NPR News Now: Top Stories – January 20, 2026, 12PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Reporters: Danielle Kurtzleben, Jennifer Ludden, Nate Rott

Episode Overview

In this concise midday news update, NPR covers the ripple effects of President Trump’s attempts to purchase Greenland, the administration’s new initiative on housing market reform, severe winter pile-ups in Michigan, a major Netflix corporate move, a looming Supreme Court hearing on Fed governance, and surprising evidence of cow intelligence from Austria.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump's Greenland Gambit at Davos (00:16–01:22)

• Trump’s Push for Greenland:
  • President Trump’s push for the U.S. to acquire Greenland casts a shadow over the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
• Tariff Threats:
  • Trump threatens new tariffs on eight NATO member nations if a deal for Greenland falls through.
• Diplomatic Tensions:
  • Trump shares that French President Macron texted, “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland.” [Danielle Kurtzleben @ 00:58]
  • Norwegian Prime Minister and the Nobel Prize are referenced in Trump’s decision-making.
• Upcoming Events:
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Besant has defended the tariffs at Davos.
  • Trump is scheduled to speak tomorrow; on Thursday, he will address the Board of Peace concerning Gaza reconstruction.

2. U.S. Housing Ownership and Corporate Landlords (01:22–02:25)

• New Housing Proposal:
  • President Trump to unveil plans intending to reduce home prices, possibly by banning corporate ownership of single-family homes.
• Local Actions:
  • Fishers, Indiana implements a cap on investor landlords to protect generational home ownership.
    • “It’s been a source of generational wealth in our country, particularly in the middle class, and I hate to see that go away.” — Scott Fadness, Mayor of Fishers, IN [Nate Rott quoting, 01:49]
• Broader Context:
  • Economist Lori Goodman (Urban Institute) argues:
    • The root issue is a housing shortage—some investors actually help by building rental homes.
    • "The best way to make housing affordable is to increase supply." [Lori Goodman, summarized @ 02:08]
• Legislative Uncertainty:
  • Nationwide bans face significant hurdles; Congressional passage is unclear.

3. Michigan Multi-Vehicle Pileup Amid Snowstorm (02:25–03:04)

• Major Accident:
  • Over 100 vehicles involved in a series of crashes on I-196 near Grand Rapids, MI during a severe snowstorm.
  • Jeff Westfeldt (Grand Valley Towing): “Full blown accidents to winch outs, jackknife semis.” [02:30]
• Impact Report:
  • Multiple injuries but no fatalities.

4. Netflix Revises Warner Bros. Discovery Acquisition Offer (03:04–03:30)

• Revision Details:
  • Netflix turns its $82.7B bid for Warner Bros. Discovery assets into an all-cash offer (was previously cash and stock).

5. Financial Markets Update (03:30–03:44 & 04:46)

• Current Status:
  • All major U.S. market indices are down more than 1%.
    • Dow: -500 points
    • S&P: -78 points
    • Nasdaq: -313 points

6. Supreme Court Weighs Firing of Fed Governor (03:44–03:58)

• Upcoming Case:
  • High court to hear arguments on President Trump’s authority to dismiss Fed Governor Lisa Cook.
  • Uncertainty surrounds Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s participation—he's been a frequent Trump critic and is under federal investigation.

7. Cow Intelligence Discovery: Veronica the Tool-Using Cow (03:58–04:46)

• Unique Behavior:
  • Austrian scientists document a 13-year-old cow, Veronica, intentionally selecting and using sticks and a broom as multi-use tools to scratch herself—behavior akin to chimpanzees.
    • Over 70 observed trials with varied tool use.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Give us some thought that we may perhaps have underestimated the intelligence of some livestock species.” — Elise Auersberg, researcher [04:30]
• Further Insight:
  • Veronica’s case is exceptional due to her age and being kept as a pet.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Macron to Trump: “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland.” [00:58]
• Mayor Scott Fadness: “It’s been a source of generational wealth in our country, particularly in the middle class, and I hate to see that go away.” [01:49]
• Elise Auersberg (on cows): “Give us some thought that we may perhaps have underestimated the intelligence of some livestock species.” [04:30]

Segment Timestamps

• Pres. Trump/Greenland at Davos – 00:16–01:22
• Housing proposal/corporate landlords – 01:22–02:25
• Michigan snowstorm pileup – 02:25–03:04
• Netflix/Warner Bros. bid – 03:04–03:30
• Markets update – 03:30–03:44, 04:46
• Supreme Court/Fed firing case – 03:44–03:58
• Tool-using cow in Austria – 03:58–04:46

For a rapid, global news snapshot, this episode captures political, economic, and scientific headlines in a brisk, informative style—true to NPR News Now’s signature approach.