NPR News Now – January 22, 2026, 12AM EST

Main Theme:
This five-minute NPR News Now segment offers a rapid update on major national and international stories, including a verdict from the first Uvalde school shooting trial, expansion of U.S. immigration detention centers, diplomatic moves at the World Economic Forum in Davos, a landslide disaster in New Zealand, a fresh Israel-UN showdown in Jerusalem, and the 2026 Sundance Film Festival kickoff.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Uvalde School Shooting Trial – Not Guilty Verdict

[00:20–01:19]

• Host Giles Snyder reports that Adrian Gonzalez, the first law enforcement official tried in connection to the Uvalde, Texas school shooting response, has been acquitted.
• Quote & Key Moment:

  “In each of the 29 counts, we the jury find the defendant, Adrian Gonzalez, not guilty.”
  — Judge Sid Harrow reads the verdict [00:33].

• The jury deliberated over seven hours before clearing Gonzalez of all charges of child endangerment/abandonment.
• Gonzalez had been accused of failing to confront the Robb Elementary gunman (who killed 19 children and 2 teachers).
• Former school district police chief Pet is to be tried on similar charges later in the year and has pleaded not guilty.

2. Homeland Security Expands Immigration Detention Centers

[01:19–02:01]

• Angela Kocherga, KTEP, El Paso: DHS plans new detention centers nationally but withholds key details.
• Quote:

  “These will not be warehouses, adding they are well structured and meet regular detention standards.”
  — DHS Spokesperson, cited by Kocherga [01:26].

• The new detention centers will be funded via the “Big Beautiful Bill.” No costs or precise locations shared.
• El Paso’s Fort Bliss remains the country’s largest, recently reporting three detainee deaths. About 3,000 held there, run by a private contractor.

3. Davos Summit: Trump on Greenland & Tariffs

[02:01–02:59]

• Franco Ordoñez reports from Davos: President Trump claims a framework for a potential US deal with Denmark regarding Greenland, signaling a diplomatic shift.
• Quote:

  “The US formed the framework, which relates to the entire Arctic region, after meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.”—Ordoñez, paraphrasing Trump's announcement [02:22].

• No specifics yet; possible US control/ownership over Greenland now a national security talking point.
• Trump also retracts threats for new tariffs against Denmark, the UK, and others planning military exercises near Greenland.

4. US-Russia-Ukraine Diplomacy

[02:59–03:20]

• President Trump to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday at Davos, as the administration tries to broker an end to the Ukraine war.
• US envoys (Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner) are set for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

5. New Zealand Landslide Disaster

[03:20–03:38]

• Rescue operations underway after a deadly landslide at a tourist campground.
• Only a small number remain missing; widespread damage and power outages from heavy rains have been reported.

6. Israel-UN Clash over Jerusalem Property

[03:38–04:37]

• Emily Feng, NPR Tel Aviv: The UN accuses Israel of illegally demolishing a UN agency property in East Jerusalem (leased from Jordan).
• Quote:

  “Israel’s seizure of his agency UNRWA’s premises in East Jerusalem broke international law and said Israel’s presence in East Jerusalem…was illegal.”
  — UN Commissioner Philip Lazzarini [03:57].

• Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the demolition a “day for celebration,” citing alleged participation of UNRWA employees in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack—allegations UNRWA denies.
• Memorable, Tense Moment:

  “It’s either us or them, and with God’s help, we will eliminate and annihilate all UNRWA personnel.”
  — Jerusalem Mayor Arya King [04:27].

7. Sundance Film Festival Opens, Prepares to Move

[04:37–04:58]

• The 2026 Sundance Film Festival opens Thursday in Park City, Utah, featuring 90 premieres and tributes for founder Robert Redford, who died in September.
• Notably, this is the festival’s last year in Park City—Sundance will relocate to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [00:33] Judge Sid Harrow: “In each of the 29 counts, we the jury find the defendant, Adrian Gonzalez, not guilty.”
• [01:26] DHS Spokesperson (via Kocherga): “These will not be warehouses…meet regular detention standards.”
• [02:22] Franco Ordoñez (paraphrasing Trump): “The US formed the framework…relates to the entire Arctic region…”
• [03:57] UN Commissioner Philip Lazzarini: “Israel’s seizure of his agency UNRWA’s premises…broke international law.”
• [04:27] Mayor Arya King: “It’s either us or them, and with God’s help, we will eliminate and annihilate all UNRWA personnel.”

Segment Timeline

• [00:20] – Uvalde trial verdict
• [01:19] – Detention center expansion
• [02:01] – Davos: US–Greenland framework, tariffs
• [02:59] – Trump–Zelensky, US–Russia/Ukraine talks
• [03:20] – New Zealand landslide
• [03:55] – Israel–UN dispute in Jerusalem
• [04:37] – Sundance Film Festival news

Tone & Style

NPR’s reporting maintains a concise, matter-of-fact, and neutral tone, relaying sensitive and significant developments with clarity, balanced commentary, and attribution to official sources or correspondents.

For listeners who missed the segment:
This episode delivers essential updates on critical legal, diplomatic, humanitarian, and cultural developments, with particular focus on legal accountability for the Uvalde shooting, shifting US foreign policy strategies, and global crises.