NPR News: 01-27-2026 8AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Date: January 27, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise roundup of major news stories for the morning of January 27, 2026. The bulletin covers significant legal actions regarding ICE compliance, a high-profile contract cancellation linked to a data leak scandal, severe winter weather and its aftermath, a ban on certain Chinese tech in Texas, the announcement of the US Olympic team for the Winter Games, and the latest awards in children’s literature.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Judge Orders ICE Director to Appear in Court

• [00:16 - 01:12]

  • Judge Patrick Schultz in Minnesota orders the acting ICE Director, Todd Lyons, to personally appear in court this Friday.
  • ICE is alleged to have ignored dozens of court orders, specifically failing to release detainees or provide them with bond hearings, including the case of Juan Hugo Tobe Robles.
  • Schultz warns, “the court’s patience is at an end” as ICE has repeatedly not complied.
  • Background:
    • Judge Schultz was appointed by President George W. Bush and previously clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia.

  Quote [00:48]:
  "Schiltz writes the court's patience is at an end."
  – Matt Sepik, NPR Minneapolis

2. Border Patrol Leadership Change in Minneapolis

• [01:12 - 01:46]
  • Greg Bovino, a key figure in the Trump administration's immigration policies in Minneapolis, is leaving; Trump appoints border czar Tom Homan as his replacement.
  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz reports discussing the situation with President Trump.

3. Treasury Cancels Booz Allen Contracts After Tax Data Leak

• [01:46 - 02:28]

  • The Treasury Department canceled 31 contracts (worth $21 million) with Booz Allen due to the company’s failure to protect sensitive taxpayer information.
  • A Booz Allen contractor, Charles Edward Littlejohn, leaked confidential data leading to major news reports on billionaire tax avoidance (Trump, Musk).
  • Littlejohn pleaded guilty and is sentenced to five years in prison.
  • Booz Allen claims surprise at the contract cancellations, asserts it condemned and helped investigate the breach.

  Quote [01:57]:
  "Those records were the basis of explosive stories in the New York Times and ProPublica showing how wealthy Americans like Donald Trump and Elon Musk managed to pay little or no income taxes."
  – Scott Horsley, NPR

4. Aftermath of the Mammoth Winter Storm in the South

• [02:28 - 03:41]

  • A major winter storm departs the East Coast; frigid air from Canada prevents melting of widespread ice, especially in southern states.

  • David Lumpkin, landscaper in Little Rock, Arkansas, describes the challenging ice conditions:

    Quote [02:51]:
    "I've spent two hours just clearing two parking spots with a piece of heavy equipment ... there's no traction because it's so slippery."
    – David Lumpkin, Little Rock, AR

  • Power outages affect about half a million, especially in Mississippi and Tennessee.

5. Texas Bans State Use of Certain Chinese Tech Firms

• [03:00 - 03:41]
  • Governor Greg Abbott is barring state employees from using products from firms like Alibaba, Shein, and a Chinese drone maker, citing privacy concerns.

6. U.S. Olympic Team Announced for Winter Games

• [03:41 - 04:25]

  • Over 230 American athletes will participate in the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, February 6–22.

  • Notable athletes:

    • Abby Winterberger, 15, (freestyle skiing) – youngest athlete
    • Rich Rouenen, 54, (curling) – oldest athlete
    • Mikaela Shiffrin returns for alpine skiing (fourth Olympics).

    Quote [04:01]:
    "Generally, it's just a really cool time for alpine ski racing and our team is bringing big energy into Milan Cortina."
    – Mikaela Shiffrin

  • New Olympic sport: Ski mountaineering to debut.

7. Top Children’s Literature Awards Announced

• [04:25 - 04:55]
  • The Newbery Award goes to Renée Watson for “All the Blues in the Sky,” a novel about grief.
  • The Caldecott Medal is awarded to Katia Chien for illustrating “Fireworks,” a story about children and a summer day’s fireworks show.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “The court’s patience is at an end.”
  – Judge Schultz (reported by Matt Sepik) [00:48]
• “I've spent two hours just clearing two parking spots with a piece of heavy equipment ... there's no traction because it's so slippery.”
  – David Lumpkin, Little Rock, AR [02:51]
• “Generally, it's just a really cool time for alpine ski racing and our team is bringing big energy into Milan Cortina.”
  – Mikaela Shiffrin, Olympic skier [04:01]

Notable Timestamps

• 00:16 – Judge orders ICE director to court
• 01:12 – Border Patrol leadership change in Minneapolis
• 01:46 – Treasury cancels Booz Allen contracts over tax leak
• 02:28 – Winter storm aftermath in the South; ice and power outages
• 03:00 – Texas bans Chinese tech firms for state use
• 03:41 – U.S. Olympic team named; athlete profiles
• 04:25 – Top children’s books honored (Newbery, Caldecott)

This episode succinctly covers pressing developments in law, government policy, weather impacts, tech regulation, international sports, and literature, providing listeners with a comprehensive morning briefing.