NPR News Now: January 27, 2026, 7AM EST

Episode Overview

In this five-minute news roundup, NPR’s Korva Coleman delivers succinct updates on significant U.S. political developments, the aftermath of a major winter storm, economic and Federal Reserve news, and the growing scrutiny of social media’s impact on children’s health—both in U.S. courts and abroad. The episode's focus is on the Trump administration's shifting immigration strategy amid controversy, the toll of winter weather, and new legal and legislative action targeting social media platforms.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Changes in Federal Immigration Leadership ([00:15–01:27])

• Trump Administration Shuffles Border Patrol Leadership
  • Greg Bovino, a visible leader in Trump’s immigration efforts, is removed from his Minneapolis post.
  • President Trump reportedly tells Minnesota Governor Tim Walz he will send Tom Holman to Minneapolis to "do things differently."
• Minnesota Governor's Response
  • Gov. Walz recounts his conversation with the president, contrasting law enforcement presence and outcomes in other cities.
  • Quote (Walz, 00:36):

    “He explained to me how he thought it was very successful in Louisiana, very successful in Louisville... But ICE did not shoot anybody there and the presence was much smaller and much more targeted.”

• Legal Oversight of ICE
  • A federal judge orders acting ICE head Todd Lyons to appear in court, considering contempt charges for allegedly ignoring orders to release or offer a bond hearing to a detained man.
• Political Context
  • President Trump is heading to Iowa to regain control of public discourse, especially after multiple controversial federal agent-involved deaths.
  • NPR’s Franco Ordonez emphasizes the trip’s intent to refocus on Trump's economic agenda ahead of midterm elections.
  • Quote (Ryan Williams, strategist, 01:42):

    “The primary news story... isn't just the ICE related shooting. It's the response to the ICE related shooting. That's what's going to be the focus...”
    Further, Williams notes Trump’s efforts to shift the focus to the economy will be hampered by ongoing immigration controversy.

2. Deadly Winter Storm and Its Fallout ([02:12–03:08])

• Power Outages and Life-Threatening Conditions
  • Over half a million power customers remain without electricity, most severely in Tennessee.
  • In Nashville, residents scramble for shelter and warmth amidst dangerously low temperatures.
  • Quote (Breland Burum, local resident, 02:53):

    “And I'm keeping food cold trying to find him something to eat, unless he wanted to eat gazpacho.”

  • Four deaths are attributed to the storm; over 100 warming stations have opened.
• Anecdotal Reporting
  • Personal accounts, such as Burum’s struggle to keep his child fed and warm, underscore the crisis for listeners.

3. Economic News & Fed Policy ([03:08–03:55])

• Market Uncertainty
  • Dow futures are down in premarket trading.
• Federal Reserve Under Pressure
  • Policymakers convene in Washington for a two-day meeting, focusing on short-term interest rates.
  • President Trump publicly pressures the Fed for rate cuts and launches an investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s congressional testimony.
  • Powell reiterates his commitment to act in the public interest, resisting political pressure.

4. Social Media on Trial ([03:55–04:33])

• Landmark California Trial
  • A case brought by over 1,000 individuals, school districts, and state attorneys general opens in LA, the first of a wave of lawsuits against Meta, YouTube, and TikTok.
  • Plaintiffs accuse tech companies of purposefully designing addictive platforms for children, leading to mental health issues.
  • Evidence shared in court includes thousands of internal documents and testimonies from executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
  • Companies maintain that no direct link has been proven.
• Reporter Summary (Shannon Bond, 03:55):

  “Jurors in the Los Angeles trial will be presented with thousands of pages of internal documents... They'll also hear from the teenage plaintiff and executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.”

5. International Response to Social Media Concerns ([04:33–04:54])

• French Lawmakers Ban Social Media for Young Teens
  • France’s lower house passes a bill banning social media use for children under 15; the measure heads to the Senate.
  • The vote follows similar steps in Australia, reflecting mounting international concern about youth mental health and technology.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Minnesota Governor Tim Walz ([00:36]):

  "But ICE did not shoot anybody there and the presence was much smaller and much more targeted."

• Strategist Ryan Williams ([01:42]):

  “The primary news story at the moment isn't just the ICE related shooting. It's the response to the ICE related shooting... the president can attempt to focus on the economy... but he's going to be stuck talking about this issue for significant period of time.”

• Breland Burum, Tennessee resident ([02:53]):

  “And I'm keeping food cold trying to find him something to eat, unless he wanted to eat gazpacho.”

• Shannon Bond, NPR Reporter ([03:55]):

  “Jurors in the Los Angeles trial will be presented with thousands of pages of internal documents from Meta, YouTube and TikTok.”

Segment Timestamps

• [00:15–01:27] – Immigration controversy and leadership shuffle
• [02:12–03:08] – Winter storm aftermath in Tennessee
• [03:08–03:55] – Federal Reserve meeting and political pressure
• [03:55–04:33] – Social media lawsuits begin in California
• [04:33–04:54] – France moves to ban social media for those under 15

Tone and Delivery

NPR’s hallmark clear, concise, and impartial delivery prevails throughout, with direct reporting, attributed expert perspective, and human-focused local anecdotes for context. The tone remains factual, occasionally punctuated by subtle emotional moments, especially when highlighting affected individuals in Nashville or the gravity of legal action against major tech firms.

This episode offers a brisk but comprehensive cross-section of urgent national and international issues, highlighting the intersection of political maneuvering, public safety crises, economic anxiety, and digital-age parental concern.