NPR News: 01-18-2026 3AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now — January 18, 2026, 3AM EST

Host: Dale Willman

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Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode, hosted by Dale Willman, covers major developing stories in U.S. and international politics, public health, weather, and sports. The headlines include President Trump's new tariffs in an escalating campaign regarding Greenland, immigration enforcement surges in Minneapolis, open enrollment statistics for healthcare.gov amid rising premiums, a rapidly growing measles outbreak, and notable moments from the NFL playoffs on the eve of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

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1. President Trump Escalates Push for Greenland Acquisition

[00:14–01:04]

• New Tariffs Target European Allies:
  • President Trump announces 10% tariffs on Denmark and seven other European NATO countries supporting Denmark’s refusal to sell Greenland to the U.S.
  • If Denmark continues to refuse, tariffs rise to 25% on June 1.
  • Trump has not ruled out "using military force to take over Greenland."
• Denmark’s Stance:
  • Denmark is open to an expanded U.S. military presence on Greenland but insists "Greenland is not for sale."
• Notable Quote:
  • Mara Liasson ([00:41]):

    "Trump says if Denmark doesn't sell Greenland to the U.S. the tariffs will go up to 25% on June 1."

• Tone:
  • Urgent, tense international relations with pointed use of economic pressure and unresolved military rhetoric.

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2. Immigration Enforcement Surge and Protests in Minneapolis

[01:04–01:43]

• ICE Surge:
  • Over 2,000 ICE agents deployed to Minneapolis for immigration enforcement.
  • Frequent local protests against ICE actions, but a recent protest shifts focus.
• Counter-Protest Details:
  • A far-right anti-immigration activist planned an event.
    • “Maybe a few hundred people” protested, but overall turnout was low.
    • Community messaging discouraged participation: “Don't take the bait.”
• Judicial Oversight:
  • Judge rules ICE agents cannot detain or use tear gas on peaceful, non-obstructing protesters.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jasmine Garst ([01:24]):

    "There were maybe a few hundred people out there letting this activist know he was not welcome, but overall, small turnout, partly because... groups were telling each other, do not show up to this. Don't take the bait."

• Tone:
  • Calm, reflective on community de-escalation strategies.

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3. Healthcare.gov Enrollment Numbers Amid Rising Costs

[01:43–02:53]

• Open Enrollment Figures:
  • 22.8 million people picked or auto-renewed plans; a 3% drop despite premiums “double on average compared to last year.”
  • Congress has not revived enhanced subsidies, leaving many paying much more.
• Expert Insight:
  • Cynthia Cox (KFF) underscores uncertainty:
    • “Some people are having this lingering hope that there might be a deal in Congress, but if nothing comes along, then they might not be able to continue to afford their coverage and may drop it.” ([02:31])
• Bipartisan Negotiations:
  • Stalled in the Senate, but Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska says:
    • “I don't think it is too late to salvage something.” ([02:46])
• Notable Quote:
  • Cynthia Cox ([02:31]):

    "Some people are having this lingering hope that there might be a deal in Congress, but if nothing comes along, then they might not be able to continue to afford their coverage and may drop it."

• Tone:
  • Concerned, addressing both practical and political uncertainty.

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4. Weather: Winter Storms and Snow in the Southeast

[02:53–03:27]

• Forecast Highlights:
  • Snow expected in parts of Florida and Georgia, expanding across the Midwest and East Coast.
  • Sub-freezing wind chills and below-average temperatures will persist into early next week.
• Tone:
  • Informative, with a focus on preparation.

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5. Health: Measles Outbreak Expanding Nationally

[03:27–04:15]

• New Cases Linked to South Carolina Outbreak:
  • Three children in Snohomish County, Washington, affected after exposure from out-of-state visitors.
  • Six cases in North Carolina connected to South Carolina outbreak (now at 558 cases).
• Medical Warning:
  • “A single person with measles can infect up to 18 other unvaccinated people on average.”
• Urgency & Risk:
  • Doctors expect the outbreak to worsen before control is regained.
  • Anyone unvaccinated considered at-risk across affected regions.
• Notable Quote:
  • Maria Godoy ([03:42]):

    "A single person with measles can infect up to 18 other unvaccinated people on average. Experts warn that anyone not vaccinated is at risk."

• Tone:
  • Serious, cautionary call to public health action.

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6. MLK Day and NFL Divisional Playoffs

[04:15–04:54]

• Honoring MLK Jr.:
  • “Choose Love” phrase appears in NFL end zones and on player helmets for divisional games around Dr. King’s holiday.
  • Originated with Buffalo Bills’ response to 2022 mass shooting.
• NFL Results:
  • Seattle Seahawks: Advance to NFC Championship after defeating San Francisco 41–6.
  • Denver Broncos: Overtime win over Buffalo Bills, 33–30, moving them to the AFC Championship.
• Tone:
  • Reflective and celebratory, connecting civil rights legacy with major sports culture.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Regarding Trump’s Tariffs & Greenland:
  • “Trump says if Denmark doesn't sell Greenland to the U.S., the tariffs will go up to 25% on June 1.”
    — Mara Liasson [00:41]
• Minneapolis Counter-Protest:
  • "There were maybe a few hundred people out there letting this activist know he was not welcome... Don't take the bait."
    — Jasmine Garst [01:24]
• Healthcare Uncertainty:
  • “Some people are having this lingering hope that there might be a deal in Congress, but if nothing comes along, then they might not be able to continue to afford their coverage and may drop it.”
    — Cynthia Cox [02:31]
• Senate Negotiations:
  • "I don't think it is too late to salvage something."
    — Senator Lisa Murkowski [02:46]
• Measles Outbreak Caution:
  • “A single person with measles can infect up to 18 other unvaccinated people on average.”
    — Maria Godoy [03:42]

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Additional Notes

• Overall Tone:
  • Balanced and succinct; the episode delivers critical news with concise urgency and context.
• Best for Listeners Who:
  • Need rapid, factual updates on politics, health, and sports with expert insights and direct quotes.

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Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News. I'm Dale Willman. President Trump says he'll put new tariffs on European countries. As NPR's Mara Liaison reports, it's part of his pressure campaign to get control of Greenland.

[Mara Liasson]

In a social media post, Trump says he will put 10% tariffs on Denmark, which currently includes Greenland. He will also tariff seven other countries, including France, Germany and the UK all are members of NATO who are supporting Denmark's refusal to sell Greenland to the U.S. trump has not ruled out using military force to take over Greenland. Trump says if Denmark doesn't sell Greenland to the U.S. the tariffs will go up to 25% on June 1. Denmark says it's willing to let the U.S. expand its military presence in Greenland, but it insists Greenland is not for sale. Mara Liasson, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Homeland Security says there are more than 2,000 ICE agents on the ground in Minneapolis this weekend in what officials describe as a surge in immigration enforcement. Protests against those efforts have been occurring there almost daily. But on Saturday, there was a different protest underway.

[Jasmine Garst]

A far right anti immigration activist planned an event in downtown Minneapolis. There were maybe a few hundred people out there letting this activist know he was not welcome, but overall, small turnout, partly because days before this event, community chats and neighbors groups were telling each other, do not show up to this. Don't take the bait.

[Dale Willman]

That's NPR's Jasmine Garst, who's in Minneapolis. A judge, meanwhile, ruled Friday that ICE agents cannot detain or use tear gas on peaceful protesters who were not obstructing authorities. This week marked the end of a chaotic and confusing open enrollment period for healthcare.gov as NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin reports, Millions of people have re enrolled in coverage despite much higher premiums this year.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

The Latest data shows 22.8 million people picked a plan or auto renewed during open enrollment so far, a 3% drop from the year before. That's despite the fact that premium costs are double on average compared to last year. And Congress hasn't been able to make a deal to bring back enhanced subsidies. Cynthia Cox is with the health research organization kff.

[Cynthia Cox]

Some people are having this lingering hope that there might be a deal in Congress, but if nothing comes along, then they might not be able to continue to afford their coverage and may drop it.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

Bipartisan talks in the Senate have slowed, but Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska hasn't given up.

[Dale Willman]

I don't think it is too late to salvage something.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

Weather forecasters say parts of Florida and Georgia may see some snow Sunday morning as the winter storm moves through the central and eastern U.S. parts of the Midwest and East coast are also being hit by snow and sub freezing wind chills. National Weather Service says below average temperatures for the entire region are also expected into early next week. This is NPR News. Health officials in Washington state and North Carolina are reporting cases of measles linked to the fast growing outbreak in South Carolina. As NPR's Maria Godoy reports, measles is one of the most contagious diseases known.

[Maria Godoy]

Public health officials in Snohomish County, Washington, say three children there contracted measles after being exposed to an infected family visiting from South Carolina. All three children were unvaccinated. Meanwhile, North Carolina officials say six measles cases there are connected to the outbreak centered in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. That state reported its measles outbreak nearly doubled in size this week with 558 confirmed cases so far. Doctors warn that the outbreak, which is the biggest one in the US Right now, is likely to get worse before it gets better. A single person with measles can infect up to 18 other unvaccinated people on average. Experts warn that anyone not vaccinated is at risk. Maria Godoy, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

The phrase Choose Love has been placed in the end zones during this weekend's NFL divisional round playoff games. The phrase honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday is the annual holiday honoring the civil rights leader. Choose love is also being displayed on players helmets. It was first used in the NFL in 2022 by the Buffalo Bills, who offered it as a message to the community after a mass shooting in that city. The Seattle Seahawks, meanwhile, advanced to the NFC Championship Game Saturday with a 416 win over San Francisco in in the AFC, Denver beat Buffalo in overtime 33 to 30 to advance. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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