NPR News: 01-26-2026 2AM EST

Summary

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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6. Asian Stock Markets

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

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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

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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.”

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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.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

Live from NPR News in New York City. I'm Dwahili Sai Kowtow. A federal judge in Minnesota has granted a temporary restraining order against the Department of Homeland Security. And the state's attorney general says he plans to argue in court on Monday to end the surge of ICE operations there following the killing of ICU nurse and US Citizen Alex Preddy by federal immigration agents. But Greg Bovina, the Customs and Border Patrol commander at large, says ICE will continue operating in that state for now.

[David Folkenflick]

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.

[NPR News Anchor]

Governor Tim Walz disagrees. He told reporters that President Trump clearly underestimated the people of his state and the nation. He said, we are angry, but we won't give up hope. President Trump's immigration policies are getting some pushback from voters and from Congress and Piers. Mara Lyson reports.

[Mara Liasson]

Following the second fatal shooting of an American citizen in Minneapolis by ICE agents, 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. Although immigration has been Trump's best issue, with voters generally approving of his efforts to secure the southern border and deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records. New polls taken before the second fatal shooting show show majorities of voters disapprove of ICE's tactics. According to a new New York Times poll, only 36% of voters approve of the way ICE is doing its job 61% said ICE had, quote, gone too far. That sentiment could have an impact on the midterm elections, even though Trump himself isn't on the ballot. Mara Liasson, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

The winter storm now barreling into the Northeast is expected to continue tomorrow. Snow and ICE is triggering a spike in power outages across Tennessee, Texas, Louis, Louisiana and Mississippi. As NPR's Frank Morris reports, thick ice.

[Frank Morris]

Breaking trees and power lines cut electricity to four out of five homes and businesses in several north Mississippi counties. Matt Hackworth, a Presbyterian minister in Oxford, Mississippi, is huddling with his wife, son and parents in a chilly, dark house.

[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.

[Frank Morris]

While the storm should be letting up, restoring power to the hardest hit parts of the south is likely to take weeks. Frank Morris, NPR News, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

[NPR News Anchor]

About 1 million ratepayers have lost power at this hour. You're listening to NPR News from New York City. Hundreds of people have been rescued after a ferry sank in the southern Philippines hours after it departed the port of Zamboanga en route to Holo island, the southernmost part of the archipelago. The Coast Guard and local officials said at least 15 people died, including a six month old baby. The father, Gamar Ali, said his wife lost hold of their baby at sea. The passenger cargo vessel had more than 330 passengers, plus about 30 crew members. Officials say another 30 passengers are still missing. More than 60 international correspondents for the Washington Post have appealed to owner Jeff Bezos to protect its foreign coverage amid fears of deep cuts ahead. As NPR's David Folkenflick reports, the paper is under severe pressure to turn a profit.

[David Folkenflick]

Nearly two years ago, Washington Post publisher Will Lewis told his newsroom no one is reading its stories. He said he had a mandate to find new revenues and to cut costs. The new revenues have been slow in coming. Hundreds of thousands of subscribers canceled when Bezos decided to kill an editorial endorsement of Kamala Harris in 2024. In recent days, the papers warned some reporters heading into dangerous zones abroad that they can't go there as of February 1st. This according to four people with knowledge who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fears of job repercussions. No reason was given, but the belief is that editors do not want to lay reporters off while they're in perilous situations. The Post and its executive editor did not return requests for comment. David Folkenflick, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

Asian stocks mostly dropped. You're listening to NPR News from New York City. I'm Dwally Psykowtao.

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