NPR News: 01-26-2026 8PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now Summary

Episode: NPR News: 01-26-2026 8PM EST
Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Ryland Barton

---

Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise yet comprehensive update on national and international stories dominating headlines on January 27, 2026, focusing on changes in federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, political fallout following deadly shootings, global economic responses, preparations for the 2026 Winter Games, and the latest developments in scientific research on dark matter.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shift in Federal Immigration Policy in Minnesota

• Governor Tim Walz on Trump and Immigration:
  Governor Tim Walz reports a "change of tone" from President Trump regarding the immigration crackdown. After a morning phone call, Trump is now considering reducing the presence of federal immigration agents in the Twin Cities and supports allowing state-led investigations into the recent police-involved killings.
  • Quote (Tim Walz, 00:46):
    “Whether it was morality or bad optics in poll numbers, whatever has happened here, there is a definite change of tone. There is a definitely a more collaborative tone.”
  • Walz emphasizes that federal Border Patrol commander Greg Bevino and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will not return to the Twin Cities.

2. Political Fallout After Police Killings

• Chris Mattel Withdraws from Governor’s Race:
  Chris Mattel, a prominent Republican gubernatorial candidate and former lawyer for an ICE officer, announces that he is dropping out of the race. He cites disagreement with the Trump administration’s immigration policies following the deaths of Alex Preddy and Renee Macklin, both US citizens, at the hands of federal agents.
  • Quote (Chris Mattel, via Tim Walz, 01:46):
    “I cannot support the national Republican stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so.”
  • Growing bipartisan calls are emerging for federal cooperation in investigative efforts.
  • Context (Elena Moore, 01:54):
    Mattel’s announcement follows nationwide outrage and is framed as a response to both moral and political pressures after the second citizen death in Minneapolis.

3. Record-Breaking Gold Prices Amid Economic Uncertainty

• Gold Tops $5,000 an Ounce for First Time:
  Global financial anxieties have driven gold prices to historic highs. Uncertainty is rooted in President Trump’s trade disputes, threats of new tariffs against Canada, and fears following deadly federal actions in Minneapolis.
  • Quote (Maria Aspen, 02:26):
    “Gold and other precious metals are traditionally seen as safe haven investments, meaning investors buy them when they’re anxious about more mainstream assets like stocks and bonds.”
  • The surge is part of the broader “sell America trade” trend, with investors moving away from the US dollar and stock markets in anticipation of a possible government shutdown.

4. Stock Market Update

• US Stock Indexes Tick Higher (03:09):
  Despite gold’s surge, major stock indexes posted slight gains.

5. International Justice: Duterte to Stand Trial

• International Criminal Court (ICC) News:
  ICC judges rule that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fit for trial on crimes against humanity charges related to his controversial anti-drug campaign.

6. 2026 Winter Olympics: US Hockey Makes NHL Comeback

• Team USA Roster Announced:
  US Olympic and Paralympic Committee unveils its full roster, with an emphasis on the return of NHL players to the men's hockey team for the first time in over a decade.
  • Quote (Brady Tkachuk, 04:04):
    “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.”
  • Matthew Tkachuk, Brady’s brother, also featured.
  • Noted: US men's hockey has not claimed Olympic gold since 1980.

7. Breakthrough in Mapping Dark Matter

• High-Resolution Dark Matter Maps:
  Astronomers have charted hundreds of thousands of distant galaxies over 10 billion years to create one of the most detailed maps of dark matter to date. While dark matter itself remains invisible, its gravitational influence is vividly apparent.
  • Insight (Ryland Barton, 04:29):
    "Scientists can't study dark matter directly, but they can observe how it warps the stars around it."

---

Notable Quotes

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

• Chris Mattel (via Tim Walz, 01:46):
  “I cannot support the national Republican stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so.”

• Maria Aspen (02:26):
  “Gold and other precious metals are traditionally seen as safe haven investments, meaning investors buy them when they’re anxious about more mainstream assets like stocks and bonds.”

• Brady Tkachuk (04:04):
  “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.”

---

Important Timestamps

• 00:15 — Ryland Barton: Welcome/Headlines start
• 00:33 — Clay Masters: Governor Walz’s conversation with Trump
• 01:13 — Chris Mattel drops out of Minnesota Governor’s race
• 02:14 — All-time high gold prices analysis
• 03:09 — Stock market and world news briefs (Duterte trial, Olympic roster)
• 04:29 — Breakthrough in mapping dark matter
• 04:55 — Episode wraps content section

---

Tone & Language

• The episode retains NPR’s characteristic clarity and objectivity, providing clear explanations and a balanced presentation of controversies, particularly around Minnesota’s immigration crisis. Speaker quotes are presented respectfully and contextually, underscoring both the human impact and the wider political or economic stakes of each story.

---

This summary encapsulates all major news points and memorable moments from the episode, giving listeners a thorough understanding of the latest developments as presented in NPR’s signature news style.

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

This message comes from Charles Schwab. When it comes to managing your wealth, Schwab gives you more choices like full service, wealth management and advice when you need it. You can also invest on your own and trade on think or swim. Visit schwab.com to learn more.

[Ryland Barton]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Minnesota 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 the phone call between the former Democratic vice presidential candidate and Republican president this morning.

[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.

[Tim Walz]

Good Whether it was morality or bad optics in 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 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.

[Ryland Barton]

Chris Mattel, a Republican candidate for governor of Minnesota and the lawyer who represented the ICE officer who shot and killed US Citizen Renee Macklin Goode, is dropping out of the race. Mattel announced his decision in a video this morning saying he no longer stands for the immigration crackdown happening in Minneapolis. NPR's Elena Moore reports.

[Elena Moore]

Despite initially supporting ICE's effort in Minneapolis, Matl called the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in the city an unmitigated disaster. He shared his decision in a video posted on X. I cannot support the.

[Tim Walz]

National Republican stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so.

[Elena Moore]

His announcement comes just two days after a second US Citizen Alex Preddy, was shot and killed by a federal agent in the city. It sparked escalating calls from national lawmakers and including some Republicans for the administration to cooperate with state and local authorities when investigating the incident. Helena Moore, NPR News, Washington.

[Ryland Barton]

For the first time ever, an ounce of gold costs more than $5,000. As NPR's Maria Aspen reports, the record breaking surge in gold prices comes as investors worry about almost everything else.

[Maria Aspen]

Gold and other precious metals are traditionally seen as safe haven investments, meaning investors buy them when they're anxious about more mainstream assets like stocks and bonds. Gold has smashed several records in the past year as President Trump wages a trade war against United States allies. It crossed the $5,000 mark after a weekend in which Trump threatened new tariffs against Canada and federal officers fatally shot a man in Minneapolis, stoking Wall street fears of a federal government shutdown. Gold prices are rising as investors sell dollars as part of what's become known as the sell America trade. Maria ASPEN, NPR NEWS.

[Ryland Barton]

U.S. stock indexes ticked higher today. This is NPR News. Judges at the International Criminal Court say former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial. Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity for his alleged involvement in killings during his war on drugs. The the U.S. olympic and Paralympic Committee today unveiled its roster of athletes for the Milan Cortina 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 America. And 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.

[Ryland Barton]

A new high resolution map of distant galaxies may help scient understand the mysterious dark matter holding the universe together. In the latest study, they charted hundreds of thousands of galaxies over 10 billion years, creating one of the most detailed maps to date. Scientists can't study dark matter directly, but they can observe how it warps the stars around it. I'm Ryland Barton. You're listening to NPR News.

[Commercial Announcer]

This message comes from Mint mobile. Starting at $15 a month, make the [e-mail] Switch $45 upfront payment for 3 months 5 gigabyte plan equivalent to $15 a month Taxes and fees Extra first 3 months only. See terms.