NPR News Now: January 19, 2026 – 5AM EST

Host: Dave Mattingly
Date: January 19, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now hourly update covers the latest breaking national and international news in five minutes. Today’s top stories include a deadly train collision in Spain, European Union deliberations regarding US policy on Greenland, the Pentagon’s readiness to deploy troops to Minnesota after local protests, pessimistic outlook for US homebuilders in 2026, and a DOJ criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Deadly Train Collision in Spain

[00:18]–[01:14]

• Summary: A catastrophic train accident in Cordoba, Spain, left at least 39 dead and dozens injured as two high-speed trains collided on a flat, recently renovated stretch of track.
• Details:
  • Incident occurred where routes connecting Andalusia cities to Madrid converge.
  • The train that derailed was only four years old; tracks had been renovated as recently as May 2025.
  • The cause remains unknown, with Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente calling the accident "tremendously strange."
• Notable Quote:
  • “The accident is tremendously strange, as the trains were also traveling on a flat stretch of track.” — Oscar Puente (via Miguel Macias), [01:04]

2. EU Response to President Trump’s Greenland Comments

[01:14]–[02:14]

• Summary: EU leaders are planning an emergency summit in Brussels to address President Trump's continued remarks about acquiring Greenland and potential US tariffs.
• Details:
  • The European Council is considering 93 billion Euros in counter-tariffs against the US—a previously drafted measure.
  • French President Macron is pushing to invoke the EU's “anti coercion emergency powers,” which would limit US Companies’ access to the EU market, a tool never used before.
  • Meeting is expected Thursday or Friday, with the outcome potentially marking a historic first for EU action against the US.
• Notable Quote:
  • “There are also calls… to trigger what's called the anti coercion emergency powers to limit US Companies access to the EU market. It's never been used before.” — Terry Schultz, [01:58]

3. US Military on Alert for Minnesota Deployment Amid Protests

[02:14]–[03:13]

• Summary: The Pentagon has readied 1,500 active-duty soldiers from Alaska’s 11th Airborne Division for possible deployment to Minnesota following protests after a fatal shooting during a federal immigration operation.
• Details:
  • The shooting of Renee Macklin Goode in Minneapolis led to tense protests and confrontations.
  • President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act but has since pulled back as protests quieted due to severe winter weather.
  • The situation remains tense, but current conditions have dampened public gatherings.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Minneapolis has been quiet for the last few days, in part because of heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.” — Jasmine Gardz, [02:33]

4. Homebuilder Sentiment Down, Despite Some Relief in Rates

[03:13]–[04:16]

• Summary: Despite brief optimism, US homebuilders are signaling a negative outlook for 2026, citing high construction costs and interest rates.
• Details:
  • The National Home Builders Association’s housing market index dipped 2 points to 37 (below the positive threshold of 50).
  • Survey predated new housing policies, such as the government buying $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities to help lower rates.
  • The average 30-year mortgage rate is just over 6%, which is lower than recent highs but still deterring movement in the market.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Anything below 50, an overall negative outlook. Builders are dealing with rising construction costs and high interest rates.” — Stephen Bassaha, [03:48]

5. Justice Department Investigation Into Federal Reserve Chair Powell

[04:16]–[04:56]

• Summary: The Justice Department has launched a criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell regarding $2.5 billion in renovations at Fed headquarters. Powell claims this is political pressure to lower interest rates faster.

• Details:

  • The Fed dropped interest rates by 0.25% three times in late 2025.
  • The investigation's timing and rationale are viewed skeptically by Powell.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Powell has said he believes the DOJ probe is an attempt to pressure the Fed into lowering interest rates more aggressively.” — Dave Mattingly, [04:24]

6. NFL Playoff Update

[04:46]–[04:56]

• Summary: The NFL playoffs narrow to four teams:
  • AFC: New England vs. Denver
  • NFC: LA Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks

Notable Quotes Recap

• Oscar Puente (via Miguel Macias), [01:04]:
  “The accident is tremendously strange, as the trains were also traveling on a flat stretch of track.”
• Terry Schultz, [01:58]:
  “There are also calls… to trigger what's called the anti coercion emergency powers to limit US Companies access to the EU market. It's never been used before.”
• Jasmine Gardz, [02:33]:
  “Minneapolis has been quiet for the last few days, in part because of heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.”
• Stephen Bassaha, [03:48]:
  “Anything below 50, an overall negative outlook. Builders are dealing with rising construction costs and high interest rates.”
• Dave Mattingly, [04:24]:
  “Powell has said he believes the DOJ probe is an attempt to pressure the Fed into lowering interest rates more aggressively.”

Segment Timestamps

• Spain Train Crash: 00:18–01:14
• EU Summit on US-Greenland: 01:14–02:14
• US Troops Alert for Minnesota: 02:14–03:13
• Builder Sentiment in 2026: 03:13–04:16
• Justice Dept. Probes Fed Chair: 04:16–04:56
• NFL Playoffs Update: 04:46–04:56

Overall Tone:
Clear, factual, and concise, typical of NPR’s news reporting style. The episode delivers compressed yet comprehensive coverage of critical global and national events, providing essential background and context.