NPR News Now: Evening Update – January 28, 2026, 9PM EST

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This fast-paced episode delivers the top headlines for late January 28, 2026, focusing on severe winter weather in the South, Medicare drug price negotiations, NYC’s fiscal crisis, IRS workforce cuts, Middle East tensions, the Challenger disaster anniversary, and a historic appointment in the Church of England.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Severe Winter Weather in the South

• Overview: Another powerful winter storm is forecast for the Eastern U.S. as frigid temperatures linger in the South.
• Key Details:
  • The National Weather Service warns of “the longest duration of bitter cold in several decades,” with a freeze warning as far south as Florida.
  • Mississippi’s recovery from the previous storm is complicated by persistent cold, leaving some still without power and water.
• Notable Quote:
  • Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (00:45):

    “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.”

• Impact: University of Mississippi campus in Oxford remains closed for a second week.

2. Medicare Drug Price Negotiations

• Overview: Medicare will negotiate the prices of 15 additional drugs, expanding efforts under the Inflation Reduction Act.
• Key Drugs:
  • Trulicity (Type 2 diabetes), plus medications for HIV, cancer, and migraines.
  • The price of the Type 2 diabetes pill Tragenta (previously included in a second negotiation round) will also be renegotiated.
• Process:
  • Only drugs without generic/biosimilar competition and high Medicare spending are eligible.
  • Negotiation: Summer and fall 2026.
  • New prices: Effective 2028.
• Context: This is the third negotiating batch for Medicare.
• Notable Quote:
  • Sidney Lupkin (01:24):

    “The law lays out which drugs are eligible for selection in this process. Criteria include being on the market a number of years, not having generic or biosimilar competition, and being among drugs Medicare spends the most money on.”

3. New York City’s $12 Billion Budget Shortfall

• Overview: NYC confronts its largest fiscal crisis since the Great Recession, with a $12B deficit.
• What Happened:
  • Newly elected Mayor Zahran Mamdani blames the prior administration and proposes taxing the wealthy and corporations to close the gap.
• Political Dynamics:
  • Mayor’s proposal needs state support from Governor Kathy Hochul, who faces her own political balancing act.
  • Democrats wary of raising taxes during an election cycle.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Zahran Mamdani (02:22):

    “While we did not create this crisis, we will solve it.”

  • Zahran Mamdani (02:29):

    “The time has come to tax the richest New Yorkers and most profitable corporations.”

• Context: Democrats aim to regain Congressional seats, making tax increases contentious.

4. IRS Workforce Reductions and Tax Season Challenges

• Overview: The 2026 tax filing season will likely be turbulent.
• Key Details:
  • A 27% workforce reduction at the IRS since the start of President Trump’s second administration.
  • Complicated by recent tax law changes.

5. Middle East Tensions & U.S.-Iran Relations

• Overview: Iran reaches out diplomatically as tensions rise over threat of a possible U.S. military strike.
• Key Developments:
  • Saudi Arabia and UAE refuse to let their airspace be used for attacks.
  • U.S. moves an aircraft carrier to the region.
  • President Trump urges Iran to come to negotiations.

6. 40th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

• Overview: Reflecting on the Challenger explosion that killed seven astronauts.
• Historical Insight:
  • Engineers from Morton Thiokol warned of launch risks due to freezing weather, but NASA proceeded.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Brian Russell, former Thiokol engineer (04:00):

    “It's impossible to prove that it's unsafe. What we were saying was we're increasing the risk significantly.”

  • Brian Russell (04:17):

    “I refused to sign it. I just thought we're taking risks we shouldn't be taking.”

• Aftermath:
  • A presidential commission concluded that the launch decision was flawed.

7. Historic Appointment: First Woman Archbishop of Canterbury

• Overview:
  • Sarah Mullally confirmed as the first woman to lead the Church of England.
• Background:
  • Mullally: Cancer nurse turned cleric.
  • The Church of England ordained its first female priests in 1994, first female bishop in 2015.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (00:45):

  “It's going to be brutally cold again in the state of Mississippi...”

• NYC Mayor Zahran Mamdani (02:22):

  “While we did not create this crisis, we will solve it.”

• Steve Kestenbaum on state politics (02:34):

  “Democrats are reluctant to raise taxes at a time when they hope to win back some Republican held congressional seats here.”

• Brian Russell on Challenger (04:00):

  “It's impossible to prove that it's unsafe. What we were saying was we're increasing the risk significantly.”

Key Segment Timestamps

• Winter storm update & impact: 00:14 – 01:13
• Medicare drug negotiations: 01:13 – 02:06
• NYC budget crisis: 02:06 – 02:58
• IRS/tax season challenges: 02:58 – 03:17
• Middle East/U.S.-Iran update: 03:17 – 03:43
• Challenger disaster anniversary: 03:43 – 04:29
• Sarah Mullally confirmed as archbishop: 04:29 – 04:54

This concise news roundup covers weather emergencies, major policy shifts, political intrigue, reflections on historic tragedy, and a milestone for diversity in religious leadership, all in NPR’s trademark clear and informative style.