NPR News Now – 9PM EST, Jan 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode provides a concise yet comprehensive update on major national and international news as of January 21, 2026, at 9PM EST. Broadcast from Washington, D.C., NPR’s Ryland Barton anchors key headlines including outcomes of high-profile legal cases, geopolitical maneuvers involving the U.S. and Europe, immigration enforcement controversies, severe winter weather forecasts, international transportation disasters, and public health warnings. The episode closes with an unusual gesture by an English soccer team after an embarrassing defeat.

Main Topics & Detailed Breakdown

1. Uvalde Police Officer Acquitted (00:20)

• Jury Verdict: A Texas jury finds Adrian Gonzalez, one of the first responding officers at the Uvalde elementary school shooting, not guilty on 29 counts (including child abandonment and endangerment).
• Incident Recap: Gonzalez and fellow officers waited over an hour to confront the shooter. The massacre resulted in 21 deaths (19 children, 2 teachers).
• Defense Position: Gonzalez’s attorney asserts he wasn’t responsible for the attack.

2. Trump Backtracks on Tariffs and Comments on Greenland (00:20–01:26)

• Tariff Threat Canceled: President Trump announces a cancellation of increased tariffs on Europe following an agreement with NATO Secretary Mark Rutte “over a framework of a future deal on Greenland.”

• Military Posture: Trump affirms the U.S. will not use military force to seize Greenland but maintains a tone of warning in ongoing negotiations.

• Notable Quote:

  • Donald Trump (01:03):

    “So we want a piece of ice for world protection and they won’t give it. We’ve never asked for anything else and we could have kept that piece of land and we didn’t. So they have a choice. You can say yes and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no, and we will remember.”

• Geopolitical Concern: Trump’s remarks prompt concerns about a standoff between the U.S. and European allies.

3. Federal Immigration Tactics Controversy in Minnesota (01:26–02:21)

• Appellate Court Decision: An appellate court blocks a Minnesota ruling that would have restricted the use of aggressive tactics (tear gas, detentions) by federal immigration officers.

• Situation in Minneapolis: Federal officers’ presence has surged to over four times the city’s police force (2,500 agents).

• Public Reaction: Large protests are planned; National Guard on standby. Tensions are high due to potential for aggressive federal action.

  Sarah Ventri (01:38):
  “This ruling lifting restrictions on aggressive tactics leaves many on edge as large scale demonstrations are planned in the coming days and National Guard troops are on standby to deploy to the city.” – Sarah Ventri, NPR News

4. Severe Winter Storm Warning (02:21–03:10)

• Meteorological Forecast: A massive winter storm will develop over the Southwest on Friday, spreading frigid conditions and significant snow/ice through the Southeast and up the eastern seaboard.

• Expert Insight:

  • Jason Furtado (02:31):

    “The winter storm will develop over the Southwest on Friday and begin moving east. Frigid temperatures and significant accumulations of snow and ice are possible throughout the southeastern US.”

  • Greg Allen (02:45):

    “We’re going to see snow and ice dipping way down into the south. We’re talking down into, you know, areas of Oklahoma, Texas, over to, you know, the Southeast. But also it’s the tremendous cold coming in behind it.”

• Forecast Details:

  • Southern states: Days of single-digit temps, wind chills as low as -10°F by Sunday
  • Northeast: Up to two feet of snow possible

5. U.S. Market Recovery & Spanish Train Disaster (03:10–03:51)

• U.S. Stock Market: Markets rebounded after suffering the worst day since October.
• Spain Train Crash: Major rail service in Catalonia suspended following a deadly Barcelona train crash (1 dead, 37 injured). This comes days after a previous, much larger Spanish railway disaster (433 deaths), with three days of mourning underway.

6. Measles Public Health Warning (03:51–04:32)

• CDC Perspective: Dr. Ralph Abraham, the CDC’s deputy director, downplays potential loss of “measles elimination status” in the U.S., calling it “not really... significant.”
  • Dr. Ralph Abraham (03:51):

    “The loss of measles elimination status would, quote, not really be significant.”

• Concerns from Other Experts: There’s pushback among health professionals who view measles elimination status as a critical public health achievement and see its loss as a warning sign of declining disease prevention infrastructure.

7. Manchester City Soccer Team’s Gesture (04:32–04:58)

• Fan Reimbursement: After a “shocking 3-1 loss” to underdog Bodo Glimt (north of the Arctic Circle), Manchester City players promise to refund ticket costs to the 374 fans who traveled for the defeat.
• Team Apology: The captain publicly acknowledged the loss as “embarrassing.”

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• Donald Trump on Greenland Negotiations (01:03):
  • “So we want a piece of ice for world protection and they won’t give it. … So they have a choice. You can say yes and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no, and we will remember.”
• Jason Furtado on Weather Dangers (02:31):
  • “The winter storm will develop over the Southwest on Friday and begin moving east. Frigid temperatures and significant accumulations of snow and ice are possible throughout the southeastern US.”
• Greg Allen on Southbound Storm (02:45):
  • “We’re going to see snow and ice dipping way down into the south ... it’s the tremendous cold coming in behind it.”
• Sarah Ventri on Federal Immigration Crackdown (01:38):
  • “This ruling lifting restrictions on aggressive tactics leaves many on edge as large scale demonstrations are planned in the coming days and National Guard troops are on standby to deploy to the city.”
• CDC’s Dr. Ralph Abraham on Measles Elimination (03:51):
  • “The loss of measles elimination status would, quote, not really be significant.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:20] Uvalde Police Verdict & Trump on Greenland
• [01:26] Minnesota Immigration Ruling & Protests
• [02:21] Winter Storm Update
• [03:10] Stock Market & Spanish Train Crash
• [03:51] Measles Public Health Debate
• [04:32] Manchester City Refunds Fans

Tone & Style:
The episode maintains NPR’s signature style—straightforward, measured, and informative—delivering sober reporting on legal, political, and weather-related crises, with a mix of expert analysis and on-the-ground updates.

This summary captures the critical news and provides newcomers with context and key details from the episode without superfluous content.