NPR News Now: January 29, 2026, 2AM EST

Main Theme:
This concise episode delivers major breaking news from across the United States and the world, touching on high-profile law enforcement incidents, severe winter weather impact, U.S. monetary policy, international diplomacy, and significant corporate layoffs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shooting of Alex Preddy by Immigration Officers

• Overview: Two immigration officers are on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Preddy.
• Details:
  • CBP’s Preliminary Assessment: Contradicts the original Trump administration narrative; states officers shot Preddy after he "resisted efforts to take him into custody," rejecting claims of domestic terrorism or weapon-brandishing ([00:34] Jimena Bastillo).
  • Multiple Investigations Underway:
    • CBP and state officials are investigating.
    • The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General is also reviewing the case.
  • 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." – Jimena Bastillo [00:41]

2. Incident Involving Rep. Ilhan Omar

• Incident:
  • Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown liquid at a town hall meeting ([01:06] Jael Snyder).
  • The suspect has a criminal history and expressed online support for President Trump.
• Investigation:
  • The FBI is now leading the investigation.

3. Aftermath of Mississippi Winter Storm

• Updates:
  • Governor Tate Reeves reported 10 confirmed fatalities and at least 14 injuries, with those numbers expected to rise ([01:45] Governor Tate Reeves).
  • Significant infrastructure damage: 51 counties and 37 municipalities have reported damage.
• Highway Closures:
  • Mississippi Highway Patrol closed major interstates overnight to clear ice ([02:06] Elise Gregg).
• Power Outages & Forecast:
  • Mississippi and Tennessee account for the majority of outages.
  • Another storm is expected this weekend.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "We can confirm 10 fatalities with this event and multiple injuries as well, at least 14 that we can confirm. But we think those numbers are going to rise." – Governor Tate Reeves [01:45]

4. Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Steady

• Announcement:
  • The Fed, under Chair Jerome Powell, is maintaining the key interest rate at 3.6% after three cuts last year ([02:55] Jael Snyder).
  • Powell cites modest job gains, some stabilization in the unemployment rate, and persistent inflation.
  • Powell's term as chair ends in May; his plans are not confirmed.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "The Federal Open Market Committee decided to leave our policy rate unchanged." – Jerome Powell [02:51]

5. UK-China Diplomatic Visit

• Details:
  • UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first trip by a British leader to China since 2018 ([03:09] Jael Snyder).
  • The visit comes after Canadian PM Mark Carney’s own visit, which led to Trump administration tariff threats following Canada's new economic deal with Beijing.

6. Corporate Layoffs: Home Depot & Amazon

Home Depot

• News:
  • Laying off about 800 employees, including 150 from headquarters; remaining cuts affect remote roles ([03:51] Marlon Hyde).
  • Corporate employees ordered back to the office full-time starting April 6.
  • Severance and transitional benefits provided.
• Company Statement:
  • "The decision positions the company to move faster as it undergoes restructuring." – CEO Ted Decker [03:51]

Amazon

• Layoffs:
  • Approximately 16,000 more corporate jobs cut, affecting nearly 10% of Amazon's white-collar workforce ([04:30] Jael Snyder).
  • Follows 14,000 jobs cut in October.
• Meta:
  • Parent company of Facebook reports stronger-than-expected Q4 results.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the CBP Shooting:

  • "The agency’s preliminary assessment contradicted the Trump administration’s first narrative..." – Jimena Bastillo [00:41]

• Mississippi Storm Fatalities:

  • "We can confirm 10 fatalities with this event and multiple injuries..." – Governor Tate Reeves [01:45]

• Federal Reserve Stance:

  • "The Federal Open Market Committee decided to leave our policy rate unchanged." – Jerome Powell [02:51]

• Corporate Restructuring:

  • "The decision positions the company to move faster as it undergoes restructuring." – CEO Ted Decker [03:51]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:16] – Lead story: CBP officers on leave after fatal shooting
• [01:06] – FBI takes over Ilhan Omar incident investigation
• [01:41] – Mississippi storm fatalities update (Governor Reeves)
• [02:06] – Major highway closures in Mississippi
• [02:22] – Power outages and storm forecast
• [02:41] – Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady
• [03:09] – UK Prime Minister visits China
• [03:51] – Home Depot layoffs and office return policy
• [04:30] – Amazon layoffs; Meta earnings report

Episode Takeaway

This tightly packed newscast presents a snapshot of consequential events affecting the U.S. and world, with developments in law enforcement transparency, weather disaster response, economic policy, geopolitics, and corporate upheaval. Its urgency and clarity make it indispensable listening for staying informed on January 29, 2026.