NPR News Now: January 28, 2026, 12AM EST

Main Theme

This five-minute NPR News Now update, hosted by Jael Snyder, delivers headlines on major national and international events, including attacks on U.S. lawmakers, President Trump’s remarks in Minnesota, a high-profile ICE release, severe winter storms in the South, TikTok's lawsuit settlement, Iran’s protest death toll, and the historic appointment of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar During Town Hall

• [00:16–01:12]

  • Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was attacked at a town hall event.
  • A man used a syringe to spray her with an unknown substance; he was apprehended by security.
  • Omar’s office stated she is okay. Despite staff urging her to get checked, Omar continued her remarks.
  • Context: Comes after Democrat Maxwell Frost was assaulted at Sundance; rising threats against lawmakers; increase in congressional security funding last year.

  Notable Quote:

  "A statement from Omar's office said the congresswoman is okay. After a brief pause and comments from her staff asking her to step aside to get checked out, Omar continued her remarks."
  — Barbara Sprunt, [00:42]

2. President Trump’s Minnesota Visit and Remarks

• [01:12–01:43]

  • President Trump criticized Minnesota’s Somali community and Rep. Omar during a speech in Iowa, claiming Omar does not love the U.S.
  • Promoted his first year back in office: praised the economy, claimed inflation "defeated," and asserted the border is "totally closed."

  Notable Quotes:

  "Omar does not love the United States."
  — Jael Snyder quoting Trump, [01:19]

  "Our economy is booming, incomes are rising, investment is soaring, inflation has been defeated. Our border is closed, totally closed."
  — President Trump, [01:32]

3. Aftermath of Minneapolis Shooting and ICE Controversy

• [01:43–02:51]

  • After the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Preddy in Minneapolis, anti-ICE protests intensified during Trump’s visit.
  • ICE had detained Juan Hugo Tobi Robles for weeks without stated cause; U.S. District Judge Patrick Schultz ordered his release and ICE complied to avoid further legal action.
  • Attorney Graham Ojila Barber confirmed Robles’ release from Texas detention.

  Notable Quote:

  "On Monday, Judge Schiltz wrote, quote, unquote, the court's patience is at an end. But he gave ICE an off ramp and said he'd cancel the hearing if it freed Robles."
  — Matt Sepik, [02:34]

4. Southern States Recover From Major Winter Storm

• [02:51–03:38]
  • Severe winter weather impacted states from Arkansas to New England.
  • Over 400,000 customers remain without power, with Tennessee and Mississippi hardest hit.

5. TikTok Settles Social Media Addiction Lawsuit

• [03:38–03:54]
  • TikTok has agreed to settle a key lawsuit alleging social media addiction harms children.
  • Terms undisclosed; Instagram and YouTube are facing similar suits. Snapchat settled last week.

6. Iran Protest Casualties

• [03:54–04:11]
  • Activists report at least 6,221 deaths in Iran's protests crackdown.
  • The Iranian government gives far lower numbers and labels many protestors as terrorists.

7. First Female Archbishop of Canterbury Confirmed

• [04:11–04:52]

  • Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, becomes the first woman legally confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury.
  • Her installation is in March. Conservative Anglicans, especially in Africa, are critical regarding her gender and stance on LGBTQ inclusion.

  Notable Quote:

  "She's the first woman to hold the role in the history of the Anglican Church, which began when Henry VIII broke with the 16th century. More conservative Anglicans, mostly in Africa, say they're unhappy with both Mullally's gender and her stance on LGBTQ inclusion." — Jason DeRose, [04:23]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• After Ilhan Omar’s attack:
  "After a brief pause and comments from her staff asking her to step aside to get checked out, Omar continued her remarks."
  — Barbara Sprunt, [00:47]

• Trump’s assertion on U.S growth and policy:
  "Our economy is booming, incomes are rising, investment is soaring, inflation has been defeated. Our border is closed, totally closed."
  — President Trump, [01:32]

• ICE forced to release detainee:
  "The court's patience is at an end. But he gave ICE an off ramp and said he'd cancel the hearing if it freed Robles." — Matt Sepik (quoting Judge Schiltz), [02:34]

• Historic change in Anglican Church leadership:
  "She's the first woman to hold the role in the history of the Anglican Church... More conservative Anglicans, mostly in Africa, say they're unhappy with both Mullally's gender and her stance on LGBTQ inclusion." — Jason DeRose, [04:23]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Attack on Ilhan Omar: [00:16–01:12]
• Trump’s Minnesota/Iowa remarks: [01:12–01:43]
• Minneapolis shooting and ICE hearing: [01:43–02:51]
• Winter Storm power outages: [02:51–03:38]
• TikTok lawsuit settlement: [03:38–03:54]
• Iran protest death toll: [03:54–04:11]
• First woman Archbishop of Canterbury: [04:11–04:52]

This concise yet comprehensive update offered listeners a rapid overview of key events—balancing urgent domestic incidents, political disputes, legal developments, and historic firsts in global religion.