NPR News Now – January 29, 2026, 9PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: January 30, 2026
Length: 5 minutes
Theme: Top news stories of the hour, from politics and public safety to technology and sports accessibility.

Episode Overview

This edition of NPR News Now delivers a concise roundup of the most pressing news. Key stories include a federal assault case involving Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, ongoing power outages amid winter storms and immigration crackdowns, groundbreaking plans for space-based data centers, diplomatic updates concerning Ukraine, a legal battle over a George Washington exhibit, and a Super Bowl accessibility innovation for blind and low-vision fans.

Key Stories and Discussions

1. Assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar at Town Hall (00:15–01:11)

• Incident: A Minneapolis man, Anthony Kacmarak, appeared in federal court for allegedly assaulting Congresswoman Ilhan Omar by spraying her with vinegar at a recent event.
• Context: The attack took place as Rep. Omar advocated for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
• Legal Developments:
  • Kacmarak faces both federal and state charges.
  • Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty emphasizes that a conviction at the state level cannot be pardoned by the president.
  • The defendant's attorney cites the suspect's Parkinson's disease and mental health struggles.
• Notable Quote:
  • “A successful prosecution will result in a state level conviction that’s not subject to presidential pardon now or in the future.”
    — Mary Moriarty (00:54)

2. Winter Storm Outages and Immigration Fear in Tennessee (01:11–02:12)

• Context: Winter storm “Fern” left parts of the Southeast without power, extending hardships for already vulnerable communities.
• Issue: Undocumented residents are hesitant to seek help or use warming shelters, fearing immigration enforcement.
• Community Leader Insight:
  • Lisa Sherman Luna from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition voices concern over the welfare of immigrants trapped in unsafe conditions.
• Notable Quote:
  • “We have whole sections of our communities in Nashville who are going to face more hardship because they’re having to make tough choices like stay in their homes and not go to a warming center and the risk that that puts on people.”
    — Lisa Sherman Luna (01:47)
• Ongoing Impact: Some households are now in their fourth day without electricity.

3. SpaceX and China Race to Build Space-Based Data Centers (02:12–03:09)

• US Plans: Reports suggest SpaceX is exploring a merger with xAI, potentially to develop solar-powered AI data centers in Earth’s orbit within two to three years as part of its five-year plan.
• China’s Response: The China Aerospace Science and Corporation—one of China's largest, state-owned aerospace firms—announced its own ambitions for space-based infrastructure to support AI.
• Global Perspective: Both nations are pouring resources into commercializing space, with China eyeing its first commercial spaceflight by 2028.
• Notable Overview:
  • “China and the US are the primary competitors in space exploration… Musk’s SpaceX wants to launch solar powered AI data centers within the next two to three years…”
    — Emily Feng (02:45)

4. President Trump, Putin, and Ukraine Ceasefire Request (03:09–03:31)

• Development: President Trump claims he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian towns for a week due to extreme cold; Russia has not confirmed the agreement.
• Humanitarian Impact: Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure have deprived many civilians of heat in winter.

5. Philadelphia Sues Over Removal of George Washington Exhibit (03:31–04:25)

• Background: President Trump ordered the removal of exhibits referencing George Washington’s enslaved people near his executive home, alleging they “disparage American history.”
• Legal Action: The City of Philadelphia, whose funds contributed to the exhibit, sues for its return, citing breach of a cooperative agreement.
• City’s View:
  • Mayor Cheryl Parker emphasizes the historical importance and public right to this knowledge.
• Notable Quote:
  • “This history is a critical part of our nation’s origins and it deserves to be seen and heard.”
    — Mayor Cheryl Parker (04:07)

6. Super Bowl Accessibility Breakthrough for Blind and Low-Vision Fans (04:25–04:53)

• Innovation: Selected fans will use a tactile, audio-enabled device at this year’s Super Bowl in Santa Clara, enabling real-time tracking of the ball, vibrational alerts for big moments, and audio descriptions.
• Event: The device will debut at the game between the Seattle and New England teams.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Non-Pardonable State Charges (00:54):
  “A successful prosecution will result in a state level conviction that’s not subject to presidential pardon now or in the future.”
  — Mary Moriarty

• On Immigrant Safety During Crisis (01:47):
  “All of us should be really disturbed right now that we have whole sections of our communities... having to make tough choices like stay in their homes and not go to a warming center and the risk that that puts on people.”
  — Lisa Sherman Luna

• On Historical Memory (04:07):
  “This history is a critical part of our nation’s origins and it deserves to be seen and heard.”
  — Mayor Cheryl Parker

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Assault on Ilhan Omar: 00:15–01:11
• Winter Storm & Immigration: 01:11–02:12
• Space-Based Data Center Race: 02:12–03:09
• Ukraine Ceasefire Request: 03:09–03:31
• Philadelphia Historical Lawsuit: 03:31–04:25
• Super Bowl Accessibility Device: 04:25–04:53

This episode packs major national and international events into a succinct, five-minute news report, reflecting NPR’s signature tone: direct, balanced, and informative.