NPR News Now: 01-02-2026 10AM EST

Date: January 2, 2026
Host: Windsor Johnston (NPR)

Episode Overview

This five-minute news update from NPR delivers key headlines and developments from around the globe, including a deadly fire at a Swiss ski resort, rising tensions around daycare centers in Minneapolis, the kickoff of the new business year on Wall Street, notable college football playoff results, and severe winter weather in upstate New York.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Deadly Fire in Swiss Alps Ski Resort

[00:00–01:25]

• Incident Summary: Switzerland declared five days of mourning after a fire devastated the Les Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, a popular ski town.
• Casualties: At least 40 people have died, and over 1,100 others are injured, many seriously.
• Victim Testimony: 16-year-old Axel Clavier described his terrifying escape from the basement nightclub, saying:
  • "We thought we were going to suffocate because of the smoke. We didn't know where to exit. There was a huge crowd and I was alone. I told myself I wasn't going to make it." — Axel Clavier via BBC ([00:51])
  • Clavier managed to escape by pushing up a narrow staircase and smashing a window.
• Witness Accounts: Witnesses outside saw people emerging with their clothes still on fire.
• Cause: Authorities state the blaze was not the result of a deliberate attack; the investigation continues.
• Reporter: Ruth Sherlock (NPR)

2. Threats Against Somali American Daycare Providers in Minneapolis

[01:25–02:11]

• Backdrop: Somali American daycare operators report threats and vandalism after a right-wing YouTuber accused them of fraud, echoing earlier claims that led to federal funding cuts under the Trump administration.
• Press Conference Evidence: Nasrullah Muhammad, of Nokomis Daycare, shared concerns:
  • "There’s been a break in, there’s been vandalism and some people in the community are scared. Sensitive documents have been stolen." — Nasrullah Muhammad ([01:48])
• Political Reaction:
  • After the press conference, former President Trump posted on social media, dismissing Muhammad’s account as “a total fraud” and continued attacks on Somali Americans, calling them "lowlifes."
• Reporter: Brian Mann (NPR)

3. U.S. Stock Market Update

[02:11–03:06]

• Market Opening: The Dow Jones Industrial Average started up 37 points on the first trading day of the year.
• 2025 Recap: Double-digit gains for major indexes: Dow up 13%, S&P 500 up over 16%.
• Tesla Sales Drop:
  • Fourth-quarter sales fell ~16% year-over-year after the expiration of a $7,500 EV tax credit.
  • Annual sales dropped ~9%.
• EV Market Shift:
  • China’s BYD's increased sales made it the world’s top EV maker, surpassing Tesla.
  • Hong Kong and Seoul markets rose, Tokyo and Shanghai were closed.
• Reporter: Scott Horsley (NPR)

4. College Football Playoff Upsets

[03:06–03:57]

• Results: Only top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers survived the quarterfinals; other games saw Miami, Oregon, and Ole Miss scoring upsets over higher-ranked opponents.
• Coach’s Reflection: Indiana head coach Kirk Signetti credited his strategy from learning under Alabama’s Nick Saban:
  • "It takes a while... It doesn't happen in the first quarter. Second quarter, it happens in the second half." — Kirk Signetti ([03:43–03:45])
• Next Steps: The Fiesta and Peach Bowls next week will determine who plays for the national title.
• Reporter: Pat Duggans (Alabama Public Radio)

5. Winter Storm in Upstate New York

[03:57–04:28]

• Snowfall Impact: Parts of upstate New York, notably Syracuse, were hit with more than a foot of snow.
• Local Experience:
  • Dermonde Demons, originally from the South, commented:
    • "We don't have to fight snow, you know, we don't have to fight ice. We still have conditions where, you know, you could die, freezing temperatures. But as far as the climate goes, where the extra challenges we don't have to face, that we're still able to operate the whole winter. We can still do things without having to have the extra obstacles." — Dermonde Demons ([04:11])
• Records: Hancock International Airport recorded over 2 feet, breaking local records and marking only the second snow day since 1902.

Stock Market Closing Update

[04:28–04:53]

• Indexes at segment close:
  • Dow up 53 points
  • S&P 500 up 42 points

Notable Quotes

• Axel Clavier on escaping the fire:

  • "We thought we were going to suffocate because of the smoke. We didn't know where to exit. There was a huge crowd and I was alone. I told myself I wasn't going to make it."
    (00:51, survivor of Swiss Alps fire via BBC)

• Nasrullah Muhammad on Minneapolis daycare threats:

  • "There’s been a break in, there’s been vandalism and some people in the community are scared. Sensitive documents have been stolen."
    (01:48, Nokomis Daycare, Minneapolis)

• Coach Kirk Signetti on victory strategy:

  • "It takes a while... It doesn't happen in the first quarter. Second quarter, it happens in the second half."
    (03:43–03:45, Indiana Hoosiers head coach)

• Dermonde Demons on snow in Syracuse:

  • "We can still do things without having to have the extra obstacles."
    (04:11, Syracuse resident)

Additional Notes

• The episode delivers concise, fact-based reporting in a steady, neutral tone, covering both domestic and international stories relevant to the new year.
• Stock and weather updates bookend the news to provide listeners with a holistic overview of current affairs.