NPR News Now: January 26, 2026, 10PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton (NPR)
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of major U.S. and international news stories, offering rapid updates on politics, severe weather, military conflicts, labor actions, business, and science.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Immigration Crackdown & Leadership Change in Minnesota

00:15–01:15

• Context:
  Following another fatal shooting during federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, President Trump replaces the top official overseeing the crackdown.
• Legal Challenge:
  • Minnesota officials allege that federal agents have infringed on the state's sovereignty and that the enforcement surge is politically motivated.
  • A judge notes the legal situation is “unprecedented,” and there is little case law for guidance.
• Administrative Changes:
  • Trump instructs Border Czar Tom Homan to coordinate directly with Minnesota.
  • Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bevino is stepping down amid backlash.
• Public Outcry:
  • Homeland Security deemed the recent fatal shooting self-defense, but video evidence reportedly contradicts this claim.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jennifer Ludden reports:

    “The judge noted the situation is so unprecedented, there’s little case law to guide a decision.” (01:00)

2. Deadly Winter Storms Paralyze U.S. Eastern Two-Thirds

01:15–02:14

• Impact:
  • Heavy snow in the Northeast.
  • At least 25 fatalities from frigid temperatures.
  • Widespread utility, transportation, and service disruptions.
• Response:
  • Emergency crews clearing ice; repeated outages due to falling trees and limbs.
  • Officials urge people without electricity to seek shelter.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves:

    “It’s somewhat like whack-a-mole every time one of the utility companies and power companies gets a large group back online, we have another tree fall…another power outage. And so it’s just a challenging environment out there.” (01:48)

  • Debbie Elliott (NPR):

    “Officials are warning about the dangers of hypothermia and urging people without electricity to seek shelter at warming centers.” (02:03)

3. Gaza Hostage Recovery and Ceasefire Moves

02:14–03:10

• Breakthrough:
  • Israeli military recovers the last Israeli hostage body taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attacks.
  • The recovered: Ron Gvili, 24, a special forces policeman.
• Ceasefire Implications:
  • Marks the end of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
  • Israel to reopen Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt for Palestinians.
• Notable Quote:
  • Daniel Estrin (NPR):

    “This marks the end of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire. It paves the way for another big step—Israel says it will allow Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt to reopen again for Palestinians…” (03:00)

4. Southwest Airlines Ends Open Seating

03:10–03:46

• Airline Policy Change:
  • Southwest Airlines will end its signature open seating policy; passengers will now have assigned seats.
  • An “eight group boarding structure” will replace the “find your own seat scrum,” starting tomorrow.

5. Kaiser Permanente Strike Expands in California and Hawaii

03:46–04:34

• Union Action:
  • Thousands of nurses and other employees continue a major strike demanding improved staffing and compensation.
  • This is the union’s third strike since September.
• Worker Perspective:
  • Workers emphasize strikes are about livelihoods and patient care.
• Corporate Response:
  • Kaiser, a nonprofit, reports billions in net income, but executives highlight the need to control payroll costs to keep care affordable.
• Memorable On-the-Ground Chants:
  • Union crowd: “Who’s got the power?” “We got the power.” “What kind of power?” “Union power.”
• Notable Quote:
  • Jessica Servin, nurse anesthetist (San Francisco):

    “It feels necessary to be here, absolutely necessary. We're fighting for our livelihoods. We're fighting for patient care, and those things are really important.” (04:06)

6. Science Discovery: Oldest Wooden Tools in Greece

04:34–04:54

• Archeological Find:
  • Two artifacts from Greece’s Megalopolis basin, dated to 430,000 years ago, are the oldest wooden tools ever uncovered.
  • One is a stick, possibly for digging; the other, a hand-held chunk for shaping stone tools.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “The judge noted the situation is so unprecedented, there’s little case law to guide a decision.”
  (Jennifer Ludden, 01:00)
• “It’s somewhat like whack-a-mole… It’s just a challenging environment out there.”
  (Gov. Tate Reeves, 01:48)
• “This marks the end of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire…”
  (Daniel Estrin, 03:00)
• “It feels necessary to be here… We’re fighting for our livelihoods. We’re fighting for patient care, and those things are really important.”
  (Jessica Servin, 04:06)

Additional Information

• Markets: U.S. stock indexes ticked higher today.
• Business: Southwest ends open seating; assigned seats begin tomorrow.
• Science: Record-breaking archeological discovery in Greece.

For a five-minute news burst, this episode delivers rapid, critical updates on evolving national and international events, capturing both the policy debates and personal voices behind the headlines.