NPR News Now – 01-28-2026 11PM EST

Host: Jael Snyder
Date: January 29, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

Main Theme & Purpose

This NPR News Now episode provides a brisk update on major headlines across the U.S. and globe, featuring developments in federal protest charges in Minnesota, the continuing winter storm in the Southeast, Tesla’s business pivots, an FBI search in Georgia related to the 2020 election, and a new study on staggering casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war. The tone is concise and informative, geared toward keeping listeners quickly informed on key current events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Charges Against Protesters in Minnesota

[00:15 – 01:19]

• Details of Allegations:

  • The Justice Department has filed new charges against 16 protesters in Minnesota, accusing them of assaulting or impeding federal immigration officers during operations carried out under the Trump administration.

• Controversy Over Prosecution:

  • U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted protesters’ names and photos on social media prior to the unsealing of charges, criticized by a federal judge as prejudicial.
  • The defense contends the evidence is weak and stresses that a grand jury must still approve the charges.

• Defense Viewpoint:

  • Kevin Rich (Defense Attorney):

    "It's not that difficult to make a case past the grand jury, but the DOJ has a history of public bringing bogus prosecutions, as we have seen in recent months. And the grand jury is a good bulwark."
    [00:55]

• Allegations of Misconduct:

  • One Somali American defendant claims federal agents used a racial slur and questioned her citizenship while injuring her during arrest.

2. Severe Winter Weather in the South

[01:19 – 02:17]

• Forecast:

  • Another arctic blast is set to hit the Eastern U.S., with especially frigid conditions extending into the southern states.
  • National Weather Service warns this could be "the longest duration of bitter cold in several decades."

• Impact:

  • Freeze warnings will reach as far as Florida, complicating outage recovery from a previous snowstorm.

• Local Authority Comment:

  • Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves:

    "It's going to be brutally cold again in the state of Mississippi, and so that creates a large number of other challenges, particularly for those who have not yet gotten power back, particularly for those whose water systems are not back operating and functioning exactly the way they need to."
    [01:50]

• Disruptions:

  • University of Mississippi’s Oxford campus remains closed for a second consecutive week due to the ongoing crisis.

3. Tesla's Profits Fall and Strategic Shift

[02:17 – 03:14]

• Business Update:

  • Tesla reports a stark 46% drop in profits for the previous year, citing a decline in sales and the end of Model S and Model X production.

• Market Shift:

  • Chinese automaker BYD has overtaken Tesla as the world's top electric vehicle (EV) producer by a wide margin.
  • Tesla aims to pivot toward self-driving robo-taxis and humanoid robots.

• Executives Outline New Focus:

  • Elon Musk (Tesla CEO):

    "We're going to take the Model S next production space in our Fremont factory and convert that into an Optimus factory."
    [02:58]

• Humanoid Robot Plans:

  • "Optimus" robot production is slated to begin in the same Fremont location in 2026, though as reported, Tesla's projected timelines are "often optimistic."

4. FBI Search and Election Records in Georgia

[03:14 – 04:03]

• Federal Action:

  • FBI executes a court-authorized search warrant for 2020 election records in Fulton County, Georgia.
  • The FBI confirms the search but provides minimal detail, terming it "court-authorized law enforcement activity."

• Context:

  • The Justice Department previously announced a lawsuit regarding access to these election records.
  • Former President Trump continues to promote false claims about the 2020 Georgia election.

5. Russia-Ukraine War Casualty Report

[04:03 – 04:43]

• Study Findings:

  • New analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimates nearly 2 million Russian and Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, wounded, or are missing after four years of war.
  • Russian casualties: 1.2 million; Ukrainian casualties: up to 600,000.
  • Estimated confirmed dead: up to 325,000 Russians, 140,000 Ukrainians.

• Notable Insight:

  • Joanna Kakissis (NPR Correspondent):

    "The Russian army is three times larger than the Ukrainian one, so Ukraine is losing a bigger share of its smaller army. But the study's authors did note Russia has suffered more losses than any major power in any war since World War II."
    [04:20]

6. Markets Update: Japan and Wall Street

[04:43 – 04:55]

• Japan’s Nikkei Index:
  • Slight downward movement in Thursday trading, following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to keep rates steady and a flat Wall Street session.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kevin Rich (Defense Attorney):

  "The DOJ has a history of public bringing bogus prosecutions... the grand jury is a good bulwark."
  [00:55]

• Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves:

  "It's going to be brutally cold again... creates a large number of other challenges."
  [01:50]

• Elon Musk (Tesla CEO):

  "We're going to take the Model S next production space... and convert that into an Optimus factory."
  [02:58]

• Joanna Kakissis (NPR Correspondent):

  "Russia has suffered more losses than any major power in any war since World War II."
  [04:20]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:15] Federal charges against MN protesters; defense reaction
• [01:19] Southern U.S. winter weather emergency; Mississippi response
• [02:17] Tesla profit slump and shift to robots/self-driving
• [03:14] FBI search for GA 2020 election records
• [04:03] Major Russia-Ukraine war casualty report
• [04:43] Nikkei and Wall Street market update

This episode delivers a rapid, authoritative rundown of significant developments in law, weather, technology, politics, and international conflict, staying true to NPR’s concise and news-driven style.