NPR News: 01-01-2026 11AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – January 1, 2026, 11AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Episode Theme: Major U.S. and international news updates, including a deadly fire in Switzerland, U.S. healthcare cost increases, political milestones in New York City, updates on tariffs and AI regulation, and travel disruptions in Europe.

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1. Swiss Ski Resort Fire: Major Tragedy in Crans-Montana

[00:13–01:03]

• Overview:
  A devastating fire broke out during New Year’s Eve celebrations at a popular ski resort in southwestern Switzerland, resulting in dozens presumed dead and over 100 with serious injuries.

• Key Details:

  • Fire occurred at a bar in Crans-Montana around 1:30am.
  • Local hospitals overwhelmed; some patients transferred to other facilities.
  • Authorities urge the public to avoid accidents to prevent further strain on emergency services.

• Quote:

  “Local hospitals and emergency responders are overwhelmed...patients are being moved to nearby facilities. They're pleading with others out on ski slopes and roads to do their maximum to avoid accidents that could further strain services.”
  — Terry Schultz [00:38]

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2. U.S. Health Insurance Premiums Spike as Subsidies Expire

[01:03–02:02]

• Key Points:

  • Federal subsidies for individual marketplace health plans expired at midnight, causing significant premium increases for millions.
  • Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) advocates for an extension of the tax credits.

• Impacts:

  • Premium examples: A Vermont farmer’s premium rises from $900/month to $3,200/month.
  • Concerns about people dropping health coverage due to costs.

• Quote:

  “So a farmer in Vermont, their premium is going to go from 900 a month to $3,200 a month. So they're going to really face sticker shock.”
  — Senator Peter Welch [01:44]

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3. Ron Mamdani Sworn In as New York City’s First Muslim Mayor

[02:02–03:07]

• Overview:

  • 34-year-old progressive Democrat Ron Mamdani is officially New York City’s first Muslim mayor.
  • His rapid rise from a local state lawmaker to leading America’s largest city.

• Ceremony Details:

  • Sworn in by New York State Attorney General Letitia James at a historic subway station under City Hall.
  • Public inauguration planned for later on New Year’s Day.

• Context:

  • Mamdani’s family roots: Born in Uganda, parents of Indian descent.
  • Election comes amid Trump administration’s restrictive immigration stance.

• Quotes:

  “Congratulations, Mr. Mayor."
  — Letitia James [02:33]
  “This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime.”
  — Ron Mamdani [02:55]

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4. President Trump on Aspirin Regimen and Health Rumors

[01:03–01:44]

• Discussion:
  • In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, President Trump claims his higher-than-recommended aspirin intake is responsible for the hand bruises that prompted health concerns.
  • Trump’s statement: Aspirin is "good for thinning out the blood...doesn’t want thick blood pouring through his heart."

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5. U.S. Tariff Increases on Kitchen and Home Goods Delayed

[03:07–03:58]

• Key Points:
  • President Trump signs a proclamation delaying planned tariff increases on kitchen cabinets, upholstered furniture, and bathroom vanities.
  • The 25% tariffs imposed in October were scheduled to increase to 50% and 30% by 2026; now delayed until 2027.

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6. Illinois Passes Landmark AI Regulation in Employment

[03:58–04:37]

• Legislation Highlights:

  • Illinois now bans employers’ use of AI tools to factor in demographic info, such as race or zip code, for hiring, promotion, or discipline decisions.
  • Law seen as a direct challenge to Trump administration efforts to curtail state AI regulations.

• Speaker Insight:

  “This is an unchecked technology. If we let it run and then it could hurt us, right? So just like we're doing this with, with employment. So we just got to get in front of it, do our best we can.”
  — Senator Javier Cervantes [04:14]

• Context:

  • Illinois positions itself as a regulatory "firewall" against federal policies.
  • Legal challenges anticipated.

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7. Channel Tunnel Train Service Restored

[04:37–04:56]

• Update:
  • Eurostar resumes train service after power failures this week between London, Paris, and Brussels.
  • Officials warn of potential delays despite resumed operations.

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• Sen. Peter Welch on Healthcare Costs:

  “A farmer in Vermont, their premium is going to go from 900 a month to $3,200 a month. So they're going to really face sticker shock.” [01:44]

• Letitia James to Mayor Mamdani:

  “Congratulations, Mr. Mayor.” [02:33]

• Ron Mamdani on His New Role:

  “This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime.” [02:55]

• Sen. Javier Cervantes on AI Regulation:

  “This is an unchecked technology...So we just got to get in front of it, do our best we can.” [04:14]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:13] - Swiss ski resort fire aftermath
• [01:03] - President Trump on aspirin & U.S. health premiums spike
• [01:44] - Sen. Welch’s comments on health insurance sticker shock
• [02:02] - Ron Mamdani sworn in as NYC mayor
• [03:07] - U.S. tariff increases delayed
• [03:58] - Illinois passes new AI employment law
• [04:37] - Eurostar resumes Channel Tunnel service

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Summary prepared for listeners seeking clear, concise coverage of the January 1, 2026, 11AM NPR News update.

Transcript

[Mawa Iqbal]

This message comes from Capital One with the Venture X card. Earn unlimited double miles, a $300 annual capital one travel credit and access to airport lounges. Capital One what's IN your wallet? Terms apply.

[Windsor Johnston]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of a fire that broke out at a popular ski resort in southwestern Switzerland. Terry Schultz reports dozens of are presumed dead and more than 100 others suffered serious injuries during New Year's Eve celebrations.

[Terry Schultz]

Swiss authorities say the fire broke out in a bar in the Creme Montana ski resort around 1:30am they won't speculate on what caused the high death toll. Many of the wounded suffered severe burns. Local hospitals and emergency responders are overwhelmed, officials said at a press conference, and patients are being moved to nearby facilities. They're pleading with others out on ski slopes and roads to do their maximum to avoid accidents that could further strain services.

[Windsor Johnston]

That's Terry Schultz reporting. President Trump says he takes a higher dose of aspirin than his doctors have recommended. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he blamed the higher dose for the visible hand bruises that have raised questions about his overall health. Trump also told the publication that aspirin is good for thinning out the blood and he doesn't want thick blood pouring through his heart. Starting today, millions of Americans will pay a lot more for health insurance, pay federal subsidies that help lower the cost of individual marketplace plants expired last night. Senator Peter Welch, a Democrat representing Vermont, has been pushing to extend the tax credits.

[Senator Peter Welch]

Well, the most insignificant is anybody, a small business, a farmer, whether they're in a Republican or a Democratic district, is going to get hammered. So a farmer in Vermont, their premium is going to go from 900amonth to $3,200 a month. So they're going to really face sticker shock.

[Windsor Johnston]

The skyrocketing costs could force people to drop their coverage. So Ron Mamdani has been sworn in as the first Muslim mayor of New York City. The 34 year old progressive Democrat rose in a single year from being a relatively unknown state lawmaker to lead the largest city in the U.S. nPR's Brian Mann reports.

[Brian Mann]

The oath was administered to Mamdani in a ceremony held in a historic subway station under City hall by New York State Attorney General letitia James.

[Letitia James]

Congratulations, Mr. Mayor.

[Brian Mann]

Mamdani was born in Uganda to parents originally from India. At a time when President Trump has sought to limit immigration from Muslim and African countries. Mamdani swept to victory, promising to make New York City more affordable and building a movement of young voters. After his swearing in, he flashed his trademark, grinning.

[Ron Mamdani]

This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime.

[Brian Mann]

A larger public ceremony will take place later on New Year's Day on the steps of City Hall. Brian Mann, NPR News, New York.

[Windsor Johnston]

Wall street is closed for the new year. Holiday trading resumes tomorrow. This is NPR News. In Washington, President Trump has signed a proclamation to delay tariff increases on kitchen cabinets, upholstered furniture and bathroom vanities. Trump imposed 25% tariffs on kitchen, kitchen cabinets and furniture. Those took effect in October, with increases originally planned to reach 50 and 30% by 2026. Under the new timeline, the higher rates won't take effect until 2027. A new law in Illinois now regulates how employers use artificial intelligence when making new hires. This comes on the heels of an executive order from President Trump targeting states passing AI regulations. Mawa Iqbal from member station WBEZ has more.

[Mawa Iqbal]

Illinois employers are now banned from using AI software to factor in demographic information such as race or zip code when reviewing applicants. This also applies to employers promoting or disciplining their employees. Democratic State Senator Javier Cervantes of Chicago backed the measure.

[Senator Javier Cervantes]

This is an unchecked technology. If we let it run and then it could hurt us, right? So just like we're doing this with, with employment. So we just got to get in front of it, do our best we can.

[Mawa Iqbal]

Illinois is no stranger to positioning itself as a firewall against Trump administration administration policies. Senator Cervantes says he's expecting a legal fight. For NPR News, I'm Mawa Iqbal in Springfield. Illinois.

[Windsor Johnston]

Trains are running again through the Channel Tunnel after power failures this week. Eurostar says service between London and cities like Paris and Brussels resumed overnight, but officials are warning of possible knock on delays after Tuesday's disruptions, which impacted both directions. This is npr.

[NPR News Announcer]

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