NPR News: 01-26-2026 11PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now — Summary

Episode: NPR News: 01-26-2026 11PM EST
Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Giles Snyder

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Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest national and international news highlights in just five minutes. The episode covers a notable shift in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement in Minnesota, major winter storm damage in Mississippi, the start of tax filing season, U.S. Olympic hockey roster news, and a former Canadian snowboarder facing federal drug trafficking charges.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Change in Immigration Policy Tone in Minnesota

Segment begins: 00:16

• Summary:
  Minnesota Governor Tim Walz reports a shift in President Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement in Minnesota, describing more willingness to collaborate and consider local concerns.

• Details:

  • President Trump is reportedly open to reducing the presence of immigration enforcement agents in the Twin Cities.
  • Trump is also considering allowing Minnesota to conduct independent investigations into local killings (Alex Preddy and Renee Macklin cases).

• Quote:

  • Tim Walz: “Whether it was morality or bad optics and poll numbers, whatever has happened here, there is a definite change of tone. There is a definitely a more collaborative tone.” [00:46]

• Additional Notes:

  • Border Patrol commander Greg Bevino and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will not return to the Twin Cities.
  • However, Homeland Security’s Tricia McLaughlin refutes reports of Bevino’s demotion or relief of duties.
  • Tom Holman, Trump administration border czar, will take charge of immigration operations in Minnesota on Tuesday.

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2. Winter Storm Power Outages in Mississippi

Segment begins: 01:45

• Summary:
  A major winter storm causes widespread power outages and damages in north Mississippi, impacting relief efforts.
• Details:
  • Nearly 200,000 outages reported; snow, ice, and fallen power lines complicate recovery.
  • Casey Grist (Red Cross): Resources like cots and blankets have been pre-positioned, but many communities remain inaccessible.
• Quote:
  • Casey Grist: “We were able to position some resources, some cots and blankets and those types of things so that the community had access to them for their own warming shelters once we were not able to get in any longer.” [02:06]
• Notable Impact:
  • Two storm-related deaths (related to "fern," possibly a transcript error, contextually likely refers to hypothermia or hazardous conditions).

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3. IRS Tax Filing Season Opens

Segment begins: 02:24

• Summary:
  IRS begins accepting tax returns, kicking off the 2026 tax season one day earlier than last year.
• Details:
  • IRS expects about 164 million returns before the April 15 deadline.
  • E-filing remains dominant; over 93% submitted electronically last year.
  • Direct deposit is encouraged for faster refunds—most within 21 days.
• Quote:
  • Scott Horsley: “The IRS expects taxpayers to file about 164 million returns over the next 11 weeks or so before the April 15 deadline.” [02:33]

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4. U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Athlete Roster Announced

Segment begins: 03:13

• Summary:
  The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee unveils the roster for the Winter Games, with significant news in hockey.
• Details:
  • NHL players return to the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team for the first time since 2014.
  • Hockey players comprise a fifth of the 232-athlete roster.
  • Brothers Brady (Ottawa Senators) and Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers) will both play for the U.S.
  • Last time the U.S. men’s team won Olympic gold in ice hockey was 1980.
  • The Winter Games open February 6 in Northern Italy.
• Quote:
  • Brady Tkachuk: “It's hard not to get excited to go compete with the best players in this country and see some of the best athletes in the world compete for the gold medal.” [03:52]

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5. Former Olympian Accused of Cocaine Trafficking

Segment begins: 04:17

• Summary:
  Ryan Wedding, former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, pleads not guilty to charges of becoming a cocaine smuggling kingpin.
• Details:
  • Appeared in federal court in California after a year-long effort to arrest him.
  • He was on the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted List; a $15 million reward had been offered.

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6. Market Update

Segment begins: 04:45

• Summary:
  Asian shares are up following Wall Street’s positive gains; S&P 500 rose by half a percent in its fourth consecutive winning session.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Governor Tim Walz on immigration:
  “There is a definite change of tone. There is definitely a more collaborative tone.” [00:46]
• Red Cross Executive Casey Grist on relief efforts:
  “We were able to position some resources... once we were not able to get in any longer.” [02:06]
• Brady Tkachuk (NHL/Olympian):
  “It's hard not to get excited to go compete with the best players in this country...” [03:52]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Minnesota Immigration Policy Shift: 00:16 – 01:12
• Mississippi Winter Storm/Power Outages: 01:45 – 02:24
• IRS Tax Filing Season: 02:24 – 03:13
• Olympic Athlete Roster & Hockey News: 03:13 – 04:17
• Ryan Wedding/Cocaine Charges: 04:17 – 04:45
• Global/Market Update: 04:45 – 04:55

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This episode delivers prompt and relevant news with clarity, providing essential updates, direct quotes from primary voices, and a concise overview of key developments.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz says President Trump has had a change of tone about his immigration crackdown in the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Clay Masters has more on this morning's phone call between the two.

[Clay Masters]

Walz says Trump agreed to consider reducing the number of immigration enforcement agents in the Twin Cities. He also says the president would consider ensuring the state could conduct independent investigations into the killings of Alex Preddy and Renee Macklin.

[Giles Snyder]

Good.

[Tim Walz]

Whether it was morality or bad optics and poll numbers, whatever has happened here, there is a definite change of tone. There is a definitely a more collaborative tone. I want to make sure that I'm not jeopardizing that, that I'm going to take them for their word right now that, that they're going to reduce this force.

[Clay Masters]

Walz says Border Patrol commander at large Greg Bevino and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will not be returning to the Twin Cities. For NPR News, I'm clay masters in St. Paul.

[Giles Snyder]

Homeland Security Department spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin says Greg Pavino has not been relieved of his duties. She posted a social media message following reporting by the Atlantic that Bevino had been demoted and will retire soon. Trump administration border czar Tom Holman is expected in Minnesota Tuesday to take charge of immigration enforcement operations. Power outages from that winter storm over the weekend has left hundreds of thousands without power. Mississippi Public Broadcasting Shamir Muhammad reports on relief efforts in the hard hit south.

[Shamir Muhammad]

Nearly 200,000 power outages were reported in north Mississippi. Snow and heavy ice caused severe damage throughout the region. Casey Grist, the executive director of the North Mississippi chapter of the American Red Cross, says her organization is still trying to access communities blocked off by fallen trees, ice and fallen power lines.

[Casey Grist]

We were able to position some resources, some cots and blankets and those types of things so that the community had access to them for their own warming shelters once we were not able to get in any longer.

[Shamir Muhammad]

Two deaths related to fern have been reported in the state. For NPR News, I'm Shamir Mohamed in Jackson.

[Giles Snyder]

The IRS now accepting tax returns, a filing season beginning a day earlier than last year. As NPR's Scott Horsley reports, this is.

[Scott Horsley]

The first day the tax collection agency will begin processing individual tax returns. The IRS expects taxpayers to file about 164 million returns over the next 11 weeks or so before the April 15 deadline. Most taxpayers follow the IRS advice to file electronically, since paper returns can slow down processing. More than 93% of last year's taxes were filed electronically. More than half of all filers get help from a professional tax preparer. If you do a refund, the IRS recommends using direct deposit to get your money faster. The tax collector says most refunds are issued within 21 days. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

This is NPR News. The U.S. olympic and Paralympic Committee today unveiled its roster of athletes for the Winter Games. And for the first time in more than a decade, hockey players from the NHL will compete for the U.S. in hockey. NPR's Brian Mann reports. The announcement covered every winter sport at the upcoming Games, from cross country skiing to curling to figure skating.

[Brian Mann]

Men and women hockey players will make up one fifth of the total 232strong US roster. And for the first time since 2014, every men's Team USA hockey player will come from the NHL. American Brady Tkachuk plays for the Ottawa Senators.

[Brady Tkachuk]

It's hard not to get excited to go compete with the best players in this country and see some of the best athletes in the world compete for the gold medal.

[Brian Mann]

Tkachuk's brother Matthew, who skates for the Florida Panthers NHL team, will also compete for the U.S. the Americans men team hasn't won Olympic golden ice hockey since the 1980 Games in Lake Placid. The opening ceremony for the Winter Games in Northern Italy is February 6th. Brian Mann, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

A former Canadian Olympic snowboarder has pleaded not guilty to charges of becoming a cocaine smuggling kingpin. Ryan Wedding made his first federal court appearance Monday in Santa Ana, California. He was flown there after a nearly year long effort by authorities to arrest him. Wedding was on the FBI's top 10 most wanted list and the US government had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction. Asian shares largely up in Tuesday trading after Wall street rose for a fourth straight session, the S&P 500 rose half a percentage point. This is NPR News.

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