NPR News Now: January 27, 2026, 9PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: January 27, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers concise, up-to-date coverage of the most pressing national and international headlines from January 27, 2026. Key topics include a security incident involving Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, escalating debate over Department of Homeland Security funding amid concerns over ICE abuses, mass layoffs at UPS, Philip Glass canceling a major symphonic premiere, unrest and crackdown in Iran, controversy over ICE’s role at the upcoming Italian Winter Olympics, and a rare mountain lion spotting in San Francisco.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Attack at Ilhan Omar Town Hall ([00:14]–[00:39])

• Incident:

  • "A man was tackled to the ground after video appears to show him spraying an unknown substance on Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar at a town hall in Minneapolis this evening." – Ryland Barton ([00:14])
  • Omar continued to speak after the attacker was subdued and his arms were tied.

• Context:

  • Omar has long been targeted by President Trump; Trump recently commented that both the Justice Department and Congress are "looking at Omar."

• Protester Quote:

  • “Secretary Christi Noem must resign or face impeachment.” – Unnamed protester ([00:28])

2. Homeland Security Funding Showdown and ICE Controversy ([00:39]–[01:50])

• Issue:

  • Senate Democrats are refusing to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, largely due to outrage over killings by Border Patrol and ICE abuses.
  • Outrage surged over the killing of another protester in Minneapolis by Border Patrol.

• Key Voices:

  • "Current funding for many federal agencies runs out after Friday. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says five of the six funding bills are ready to go and should quickly pass. But he and Senate Democrats say they will not vote for the bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security as is." – Ryland Barton ([01:07])
  • "But in the wake of ICE's abuses and the administration's recklessness, the Senate must not pass the DHS budget as currently written and must be reworked to rein in and overhaul ICE." – Unnamed Senate Democrat ([01:26])
  • Schumer highlights logistical challenges: “Even if GOP leadership agreed to split up the bills, changes to the package would mean another vote in the House, which is in recess.” – Chuck Schumer ([01:39])

• Reporter: Barbara Sprunt

3. UPS Cuts & Amazon Partnership Wind-down ([01:50]–[02:45])

• Layoffs:

  • UPS announces plans to cut 30,000 additional operational positions and close two dozen facilities, following nearly 50,000 positions cut last year.

• Amazon Partnership:

  • UPS is in the "final six months" of a plan to reduce Amazon-related shipping volume, seeking $3 billion in cost savings.

• Notable Quote:

  • "For the full year 2026, we intend to glide down another million pieces per day while continuing to reconfigure our network." – Carol Tome, UPS CEO ([02:25])

• Financials:

  • UPS reported $88.7 billion in revenue for 2025.

• Reporter: Marlon Hyde

4. Philip Glass Cancels Abraham Lincoln Symphony Premiere ([02:45]–[03:16])

• Event:

  • Philip Glass cancels the world premiere of his Abraham Lincoln symphony at the Kennedy Center.

• Reason:

  • Glass cites conflict between the Kennedy Center's current values and the symphony's message.
  • The venue has seen increased influence from President Trump, who has added his name to the building.

• Broader Context:

  • Several other artists have recently withdrawn from the Kennedy Center.

5. Iran: Deadly Crackdown & Currency Crisis ([03:16]–[03:46])

• Protest Death Toll:
  • Human rights observers: at least 6,200 deaths; Iranian government claims the toll is “more than 33,000 lower.”
• Currency:
  • Iran's currency falls to a record low against the dollar.

6. ICE Agents at Milan Cortina Olympics: Italian Backlash ([03:16]–[04:29])

• Issue:
  • Controversy erupts in Italy over a US plan to involve ICE agents in security for Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, following recent ICE-linked violence in Minneapolis.
• US Statement:
  • ICE's Homeland Security Investigations team will “mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations,” but no immigration operations in Italy. – Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security ([03:46])
• Italian Political Response:
  • Milan Mayor: ICE “is a militia that kills on social media.” – Mayor Giuseppe Sala ([04:13])
  • Ex-Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte: “We cannot allow this.”
• Reporter: Brian Mann

7. Mountain Lion Roams San Francisco ([04:29]–[04:54])

• Event:
  • Young mountain lion found in Pacific Heights near Lafayette Park; wildlife officials are attempting a safe capture.
• Public Advisory:
  • Residents urged to back away if they see the animal. Sightings are rare but “similar incidents have occurred before.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Ilhan Omar incident:
  "A man was tackled to the ground after video appears to show him spraying an unknown substance on Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar at a town hall in Minneapolis this evening." – Ryland Barton ([00:14])

• Senate pushback on DHS budget:
  "But in the wake of ICE's abuses and the administration's recklessness, the Senate must not pass the DHS budget as currently written and must be reworked to rein in and overhaul ICE." – Senate Democrat ([01:26])

• UPS CEO on Amazon wind-down:
  "For the full year 2026, we intend to glide down another million pieces per day while continuing to reconfigure our network." – Carol Tome ([02:25])

• Milan Mayor on ICE:
  "ICE, quote, is a militia that kills on social media." – Mayor Giuseppe Sala ([04:13])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:14] – Ilhan Omar attacked at Minneapolis town hall
• [01:07] – Senate funding standoff on Homeland Security; ICE abuses highlighted
• [01:50] – UPS layoffs and ends Amazon partnership; CEO's remarks
• [02:45] – Philip Glass withdraws Lincoln symphony from Kennedy Center
• [03:16] – 6,200 reported killed in Iran protests; currency crash
• [03:46] – ICE's planned involvement at Milan Olympics sparks Italian outrage
• [04:29] – Mountain lion spotted in San Francisco

Summary

This NPR News Now episode provides a rapid-fire yet rich survey of breaking political, economic, and international stories, including physical attacks on a sitting U.S. Congresswoman, legislative gridlock in response to ICE's alleged abuses, significant corporate restructuring at UPS, cultural protest by a leading composer, grave human rights concerns abroad, diplomatic tensions surrounding Olympic security, and a rare urban wildlife encounter. The tone is brisk and urgent, reflecting both the seriousness and breadth of contemporary news.