NPR News Now – January 22, 2026, 2AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder (NPR News)
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise newscast delivers the essential headlines and major developments as of early January 22, 2026. The episode covers Supreme Court deliberations on presidential powers, the Justice Department's actions in Minnesota, a not-guilty verdict in the Uvalde police trial, a major impending winter storm, international news from New Zealand and Gaza, and a shift in US-Europe relations impacting the stock markets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Supreme Court Hesitates on Presidential Power Over the Fed

[00:18–01:09]

• The Supreme Court appears reluctant to give President Trump authority to unilaterally fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
  • Justice Kavanaugh questioned the precedent and possible undermining of the Fed’s independence.
    • Quote ([00:35], Justice Kavanaugh):

      "No judicial review, no process required, no remedy available, very low bar for cause that the president alone determines and that would weaken, if not shatter, the independence of the Federal Reserve that we just discussed."

  • The attempt to remove Cook is unprecedented; never before has a president tried to dismiss a central bank official.
  • The justices’ questioning signals they're unlikely to grant the administration's request to override a lower court order blocking the firing during ongoing litigation.

Federal Subpoenas and Tensions in Minneapolis

[01:16–02:09]

• The Pentagon may deploy more soldiers to Minneapolis in response to the Justice Department issuing subpoenas to local and state officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
  • The subpoenas relate to alleged obstruction of ICE agents by these officials, following the death of Renee Macklin Good by an ICE agent two weeks prior.
  • Local leaders decry the subpoenas as intimidation; the administration accuses them of inflammatory rhetoric.
  • A large-scale protest is planned: opposition groups call for a statewide general strike on Friday, with over 300 businesses intending to close.
    • Narration Quote ([01:31], Cat Lansdorf):

      "The investigation centers on public comments both made after 37-year-old Renee Macklin Good was killed by an ICE agent two weeks ago… Those opposed to the federal immigration surge in Minneapolis are calling for a general strike on Friday, encouraging residents across the state to stay home from work and school and refrain from shopping in an act of protest. More than 300 businesses have said they plan to close."

Uvalde School Shooting Police Officer Acquitted

[02:09–02:28]

• Former officer Adrian Gonzales was found not guilty on all 29 charges related to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
  • The jury reached its decision after seven hours of deliberation.
  • This was the first trial focused on the police response to the tragic event.

Major Winter Storm Threatens Much of the U.S.

[02:28–03:16]

• Meteorologists expect a powerful winter storm to form over the Southwest on Friday and move eastward.
  • Forecasts call for significant snow, ice, and frigid temperatures—single digits with wind chills down to minus 10°F in the South by Sunday.
  • Some Northeast regions could receive up to two feet of snow.
    • Expert Insight ([02:52], Jason Furtado, meteorologist):

      "We're going to see snow and ice dipping way down into the south… areas of Oklahoma, Texas, over to the Southeast. But also it's the tremendous cold coming in behind it."

  • Advance warnings are being issued for widespread weather disruption.

Deadly Landslide at New Zealand Campground

[03:18–03:35]

• Search efforts continue after a landslide at a tourist campground on New Zealand’s northern coast.
  • Missing persons are believed to be in the "single figures."
  • Heavy rain has caused significant damage and widespread power outages.

Israeli Airstrike Kills Journalists in Gaza

[03:35–04:31]

• Three journalists—including a recent newlywed—were killed in a targeted Israeli drone strike while filming an Egyptian aid project in Gaza.
  • The strike also killed at least eight others, including children.
  • Israel claims a suspected Hamas drone was being operated nearby but provided no evidence.
    • Reporting Quote ([03:48], Anas Baba, NPR):

      "The three journalists were working with a drone camera filming an Egyptian aid project when an Israeli military drone bombed their car... A video verified by NPR shows the shared metal shell of their vehicle after the attack, which struck three miles away from where the Israeli troops are positioned inside Gaza."

Market Rebound After U.S.-EU Tensions Ease

[04:31–04:56]

• Stock markets rebounded as President Trump withdrew tariff threats against European nations and definitively ruled out a military attempt to seize Greenland.
  • At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump announced a new US-NATO framework deal.
  • European and Asian markets responded positively.
    • Reporting Note ([04:34], Giles Snyder):

      "Stocks are rebounding after President Trump dropped his tariff threats against multiple European countries and ruled out seizing Greenland by military force. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday, Trump said the US and NATO had reached a framework for a deal."

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On Fed Independence: ([00:35], Justice Kavanaugh)

  "That would weaken, if not shatter, the independence of the Federal Reserve..."

• On the Minneapolis Protest Movement: ([01:31], Cat Lansdorf)

  "Those opposed to the federal immigration surge... are calling for a general strike..."

• On the Winter Storm: ([02:52], Jason Furtado)

  "We're going to see snow and ice dipping way down into the south..."

• On Gaza Airstrike: ([03:48], Anas Baba)

  "... working with a drone camera filming an Egyptian aid project when an Israeli military drone bombed their car..."

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Supreme Court & Fed Independence: 00:18–01:09
• Minneapolis Subpoenas & Strike: 01:16–02:09
• Uvalde Shooting Verdict: 02:09–02:28
• Winter Storm Forecasts: 02:28–03:16
• New Zealand Landslide: 03:18–03:35
• Journalists Killed in Gaza: 03:35–04:31
• Trump Retreats from Tariffs: 04:31–04:56

Summary

In just five minutes, this newscast offers clear, timely reporting on major domestic and international events—ranging from U.S. legal and political developments to dramatic weather forecasts and global crises. Through expert commentary and frontline reporting, listeners are quickly briefed on the issues shaping the day.