NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-26-2026 8PM EST

Episode Date: January 27, 2026

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This message comes from Data Bricks, the data and AI company. Are your AI agents working? Most aren't reliable for business. You need AI that's accurate. Agent Bricks, AI agents grounded in your data and built for your goals. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says President Trump has had a change of tone about his immigration crackdown in the state.

Minnesota Public Radio's Clay Masters has more on the phone. call between the former Democratic vice presidential candidate and Republican president this morning. Wall says Trump agreed to consider reducing the number of immigration enforcement agents in the Twin Cities. He also says the president would consider ensuring the state could conduct independent investigations into the killings of Alex Pretty and Renee Maclin Good. Whether it was morality or bad optics and poll numbers, whatever has happened here, there is a definite change of tone. There is definitely a more collaborative tone. I want to make sure that I'm not jeopardizing that, that I'm going to take them for their word right now, that they're

going to reduce this force. Wall says Border Patrol commander at large, Greg Bovino and Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem will not be returning to the Twin Cities. For NPR news, I'm Clay Masters in St. Paul. Chris Mattel, a Republican candidate for governor of Minnesota, and the lawyer who represented the ICE officer who shot and killed U.S. citizen Renee McClend Good is dropping out of the race. Mattel announced his decision in a video this morning, saying he no longer stands for the immigration crackdown happening in Minneapolis. NPR's Elena Moore reports. Despite initially supporting ICE's effort in Minneapolis, Mattel called the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in the city an unmitigated disaster. He shared his decision in a video

posted on X. I cannot support the National Republican stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so. His announcement comes just two days after a second U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, was shot and killed by a federal agent in the city. It sparked escalating calls from national lawmakers, including some Republicans for the administration to cooperate with state and local authorities when investigating the incident. Elena Moore, NPR News, Washington. For the first time ever, an ounce of gold costs more than $5,000. As NPR's Maria Aspen reports, the record-breaking surge and gold prices comes as investors worry about almost, everything else. Gold and other precious metals are traditionally seen as safe haven investments,

meaning investors buy them when they're anxious about more mainstream assets, like stocks and bonds. Gold has smashed several records in the past year, as President Trump wages a trade war against United States allies. It crossed the $5,000 mark after a weekend in which Trump threatened new tariffs against Canada, and federal officers fatally shot a man in Minneapolis. stoking Wall Street fears of a federal government shutdown. Gold prices are rising as investors sell dollars as part of what's become known as the Sell America Trade. Maria Aspen, NPR News. U.S. Stock Index is ticked higher today. This is NPR News.

Judges at the International Criminal Court say former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial. Duterte faces charges of crimes against human rights. for his alleged involvement in killings during his war on drugs. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee today unveiled its roster of athletes for the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. And for the first time in more than a decade, hockey players from the NHL will compete for the U.S. in hockey. NPR's Brian Mann reports the announcement covered every winter sport at the upcoming games from cross-country skiing to curling to figure skating. Men and women hockey players will make up one-fifth of the total 232 strong U.S. roster.

time since 2014, every men's team USA hockey player will come from the NHL. American Brady Kachuk plays for the Ottawa Senators. It's hard not to get excited to go compete with the best players in this country and see some of the best athletes in the world to compete for the gold medal. Kachuk's brother Matthew, who skates for the Florida Panthers NHL team, will also compete for the U.S. The Americans men team hasn't won Olympic gold in ice hockey since the 1980 games in Lake Placid. The opening ceremony for the winter games in North Northern Italy is February 6. Brian Mann, NPR News. A new high-resolution map of distant galaxies may help scientists understand the mysterious dark matter holding the universe together. In the latest

study, they charted hundreds of thousands of galaxies over 10 billion years, creating one of the most detailed maps to date. Scientists can't study dark matter directly, but they can observe how it warps the stars around it. I'm Ryland Barton. You're listening to NPR News. This message comes from Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe. You can send, spend, and receive in up to 40 currencies with only a few simple taps. Be smart, get Wise. Download the Wise app today or visit wise.com. T's and Cs apply.