NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-24-2026 5PM EST

Episode Date: January 24, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst. In Minnesota, a U.S. Border Patrol officer shot and killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says he believes the man was a U.S. citizen. Immigration officers were conducting a targeted raid against a person they say was undocumented and armed and wanted for violent assault when the man who was shot approached. Border Patrol head, Greg Bovino says he had a handgun. The agents attempted to disarm the individual, but he violently resisted. Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, a border patrol agent fired defensive shots. Governor Tim Walz is calling on the president to pull federal agents out of the state. Donald Trump, I call on you once again. Remove this force from Minnesota.

They are showing chaos and violence. We've seen deadly violence from federal agents again and again and again. This is the third person shot by federal officers this month. Two were killed. One was wounded. Meanwhile, protests continue in the city. The powerful winter storm carving its way across two-thirds of the U.S. is expected to hit the northeast tomorrow. And New York could get its heaviest snowfall in years.

Steve Kastenbaum has more. New York City mayors are often judged by how they handle a big snowstorm. Zeranam Dani is in the middle of that test now, as he manages the city's response. Every single New Yorker is going to receive the same level of service where we prepare the city, take care of the city, and then get the city back on its feet in time after the storm. Temperatures plummeted into the single digits early Saturday morning,

prompting an emergency declaration here. Visibility will be very low. Winds will be gushing at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. New Yorkers can expect whiteout or near blizzard conditions. The weather forecast calls for a, a foot or more of snow from Sunday into Monday. For NPR news, I'm Steve Kastenbaum in New York. U.S. officials say progress was made in talks with Russia and Ukraine to end Moscow's nearly four-year-long war. And Pierce Tamer Keith reports. The U.S. team spoke to reporters after two days of meetings in Abu Dhabi with high-level delegations from Ukraine and Russia.

The officials said, quote, just getting them to the table to talk is a big step. And, quote, the conversations were very respectful. Even if there were no significant breakthroughs, they said having everyone in the same room was progress after months of at times frustrating shuttle diplomacy. Major sticking points remain, including how territory will be divided up and the terms of de-escalation if there is a deal. The officials say the next meeting has already been set for a week from now again in Abu Dhabi. Tamara Keith, NPR News. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Authorities in Colorado have reaffirmed the cause of writer Hunter S. Thompson's death in 2005 as suicide. And here's Chloe Veltman reports the Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced the results of its comprehensive review

following a request to reopen the case at the behest of Thompson's widow. In a press release issued on Friday, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation says it did not uncover any new facts or evidence to support a conclusion different. from the original one, that Hunter S. Thompson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home northwest of Aspen, Colorado on February 20, 2005. He was 67. The Bureau says Thompson's widow, Anita Thompson, contacted the Pitkin County Sheriff last summer to share, quote, new concerns and potential information about her husband's death. Investigators have not shared details. The counterculture figure was best known as the author of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. In interviews, Thompson sometimes mentioned his struggles with depression, chronic pain, and suicidal thoughts.

Chloe Valtman, NPR News. In San Francisco, a family of four, making less than $230,000 a year, now qualifies for free child care. It's part of a plan to lower the cost of living in one of the most expensive cities in the country. And the city will also offer a 50% child care subsidy for a family of four, making up to $310,000. The city determines benefits. eligibility based on area median income. I'm Janine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.