NPR News: 01-27-2026 5PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: 01-27-2026 5PM EST

Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Ryland Barton (with reporting by Jimena Bustillo, Steve Kastenbaum, Scott Horsley, and Rebecca Hersher)
Duration: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers timely coverage of major U.S. news stories from politics and immigration to weather and the environment, as well as notable developments in arts, business, and wildlife. Key discussions include the implications of a recent deadly shooting by federal agents, the impact of severe winter weather in New York City, changes in U.S. population growth, significant corporate decisions by UPS, the U.S. exit from the Paris Climate Agreement, and an unusual mountain lion sighting in San Francisco.

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News Highlights and Key Points

1. Federal Shooting and Body Camera Policies in Minnesota

[00:16–01:19]

• Incident: DHS will review body camera footage after Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Preddy in Minneapolis—the second such fatal incident in Minnesota recently.
• Body Camera Policy:
  • No Federal Mandate: "There is no law mandating the use of body cameras by federal immigration agents. Any such mandate would need to come from Congress." (Jimena Bustillo, [00:36])
  • Funding Tied Up: A House bill would provide $20M for body cameras at DHS, but does not require their use; the broader funding is stalled in the Senate.
• Investigations: Led by Homeland Security Investigations (ICE division), supported by the FBI, with CBP conducting an internal review.

2. Deadly Cold Snap and Homelessness in New York City

[01:19–02:06]

• Winter Storm Aftermath: NYC has cleared nearly a foot of snow, but extreme cold continues.
• Impact:
  • At least 10 deaths reported on city streets over recent days due to the severe conditions. (Steve Kastenbaum, [01:29])
• City Response:
  • "We are conducting round the clock checks and have loosened traditional shelter intake procedures to accommodate as many New Yorkers as possible." (Mirza Ran Mamdani, [01:38])
  • Increased outreach and subway train checks to assist the homeless.
  • "We are sending out requests to send staff out every few hours to canvass nearby blocks and engage anyone who needs assistance." (Mirza Ran Mamdani, [01:50])
• Context: Coldest weather in NYC in eight years.

3. Population Growth Slowdown Driven by Drop in Immigration

[02:06–02:53]

• Census Data:
  • U.S. population grew by 1.8 million in the year ending last June—half the previous year’s rate.
  • Caused by a "historic drop in net migration as fewer people enter the country through legal channels and others are forcibly removed." (Scott Horsley, [02:15])
  • Further decreases predicted if current trends continue.
• Natural Increase: Births outnumbered deaths by just half a million—less than half the pre-pandemic rate.

4. UPS Cuts and Fleet Overhaul

[02:53–03:44]

• Job Cuts: UPS to cut up to 30,000 jobs, citing reduced shipments for Amazon.
• Fleet Changes:
  • Retiring all McDonnell Douglas MD11 cargo planes after a deadly crash in Louisville.
  • Will replace with 18 new Boeing 767s over 15 months.

5. Philip Glass Cancels Kennedy Center Symphony Premiere

[03:44]

• Reason for Cancellation:
  • "Glass says the Kennedy Center's current values conflict with the symphony's message."
  • Several artists have also withdrawn after President Trump increased his influence over the center and had his name added to the building.

6. U.S. Leaves Paris Climate Agreement—Again

[03:44–04:24]

• Official Withdrawal:
  • U.S. has formally left the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time.
  • "More than 200 countries signed onto the deal, which requires each country to explore ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions..." (Rebecca Hersher, [03:44])
• Background:
  • President Trump announced the exit on his first day in office last year.
  • Previous withdrawal during Trump’s first term; rejoined under President Biden; now out again.
  • Noted: "Global temperatures continue to rise. The past 11 years have been the 11 warmest ever recorded." (Rebecca Hersher, [04:16])

7. Mountain Lion Spotted in San Francisco

[04:24–04:55]

• Incident:
  • Young mountain lion located near Lafayette Park, Pacific Heights.
  • Wildlife officials are working to capture it safely.
  • Public advice: Back away if seen; such sightings are rare but not unprecedented.

8. Financial Markets Update

[04:55]

• S&P 500 rose 0.4% to a new all-time high, "though more stocks fell within the index than rose."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "[There is] no law mandating the use of body cameras by federal immigration agents. Any such mandate would need to come from Congress."
  – Jimena Bustillo ([00:36])

• "We are conducting round the clock checks and have loosened traditional shelter intake procedures to accommodate as many New Yorkers as possible."
  – Mirza Ran Mamdani ([01:38])

• "The U.S. population grew by 1.8 million people during the 12 months ending last June. That's about half the growth rate of the previous year."
  – Scott Horsley ([02:15])

• "Glass says the Kennedy Center's current values conflict with the symphony's message."
  – Ryland Barton ([03:44])

• "Global temperatures continue to rise. The past 11 years have been the 11 warmest ever recorded."
  – Rebecca Hersher ([04:16])

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Timestamps for Principal Segments

• Federal shooting and body cam policy: [00:16–01:19]
• NYC cold snap and homelessness: [01:19–02:06]
• Population and immigration: [02:06–02:53]
• UPS cuts, plane retirements: [02:53–03:44]
• Philip Glass/Kennedy Center: [03:44]
• U.S. leaves Paris Agreement: [03:44–04:24]
• Mountain lion in San Francisco: [04:24–04:55]
• Markets: [04:55]

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Summary

This edition of NPR News Now offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of the day's top stories, highlighting policy debates (body cameras, climate), social issues (homelessness in harsh weather), significant business developments (UPS layoffs), changes in the arts world, and environmental news. With direct quotes and essential context, it serves as a valuable briefing on current U.S. affairs.

Transcript

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[Ryland Barton]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The Department of Homeland Security says it will review the body camera footage of Border Patrol agents at the scene of the shooting of 37 year old Alex Preddy in Minneapolis. As NPR's Jimena Bustill reports, the second FATA shooting by federal agents in Minnesota has raised questions about training and body camera use.

[Jimena Bustillo]

There is no law mandating the use of body cameras by federal immigration agents. Any such mandate would need to come from Congress. The House recently passed a spending bill that would provide DHS with $20 million for these cameras, but the bill only mandates that the money be spent. It does not mandate the use of the cameras. And now the broader package is in limbo. Senate Democrats are seemingly more resistant to pass the package, which would fund the entire federal government as well. After latest shooting, the investigation into Preddy's death is being led by Homeland Security Investigations, a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and supported by the FBI. Customs and Border Protection will also do an internal investigation. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

While New York City has dug out from nearly a foot of snow, potentially lethal conditions persist. Reporter Steve Kastenbaum says at least 10 people were found dead on the streets of the city over the last few.

[Steve Kastenbaum]

Days, with temperatures forecasted to dip into the single digits several nights this week, Mirza Ran Mamdani prior prioritized getting the homeless to shelter from the cold.

[Mirza Ran Mamdani]

We are conducting round the clock checks and have loosened traditional shelter intake procedures to accommodate as many New Yorkers as possible.

[Steve Kastenbaum]

This is the coldest weather the city has experienced in eight years.

[Mirza Ran Mamdani]

We are sending out requests to send staff out every few hours to canvass nearby blocks and engage anyone who needs assistance.

[Steve Kastenbaum]

And they've increased checks of subway trains at the end of their runs for people in need of help. For NPR News, I'm Steve Kastenbaum in New York.

[Ryland Barton]

US Population growth slowed sharply last year thanks to a steep drop in immigration. NPR's Scott Horsley reports on the latest figure from the Census Bureau.

[Scott Horsley]

The US population grew by 1.8 million people during the 12 months ending last June. That's about half the growth rate of the previous year. The downshift reflects a historic drop in net migration as fewer people enter the country through legal channels and others are forcibly removed. Census forecasters say if current. As current trends continue, immigration could fall by another million people in the current year. Meanwhile, the native born population is growing slowly with 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, NPR News, Washington.

[Ryland Barton]

UPS is cutting up to 30,000 jobs this year as it reduces its shipments for Amazon. The company also says it's retiring all of its McDonnell Douglas MD11 cargo planes after one crashed in Louisville kill 15 people. UPS is rebuilding its fleet with 18 new Boeing 767s in the next 15 months. This is NPR Prize winning composer Philip Glass has canceled the world premiere of his symphony about Abraham Lincoln at the Kennedy center in Washington, D.C. the piece was set to be performed in June. Glass says the Kennedy Center's current values conflict with the symphony's message. Several artists have withdrawn from the venue as President Trump has increased his influence over the center and added his name to the building. The United States has officially, officially left the Paris Climate Agreement. NPR's Rebecca Hersher reports. It's the second time the U.S. has pulled out of the deal.

[Rebecca Hersher]

On his first day in office last year, President Trump announced that the US Would leave the landmark climate agreement. It took a little over a year to officially take effect because of a mandatory waiting period. More than 200 countries signed onto the deal, which requires each country to explore ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions and address the impacts of a hotter planet. This is the second time the US has pulled out. President Trump did the same thing during his first term. President Biden brought the US Back into the agreement. Now the US Is out again. Global temperatures continue to rise. The past 11 years have been the 11 warmest ever recorded. Rebecca Hersher, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

A young mountain lion has been spotted roaming the streets of San Francisco. Authorities say the animal was located in Pacific Heights near Lafayette park, where wildlife officials are trying to capture it safely. People are advised to back away if they encounter it. Mountain lion sightings are rare in San Francisco, but similar incidents have occurred before. Wall street closed mix today, but it also set new records. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% to a new all time high, though more stocks fell within the index than rose. It's npr.

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