NPR News Now: 6PM EST – January 27, 2026

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Ryland Barton
Date: January 27, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This edition of NPR News Now provides concise updates on major national news from politics and policy to technology, literature, and notable obituaries. Coverage includes Minnesota’s pushback against federal agents, Texas's freeze on new skilled worker visas, the latest on lawsuits targeting social media companies, a dangerous Arctic cold snap, new winners of prestigious children’s book awards, and the passing of an iconic Maine lobster fisher.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota’s Governor Meets with Federal Border Official

• [00:19–01:13]
  • Governor Tim Walz (D-Minnesota) met with Tom Homan, President Trump's border czar, following Trump’s removal of Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino from Minnesota.
  • The meeting centered around:
    • Walz’s demand for “impartial investigations” into the fatal shootings of Alex Preddy and Renee Macklin Goode by federal agents.
    • Requests for a “swift and significant reduction in the number of federal forces” in the state.
    • Commitment to ongoing dialogue to work toward goals previously agreed with President Trump.
  • Quote: “The governor’s office says the two agreed on the need for an ongoing dialogue and they'll continue working toward the goals that President Trump agreed to.” — Clay Masters, [00:52]

2. Texas Freezes New Skilled Worker Visas

• [01:13–02:11]
  • Governor Greg Abbott (R-Texas) wants all state agencies and universities to halt new visa applications for skilled foreign workers (H-1B visas).
    • Move comes after concerns that U.S. workers are being replaced by cheaper foreign labor.
    • Abbott is calling for all new and renewal H1B visa applications in 2025 to be reviewed.
    • The freeze will last through the next legislative session in 2027.
    • Employers will need to furnish documentation showing efforts made to recruit Texas workers.
  • Quote: “The belief is that US Workers are being overlooked in the hiring process and even fired at a large rate so employers can hire foreign workers who are often paid less.” — Blaze Gainey, [01:45]

3. TikTok Settles Lawsuit Over Harm to Children; Meta & Google Face Jury Trial

• [02:11–02:57]
  • TikTok agreed to settle a lawsuit claiming the app is harmful to children.
    • Terms of the settlement are confidential.
    • Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and YouTube now face a jury trial in Los Angeles.
    • Snapchat settled a related suit last week.
    • The outcomes may influence a wave of ongoing lawsuits involving more than a thousand plaintiffs (individuals, school districts, state attorneys general).
  • Quote: “The case is among a wave of lawsuits accusing social media companies of deliberately hooking kids on, leading to mental health problems.” — Shannon Bond, [02:24]

4. Arctic Cold Wave Strikes Southern U.S.; Ongoing Power Outages & Fatalities

• [02:57–03:27]
  • New Arctic air is bringing dangerously low temperatures to the South, already affected by earlier snow and ice storms.
  • People are being evacuated to warming shelters; repair crews are working to restore power.
  • At least 42 deaths reported.
  • Extreme cold warnings in effect from Texas through Western Pennsylvania.

5. Federal Reserve Set to Hold Rates; DOJ Investigation of Fed Chair Overshadows Meeting

• [03:27–03:54]
  • Federal Reserve expected to keep its key short-term interest rate unchanged, despite President Trump urging further cuts.
  • The meeting is notable for the subpoena of the Fed chair in a criminal DOJ investigation—the first such situation involving a sitting Fed chair.

6. 2026 Caldecott & Newbery Awards for Children's Literature Announced

• [03:54–04:35]
  • John Newbery Medal: “All the Blues in the Sky” by Renée Watson (middle-grade, written in verse, about grieving a friend).
  • Randolph Caldecott Medal: “Fireworks” (Illustrated by Katya Chen, written by Matthew Burgess).
  • Coretta Scott King Author Book Winner: “Will’s Race for Home” by Jewell Parker Rhodes.
  • King Illustrator Award: “The Library in the Woods” (Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey).
  • Announced at the American Library Association’s annual Youth Media Awards.
  • Quote: “All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson has won the John Newbery Med. Watson’s middle grade novel, written in verse, tells the story of a 13 year old girl who is grieving the sudden death of her best friend.” — Elizabeth Blair, [03:54]

7. Obituary: Virginia Oliver, Legendary Lobster Fisher, Dies at 105

• [04:35–04:58]
  • Virginia Oliver, known as the “Lobster Lady,” passes away at 105.
  • Began lobstering at age 8 in Rockland, Maine.
  • One of the industry’s oldest and most respected figures, working nearly a century in a male-dominated field.

8. Stock Market Update

• [04:58]
  • Wall Street closed mixed but hit new records; Dow Jones fell 0.8%.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Clay Masters [00:52]:
  “The governor’s office says the two agreed on the need for an ongoing dialogue and they'll continue working toward the goals that President Trump agreed to.”

• Blaze Gainey [01:45]:
  “The belief is that US Workers are being overlooked in the hiring process and even fired at a large rate so employers can hire foreign workers who are often paid less.”

• Shannon Bond [02:24]:
  “The case is among a wave of lawsuits accusing social media companies of deliberately hooking kids on, leading to mental health problems.”

• Elizabeth Blair [03:54]:
  “All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson has won the John Newbery Med. Watson’s middle grade novel, written in verse, tells the story of a 13 year old girl who is grieving the sudden death of her best friend.”

Additional Memorable Moments

• The mixed market close despite new all-time highs signals ongoing financial uncertainty.
• The passing of Virginia Oliver marks the end of an era for Maine lobster fishing.

By distilling the day’s key developments with crucial attribution and context, this NPR News Now episode offers a quick but thorough sweep of the major events shaping the nation at day’s end.