NPR News: 01-31-2026 10AM EST
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The federal government is shut down again, but unlike the record-long shutdown last fall, this funding lapse doesn't affect the entire government and could last only a few days. Lawmakers remain at odds over additional guardrails on federal immigration officers following the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis this month. NPR's Sam Greenglass reports.
What are the implications of the federal government shutdown?
Democrats are demanding a suite of changes, like requiring judicial warrants for immigration raids, ensuring impartial investigations and accountability after incidents, and mandating immigration officers wear body cameras and remove their masks. Democrats feel emboldened because they think the public agrees with them. And even more than the last shutdown debate over those health subsidies last fall, what's unfolded in Minneapolis maybe speaks to something more fundamental about the country at this moment.
That's NPR's Sam Greenglass reporting. As part of a national day of protest against federal immigration enforcement, nurses gathered outside the largest hospital in Maine to remember one of their own. Nicole Ogrosco from Maine Public Radio reports.
Nurses and other supporters packed outside Maine Medical Center in Portland to remember Alex Preddy, the VA nurse who was killed by federal agents last weekend in Minneapolis. Nurse Taylor Westcott says Preddy's death hit especially hard as more than 200 people were recently arrested in Maine during a multi-day immigration enforcement search.
And it seems like it can't get worse. And then that news came and it felt like a physical gut punch.
Though Immigration and Customs Enforcement has reportedly wrapped up a large-scale operation in Maine, Westcott says patients and health care workers are still afraid to come to the hospital. For NPR News, I'm Nicole Ugrisco in Portland, Maine.
The U.S. is moving ahead with a military buildup for a new round of strikes against Iran. Officials in Tehran, meanwhile, say if the country is attacked, it will hit hard at U.S. interests in the Middle East. NPR's Greg Myrie reports on the possible showdown.
The U.S. military now has an aircraft carrier, additional ships, and dozens of warplanes within striking distance of Iran. President Trump remains noncommittal about whether he'll order an attack. But speaking of Iran, he said, quote, "...we'll see what happens. I can say this, they do want to make a deal." However, Iran's foreign minister says his country won't negotiate while it's being threatened.
How are lawmakers responding to immigration enforcement issues?
Iran has an arsenal of ballistic missiles and says that if attacked, it will strike U.S. targets in the region. The U.S. and Israel bombed Iran's nuclear facilities for 12 days last June. Trump is not saying what the U.S. might hit in a future attack. Greg Myhre, NPR News, Washington.
This is NPR. In tennis, Elena Rabakina has claimed the Australian Open women's title with a stunning victory over world number one Irina Sabalenka. Christina Kukula reports from Melbourne.
Match point under the lights at Melbourne Park for world number five Elena Rybakina after a thrilling win against top-ranked Irina Sabalenka in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. This is Rybakina's first Australian Open title and her second Grand Slam after Wimbledon in 2022. Rybakina thanked her fans after the match.
Of course to you guys for such an incredible atmosphere. It was a battle and honestly your support kept us going.
Earlier U.S. player Christian Harrison and Britain's Neil Skupski won the men's doubles title, defeating Australians Jason Kubler and Mark Polmans.
For NPR News, I'm Kristina Kukola in Melbourne. U.S. skiing legend Lindsey Vonn crashed during a downhill race in Switzerland Friday, injuring her left knee just one week before the Winter Olympics. She lost control after landing a jump and slid into safety netting. She was airlifted for medical evaluation. The race was canceled after multiple crashes amid poor conditions. Ban says her Olympic dream is not over and will continue exams with her doctors and team.
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