NPR News: 01-26-2026 10AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – January 26, 2026, 10AM EST

Main Theme
This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise update on major national and international news stories from the morning of January 26, 2026. Key topics include tensions over federal enforcement in Minneapolis, ongoing winter storms affecting large portions of the U.S., economic updates as investors await Federal Reserve signals, developments on Israeli hostages, a new Ukraine-U.S. security deal, a European investigation into Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, and the passing of a global public health leader.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Response and Minneapolis Unrest (00:19 – 01:33)

• President Trump’s Directive: President Trump is sending Border Czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis, with the intention for him to report on local conditions. This move comes amid heightened tensions following federal immigration crackdowns and the shooting of protester Alex Preddy.
• Police Association Response: The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association requests a meeting with the President, expressing alarm at the heightened stress in Minnesota's communities.
• Federal Hearing: A federal judge is considering limiting federal agents’ tactics following the killing of Alex Preddy by federal officers.
• Reporting on the Shooting (Jasmine Garst, Minneapolis):
  • Federal officials label Preddy a "domestic terrorist," claiming he was armed and threatening law enforcement.
  • Contradicting video evidence shows Preddy holding only a phone before being tackled and fatally shot.
  • Preddy held a lawful permit to carry.
  • Department of Homeland Security has blocked local investigators. A judge has ordered that no evidence regarding Preddy's death be destroyed or altered.

Notable Quote:

"But multiple videos show Preddy holding a phone in his hand. At least six masked federal officers tackle him, beat him, and pin him face down on the ground."
— Jasmine Garst, NPR (01:05)

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2. Ongoing Winter Storm and Regional Impact (01:33 – 02:02)

• Storm Aftermath: New England continues to face the brunt of the massive winter storm; southern states experienced ice storms, causing power outages to over 800,000 customers.
• Mississippi’s Response: Governor Tate Reeves urges the public to prioritize community safety as conditions may worsen.

Notable Quote:

“It’s more likely that things are going to get worse before they get better. And we want to make sure that everyone first and foremost across the state takes care and reaches out to their friends and their family and their neighbors.”
— Gov. Tate Reeves, Mississippi (01:48)

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3. Financial News: Federal Reserve and Durable Goods (02:02 – 02:56)

• Market Watch: Stocks opened higher as investors await the Federal Reserve's midweek meeting. The central bank is expected to maintain interest rates but may hint at future cuts.
• Economic Tensions: The Fed faces a balancing act between supporting the job market and controlling inflation.
• Durable Goods Report: Delayed data shows a 5%+ rise in durable goods orders, primarily from a boost in civilian aircraft sales.
• Travel Disruptions: The winter storm led to the cancellation of nearly 30% of all Sunday flights—the worst travel disruption since the pandemic.

Notable Quote:

“The Fed is trying to strike a balance between lower rates to boost the sluggish job market and higher rates to battle stubborn inflation.”
— Scott Horsley, NPR (02:23)

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4. International Updates (02:56 – 04:22)

a) Israel and Hostage Crisis

• The Israeli military has identified and returned the remains of Ron Gavili, the last deceased hostage from the October 7, 2023 conflict.

b) Ukraine-U.S. Security Agreement

• President Zelenskyy announces that a security pact with the U.S. is ready to be signed following negotiations involving Ukrainian, American, and Russian officials.

c) EU vs. Musk’s AI Chatbot “Grok” (03:41 – 04:22)

• EU Legal Action: The European Commission is opening proceedings against Elon Musk’s “Grok” chatbot for potential violations of EU digital safety laws, including the proliferation of harmful content.
• Findings from Investigation: Grok allegedly generated around 3 million sexualized images—including 23,000 images of children—between late December and January.

Notable Quote:

“The proceedings aimed to force Musk to withdraw his company’s chatbot from the European market.”
— Rob Schmitz, NPR (04:01)

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5. In Memoriam: Dr. William Foege (04:22 – 04:56)

• Dr. William Foege, renowned for leading the global fight against smallpox, has passed away at 89.
• Foege pioneered the “ring method” of vaccination, instrumental in eradicating smallpox, and also served as Director of the CDC.

Notable Quote:

“Foege and colleagues developed a ring method to contain smallpox in the 1960s by identifying every case and then vaccinating everyone the patient came into contact with. This helped eradicate smallpox from the world.”
— Korva Coleman, NPR (04:32)

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “[Multiple videos show Preddy holding a phone in his hand. At least six masked federal officers tackle him, beat him, and pin him face down on the ground.]” — Jasmine Garst, (01:05)
• “[It’s more likely that things are going to get worse before they get better… take care and reach out to their friends and their family and their neighbors.]” — Gov. Tate Reeves, Mississippi (01:48)
• “[The Fed is trying to strike a balance between lower rates to boost the sluggish job market and higher rates to battle stubborn inflation.]” — Scott Horsley, NPR (02:23)
• “[The proceedings aimed to force Musk to withdraw his company’s chatbot from the European market.]” — Rob Schmitz, NPR (04:01)
• “[Foege and colleagues developed a ring method to contain smallpox in the 1960s by identifying every case and then vaccinating everyone the patient came into contact with. This helped eradicate smallpox from the world.]” — Korva Coleman, NPR (04:32)

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Timestamps for Reference

• Pres. Trump sends border czar to Minneapolis – 00:19
• Protester Alex Preddy shooting, federal hearing – 00:47
• Minnesota winter storm, outages – 01:33
• Governor Reeves’ statement – 01:48
• Federal Reserve meeting anticipation, economic report – 02:15
• Flight cancellations due to storm – 02:50
• Israeli hostage update, Ukrainian security deal – 02:56
• EU proceedings against Musk's chatbot – 03:41
• Dr. William Foege’s passing – 04:22

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This summary captures the coverage and tone of the NPR News Now 10AM update, providing a quick yet thorough look at the day’s critical events for listeners on the go.

Transcript

[A]

This message comes from Capital One. With the Venture X card, earn unlimited double miles, a $300 annual capital one travel credit and access to airport lounges. Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms apply. [e-mail] Live from NPR News, I'm Korva Coleman.

[B]

President Trump says he is sending his border czar to Minneapolis tonight. He says Tom Homan will report to him. The Minnesota Chiefs of Police association is calling for a meeting with Trump. They say Minnesota communities under heightened stress with Trump's immigration crackdown. A federal judge holds a hearing today to determine whether federal agents tactics can be limited. This comes after agents killed protester Alex Preddy on Saturday. NPR's Jasmine Garst reports from Minneapolis.

[C]

Over the weekend, the Trump administration tried to paint Preddy, who is a US Citizen, as a domestic terrorist. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bevino said Preddy had a gun and was intent on massacring law enforcement. But multiple videos show Preddy holding a phone in his hand. At least six masked federal officers tackle him, beat him and pin him face down on the ground. Then one agent appears to pull a gun from Preddy's waistband before agents shoot him multiple times. City officials say Preddy had a lawful permit to carry. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says DHS has blocked its investigators. A federal judge has ruled that Homeland Security cannot destroy or alter evidence related to Preddy's death. Jasmine Garsd, NPR News, Minneapolis.

[B]

The huge winter storm that hit the country over the past few days is still hammering New England. The south got ice that cut electricity to more than 800,000 customers. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves is urging people to use caution.

[D]

It's more likely that things are going to get worse before they get better. And we want to make sure that everyone first and foremost across the state takes care and reaches out to their friends and their family and their neighbors.

[B]

Most of the big outages are in Southern states. Stocks opened higher this morning as investors await the outcome of a midweek policy meeting by The Federal Reserve. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

[E]

The central bank is expected to hold interest rates steady this week, but investors will be listening for hints about possible future rate cuts. The Fed is trying to strike a balance between lower rates to boost the sluggish job market and higher rates to battle stubborn inflation. Orders for long lasting manufactured goods got a boost in November thanks to a big jump in orders for civilian aircraft. A delayed report from the Commerce Department shows durable goods orders rose more than 5% during the month. Orders for non transportation goods rose by half a percent. The massive winter storm that blanketed the country this weekend forced the cancellation of more than 29% of all flights on Sunday. It was the biggest disruption to air travel since the pandemic. Scott Horner Forsy, NPR News, Washington.

[B]

The Israeli military says it has identified and returned the body of the last deceased Israeli hostage. Ron Gavili was a special forces policeman. He was killed while fighting Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. This is NPR. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a security agreement with the US is 100% ready to be signed. This comes after talks over the weekend among Ukrainian, U.S. and Russian officials about the war in Ukraine. The European Union's executive arm will open proceedings against Elon Musk's AI chatbot today. NPR's Rob Schmitz reports. That's according to German media.

[F]

The German newspaper Handelsblatt reports that Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, will be investigated for violating the EU's Digital Services act, which aims to create a safe online environment by holding digital platforms accountable for their content. The proceedings aimed to force Musk to withdraw his company's chatbot from the European market. A study by the center for Countering Digital Hate analyzed a sample of post on Grok's X handle. It found that Grok created an estimated 3 million sexualized images over a span of 11 days from the end of December into January, including 23,000 sexualized images of children. Rob Schmidt and Pyrenees, BERLIN A towering.

[B]

Leader in the global fight against Smallpox has died. Dr. William Foege died Saturday at his Atlanta home, according to the health organization he founded. He was 89. Foege and colleagues developed a ring method to contain smallpox in the 1960s by identifying every case and then vaccinating everyone the patient came into contact with. This helped eradicate smallpox from the world. Foege also formerly led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[G]

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