NPR News Now – January 2, 2026, 3PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh, NPR
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now update delivers a concise roundup of major news developments as of January 2, 2026. The bulletin covers a foiled terror attack in North Carolina, the pretrial detention of a January 6-related bombing suspect, a deadly fire at a Swiss ski resort, a fatal mountain lion encounter in Colorado, and Tesla's fall from the top spot in global electric vehicle sales. The report also highlights relevant stock market figures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NPR’s New Year & Public Funding

• Host Michelle Martin opens with gratitude for listener support amid recent loss of federal funding for NPR and local stations, reflecting the organization’s resolve to continue providing news in 2026.
• Notable Quote:
  • "2025 dealt a big blow to NPR and local stations with the loss of federal funding for public media. But we are so heartened by the outpouring of support, and we will get through this together." – Michelle Martin [00:08]

2. Foiled Terror Plot in North Carolina

• Story lead: The FBI prevented a planned New Year’s Day attack. Christian Sturdevant, 18, in custody, had admitted online to ISIS sympathies and plotting an attack.
• FBI Statement:
  • Emphasized the dangers posed by individuals self-radicalizing online and targeting soft civilian sites.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “This investigation highlights the very real threat posed by people who self radicalize online and are inspired by jihadist ideologies... They seek to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons and with little to no warning." – FBI Special Agent James Barnacle [00:54]
• Families often notice radicalization early on, per agents.
• Legal status: A criminal complaint filed New Year’s Eve was unsealed after Sturdevant’s court appearance in Charlotte.

3. Pretrial Detention in January 6 Bombing Case

• Accused: Brian Cole Jr., 30, under arrest after a nearly five-year FBI investigation into the 2021 Capitol riot-related pipe bombs.
• Prosecution Argument: Cole is a danger and should stay in custody.
• Defense: Cites autism diagnosis; insists Cole is no threat and seeks release.
• Judicial Decision: Magistrate Judge Matthew Charbaugh orders Cole to remain jailed due to the serious nature of planting two pipe bombs near party headquarters on January 5, 2021.
• Reporter: NPR’s Ryan Lucas.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "Prosecutors argue that Brian Cole Jr. Is a danger to the community and that he should remain in custody as his case moves to trial." – Ryan Lucas [01:44]

4. Swiss Ski Resort Fire Tragedy

• Confirmed Fatalities: At least 40 people died in an early New Year’s Day bar blaze at Kran, Montana in the Alps.
• Suspected Cause: Sparklers set off inside the bar ignited the ceiling.
• Investigation: Identification of victims, many of whom are foreign nationals, is ongoing and painstaking.
• International Assistance: Neighboring countries offer to treat burn victims.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Judicial Police Chief Colonel Pierre Antoine Langen said the process of identification has been very difficult. 'It requires being extremely meticulous,' he said. 'We cannot afford to make mistakes in this area, even though we know that waiting is extremely difficult to live with.'" – Terry Schultz (reporting) [02:39]

5. Suspected Mountain Lion Fatality in Colorado

• Incident: A woman was apparently killed by a mountain lion on a remote trail on New Year’s Day. An autopsy is pending.
• Local Context: Not the first mountain lion encounter recently on the trail.
• Eyewitness: Messina narrowly escaped a similar attack.
• Notable Moment:
  • “Scary. Messina says he was on the same trail when he was confronted by a big cat and managed to escape.” [03:47]

6. Tesla Loses Top EV Seller Spot to China’s BYD

• Market Shift: BYD outsold Tesla in 2025 with over 2.2 million EVs vs. Tesla’s 1.6 million.
• Factors:
  • Declining sales for Tesla in the last two years.
  • Fallout from Elon Musk’s political stances and association with federal cuts under President Trump.
  • The end of US federal subsidies for EVs after 2025 hurt Tesla’s US sales.
• Reporter: Maria Aspen.
• Market Reaction: Tesla shares down nearly 2%.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Tesla sales have been dropping for the past two years, and now a Chinese competitor has pulled ahead. China’s BYD says it sold more than 2.2 million electric vehicles last year, easily overtaking Tesla’s 1.6 million cars." – Maria Aspen [04:04]

7. Stock Market Update

• Indices Movement:
  • Dow Jones up 339 points
  • S&P 500 up 50 points
  • Nasdaq up slightly
• Quote (paraphrased): “We see shares in Tesla are now down nearly 2%. At last check, the Dow has risen 339 points. S&P was up 50. Nasdaq up a fraction.” [04:51]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Michelle Martin’s opening thanks and call for resilience despite funding loss [00:00-00:25]
• FBI Special Agent Barnacle’s warning about self-radicalization [00:54-01:15]
• Swiss police chief’s statement on tragedy recovery [02:39]
• BYD’s overtaking of Tesla and connection to Musk’s politics and policy changes [04:04-04:51]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• NPR Funding and New Year's Note: [00:00-00:26]
• North Carolina Terror Plot Foiled: [00:29-01:29]
• January 6 Pipe Bomb Suspect Denied Bail: [01:29-02:25]
• Swiss Ski Resort Fire: [02:25-03:17]
• Colorado Mountain Lion Fatality: [03:25-03:52]
• Tesla Loses EV Sales Crown: [03:52-04:51]
• Stock Market Update: [04:51-05:04]

This summary captures the authoritative, concise reporting and measured tone typical of NPR News Now, distilling the essential facts and perspectives for listeners who missed the broadcast.