Overview of New MN Shooting Under Investigation, Major Murder Rate Drop, Winter Storm Slams US: AM Update 1/26
This AM Update (hosted by Megyn Kelly on January 26, 2026) covers four main stories: the fatal Minneapolis shooting of an anti-ICE activist during a federal arrest operation; a large, nationwide drop in homicides reported by the Council on Criminal Justice; a sprawling winter storm that disrupted travel, schools, and power for millions; and Alex Honnold’s rope-free ascent of Taipei 101 livestreamed on Netflix. The bulletin also previews deeper analysis to come on The Megyn Kelly Show and includes brief sponsor spots.
Major stories
1) Minneapolis shooting of anti-ICE protester
- Victim: 37-year-old Alex Preddy (described as a VA nurse and concealed-carry permit holder).
- Incident: Occurred Saturday during federal agents’ attempt to arrest an undocumented person outside a donut shop. Video circulating on social media shows a confrontation: agents and protesters scuffling, pepper spray used, a shout of “gun,” then several shots. Agents recovered a 9mm handgun and extra magazines at the scene; DHS posted photos of the recovered firearm and magazines.
- Immediate reactions and claims:
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz gave heated press remarks condemning the shooting and demanding accountability.
- DHS officials (referred to in the report as Secretary Noem) characterized Preddy as potentially dangerous and claimed the scene looked like someone intending “maximum damage.”
- Multiple federal sources quoted by reporters said DHS messaging overstated the case and risked eroding credibility.
- Several Democratic senators (Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kelly) criticized ICE and federal tactics, calling for removal of these forces from Minnesota.
- Border Patrol and ICE spokespeople defended agents’ actions and described hostile conditions during previous operations in Minneapolis.
- President Trump said the administration was reviewing facts before taking a position and urged local cooperation with federal enforcement.
- Investigation/status: DHS is investigating; multiple video angles are being analyzed. Megyn Kelly’s show promised frame-by-frame review later in the day.
- Family/reported details: Preddy’s father said he advised his son not to engage; officials noted Preddy had a concealed-carry permit and (apparently) no ID at the scene.
2) Nationwide drop in murders — CCJ report
- Source: Council on Criminal Justice (nonpartisan), analyzing data from 40 major cities; FBI 2025 data not yet available.
- Key findings:
- Average reported homicide rate across available cities was 21% lower than in 2024.
- CCJ expects the overall U.S. homicide rate to fall to about 4 per 100,000 — the lowest recorded since 1900, and the largest single-year percentage decline on record.
- City highlights: Denver down ~41%; Washington, D.C. and Omaha down ~40%.
- Other violent-crime trends: aggravated assault down 9%; robbery down 23%; carjackings down 43%; residential burglary down 17%; domestic violence down ~2%; sexual assault roughly unchanged; drug offenses up 7% (but still below 2019 levels).
- Interpretation: CCJ avoided definitive attribution of causes, saying rigorous evidence is lacking. The White House and some Republican lawmakers credit federal deployments and stricter immigration enforcement; media and analysts warn the drivers of the drop are not yet clear.
3) Winter storm across much of the U.S.
- Scope: System affected up to 245 million people across ~40 states (from Arizona to Maine).
- Impacts:
- Severe cold: Watertown, NY recorded about -34°F; wind chills in NE Ohio down to -25°F; single-digit temps in parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas.
- Snow totals: e.g., 16" in Davis, WV; 8.5" in Pittsburgh; 8" in St. Louis; ~18" in parts of Connecticut reported as “nearly a foot and a half.”
- Power and infrastructure: Ice caused power lines and poles to fail. Up to ~1 million customers in the South lost power at peak; frozen tree limbs caused damage.
- Fatalities: At least two hypothermia deaths reported in Louisiana.
- Travel: Massive disruptions — FlightAware reported >19,000 delays and >12,000 cancellations in one day; LaGuardia closed for a period; the New York Times said it was the most flight cancellations in a day since early pandemic days.
- School closures/remote learning across many districts (Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Boston, Memphis, Nashville, Baltimore, etc.).
- Government response: At least 24 states under emergency weather declarations; crews working to restore service and clear roads.
- Forecast: Storm expected to linger in parts of the Northeast; officials warned to follow local advisories.
4) Alex Honnold climbs Taipei 101 (no ropes)
- Event: Free solo climb of Taipei 101 (1,667 ft) broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay.
- Details:
- Honnold wore a red shirt, used only a chalk bag and climbing shoes; his wife, Sonny McCandless, watched inside the building.
- Challenges: Smooth glass-and-steel surfaces, wind gusts, greasy residue requiring periodic shoe/hand wiping.
- Timeline: Reached 60th floor in ~44 minutes, completed the summit in a total climb time of 1 hour 32 minutes; he then rappelled down and exited by elevator.
- Reaction: Climbed successfully, took a selfie at the top; crowd and family visibly relieved.
- Note: The climb was notable for demonstrating different risks compared with rock faces (lower friction, wind).
Sponsors/Ads (brief)
- Riverton Chevy: Promotional financing on 2025 Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab.
- Birch Gold Group: Gold/IRA offers and limited-time rebate for first-time gold buyers.
- All Family Pharmacy: Direct-to-door medication service; coupon code Megan10 for 10% off.
Key takeaways
- The Minneapolis shooting is a high-profile, politically charged incident with multiple competing narratives; video analysis and a DHS investigation are ongoing.
- The CCJ report indicates a pronounced and historic drop in homicides and many violent-crime categories in 2025, but causes remain uncertain and politically contested.
- A major winter storm produced life-threatening cold, widespread travel chaos, significant power outages, school closures, and at least two reported deaths.
- Alex Honnold completed a high-profile, rope-free ascent of Taipei 101, broadcast live and demonstrating unique free-solo risks on urban architecture.
What to watch / next steps
- Developments from the DHS investigation into the Minneapolis shooting and any law-enforcement or prosecutorial actions.
- Release of full FBI 2025 crime statistics and further analysis into drivers of the CCJ-reported homicide decline.
- Weather and utility updates for affected regions: power restoration timelines, continued travel advisories, and emergency declarations.
- Megyn Kelly’s promised frame-by-frame video analysis later on The Megyn Kelly Show.