NPR News Now: 01-21-2026 11PM EST

Host: Giles Snyder (NPR)
Date: January 22, 2026
Length: 5 minutes

Overview

This episode covers the latest developments in U.S. and global headlines, including the acquittal of a police officer in the Uvalde school shooting, President Trump’s statements on Greenland and military deployments, ongoing protests in Minneapolis, a major winter storm approaching the Carolinas, U.S. trends in psychedelic usage, and global financial market reactions.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Uvalde School Shooting Trial—Acquittal of Officer (00:19–01:14)

• Former Uvalde school police officer Adrian Gonzalez acquitted after nearly three weeks on trial.

• Key Details:

  • First law enforcement on scene during the May 24, 2022, elementary school shooting.
  • Accused of hesitating and failing his duty as the gunman killed 19 children and two teachers.
  • Gonzalez found not guilty on 29 counts of child endangerment after over seven hours of jury deliberation.
  • This is the first trial related to law enforcement response in Uvalde; ex-Chief Pete Arredondo is also expected to be tried.

  Notable Quote:

  • David Martin Davies (01:03): “After deliberating for more than seven hours, the Nueces county jury found Gonzalez not guilty in the 29 counts of child endangerment.”

2. Greenland Crisis: Trump Rules Out Military Action (01:14–02:22)

• President Trump, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, vows no military force to seize Greenland, and lifts additional tariffs.

• European Response:

  • “Relief” in Europe, but lingering skepticism about U.S. intentions.
  • Danish Foreign Minister Lars Luc Rasmussen welcomes de-escalation but remains wary of “expansionist ambitions.”
  • NATO figures criticize Trump’s attitude towards Europe.
  • Announcement of a framework for a U.S.-NATO deal on Greenland, but no details.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Eleanor Beardsley (European Affairs, 01:46):
    "Danish Foreign Minister Lars Luc Rasmussen welcomed the fact that Trump now says he won't use force to capture Greenland, but warned that his expansionist ambitions remain intact."
  • Eleanor Beardsley, quoting former NATO General Olivier de Bavan Shove (01:56):
    "He basically said, you are all ingrates. We Americans do everything, and without us, you are nothing."

3. Minnesota Unrest and Military Police on Alert (02:22–03:17)

• President Trump downplays military intervention in Minnesota, but Army units are preparing to deploy.

• Context:

  • Fort Bragg military police battalion prepped for Minnesota, alongside Alaska’s 11th Airborne Division units.
  • Triggered by ongoing protests in Minneapolis after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Macklin Good, a local mother.
  • No federal investigation of the shooting; instead, federal probes target Minnesota Democratic officials accused of blocking immigration enforcement.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Quill Lawrence (Military Affairs, 02:35):
    "An army military police battalion stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, has received a prepare to deploy order for Minnesota."
  • Quill Lawrence (02:56):
    "Protests have continued in Minneapolis for two weeks since an ice agent shot to death Renee Macklin Good, a 37 year old mother of three."

4. Winter Storm Emergency in the Carolinas (03:17–03:54)

• Both North and South Carolina governors declare states of emergency ahead of a powerful storm.
• Warnings of power outages from New Mexico to the Appalachians; cold to persist into next month.

5. Psychedelic Drug Use—Microdosing Trend (03:54–04:33)

• RAND Drug Policy Research Center survey reveals approximately 11 million Americans used magic mushrooms last year.

• Microdosing psilocybin and other psychedelics (MDMA, ketamine, LSD) is a notable trend.

• Motivations: Improving mood, reducing anxiety/depression, enhancing creativity.

• Caution noted due to lack of robust data on benefits or risks.

  Notable Quote:

  • Will Stone (03:57):
    "Based on those responses, the researchers found that psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, was by far the most widely used substance."
  • Will Stone (04:14):
    "While there's no single definition, generally that amounts to taking about 10% or less of a regular dose that would produce mind altering effects."

6. Global Financial Markets Rally (04:33–04:58)

• Japan’s Nikkei index rebounding after Trump’s announcements.
• U.S. stock markets also up, with all three major indices gaining 1.2% and the Dow climbing by 580 points.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On law enforcement accountability:

  • David Martin Davies, regarding the outcome of the Uvalde trial (01:03)

• On U.S.-Europe relations:

  • Eleanor Beardsley, quoting the Danish Foreign Minister and former NATO general’s frank criticism of U.S. attitudes (01:46–02:05)

• On the Minneapolis unrest:

  • Quill Lawrence’s detail about ongoing protests and federal priorities (02:56)

• On microdosing:

  • Will Stone explaining the scope and reasons behind the psychedelic microdosing trend (04:14)

Major Timestamps

• 00:19: Uvalde school shooting officer acquitted
• 01:14: Trump rules out military action in Greenland—international reactions
• 02:22: Military police on alert for Minnesota protests
• 03:17: Winter storm emergency across the South
• 03:54: Rise of psychedelic microdosing in the U.S.
• 04:33: Financial markets rebound on political developments

Overall Tone:
Direct, urgent, and factual, with a keen focus on pressing national and international news developments.