NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-24-2026 2PM EST

Episode Date: January 24, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Skivoni. Another deadly shooting involving federal immigration agents took place this morning in Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security says the person approached border patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and an agent-fired defensive shots. Here's what Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says. What I can tell you is we have identified this person, 37-year-old white male, resident of the city, the only in the only, interaction that we are aware of with law enforcement has been for traffic tickets, and we believe he is a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. The circumstances are still under investigation. DHS says the operation that led to the shooting had targeted an undocumented person wanted for assault. Travel disruptions are already in gear as a major winter storm system makes its way across

the nation. U.S. airlines have canceled almost 10,000 flights. Most airlines waived re-booking fees during the storm and urge passengers to change their plans. On the ground, travel of all kind is bound to be seriously hampered. More than a dozen governors from Texas to New York have declared states of emergency. The winter storm is pushing natural gas prices up sharply, with prices rising more than 50 percent this week. The expected cold weather could also disrupt supplies of gasoline. NPR's Kamilla Dominovsky reports. Super cold weather, especially in places that aren't used to it is a double whammy for natural gas. It cuts into supply. Storms can halt production and moisture inside pipelines can freeze and cause failures. At the exact same time, demand goes up because

everyone's heater is working overtime. Most of the U.S. either burns natural gas for heat or uses electricity and many power plants run on natural gas. Meanwhile, extreme cold can also disrupt operations at refineries, which would mean less gasoline available for drivers. For now, though, supplies are fine and gasoline prices are up just a few cents from last week. Camila Dominooski NPR News. Two high-profiled Texas Democrats are going head to head for their party nod in the next U.S. Senate race. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and State Representative James Talarico face off in debate tonight. Here's the Texas newsrooms, Blaise Ganey. The two candidates have made a name for themselves in their respective chambers, but also across the country through social media. Both have had viral moments,

in this debate is likely to offer more. Talia Stroud, the director of the Center for Media Engagement at the University of Texas, says those trendy clips are needed for candidates. Getting your name out there and having people even know who you are is a critical first step to doing well in any election. And I think that social media and having a presence on platforms can help candidates to do that because people can encounter their messages when they aren't even seeking them out. Being social media famous has another bonus.

It's much cheaper than paying for a TV ad. For NPR news, I'm Blaise Ganey. This is NPR. U.S.S. Southern Command has carried out another lethal strike on a small boat, allegedly carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific. In the latest strike, the Pentagon posted a grainy video on social media, showing a small boat exploding into flames. Southcombe says two crew were killed.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed to NPR it was engaged in a search and rescue operation for one survivor. The city of Philadelphia is superfluing. the National Park Service for dismantling an outdoor exhibit about slavery at Independence National Historical Park. NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports the exhibit, a joint project between the city and the Park Service, honored enslaved people who worked for George Washington. The National Park Service workers pulled down artwork and signage that told the stories of nine enslaved people who worked for George and Martha Washington, including a cook named Hercules, and Martha's maid own a judge. Department of the Interior, which oversees the Park Service, says it tore down the signs because it's implementing President Trump's executive order restoring truth and sanity to American history and calls the City of Philadelphia's lawsuit frivolous. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro wrote on social media,

Donald Trump will take any opportunity to rewrite and whitewash our history. We learn from our history in Pennsylvania, even when it's painful. Elizabeth Blair and PR News. In Mozambique floods that have destroyed thousands of homes now present a unique threat in submerged towns. Crocodiles are emerging amid the torrential rains and severe flooding. At least three people have been killed. I'm Louise Skiavoni and PR News, Washington.