NPR News Now: January 2, 2026 – 7PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Length: 5 Minutes
Date: January 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now update delivers the day’s top national and international headlines in five minutes, focusing on issues ranging from delayed Epstein files and a tragic fire in the Swiss Alps to changes in federal health insurance, rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, upcoming astronomical events, and a ski patrollers' strike in Colorado.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Delayed Release of DOJ’s Epstein Files

00:00–01:01

• The Justice Department missed its deadline to fully release the Epstein investigation files, as required by a law signed by President Trump.
• Only a fraction of documents have been released publicly, and those are heavily redacted.
• Some released information is considered unreliable according to government statements.
• No official estimate exists for the remaining unreleased files, though released emails suggest over a million documents were collected during the investigation.

Notable Quote:

“The relatively few documents that have been made public have extensive redactions, and the government also says some of what’s released should not be trusted.”
– Stephen Fowler (00:33)

2. Deadly Fire at Swiss Ski Resort

01:03–01:46

• Swiss authorities are investigating whether party candles, commonly placed on champagne bottles, triggered a deadly fire at an Alpine ski resort on New Year’s Eve.
• The accident claimed at least 40 lives and injured over 100 attendees.
• Investigators will scrutinize if the resort's sound-muffling ceiling materials met safety regulations.

Notable Quote:

“The candles, which give off a stream of upward shooting sparks, are commonly available for parties.”
– Jeanine Herbst (01:23)

3. Federal Employees Lose Coverage for Gender-Affirming Care

01:46–02:19

• The Human Rights Campaign filed a discrimination complaint against the Trump administration.
• Starting January 2026, federal employee health insurance stopped covering “chemical and surgical modification of an individual’s sex traits.”
• The policy change affects both employees and their covered family members, eliminating coverage for all gender-affirming care.
• The Human Rights Campaign alleges this constitutes sex-based discrimination and seeks reinstatement of coverage.

Notable Quote:

“The Human Rights Campaign calls this discrimination on the basis of sex.”
– Sidney Lupkin (02:12)

4. China’s Military Drills Around Taiwan

02:19–03:12

• China staged large-scale military exercises encircling Taiwan, including live-fire missile tests.
• China claims the actions counter “sinister plots” to challenge its claim over Taiwan, specifically calling out the island’s pro-independence president, Lai Qing Te.
• The European Union and U.S. both criticized the drills, with the U.S. urging Beijing to exercise restraint.

Notable Quote:

“The European Union said the drills quote, endanger international peace. And the U.S. State Department urged Beijing to, quote, exercise restraint in the Asia Pacific region.”
– Emily Fang (02:56)

5. Supermoon and Meteor Shower Update

03:12–04:15

• The first full moon of 2026 is also a supermoon, meaning it appears larger and brighter due to proximity to Earth.
• The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks, but its visibility is low because of the bright moonlight.
• Astronomical highlights for the year include a rare second full moon in May (a "blue moon") and two eclipses, though the total solar eclipse won’t be visible from the U.S.

Notable Quote:

“This is the last supermoon until November, but 2026 will have 13 full moons because the month of May will have a second full moon, AKA a blue moon.”
– Nell Greenfield Boyce (03:46)

6. Ski Patrollers’ Strike in Telluride, Colorado

04:15–04:54

• A week-long ski patrollers’ strike has shut down Telluride’s ski resorts.
• Patrollers are protesting for better pay amidst high local living costs; the resort claims the union’s demands are excessive.
• The strike has led to a 54% drop in short-term rental bookings, critically impacting local tourism.

Notable Quote:

“The Telluride Tourism board says bookings for short term rentals are down 54% since the strike started.”
– Jeanine Herbst (04:47)

7. Financial Markets

04:54–05:00

• Wall Street ended mixed: Dow up 319 points; NASDAQ down 6.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• On DOJ’s Epstein File Release:
  “There are well over pages yet to be released.”

  • Stephen Fowler (00:33)

• On Swiss Fire Tragedy:
  “Swiss investigators say sparkling candles on top of champagne bottles may have ignited the deadly fire at a ski resort in the Alps on New Year’s Eve.”

  • Jeanine Herbst (01:03)

• On Gender-Affirming Care Policy:
  “That means neither the employee nor their covered family members on their health plans would be able to get coverage for gender affirming care.”

  • Sidney Lupkin (01:54)

• On China’s Show of Force:
  “The European Union said the drills, quote, endanger international peace.”

  • Emily Fang (02:56)

Conclusion

This fast-paced NPR News Now edition efficiently delivers critical updates on major U.S. policy changes, international geopolitical tensions, science news, and local U.S. developments with direct reporting, concise context, and notable statistics—ideal for listeners seeking a quick, comprehensive news roundup.