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Korva Coleman
Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Activists in Minnesota have held another vigil to honor protesters. Alex Priddy and Renee Macklin, good federal agents separately shot them to death this month in Minneapolis.
Protester
We are marching.
Korva Coleman
We are marching. The Department of Homeland Security says two agents involved in last Saturday's killing of Preddy have been placed on leave. The agency says this is standard protocol. The vigils and protests continue as US Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar has just declared she is running for governor of Minnesota. From Minnesota Public Radio, Ellie Roth reports.
Ellie Roth
Klobuchar's name quickly emerged as a likely Democratic contender for governor following Governor Tim Walls exit from the race. In a campaign video released this morning, Klobuchar said if elected, she would be, quote, a transformative governor.
Protester
I will do my job without fear or favor. I've never shied away from taking on the powerful. That's what I did as prosecutor, that's what I did as senator, and that's what I will do as your.
Ellie Roth
She delayed a formal announcement during the upheaval over the immigration operation that has led to protests and two civilian deaths. Klobuchar is entering the race alongside a crowded field of Republican candidates. But even some Republicans acknowledge that her candidacy could complicate their chances of retaking an office they haven't held since 2010. For NPR News, I'm Ellie Roth.
Korva Coleman
Meanwhile, Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins has announced ICE officials have ceased their recently stepped up operations in Maine. The Collins says this comes after she had direct talks with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Collins says normal ICE efforts will continue in Maine. Hundreds of protesters marched yesterday outside an ICE facility in southern Texas. That's where a five year old boy from Minnesota is being held. Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas met with the boy and his family yesterday. Castro says the child appears lethargic. The A photo shows the boy lying in his father's arms. Castro says the family's in the US Legally waiting for their asylum claim to be processed. From Texas Public Radio, Samuel Rocha reports on the protest.
Samuel Rocha
For San Antonio art teacher Sheila Vazquez, the hour long drive to Dealey was worth it if it meant standing up for children held in immigration detention. Vasquez stayed up all night crafting a large white bird sculpture she calls a protector, a a symbol of hope for families inside the detention center.
Sheila Vazquez
I don't know if any of the children are going to be able to see us. I thought maybe if I put her high enough, they could get a glimpse.
Samuel Rocha
Later in the day, tensions escalated as Texas Department of Public Safety troopers in riot gear confronted protesters. Authorities deployed a chemical irritant for crowd control. I'm Samuel Rocha in Dilley, Texas.
Korva Coleman
You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Officials around the country say about 50 people have died from last weekend's powerful winter storm. Weather conditions are still dire in some regions. That's because 300,000 customers still don't have power in Southern states. Meanwhile, some federal workers are suing the Trump administration. They're protesting President Trump's plans to cut some 10,000 workers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The lawsuit claims President Trump is misleading the public about how deep the cuts are to the Disaster Management Agency. Big tech companies Meta and Microsoft both say they had strong earnings in the previous fiscal quarter. And despite concerns of an artificial intelligence bubble, they're both signaling they'll press ahead with AI related spending this year. Microsoft is an NPR financial supporter. NPR's John Bruich has more.
John Bruich
Meta, Facebook's parent company, beat revenue expectations in the fourth quarter, reporting nearly $60 billion in income, mostly from ads. For Microsoft, the haul was more than $81 billion, driven in part by demand for cloud computing for AI. Both companies have been pouring money into AI systems to compete in a sector that's growing at lightning speed and prompting worries that profitability can't catch up with spending. Nevertheless, Microsoft forecasts its capital expenditures will continue to grow this year. CEO Satya Nadell. The company is building at quote, a massive scale. Meta also says it expects to spend a lot more in 2026. JOHN RUICH, NPR News, on Wall street.
Korva Coleman
In pre market trading, Dow futures are higher. This is npr.
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Overview
This NPR News Now episode, hosted by Korva Coleman, delivers concise coverage of pressing national events as of January 29, 2026. Major themes include protests over recent government actions and use of force, a significant gubernatorial campaign announcement from Senator Amy Klobuchar, ongoing immigration disputes, the continuing aftermath of a deadly winter storm, and strong earnings from major tech companies. The broadcast also features on-the-ground perspectives from Minnesota and Texas, highlighting both the human impact and political maneuvers shaping the week’s headlines.
Notable Quote:
“We are marching.” — Protester (00:28)
Notable Quote:
“I will do my job without fear or favor. I've never shied away from taking on the powerful. That's what I did as prosecutor, that's what I did as senator, and that's what I will do as your [governor].”
— Amy Klobuchar, campaign video (01:10)
Notable Quote:
“The child appears lethargic. A photo shows the boy lying in his father's arms. … The family's in the US legally waiting for their asylum claim to be processed.”
— Rep. Joaquin Castro summarized by Korva Coleman (02:00)
Notable Quote:
“I don't know if any of the children are going to be able to see us. I thought maybe if I put her high enough, they could get a glimpse.”
— Sheila Vazquez (02:50)
Notable Quote:
“[Microsoft] is building at, quote, a massive scale.”
— Satya Nadella, CEO, paraphrased by John Bruich (04:30)
On protest perseverance:
"We are marching." — Protester (00:28)
On Klobuchar’s motivations:
"I've never shied away from taking on the powerful... that's what I will do as your [governor]." — Amy Klobuchar (01:10)
On the human cost of detention:
"The child appears lethargic... the family's in the US legally waiting for their asylum claim to be processed." — Rep. Joaquin Castro summarized (02:00)
On symbolic solidarity:
"I thought maybe if I put her high enough, they could get a glimpse." — Sheila Vazquez (02:50)
Tech CEO ambition:
"[Microsoft] is building at, quote, a massive scale." — Satya Nadella, paraphrased (04:30)
This summary covers the major events and insights discussed, provides memorable moments from the episode, and sets out major developments in U.S. politics, immigration, disaster response, and technology—all in NPR's straightforward and factual reporting style.