NPR News Now: January 29, 2026, 12AM EST
Host: Giles Snyder (NPR)
Episode Purpose:
A concise update on the most pressing national news stories, ranging from immigration and law enforcement actions in Minneapolis to severe winter weather impacts, federal investigations, potential government shutdown, major tech layoffs, and new research on whale behavior.
Main News Themes
1. Continued Tensions Over Federal Immigration Actions in Minneapolis
Key Points:
- Presidential Response: President Trump spoke about the need to de-escalate tensions following a second deadly shooting in Minneapolis involving federal immigration officers, but observable changes on the ground remain limited.
- [00:16] Giles Snyder: "President Trump spoke about deescalating tensions in Minneapolis after a second deadly shooting by federal immigrations. But there has been little evidence of any significant changes as immigration enforcement operators and confrontations with activists continue in The Twin Cities."
- Community Outcry: Protesters and community members, particularly at a makeshift memorial for victim Alex Brady, are calling for justice and demanding action from state and local leaders, as well as an end to ICE presence in the city.
- Administrative Actions: Two federal agents involved have been placed on administrative leave, described as "standard protocol" by the Department of Homeland Security.
- [00:39] Sergio Martinez Beltran: "Here in Minneapolis, people continue to express their frustration and anger against ICE agents. They want them out of their city... They have expressed how they want justice for Preddy and for Renee Macklin Goode. They also say they want more action from their state and local leaders in fighting this surge in their state.”
Notable Segments:
- [00:16–01:18]: Overview of rising tensions, community response, and administrative developments.
2. DOJ Charges and Social Media Controversy in Minneapolis
Key Points:
- Justice Department Charges: Sixteen individuals have been charged with assaulting or impeding federal officers during recent immigration crackdowns.
- Attorney General’s Social Media Actions: Pam Bondi released the names and photos of the accused on social media before the cases were unsealed, leading to criticism from a federal judge.
- [01:29] Matt Sepik: "Attorney General Pam Bondi posted the names of all 16 and many of their photos to social media even before the cases were unsealed, drawing a sharp rebuke from a federal judge."
- Legal Developments: Twelve defendants had initial court appearances and were released, as prosecutors did not seek detention. Defense attorneys label the charges as "bogus and politically motivated."
Notable Quote:
- [01:29] Matt Sepik: “Defense attorneys call the charges bogus and politically motivated.”
Notable Segment:
- [01:18–01:50]: DOJ charges and controversy around their handling.
3. FBI Investigation in Fulton County, Georgia
Key Points:
- FBI Activity: Agents searched the Fulton County elections office, site of widespread false voter fraud claims during the 2020 election.
- [01:50] Giles Snyder: "FBI agents were in Georgia Wednesday conducting a search of the elections office in Fulton County. The site was at the center of President Trump's false allegations of voter fraud, fraud in the 2020 election that he lost to Joe Biden."
- Context: The search signals ongoing investigations into election processes and the enduring impact of misinformation.
Notable Segment:
- [01:50–02:01]: FBI investigation brief summary.
4. Deep South Winter Storm: Power Outages and Community Impact
Key Points:
- Mississippi Hard Hit: Tens of thousands remain without power after a significant ice storm. Oxford, MS, is described as "quiet and isolated," with ongoing safety hazards from fallen trees and downed power lines.
- [02:17] Will Stribling: "Oxford, Mississippi, is known as a vibrant college town, but much of the area is currently quiet and isolated, with ice covered roads, fallen trees and downed power lines."
- Personal Testimony: University of Mississippi Professor Summerhill Vinson recounts the emotional and physical ordeal:
- [02:38] Summerhill Vinson: "Listening to the trees popping and crashing, you know it's disorienting because you can't see anything. You just hear it every time the wind would come through, I would just think, oh my gosh, one of these trees is going to crush us."
- Ongoing Recovery: The university remains closed, and National Guard troops are on the ground to help with logistics and recovery.
- Warnings of Further Storms: Forecasters expect another storm soon to impact the same region.
Timestamps:
- [02:17–03:01]: Mississippi storm coverage and personal account.
5. Looming Government Shutdown
Key Points:
- Stalled Negotiations: A partial government shutdown looms as the Senate approaches a key vote on funding for the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies.
- Partisan Standoff: Senate Democrats refuse to extend DHS funding without limits on Trump’s immigration actions; Republicans need their cooperation to prevent a shutdown as funding expires Saturday.
Notable Segment:
- [03:01–03:29]: Government funding standoff discussion.
6. Tech Industry Layoffs and Corporate News
Key Points:
- Amazon Layoffs: The company cuts about 16,000 jobs (nearly 10% of its corporate workforce), following significant layoffs just a few months earlier.
- Meta and Microsoft Earnings: Meta (Facebook's parent) and Microsoft both post strong fourth-quarter results thanks to robust advertising revenue and resilient performance, respectively.
Notable Segment:
- [03:29–03:55]: Industry layoffs and tech financial news.
7. Humpback Whale Research: Social Learning in Bubble Net Feeding
Key Points:
- Research Results: Humpback whales learn a complex hunting technique—bubble net feeding—through social interaction and observation of peers, according to a 20-year study.
- [04:17] Nate Rott: “The new study looked at a specific population of humpbacks over 20 years and found that whales that did not bubble net feed were more likely to start the more time they spent with one that did, suggesting the study says that their social bonds are helping spread the behavior through the population, making it more resilient into the future.”
- Technique Description: Bubble net feeding involves whales creating a spiraling “net” of bubbles to corral prey, increasing their hunting efficiency.
Timestamps:
- [04:17–04:54]: Science segment on whale behavior.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- Frustration in Minneapolis:
- Sergio Martinez Beltran [00:39]: “They have expressed how they want justice for Preddy and for Renee Macklin Goode. They also say they want more action from their state and local leaders in fighting this surge in their state.”
- Personal Toll of Storms:
- Summerhill Vinson [02:38]: “Listening to the trees popping and crashing, you know it's disorienting because you can't see anything. You just hear it every time the wind would come through, I would just think, oh my gosh, one of these trees is going to crush us.”
- Legal and Political Tensions:
- Matt Sepik [01:29]: “Attorney General Pam Bondi posted the names of all 16 and many of their photos to social media even before the cases were unsealed, drawing a sharp rebuke from a federal judge.”
Summary Table of Important Segments
| Timestamp | Topic | Key Takeaway | |-----------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:16 | Minneapolis immigration shootings | Tensions high; calls for justice; little change on ground | | 00:39 | Community response | Demand for action, protests at memorial | | 01:18 | DOJ charges in Minneapolis | 16 charged, controversy over social media disclosures | | 01:50 | FBI in Fulton County, GA | Follow-up on 2020 election fraud claims | | 02:17 | Mississippi storm damage | Power outages; personal impact; ongoing recovery | | 03:01 | Looming government shutdown | Senate gridlock over funding, immigration policy | | 03:29 | Amazon/Meta/Microsoft news | Tech layoffs; strong financial results for some | | 04:17 | Humpback whale study | Cultural spread of feeding technique |
This episode offers a compact, clear snapshot of complex national issues, balancing frontline reporting with science and economic news—all in NPR’s signature, measured tone.