, [02:50]

• Myanmar Election Criticism:

  “Critics call the election a sham...”
  —Michael Sullivan, [03:50]

Timestamped Segment Guide

• Minnesota-Federal Shooting Investigation: [00:15–01:12]
• Winter Storm & Emergency Responses: [01:12–02:07]
• DNC Voter Registration Efforts: [02:07–03:11]
• Iran-U.S. Tensions Escalate: [03:11–03:31]
• Myanmar’s Election Update: [03:31–04:38]
• Japan Returns Pandas to China: [04:38–04:55]

This concise episode delivers urgent updates on legal, political, environmental, and international developments, using direct quotes and swiftly moving between major headlines. Listeners are left well-informed on the morning’s most pressing issues.