NPR News Now – 01-26-2026, 2AM EST

Episode Overview

In this five-minute news update from NPR, anchor Dwahili Sai Kowtow delivers the latest headlines on national immigration tensions after a deadly incident involving ICE, growing political backlash, a dangerous winter storm affecting the southern U.S., a deadly ferry accident in the Philippines, and looming cuts at The Washington Post. The episode provides snapshots of developing stories with on-the-ground insights, expert analysis, and key statements from officials.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota Immigration Crisis and ICE Operations

• Summary: A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order halting Department of Homeland Security activity in Minnesota after ICE agents killed an American nurse. The state's attorney general plans to argue for a permanent halt in court. Meanwhile, ICE leadership vows to continue operations.
• Stakeholders: Federal judge, Minnesota Attorney General, Governor Tim Walz, Customs and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovina, President Trump

Notable Quotes:

• [00:45] Greg Bovina, Customs and Border Patrol:
  “Our Title 8 immigration mission continues unabated here in Minneapolis, despite yesterday’s tragedy that was preventable by folks making better choices, politicians, journalists and would be anarchists and rioters.”

• [01:05] Governor Tim Walz:
  “President Trump clearly underestimated the people of his state and the nation. We are angry, but we won’t give up hope.”

2. Political Backlash Against ICE and Immigration Policy

• Summary: The killing led to notable congressional pushback, with Senate Democrats threatening to block DHS funding. President Trump’s handling of immigration, previously a political strength, is now under renewed scrutiny.
• Public Sentiment: New polling before the shooting indicated only 36% approval of ICE’s conduct, with 61% believing they’ve "gone too far".

Notable Quotes:

• [01:24] Mara Liasson, NPR Reporter:
  “Senate Democrats say they will not vote for a bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security. This comes at a time when President Trump’s approval ratings are dropping…majorities of voters disapprove of ICE’s tactics.”

3. Severe Winter Storm in the South and Northeast

• Summary: An intense winter storm is causing widespread power outages in Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Four out of five homes and businesses lost power in parts of northern Mississippi. Recovery is expected to be slow.
• Human Impact: Residents are taking shelter in unheated, powerless homes; the restoration could take weeks.

Notable Quotes:

• [02:45] Matt Hackworth, affected resident:
  “We lost power about 10 minutes till midnight last night and then kept hearing pops and bangs and booms all night from trees breaking under the weight of the ice.”

• [03:06] Update:
  “About 1 million ratepayers have lost power at this hour.”

4. Philippines Ferry Disaster

• Summary: A passenger ferry sank in the southern Philippines, resulting in at least 15 deaths, including a six-month-old baby. Over 60 people are missing; hundreds have been rescued.
• On the Ground: Survivors and relatives share trauma; rescue efforts are ongoing.

5. Washington Post Foreign Correspondence at Risk

• Summary: Over 60 international Washington Post correspondents have urged owner Jeff Bezos to protect foreign news coverage amid drastic budget pressures and concerns of looming cuts, particularly in dangerous assignment zones.
• Background: Subscriber loss followed the paper’s editorial stance in the 2024 presidential election. Reporters are being told they cannot travel to hostile environments as of February 1st, possibly to avoid potential layoffs while in the field.

Notable Quotes:

• [04:04] David Folkenflick, NPR Media Correspondent:
  “Hundreds of thousands of subscribers canceled when Bezos decided to kill an editorial endorsement of Kamala Harris in 2024… the belief is that editors do not want to lay reporters off while they’re in perilous situations.”

6. Asian Stock Markets

• Summary: Asian stock markets mostly declined as the news episode closed.
  (No in-depth analysis provided)

Timestamps of Key Moments

• [00:16] Immigration crisis and judicial order
• [00:45] CBP Commander and Governor statements
• [01:24] Political fallout and new polling on ICE
• [02:13] Winter storm impacts begin, regional reportage
• [02:45] Local family’s experience during power outage
• [03:06] Power outage statistics
• [03:14] Philippine ferry disaster update
• [04:04] Washington Post correspondents' letter and newsroom uncertainty
• [04:47] Brief stock market update

Memorable Quotes

• [00:45] Greg Bovina: “Our Title 8 immigration mission continues unabated here in Minneapolis, despite yesterday’s tragedy that was preventable by folks making better choices, politicians, journalists and would be anarchists and rioters.”
• [01:05] Governor Tim Walz: “President Trump clearly underestimated the people of his state and the nation. We are angry, but we won't give up hope.”
• [02:45] Matt Hackworth: “We lost power about 10 minutes till midnight last night and then kept hearing pops and bangs and booms all night from trees breaking under the weight of the ice.”
• [04:04] David Folkenflick: “The belief is that editors do not want to lay reporters off while they’re in perilous situations.”

Overall Tone

The update is concise, urgent, and serious, reflecting the gravity of developing news stories—emphasizing policy conflict, human hardship during storms, international tragedy, and the precarious state of global journalism. Statements from officials and affected individuals sharpen the sense of immediacy and concern, leaving listeners with a clear sense of ongoing crises and the stakes involved.