NPR News: 01-25-2026 9PM EST

Summary

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

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: January 25, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode provides authoritative updates on major U.S. and international news stories, from a controversial shooting in Minneapolis to storms battering the Southeast, high-level geopolitics between Canada, China, and the U.S., NFL playoff results, Middle East tensions, and sanctions enforcement on Russian oil. Each story is addressed with factual reporting and relevant voice clips or expert input.

---

Key Stories and Discussion Highlights

1. Minneapolis Shooting by Federal Agents (00:15–01:15)

• Incident: FBI agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Preddy, a U.S. citizen, during a Minneapolis protest.
• Federal Response: FBI Director Cash Patel defends the agents' actions, emphasizing Preddy should not have been armed at the protest.
  • Notable Quote: "You cannot bring a firearm loaded with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple. You don't have that right to break the law." – Cash Patel (00:42)
• Dispute: NPR, citing verified evidence, reports no indication Preddy brandished his weapon.
• Political Pushback: Senator Lisa Murkowski calls for an independent investigation and congressional hearing.
  • Notable Quote: "Lawfully carrying a firearm does not justify federal agents killing an American." – Sen. Lisa Murkowski (reported by Luke Garrett at 01:06)

---

2. Severe Winter Storm in the Southeastern U.S. (01:15–02:05)

• Impact: Widespread power outages in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana due to hazardous snow and particularly ice from freezing rain.
• Expert input: National Weather Service forecaster warns of dangerous conditions.
  • Notable Quote: "It does not take much freezing rain to accumulate on roads and make any elevated surfaces, such as overpasses, very treacherous." – Corey Chaskilson (01:50)
• Casualties: Hundreds of car accidents reported.

---

3. Canada Rejects Free Trade Deal with China (02:05–02:57)

• Diplomatic Context: Canadian PM Mark Carney asserts no intention to pursue a broader free trade agreement with China, a day after President Trump threatens steep tariffs if Ottawa proceeds.
• Recent Agreements: Recent, limited bilateral deals include China dropping tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood, and Canada easing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
• Regulatory Limitation: Carney cites constraints under the Canada–U.S.–Mexico Agreement barring deals with non-market economies such as China.

---

4. NFL Playoff Update (02:57–03:15)

• News: New England Patriots reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 2019 after beating the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship.
• Upcoming Game: Patriots await the winner between the Seattle Seahawks and LA Rams in the NFC Championship.

---

5. Middle East Tensions and Syrian Ceasefire (03:15–04:25)

• Iran: Authorities unveil a mural in Tehran warning the U.S. against military action, as U.S. warships move toward the region. The mural’s slogan: "If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind."
• Syria: Ceasefire between government and Kurdish forces has been extended for 15 days.
  • Notable Details: Syrian Defense Ministry permits the U.S. to transfer dangerous ISIS prisoners to Iraq. Tens of thousands of ISIS affiliates remain detained without charge.
  • Reporter: Jane Araf summarizes the situation and humanitarian concerns (03:50–04:25).

---

6. French Navy Seizes Tanker Carrying Russian Oil (04:25–04:55)

• Enforcement: Captain of an intercepted oil tanker detained; ship was transporting Russian petroleum in violation of sanctions.
• Context: French and other authorities are increasing crackdowns on "shadow fleet" ships used to evade sanctions.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• FBI Director Cash Patel (00:42):

  "You cannot bring a firearm loaded with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple. You don't have that right to break the law."

• Senator Lisa Murkowski (reported by Luke Garrett, 01:06):

  "Lawfully carrying a firearm does not justify federal agents killing an American."

• NWS Forecaster Corey Chaskilson (01:50):

  "It does not take much freezing rain to accumulate on roads and make any elevated surfaces, such as overpasses, very treacherous."

• Tehran Mural Slogan (03:40):

  "If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind." (as reported by Ryland Barton)

---

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:15 – Minneapolis shooting and federal response
• 01:15 – Winter storms devastate the Southeast
• 02:05 – Canada’s trade policy with China and U.S. response
• 02:57 – New England Patriots advance to Super Bowl
• 03:15 – Middle East: Iran mural and Syrian ceasefire
• 04:25 – French Navy intercepts Russian oil tanker

---

This NPR News Now episode, delivered in the network’s signature calm, matter-of-fact style, encapsulates top national and global stories with expert and political voices, reflecting the day’s most pressing issues in under five minutes.

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

This message comes from Charles Schwab. When it comes to managing your wealth, Schwab gives you more choices like full service, wealth management and advice when you need it. You can also invest on your own and trade on thinkorswim. Visit schwab.com to learn more.

[Ryland Barton]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The head of the FBI is defending the immigration Officers who killed 37 year old Alex Preddy in Minneapolis yesterday. He says the US Citizen should not have had a firearm, but gun rights groups and some GOP law lawmakers disagree. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Luke Garrett]

Trump administration officials continue to defend the federal agents who killed Preddy. Here's FBI Director Cash Patel on FOX News Sunday.

[FBI Director Cash Patel]

You cannot bring a firearm loaded with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple. You don't have that right to break the law.

[Luke Garrett]

There's been no evidence that NPR has verified of Preddy brandishing his handgun at any time during the encounter with federal agents. GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski said the video appears to show Preddy was killed after being disarmed. The Alaska senator called for an independent investigation and congressional hearings on the killing. Murkowski said, quote, lawfully carrying a firearm does not justify federal agents killing an American. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Ryland Barton]

A powerful winter storm is carving its way across the eastern two thirds of the United States. Meanwhile, ice storm warnings are blanketing the Southeast, posing a risk for millions of people. NPR's Anusha Mather reports.

[Anusha Mather]

The winter storm is pummeling homes and infrastructure with hazardous snow and ice. States including Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana report widespread power outages. Freezing rain is the culprit. It creates a layer of ice on power lines and tree limbs, causing them to snap and fall. National Weather Service forecaster Corey Chaskilson says freezing rain is also dangerous to drivers.

[Corey Chaskilson]

It does not take much freezing rain to accumulate on roads and make any elevated surfaces, such as overpasses, very treacherous.

[Anusha Mather]

Hundreds of crashes have been reported across the region. Anousha Mather, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government has no intentions of seeking a free trade agreement with China. As Dan Karpenschuk reports, Carney's comments come a day after President Trump threatened a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if Ottawa continues a free trade deal with Beijing.

[Dan Karpenschuk]

Carney said the deals reached with China rectified just a handful of issues that have emerged over the last couple of years. During his recent trip to China, Carney got a deal that would have Beijing drop tariffs on some Canadian agricultural and seafood products. In return, Canada would allow 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into the Canadian market at 6.1% tariff, down from 100%. Carney points out that under the Canada U S. Mexico agreement, there is a special clause that restricts member countries from entering free trade agreements with non market economies such as China. For NPR News, I'm Dan Karpenchuk in Toronto.

[Ryland Barton]

The NFL's New England Patriots are heading to the super bowl for the first time since 2019. They defeated the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship. Today they'll play the winners of the NFC championship between Seattle Seahawks and the LA Rams taking place tonight. This is NPR News from Washington. Authorities in Iran have unveiled a new mural in a central Tehran square with a direct warning to the US to not attempt a military strike on the country. The the painted image of several damaged aircraft on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier bears a slogan, if you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind. A US Aircraft carrier and warships are moving toward the region. President Trump says the ships were being moved just in case he decides to take action. The Syrian government and Syrian Kurdish fighters have agreed to extend a ceasefire that paused fighting in the country's northeast. NPR's Jane Araf has details.

[Jane Araf]

Fighting between Kurdish led Syrian fighters and Syrian government forces last week has threatened the security of ISIS prisons and detention camps. A ceasefire expired Saturday night, but now the two sides have renewed it for 15 days. Syria's defense ministry said it would allow the US to move some of what it considers the most potentially dangerous ISIS prisoners to neighboring Iraq. Tens of thousands of ISIS fighters and families have been held for years without being charged with a crime. And in northeastern Syria, Jane Araf, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

Aman, the captain of an oil tanker intercepted by the French Navy in the Mediterranean Sea is in custody for questioning. Officials say the ship was transporting Russian petroleum in violation of sanctions. It's suspected to be part of a shadow fleet used to evade sanctions. France and other countries are cracking down on this fleet. I'm Ryland Barton. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[Commercial Announcer]

This message comes from Mint mobile. Starting at $15 a month. Make the [e-mail] Switch $45 upfront payment for 3 months 5 gigabyte plan equivalent to $15 a month Taxes and fees Extra first 3 months.