NPR News: 01-26-2026 2PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now — 2PM EST, January 26, 2026

Episode Overview

This concise five-minute news update delivers the day’s top headlines, focusing on the Trump administration’s immigration policies and recent events in Minneapolis, a breakthrough in the Gaza ceasefire process, violence in central Mexico, the upcoming Super Bowl matchup, and financial news from Wall Street, with a brief look ahead to Federal Reserve policy.

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Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. Breaking News: Second Fatal Shooting by Federal Agents in Minneapolis

• [00:15–01:36]
• The Trump administration faces mounting outrage after a second fatal shooting this month of a Minneapolis resident by federal immigration agents. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt reiterates the administration’s hardline stance on removing “the worst criminal illegal aliens.”
• Levitt expresses condolences, stating no one desires violence on American streets, while naming both federal agents and victims, emphasizing law enforcement’s bravery.
• The latest fatality is 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Preddy, shot and killed by an ICE agent. The incident is under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security and FBI.
• Levitt also blames Minnesota's Democratic leadership for obstructing federal efforts.
• President Trump comments on a phone call with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, signaling cooperation, and announces the deployment of border czar Tom Holman to manage ICE operations on the ground.
• Minnesota’s Attorney General and city leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul are suing the federal government to halt this immigration surge.

Notable Quotes:

• Caroline Levitt ([00:48]):
  “This includes Renee Good, Alex Preddy, the brave men and women of federal law enforcement and the many Americans who have been victimized as at the hands of illegal alien criminals.”
• Donald Trump ([01:36]):
  “It was a very good call and we actually seem to be on a similar wavelength.”

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2. Gaza Ceasefire Advances After Hostage Remains Recovered

• [02:06–03:05]
• Israel’s military has found and repatriated the body of the last Israeli hostage taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attacks: Ron Gvili, a 24-year-old special forces policeman. His remains were located in a cemetery in northern Gaza after an intelligence-led search.
• This development marks the end of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, paving the way for reopening Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt.

Notable Quotes:

• Daniel Estrin ([02:19]):
  “Now the last one has been returned. He is Ron Gvili, a 24 year old special forces policeman who was killed while fighting Hamas militants the day of the attack. His body was taken to Gaza... This marks the end of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire.”

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3. Deadly Attack at Mexican Soccer Match

• [03:05–03:27]
• Following a soccer game in Salamanca, Mexico, gunmen opened fire, killing at least 11 and injuring 12.
• The mayor of Salamanca calls this incident part of a larger crime wave and is asking the Mexican president to intervene. The state has recorded Mexico’s highest homicide rate.

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4. Super Bowl Matchup Set: Seahawks vs Patriots

• [03:27–04:40]
• The Seattle Seahawks return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2015 after defeating the Los Angeles Rams, led by new coach Mike McDonald and quarterback Sam Darnold.
• The New England Patriots advance after beating the Denver Broncos in harsh, snowy conditions, with rookie quarterback Drake Maye under center.

Notable Quotes:

• Becky Sullivan ([04:01]):
  “The Seahawks went 14–3 and now have a chance at their second ever Super Bowl title. The Patriots will be playing for their seventh.”

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5. Economy & Federal Reserve

• [04:40–04:58]
• The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its upcoming meeting after three rate cuts last year. Economists anticipate a pause in policy moves.
• Stock markets are up: the Dow rises by 292 points.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Caroline Levitt on law enforcement and victims:
  “The brave men and women of federal law enforcement and the many Americans who have been victimized at the hands of illegal alien criminals.” ([00:48])

• Donald Trump describes his conversation with Minnesota’s governor:
  “It was a very good call and we actually seem to be on a similar wavelength.” ([01:36])

• Daniel Estrin on the return of Israeli hostage remains:
  “This marks the end of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire. It paves the way for another big step.” ([02:19])

• Becky Sullivan on football turnaround:
  “Now they’ve cashed in. The Seahawks went 14–3 and now have a chance at their second ever Super Bowl title. The Patriots will be playing for their seventh.” ([04:01])

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:15] Minneapolis shooting and White House response
• [01:36] President Trump and Minnesota Governor call; ICE leadership change
• [02:06] Gaza ceasefire and Israeli hostages
• [03:05] Mexico soccer shooting
• [03:27] Super Bowl matchup details
• [04:40] Federal Reserve and stock market update

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Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

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[Windsor Johnston]

Head to warbyparker.com live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The Trump administration is defending its immigration crackdown as outrage grows over the second fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident by federal agents this month. Press secretary Caroline Levitt says the administration remains committed to deporting what it calls the worst criminal illegal aliens. But she also said no one in the White House wants to see people getting hurt or killed on America's streets.

[Caroline Levitt]

This includes Renee Good, Alex Preddy, the brave men and women of federal law enforcement and the many Americans who have been victimized as at the hands of illegal alien criminals.

[NPR News Reporter]

37 year old ICU nurse Alex Preddy was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis over the weekend. Levitt said the incident, which is under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, is part of a broader effort to target violent offenders. Levitt also blamed Democratic leaders in Minnesota, accusing them of weeks of deliberate and hostile resistance. President Trump says he's spoken with Minnesota.

[Windsor Johnston]

Governor Tim Walz following the latest shooting in Minnesot.

[NPR News Reporter]

Minneapolis. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports the administration is now sending new leadership to the city.

[Donald Trump]

In a social media post, Trump wrote Walz called him to talk about working together. Trump wrote, quote, it was a very good call and we actually seem to be on a similar wavelength. Trump added he would have border czar Tom Holman call walls. The administration announced today Homan will be going to Minnesota to manage on the ground ice operations. Minnesota's Attorney General as well as Minneapolis and St. Paul have brought a lawsuit in federal court seeking to end the Trump administration's immigration surge. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.

[NPR News Reporter]

The Israeli military says the last Israeli hostage body in Gaza has been found. It's a major breakthrough in efforts to advance the Gaza ceasefire, as NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Jerusalem.

[Daniel Estrin]

Hamas captured 251 living and dead hostages from Israel in the October 7, 2023 attack. Now the last one has been returned. He is ron Gvili, a 24 year old special forces policeman who was killed while fighting Hamas militants the day of the attack. His body was taken to Gaza. The military said it launched a special search operation for his body over the weekend in a cemetery in northern Gaza on the Israeli occupied side of Gaza. Acting based on intelligence. It says his body has been returned to Israel for burial. 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 to enter and exit. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Jerusalem.

[NPR News Reporter]

Stocks are trading higher on Wall street at this hour. The dow is up 290 points, the NASDAQ Composite up 1:57. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Authorities say gunmen opened fire at the end of a soccer match in central Mexico on Sunday, killing at least 11.

[Windsor Johnston]

People and injuring 12 others.

[NPR News Reporter]

The mayor of Salamanca is calling the shooting part a larger crime wave and is urging the president of Mexico to intervene. The state prosecutor's office is working with federal authorities. The state where Salamanca is located recorded the country's highest number of homicides last year. The matchup for this year's super bowl is set. The Seattle Seahawks are returning to the game for the first time since 2015. After beating the Los Angeles Rams yesterday, the Seahawks will play the New England Patriots, as NPR's Becky Sullivan reports.

[Becky Sullivan]

Two years ago, Seattle fired their longtime coach and hired a new guy in young defensive hotshot Mike McDonald. Then last year, they brought in a new quarterback. The Vikings and Jets cast off Sam Darnold. Now they've cashed in. The Seahawks went 143 and now have a chance at their second ever super bowl title. The Patriots will be playing for their seventh. New England faced the Denver Broncos, who were starting their backup quarterback after their starter broke his ankle last week. After halftime, heavy snow began and the Pats escaped with a 107 win. New England fans had to suffer six long years without a Super bowl appearance. Now, with the young quarterback Drake May under center, their wait is over. Becky Sullivan, NPR News.

[NPR News Reporter]

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged when it wraps up its policy meeting this week. Economists say the central bank will likely hold steady after cutting rates three times late last year. On Wall street, the Dow up 292 points. This is NPR News.

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