NPR News: 01-28-2026 10PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: January 28, 2026, 10PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: January 29, 2026
Length: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This tightly packed five-minute news update highlights major stories from across the U.S. and abroad: national reactions to a deadly ICE enforcement event in Minneapolis, Nashville’s response to a devastating winter storm, an update on Federal Reserve interest rates, a developing FBI action at Fulton County’s election offices, ongoing delays in a U.S. Supreme Court tariffs case, pop music ticket pricing controversies, and the surprising popularity of an LGBTQ-themed TV drama in Russia.

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Key Stories & Insights

1. National Outrage Over Minneapolis ICE Shooting

• [00:15] Ryland Barton opens with the news that the killing of Alex Preddy by federal agents in Minneapolis has sparked widespread outrage.
• [00:31] NPR’s Frank Lankvitt reports that while many are upset, some Trump supporters strongly approve of the administration’s immigration enforcement.
  • Todd Ma (Trump supporter):

    "It's unfortunate and it's sad because if they would let the ICE officers just go do their job and not stop them or impede them from doing their job, it's creating this hostile environment." (00:39)

• [00:51] A recent CNN/SSRS poll reflects deep partisan divides:
  • 80% of Democrats/leaners believe ICE makes cities less safe
  • Two-thirds of Republicans/leaners believe ICE makes cities safer

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2. Nashville Reels from Deadly Winter Storm

• [01:10] Nashville is still struggling after a massive winter storm.
• [01:23] Cynthia Abrams (WPLN) reports that over 100,000 are without power, three have died, and the National Guard has been deployed to help.
  • Chief William Swan (Nashville Fire Department):

    "Their job will be to remove trees, and that's their only objective, is to assist us into helping to restore power." (01:31)

• [01:39] News of possible carbon monoxide-related fatalities underscores the danger for residents enduring power outages.

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3. Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Steady

• [02:01] Despite recent economic uncertainty, the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged, as reported by Scott Horsley.
  • Vote: 10-2 in favor of holding rates (after three prior cuts)
• [02:27] Fed Chairman Jerome Powell:

  "We see the current stance of monetary policy as appropriate to promote progress toward both our maximum employment and 2% inflation goals." (02:27)

• [02:36] Powell is expected to preside over two more meetings before his term ends in May. President Trump likely to announce a new Fed nominee soon.

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4. FBI Action at Fulton County Election Office

• [02:48] The FBI is executing a "court-authorized law enforcement act" at the Fulton County election office in Georgia, a location central to ongoing 2020 election controversies.
  • Fulton County is under scrutiny due to President Trump’s continued baseless claims of election fraud (and DOJ lawsuits for records).

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5. Delayed Supreme Court Ruling on Trump Tariffs

• [03:20] An anticipated quick Supreme Court decision regarding Trump’s tariff powers has been delayed; it’s now following standard court timelines.

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6. Ticketmaster and Harry Styles Ticket Pricing Backlash

• [03:52] Fans are upset over high Ticketmaster prices for Harry Styles' tour.
  • Ayanna Archie explains:
    • Artists set revenue targets considering production and payment obligations.
    • Promoters manage sales to meet targets via merchandise and premium ticket/parking bundles.
    • Ticketmaster's "Face Value" exchange can limit price gouging but restricts transfer to others, leading some artists to opt out.
    • NPR has contacted Styles’ team about participation in pricing controls but received no response.

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7. Russian Fans Flock to Banned LGBTQ TV Drama

• [04:33] A TV drama about a secret gay romance between Canadian and Russian hockey players is finding a growing Russian audience, even under strict anti-LGBTQ laws.
  • Despite content restrictions, viewers find ways to watch the show.
  • The popularity is notable due to Russian censorship.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Todd Ma, on ICE enforcement:
  "It's unfortunate and it's sad..." (00:39)

• Chief William Swan, on National Guard’s winter storm role:
  "Their job will be to remove trees, and that's their only objective..." (01:31)

• Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, on interest rates:
  "We see the current stance of monetary policy as appropriate..." (02:27)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Minneapolis ICE Shooting & Political Divide: 00:15–01:10
• Nashville Winter Storm & Response: 01:10–02:01
• Federal Reserve Rate Decision: 02:01–02:48
• FBI & Election Office in Fulton County: 02:48–03:20
• Supreme Court Tariffs Case Delay: 03:20–03:52
• Ticketmaster/Harry Styles Controversy: 03:52–04:33
• Russian LGBTQ TV Drama Popularity: 04:33–end

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Tone & Language

The tone is urgent, clear, and informative, consistently echoing NPR’s trademark directness and neutrality. The news is presented with concise, matter-of-fact delivery, quoting sources and officials as appropriate.

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Transcript

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[Ryland Barton]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The killing of Alex Preddy by federal agents in Minneapolis last weekend has outraged people across the country. But as NPR's Frank Lankvitt reports, some Trump supporters remain happy with the administration's enforcement of immigration laws.

[Frank Lankvitt]

Todd Ma, a Trump supporter who lives on Maryland's Eastern Shore, he supports the ICE sweeps in Minneapolis and blames activists for the violence there.

[Todd Ma]

It's unfortunate and it's it's sad because if they would let the ICE officers just go do their job and not stop them or impede them from doing their job, it's creating this hostile environment.

[Frank Lankvitt]

A recent CNN SSRS poll taken before Preddy's killing found a big partisan split on this 8 in 10 Democrats or those who lean Democratic think ICE is making cities less safe, while two thirds of Republicans and those who lean Republican think ICE is making them safer. Frank Lankford, NPR News, Denton, Maryland.

[Ryland Barton]

Nashville is still reeling from the massive winter storm that led to at least three deaths and left more than 100,000 without power there. Cynthia Abrams from member station WPLN reports. The National Guard has been called in to help.

[Cynthia Abrams]

The National Guard will be focused on clearing trees that have fallen across the city, says Nashville's fire department chief William Swan.

[William Swan]

Their job will be to remove trees, and that's their only objective, is to assist us into helping to restore power.

[Cynthia Abrams]

Tens of thousands of Nashvillians have gone days without power with no clear timeline of when electricity and heat could be restored. And the situation is dangerous. Nashville's police department said Wednesday it was investigating a weather related death in the city tied to carbon monoxide poisoning. For NPR News, I'm Cynthia Abrams. In Nashville.

[Ryland Barton]

Stocks showed little change today after the Federal Reserve voted to hold interest rates steady. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The decision was widely expected.

[Scott Horsley]

Members of the Fed's rate setting committee voted 10 to 2 to leave their benchmark rate unchanged. The Fed had lowered interest rates at three previous meetings out of concern over the softening job market. But Fed Chairman Jerome Powell says there are some signs the unemployment rate is stabilizing while inflation is still higher than the central bank would like.

[Jerome Powell]

We see the current stance of monetary policy as appropriate to promote progress toward both our maximum employment and 2% inflation goals.

[Scott Horsley]

Howe will likely preside over two more rate setting meetings before his term as Fed chairman expires in May. President Trump is expected to nominate a new leader for the central bank soon. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Ryland Barton]

The FBI says it's executing what it calls a court authorized law enforcement act at a location in Georgia that is home to the Fulton county election office. In December, the Department of justice sued Fulton county for records relating to the 2020 election. Fulton county has been at the center of President Trump's baseless claims of election fraud. You are listening to NPR News from Washington. When the Supreme Court granted an unusually quick hearing over President Trump's tariff powers, a similarly fast resolution seemed possible. But nearly three months have elapsed since arguments in the closely watched case, and the court isn't scheduled to meet in public for more than three weeks. The timeline for deciding the tariffs case now looks like it'll be the normal back and forth that occurs in all the disputes the justices hear. Tickets are on sale for pop star Harry Styles upcoming tour, but fans have been critical of Ticketmaster and Styles about high ticket prices. NPR's Ayanna Archie wondered how much control do artists have over this?

[Ayanna Archie]

It largely depends on the artist. Before going on tour, artists usually set revenue targets. These can be based on how complex a show is to produce and who needs to get paid. It's up to promoters to market the show and hit those revenue targets. They may do this by selling merchandise or parking packages, but ticket sales steer the ship. Artists also have the option to sign up for Ticketmaster's Face Value exchange program. This way, people can't sell their ticket for more than what they paid for it. But tickets sold this way can't be transferred, which could be a problem for large groups. So Ticketmaster says some artists opt out. NPR has reached out to Harry Styles team to see if he'll sign up, but hasn't heard back. Ayanna Archie, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

The TV drama heated rivalry has gained unexpected popularity in Russia despite the country's anti LGBTQ laws. The show's about a secret gay relationship between Canadian and Russian hockey players. Restrictions limit access to such content, but Russians are finding ways to watch it. Elud. This is NPR News from Washington.

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