NPR News Now – January 26, 2026, 7AM EST: Episode Summary

Main Theme:
This fast-paced NPR News Now update covers the nation's biggest overnight stories, including developments in a controversial police shooting in Minneapolis, impacts from a massive winter storm, the latest in Israel-Gaza hostage counting, changes to childhood immunization recommendations, and the life and legacy of smallpox eradication leader Dr. William Foege.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Minneapolis Protester Shooting and Immigration Crackdown

[00:14 – 01:20]

• Federal Judge Hearing: A Minneapolis federal judge will decide whether to limit the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown. This follows the fatal shooting of protester Alex Preddy by federal agents.
• Contradictory Responses:
  • FBI Director Kash Patel defended the agents on Fox News Sunday, with an emphatic statement regarding armed protests:

    "You cannot bring a firearm loaded with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple. You don't have that right to break the law."
    (Rob Stein quoting Kash Patel, 00:46)

  • Lawmakers and Gun Rights Groups Disagree: No evidence Preddy brandished his gun, per NPR.
  • Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): Called for an independent investigation, stating the video suggests Preddy was killed after being disarmed.

    "Lawfully carrying a firearm does not justify federal agents killing an American."
    (Murkowski via Luke Garrett, 01:10)

  • Local Officials: Minnesota says Preddy had a legal permit to carry.

2. Deadly Winter Storm Grips the Nation

[01:20 – 02:18]

• Scope & Impact:
  • Winter storm warnings from Indiana to Maine; at least six hypothermia deaths.
  • Over 800,000 in New York City area without power (Poweroutage US data).
  • Joel Rose details the southern U.S. situation:

    "In some places the storm was all snow. In others, it turned into sleet and freezing rain."
    (Joel Rose, 01:55)

  • Ice in the South: Widespread outages in Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi due to downed power lines.

3. Israeli Operation to Find Last Hostage’s Body

[02:18 – 03:12]

• Operation Launched:
  • The Israeli military begins a large-scale operation to find Ronnie Gavili’s remains, the last Israeli hostage killed on Oct 7, 2023.
• Hamas Participation:
  • Hamas has already returned all other hostages, both living and dead, per Daniel Estrin. Now searching a Gaza cemetery.

    "Hamas says it provided information it has about the location of the body."
    (Daniel Estrin, 02:45)

• Context: Israeli troops are searching under the terms of a ceasefire agreement.

4. Pediatric Immunization Recommendations Revised

[03:12 – 04:17]

• A Delicate Public Health Shift:
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) sticks to its stance: all children should receive immunizations for 18 diseases.
  • CDC Changes: The CDC, under Trump administration changes, dropped recommendations for 7 of these diseases (including RSV, hepatitis, meningitis, flu), now leaving vaccination up to parental decision after consulting healthcare professionals.

    "The CDC now says parents should talk to a health care professional about whether their kids need these immunizations."
    (Rob Stein, 03:55)

  • Medical Community Pushback: The AAP’s consistent guidance is endorsed by 12 other medical groups.

5. Remembering Dr. William Foege

[04:17 – 04:54]

• A Giant in Public Health:
  • Dr. William Foege, famed for leading the smallpox eradication, dies at 89.
  • His Impact: Creator of the ring vaccination strategy, pivotal in global health.

    "Foege and colleagues developed a ring method to contain smallpox in the 1960s by identifying every case and then vaccinating everyone the patient came into contact with. This helped eradicate smallpox from the world."
    (Korva Coleman, 04:22)

  • Accolades: Former CDC head; awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Obama.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Lawfully carrying a firearm does not justify federal agents killing an American."
  – Sen. Lisa Murkowski, quoted by Luke Garrett, [01:10]

• "In some places the storm was all snow. In others, it turned into sleet and freezing rain."
  – Joel Rose, [01:55]

• "Foege and colleagues developed a ring method to contain smallpox... This helped eradicate smallpox from the world."
  – Korva Coleman, [04:22]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start Time | |-----------------------------------------------------|------------| | Minneapolis shooting, immigration crackdown | 00:14 | | Winter storm impacts | 01:20 | | Israel’s final hostage search in Gaza | 02:18 | | Pediatric immunization guideline changes | 03:12 | | Remembering Dr. William Foege | 04:17 |

Tone:
The episode maintains NPR's signature concise, factual, and calm reporting style, blending urgency (breaking stories, storm impacts) with measured context and direct quotations for clarity.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode succinctly delivers the national news pulse: an ongoing debate over protester rights and government force, the human cost of a sprawling winter storm, evolving repercussions in Middle East hostilities, growing uncertainty over children’s vaccination guidance, and a tribute to a public health pioneer who literally helped change the world.