NPR News: 01-29-2026 5PM EST - NPR News Now

Summary5 min read

NPR News Now – January 29, 2026, 5PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Main Theme: Latest U.S. and global news updates – top stories in government, weather, health, international affairs, and technology.

1. Assault Charge Against Man at Ilhan Omar Event

[00:14–01:18]

Key Details:
- Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, formally charged with assaulting Congresswoman Ilhan Omar at a Minneapolis town hall.
- Kazmierczak allegedly ran towards Omar and sprayed her with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar.
- Omar confronted the attacker, raising her fist before security intervened.
- Kazmierczak’s social media includes critical posts about Omar; he was moved to federal custody.
Context:
- Omar, a vocal critic of President Trump and his immigration policies, quickly returned to her speech after the incident.
Notable Quote:
- “Omar ran toward him with her fist raised, but before security tackled him. Then Omar returned to speaking.” — Peter Cox [00:46]
Reporter: Peter Cox, Minneapolis Public Radio

2. Severe Winter Storms Across the Eastern U.S.

[01:18–02:07]

Key Updates:
- The National Weather Service has issued storm advisories from the Northern Plains to the Gulf Coast.
- Ongoing arctic air brings dangerously low temperatures, heavy snow, and gusty winds.
- Recovery efforts in southern states hampered by previous ice storms; 250,000+ customers without power in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
- National Guard troops deployed to assist with clearing roads and delivering emergency supplies to affected areas.
Notable Quote:
- “The prolonged freeze further complicates efforts in parts of the south to recover from an ice storm that has made travel treacherous and coated trees and power lines.” — Debbie Elliott [01:38]
Reporter: Debbie Elliott, NPR

3. U.S. Life Expectancy Hits All-Time High

[02:07–02:56]

Key Insights:
- New federal data: Average U.S. life expectancy has reached 79 years in 2024, the highest since tracking began in 1900.
- The improvement linked to fewer deaths from drug overdoses and COVID-19 (out of top 10 causes of death for the first time since the pandemic began).
- Despite this milestone, the U.S. still trails behind countries like Australia and Japan regarding longevity.
Quote:
- “The increase in life expectancy was caused primarily by a drop in deaths from drug overdoses and from COVID 19, which fell out of the top 10 causes of death for the first time since the pandemic.” — Rob Stein [02:32]
Reporter: Rob Stein, NPR

4. IRS Tax Return Filings & Deadlines

[02:56–03:42]

Quick Points:
- IRS anticipates 164 million tax returns by April 15.
- Electronic filers may receive refunds within 21 days.
- [Standard annual tax information update]

5. International News

- U.S.–Russia: Temporary Halt on Strikes in Ukraine

[03:04]

President Trump claims to have asked President Putin to pause strikes on Kyiv and other critical Ukrainian cities for one week during extreme cold; Russia has not confirmed any agreement.
Notable Mention:
- “He says Putin agreed, but Russia has not confirmed that.” — Ryland Barton [03:11]

- Pakistan: Imran Khan’s Hospitalization

[03:19–04:28]

Key Details:
- Pakistan’s ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan (in jail since spring 2023) was briefly hospitalized for a 20-minute procedure.
- Khan’s party, lawyers, and family were not informed ahead of time.
- His son, Qasem Khan, voiced concern that his father could lose his vision and urged authorities to allow access to independent specialist care.
- Qasem also reports being blocked from seeing his father for more than 900 days.
- Khan remains jailed on multiple charges, with supporters alleging retribution for his stance against Pakistan’s military.
Quote:
- “Khan's son, Qasem on X called for authorities to let his father access independent specialist care. He says his father has a condition which could cause him to lose his vision.” — Dia Hadid [04:05]
Reporter: Dia Hadid, NPR

6. Technology: Tactile Super Bowl Experience for Blind and Low Vision Fans

[04:28–04:53]

Key Points:
- A new tactile device will allow blind and low-vision fans unprecedented access at the Super Bowl.
- Device features: Tracks the football, vibrates on key plays, provides real-time audio, and allows users to feel the ball's position in play.
- About 10 fans will use this technology when Seattle plays New England.
Quote:
- “With hands on the device, they'll feel the location of the ball and hear what's happening throughout the game.” — Ryland Barton [04:40]
Notable for: Pioneering accessibility technology at a major U.S. sporting event.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

On the Omar Assault:
“Omar ran toward him with her fist raised, but before security tackled him. Then Omar returned to speaking.” — Peter Cox [00:46]
On Extreme Winter:
“The prolonged freeze further complicates efforts in parts of the south to recover from an ice storm that has made travel treacherous and coated trees and power lines.” — Debbie Elliott [01:38]
On Life Expectancy:
“The increase in life expectancy was caused primarily by a drop in deaths from drug overdoses and from COVID 19, which fell out of the top 10 causes of death for the first time since the pandemic.” — Rob Stein [02:32]
On Imran Khan’s Medical Care:
“He says his father has a condition which could cause him to lose his vision.” — Dia Hadid [04:06]
On Super Bowl Accessibility:
“With hands on the device, they'll feel the location of the ball and hear what's happening throughout the game.” — Ryland Barton [04:40]

Timestamps for Reference

Ilhan Omar Assault Update: 00:14–01:18
Winter Storm Coverage: 01:18–02:07
Life Expectancy Report: 02:07–02:56
IRS Filing Information: 02:56–03:42
Ukraine and Russia Pause Announcement: 03:04
Imran Khan Hospitalization: 03:42–04:28
Super Bowl Tactile Technology: 04:28–04:53

For full context and rapid updates, tune in to the next edition of NPR News Now.

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Transcript11 lines

[00:01]
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[00:14]
Ryland Barton
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The man accused of spraying a liquid onto Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar during a public event this week in Minneapolis has now been formally charged. Minneapolis Public Radio's Peter Cox reports.
[00:29]
Peter Cox
55 year old Anthony Kazmierczak is federally charged with assaulting, opposing, impeding or interfering with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's official duties Tuesday evening at a town hall event in north Minneapolis. Kazmierzak ran toward Omar as she was speaking, spraying her with a liquid that the charging document identifies as a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar. Omar ran toward him with her fist raised, but before security tackled him. Then Omar returned to speaking. Kazmierzak, a Minneapolis resident, was transferred from a county jail into federal custody. The charging document says his social media includes posts critical of Omar. The Democratic congresswoman has been a vocal critic of President Trump and his immigration crackdown. For NPR News, I'm Peter Cox in St. Paul.
[01:18]
Ryland Barton
Another blast of arctic air is in store for much of the Eastern U.S. nPR's Debbie Elliott reports. The forecast calls for dangerously cold temperatures, heav snow and strong, gusty winds.
[01:29]
Debbie Elliott
The National Weather Service has winter storm advisories posted from the Northern Plains, down the Eastern Seaboard and all the way to the Gulf Coast. The prolonged freeze further complicates efforts in parts of the south to recover from an ice storm that has made travel treacherous and coated trees and power lines. By midday Thursday, more than 250,000 customers remained without electricity in Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. Several states have deployed National Guard troops to help clear roads and get emergency supplies to communities stranded without power or water. Debbie Elliot, NPR News.
[02:08]
Ryland Barton
The average US Life expectancy has hit an all time high. That's according to new data released today by the federal government. But as NPR's Rob Stein reports, the US still has a ways to go towards improving longevity.
[02:19]
Rob Stein
US life expectancy increased to age 79 in 2024, according to the center for Health Statistics. That's the highest life expectancy since the government started tracking this key meas of the nation's health and well being in 1900. The increase in life expectancy was caused primarily by a drop in deaths from drug overdoses and from COVID 19, which fell out of the top 10 causes of death for the first time since the pandemic But US Life expectancy still lags far behind other wealthy nations such as Australia and Japan. Rob Stein, NPR News.
[02:57]
Ryland Barton
The IRS expects 164 million people to file tax returns by April15. If you file electronically, the IRS says it should take 21 days or less to receive a refund. You are listening to NPR News from Washington. President Trump says he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin not to target the Ukrainian capital and other towns for one week as the region experiences frigid temperatures. He says Putin agreed, but Russia has not confirmed that. Pakistan's information minister says the jailed former leader of the country, Imran Khan, was briefly hospitalized last week. Khan's son say he's been denied appropriate care. As NPR's Dia Hadid reports.
[03:42]
Dia Hadid
Information Minister Attar La Tharar told Pakistani media that the former prime minister, Imran Khan underwent what Tharar described as a 20 minute procedure in hospital. Khan spokesman Zulfaqar Bukhari says Khan's party, his lawyers and his family only found out through the media. Khan's son, Qasem on X called for authorities to let his father access independent specialist care. He says his father has a condition which could cause him to lose his vision. Qasem Khan added he'd been prevented from seeing his father for more than 900 days. Khan has been behind bars since the spring of 2023 on multiple charges, including corruption. His supporters say he's being punished for defying the writ of Pakistan's powerful military. Dee Hadid, NPR News, Mumbai.
[04:29]
Ryland Barton
A few blind and low visioned fans will have unprecedented access to the super bowl thanks to a tactile device that tracks the ball, vibrates on key plays and provides real time audio. With hands on the device, they'll feel the location of the ball and hear what's happening throughout the game. About 10 fans at the event will have an opportunity to use the technology next week when Seattle faces New England in the Super Bowl. This is NPR News from Washington.
[04:54]
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