NPR News Now – 01-27-2026 1PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: January 27, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode presents concise updates on key national and international stories, focusing on developments in U.S. immigration policy, population data, the ongoing situation in Gaza, the impact of severe winter weather, changes at the CDC, and major business news from Amazon. The reporting is brisk and factual, keeping listeners informed on current headlines.

Key News Highlights

1. Minnesota Governor and Federal Immigration Oversight

[00:15–01:41]

• Governor Tim Walz Meets with Federal Border Officials:

  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz requested a reduced federal presence and impartial probes into immigration-related shootings in Minneapolis.
  • Walz and President Trump's newly appointed border czar, Tom Homan, agreed to ongoing discussions.
  • This follows two recent deadly shootings of U.S. citizens in Minnesota.

• Federal Judge Orders ICE Director to Appear:

  • Judge Patrick Schiltz ordered acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to personally appear in court for failing to comply with several court orders regarding detainee bond hearings or releases.
  • Schiltz wrote, “the court’s patience is at an end,” highlighting frustration over unheeded judicial orders.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Judge Patrick Schiltz ruled that Juan Hugo Tobe Robles... is not subject to mandatory, prolonged detention. But Schiltz says ICE is not complying with his order..."
    — Matt Sepik, [01:03]

2. U.S. Population Growth Slows Sharply

[01:41–02:28]

• Census Data Reports Decline in Growth:
  • U.S. population increased by 1.8 million between mid-2025 and mid-2026 — half the previous year’s rate.
  • Main causes: low net migration and slow natural increase (births minus deaths).
  • Census projections anticipate a further decline in immigration, possibly dropping by another million if current trends persist.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Births outnumbering deaths by only about half a million during the year ending last June. That's less than half the natural increase in years before the pandemic."
    — Scott Horsley, [01:49]

3. Gaza Hostage Recovery

[02:28–03:11]

• Discovery of Last Israeli Hostage:
  • Israeli officials located a hostage’s body in Gaza after interrogating a militant operative.
  • A large search team exhumed hundreds of bodies, with identification made via dental records.
  • In keeping with a ceasefire deal, Israel will return 15 Palestinian bodies.
  • Notable Quote:

    "An Israeli search team of more than 100 people went there Sunday and exhumed hundreds of Palestinian bodies until a dentist identified the hostage’s body Monday through his dental records, a military official told Israeli radio."
    — Daniel Estrin, [02:34]

4. Nationwide Arctic Blast & CDC Database Delays

[03:11–04:24]

• Extreme Winter Weather:

  • Severe snow, ice, and cold have affected more than half the U.S., causing at least 35 deaths.
  • Over 500,000 customers in the South are without power.

• CDC Stops Updating Key Health Databases:

  • Researchers found that 46% of CDC’s regularly updated health databases are no longer current.
  • The paused data mostly cover vaccinations, respiratory illnesses, and drug overdoses.
  • Possible reasons include internal consolidation efforts.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Researchers examined more than 82 CDC databases... and found that at least half, 46%, had stopped updating."
    — Rob Stein, [03:46]

5. Amazon Exits Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh

[04:24–04:53]

• Amazon Refocusing Grocery Operations:

  • The company is closing all Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh brick-and-mortar locations.
  • Some properties will convert into Whole Foods stores.
  • Company shifting focus to grocery delivery services.

• Market Update:

  • Dow Jones down 525 points (over 1%), sitting at 48,884.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Minnesota Immigration Court Order:
  “Schiltz writes the court's patience is at an end.” — Matt Sepik, [01:03]

• Census Data Perspective:
  "That's less than half the natural increase in years before the pandemic." — Scott Horsley, [01:49]

• Hostage Recovery Details:
  "A dentist identified the hostage's body Monday through his dental records, a military official told Israeli radio." — Daniel Estrin, [02:34]

• CDC Data Gap:
  "At least half, 46%, had stopped updating." — Rob Stein, [03:46]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:15] - National Immigration Policy & Federal/State Tensions
• [01:41] - Census Bureau Population Update
• [02:28] - Israeli Hostage Search in Gaza
• [03:11] - Winter Weather Update & CDC Database Issues
• [04:24] - Amazon Grocery Business Shift, Market Numbers

Summary

This rapid-fire NPR News Now episode delivers the latest on immigration controversies and legal action in Minnesota, the country’s slumping population growth, a dramatic update from Gaza, weather-related emergencies, concerns about CDC data transparency, and a major shift by Amazon in the grocery sector. The reporting maintains NPR’s even-handed, fact-driven style and provides the essential facts for listeners on the go.