NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-24-2026 4PM EST

Episode Date: January 24, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Skiyvone. In Minneapolis, another person has been shot and killed by federal immigration agents. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports that local leaders are again calling on the Trump administration to pull its officers out of the city. U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino says the shooting was self-defense, asserting that agents were essentially attacked as they pursued an undocumented immigrant wanted for violent assault. A bystander video shows multiple agents wrestling. someone on the ground when multiple shots are fired. Minneapolis mayor Jacob Fry said the weeks-long surge of federal officers amounts to an invasion of the city. The mass militarized force and unidentified agents who are occupying our streets, that is what erodes trust in both law enforcement and in democracy itself. Minneapolis police say the man killed was a 37-year-old

white male with no criminal record and a lawful permit to carry a gun. Jennifer Lutton, NPR News, Travel disruptions already in gear as a major winter storm system makes its way across the nation. U.S. airlines have canceled almost 12,000 flights. Most airlines have waived rebooking fees. Texas is bracing for a winter freeze, but state leaders say the power grid is ready. Nearly five years after another storm left millions without electricity statewide. The Texas newsrooms Lucia Vasquez reports. Nearly five years ago, extreme cold crippled Texas's power grid, leaving millions without electricity.

for days and contributing to more than 240 deaths statewide. Now, as another freeze approaches the Lone Star State, leaders say the system is better prepared. The state's grid operator, known as Urquot, says it expects to meet electricity demand as the cold settles in. Governor Greg Abbott says the grid has been improved to work under extreme cold. The Ircott grid has never been stronger, never been more prepared, and is fully capable of handling this winter storm. Emergency crews are on standby, warming centers are opening across the state, and Texans are being urged to prepare and avoid travel during icy conditions. For NPR news, I'm Lucio Vosquez in Houston. U.S. Southern Command has carried out another lethal strike on a small boat allegedly carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific.

Questions persist about these strikes. NPR's Tom Bowman says many focus on the justification for strikes like these. The Justice Department has said these boat strikes. are legal, and their argument is that these boats are carrying drugs to the United States that are killing tens of thousands of Americans, therefore we can attack these boats because they're killing Americans. There are many people in Congress and defense analysts who question that, and we do know that the former head of Southern Command, Admiral Halsey, he actually resigned over this issue. NPR's Tom Bowman reporting. This is NPR News in Washington.

Afghanistan has been struggling through a rough winter, and authorities there say that over the past three days, heavy snow and rainfall has left more than 60 people dead and scores injured. Deforestation and general degradation of the land due to war and climate change regularly lead to flash flooding in the impoverished nation, and in this latest storm, hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and hundreds of animals have perished. Metso soprano Denise Graves takes her final bow today, performing in Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. And P.R.'s Olivia Hampton reports the performance caps a career that has lasted more than four decades. Denise Graves has performed on the world's most prestigious stages. I'm very fulfilled. I've done the things that I've wanted to do. The Emmy and Grammy-winning artist has portrayed some of opera's most commanding heroines, like Delilah, and Carmen.

She now plans to focus on her foundation and stage directing. Music, she says, can transcend everything, race, socioeconomic status, language, and that's what I'm choosing to lean into. Olivia Hampton, NPR News, Washington. At the Australian Open, today, play was suspended briefly due to extreme heat. After the pause, Yanik Sinner came back from a case of cramps to beat Elliot Spitzery and move on to play in the fourth round in women's play.

Naomi Osaka withdrew before the third round due to an abdominal injury. I'm Luis Skiyvone and PR News.