NPR News Now: January 28, 2026, 6PM EST – Episode Summary

Overview
This concise 5-minute NPR News Now episode, anchored by Ryland Barton, covers the latest national and international news developments as of 6PM EST. Key topics include updates on a deadly Minneapolis shooting involving immigration officers, new Department of Energy rules on nuclear reactors, research on hormone replacement therapy and cognitive health, freezing weather causing traffic chaos in the U.S. South, staggering casualty figures from the Russia-Ukraine war, changes coming to the DSM manual for psychiatric disorders, and a historic confirmation in the Church of England.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Shooting Involving Immigration Officers

• Subject: Two immigration officers are on administrative leave after the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy.
  • CBP’s preliminary review found officers shot Preddy after he resisted arrest.
  • The findings contradict the Trump administration's initial claim that Preddy was guilty of “domestic terrorism” and brandished a weapon.
  • Investigations are ongoing by CBP, state officials, and the DHS Office of the Inspector General.
• Memorable Quote:

  "The agency's preliminary assessment contradicted the Trump administration's first narrative about the shooting, which accused Preddy of, quote, domestic terrorism and brandishing his weapon."
  — Ximena Bustillo [00:32]

• Timestamps: Segment begins at [00:15], reporter dispatch at [00:32].

2. Department of Energy’s New Rules for Nuclear Reactors

• Subject: DOE to make public a controversial set of new rules for next-generation nuclear reactors.
  • NPR revealed the existence of rules that had not been publicly disclosed.
  • Rules reportedly loosen groundwater contamination standards and reduce reactor security requirements.
  • DOE defends changes as streamlining unnecessary regulations to foster innovation, saying safety remains intact.
• Memorable Quote:

  "The new rules appear to loosen standards for groundwater contamination and slash hundreds of pages in security requirements for the reactors."
  — Jeff Brumfiel [01:15]

• Timestamps: Segment introduction at [01:04], report at [01:15].

3. Menopause Hormone Therapy and Brain Health

• Subject: New findings reveal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may improve cognitive reaction times in menopausal women.
  • Dr. Crystal Langley analyzed data from 125,000 women.
  • HRT linked to quicker responses on memory tests—similar to premenopausal women.
  • No impact was found on anxiety or sleep; physical activity and healthy lifestyle still recommended.
• Memorable Quotes:

  "Those women that were on HRT were able to respond much faster and much more similarly to those premenopausal women."
  — Ximena Bustillo (quoting Dr. Langley) [02:26]
  "HRT did not help improve anxiety or sleep issues."
  — Allison Aubrey [02:35]

• Timestamps: Segment starts at [01:56], expert insight at [02:26].

4. Extreme Cold Disrupts Traffic Across Mississippi

• Subject: Record-setting cold in the eastern U.S. stalls vehicles and causes gridlock in Mississippi.
  • Interstate 55 and 22 remain blocked with stranded cars and trucks.
  • Freezing cold spell described as potentially the longest in decades.
• Details:
  "Traffic remains snarled on Interstate 55 and Interstate 22 in northern Mississippi today."
  — Ryland Barton [02:48]
• Timestamps: Weather and traffic report at [02:48].

5. Russia-Ukraine War: Projected Casualties

• Subject: New analysis suggests severe human cost in the Russia-Ukraine war.
  • CSIS estimates Russian and Ukrainian casualties could hit 2 million by spring.
  • Russia may have suffered up to 325,000 deaths—largest for a major power since WWII.
  • Ukrainian deaths possibly up to 140,000.
• Timestamps: Quick update at [02:48].

6. DSM Updates for Mental Health Diagnoses

• Subject: The American Psychiatric Association plans a major overhaul of the DSM manual.
  • Next edition to include insights on the causes of mental disorders: genetics, environment, life experiences, culture.
  • Responds to long-standing critiques regarding lack of reference to etiology.
  • Details outlined in five new papers in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
• Memorable Quote:

  "There are many critiques out there, and perhaps the most salient one is the fact that the DSM doesn't reference what the causes of mental disorders are."
  — Dr. Maria Okendo (via Ximena Bustillo) [04:10]

• Timestamps: Segment begins at [03:50], key quote at [04:10].

7. Historic First for the Church of England

• Subject: Sarah Mullally confirmed as the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury.
  • Former cancer nurse, now leads the Church of England.
  • Church milestones: first female priests (1994), first female bishop (2015).
• Timestamps: Announcement at [04:35].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[The rules] slash hundreds of pages in security requirements for the reactors.” — Jeff Brumfiel [01:15]
• "Those women that were on HRT were able to respond much faster and much more similarly to those premenopausal women." — Ximena Bustillo [02:26]
• "There are many critiques out there, and perhaps the most salient one is the fact that the DSM doesn't reference what the causes of mental disorders are." — Dr. Maria Okendo (via Ximena Bustillo) [04:10]

Important Timestamps

• 00:15 — Minneapolis shooting update (Ryland Barton, Ximena Bustillo)
• 01:04 — Nuclear reactor rule change (Ryland Barton, Jeff Brumfiel)
• 01:56 — Menopause hormone therapy brain health research (Ryland Barton, Allison Aubrey, Ximena Bustillo)
• 02:48 — Extreme cold/traffic, Ukraine war update, stock market close
• 03:50 — DSM overhaul & mental health diagnostic updates (Ritu Chatterjee, Ximena Bustillo)
• 04:35 — Sarah Mullally confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury

This episode delivers the latest high-impact headlines, balancing public policy, science, health, world affairs, and a historic moment in the Anglican Church—all in NPR's clear, concise reporting style.