NPR News Now: January 3, 2026, 12AM EST

Host: Dale Willman

Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on major global and U.S. news stories, including an FBI-foiled terrorist plot in North Carolina, a deadly ski resort fire in Switzerland, the killing of a notorious criminal gang leader in Colombia, market news, Tesla's EV ranking, a measles outbreak in South Carolina, and college football results.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Foiled Terrorist Plot in Mint Hill, North Carolina

• Details:
  • The FBI disrupted a terrorist plot allegedly orchestrated by 18-year-old Christian Sturtevant, inspired by ISIS, who planned to attack a fast food restaurant at a grocery store using knives and hammers.
  • Sturtevant is charged with providing material support to a terrorist organization.
• Notable Quote:
  • Russ Ferguson (U.S. Attorney, Western District of North Carolina):

    "It was a very well planned, thoughtful attack that he had planned and that was fortunately foiled. Here he was preparing for jihad and innocent people were going to die, and we're very, very fortunate they did not." (00:47)

2. Deadly Fire at Swiss Ski Resort

• Incident:
  • A fire broke out at a bar in the Crans-Montana resort on New Year's Eve, killing at least 40 and injuring 119.
• Cause and Investigations:
  • Local prosecutor Beatrice Piot explains a likely cause was candles or sparklers placed on champagne bottles too close to the ceiling.
  • Investigators are looking at ceiling soundproofing that may not have met regulations.
• Notable Quote:
  • Beatrice Piot (Local Prosecutor):

    "Everything leads us to believe that the fire began from candles or sparklers that were put on champagne bottles. And all of this was placed too closely to the roof or the ceiling rather. And that's when there was a flashover that took place in this establishment." (01:17)

3. Killing of Gang Leader in Colombia

• Operation Summary:
  • In a joint operation near the Venezuela border, Colombian authorities killed Giovanni San Vicente, leader of the Tren de Aragua gang, listed as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.
  • The operation demonstrates Colombia's intensified efforts against organized crime and terrorism.
• Additional Context:
  • Tren de Aragua originated in a Venezuelan prison in 2014 and expanded across Latin America.
  • U.S. pressure on both Colombia and Venezuela to curb the gang's activities.
• Notable (Paraphrased):
  • John Otis (NPR Reporter):

    "President Trump accuses the group of sending tons of cocaine into the US and has been pressuring Venezuela and Colombia to crack down on the gang." (02:41)

4. Stock Market Updates

• U.S. Markets:
  • S&P 500: Up almost 0.2%
  • Dow: Up more than 0.6%
  • Nasdaq: Flat
• International Markets:
  • British and South Korean markets reached record highs. (02:53)

5. Tesla Loses EV Sales Crown

• Numbers:
  • Tesla (2025): 1.64 million vehicles sold — down 9% from last year
  • BYD (China): 2.26 million vehicles sold
• Significance:
  • BYD overtakes Tesla as the world’s top-selling electric vehicle maker.

6. Measles Outbreak in South Carolina

• Current Situation:
  • 185 confirmed cases, mostly impacting children in a county bordering North Carolina.
  • County noted for having South Carolina’s lowest school vaccination rates.
• Child Impact Compared to Other States:
  • SC: 90% of cases are children
  • Arizona: 65%
  • Utah: 60%
• Notable Quote:
  • Luis Alfredo Garcia (Reporter):

    "The county has the lowest school vaccination rate of any county in South Carolina. Exposure spreads throughout households and schools for the most part, but it is affecting kids at a higher rate than cases in other states with current outbreaks." (03:54)

7. College Football Bowl Results

• Highlights:
  • Navy beat Cincinnati 35–13 (Blake Horvath: two touchdown passes, one rushing TD).
  • Texas State overpowered Rice 41–10.
  • SMU edged Arizona 24–19.
  • Wake Forest beat Mississippi 43–29. (04:34)

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• Foiled Terrorist Attack Quote (00:47): Russ Ferguson underscores the seriousness and relief over the prevention of an ISIS-inspired attack.
• Candles Caused Deadly Fire (01:17): Beatrice Piot explains the role of sparklers in the Swiss bar fire.
• Gang Leader Killed in Colombia (02:08): John Otis details Colombia's strike on a notorious criminal syndicate.
• Tesla Cedes EV Title to BYD (03:16): Reporting on a major milestone in global electric vehicle competition.
• Measles Outbreak Insights (03:50): Luis Alfredo Garcia spotlights vaccination rates and high pediatric impact in SC.

Segment Timestamps

• 00:19: News begins – FBI foils North Carolina terror plot
• 00:47: Russ Ferguson's statement
• 01:17: Swiss fire causation – Beatrice Piot’s account
• 01:44: Fire investigation and safety code issues
• 02:08: Colombian operation against Tren de Aragua – John Otis reporting
• 02:53: Stock market and global market roundup
• 03:16: Tesla and BYD electric vehicle sales
• 03:50: Measles outbreak in South Carolina – Luis Alfredo Garcia reporting
• 04:34: College football bowl game results

Original reporting delivered in NPR's straightforward, succinct style.