NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-01-2026 7AM EST

Episode Date: January 1, 2026

NPR News: 01-01-2026 7AM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Authorities say dozens of people are presumed dead after a fire broke out at a resort town in Switzerland. Terry Schultz reports more than 100 others suffered serious injuries. Swiss authorities say the fire broke out in a bar at the Cromontana ski resort in the heart of the Swiss Alps, about 1.30 a.m. during New Year's Eve festivities. Victims are believed to be from several different countries. In a press conference, officials downplayed early reports that an explosion had caused the tragedy and said it's too early to conclude whether appropriate fire safety measures were in place.

Firefires and first responders were called in from around the region. Local hospitals are completely full authorities, say, and patients are being transferred to nearby facilities. They're appealing to everyone in the area to be particularly careful to avoid accidents that would put more strain on medical and emergency services. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz. President Trump says, he's pulling National Guard troops from several major cities. The move comes after the Supreme Court

rejected the administration's emergency appeal of plans to deploy troops to Chicago. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports from Palm Beach, Florida. President Trump says in a social media post that he's pulling troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon. In his true social post, Trump credits the deployment with reducing crime and promises to come back in a different and stronger form. Trump is argued that the Guard was needed in the democratically led cities to quell crime and protect federal immigration officers, but he's also faced legal defeats as Democratic governors have opposed the moves. This was the first time the Supreme Court waited into the matter, and while not precedent setting, the ruling brings some clarity to Trump's presidential powers. Franco Ordonez, NPR News,

Palm Beach. The Trump administration is freezing all federal funding meant to help low-income families pay for child care. In Minnesota, where the administration froze funding on Tuesday, care providers say the cut in assistance could deal a critical blow. Dana Ferguson with Minnesota Public Radio reports. Minnesota was targeted for the funding cutoff before the nationwide freeze over reports of alleged fraud at child care centers there. Supporters of the centers rallied at the state's capital and blasted the Trump administration's move to freeze assistance until states can improve funds are being used for legitimate reasons. Amanda Schillinger is a child care center director. We can't afford to continue to operate if we lose 75% of our enrollment. Without child care

assistance funding, our center will close within a month. The Trump administration says the freeze is meant to weed out fraudulent caregivers. But federal officials have not yet indicated what information the centers must provide. For NPR News, I'm Dana Ferguson in St. Paul. to NPR News from Washington. A new law in Illinois now regulates how employers use artificial intelligence when making new hires. This comes on the heels of an executive order

from President Trump targeting states passing AI regulations. Mawa Iqbal from Member Station, WBEZ, has more. Illinois employers are now banned from using AI software to factor in demographic information, such as race or zip code, when reviewing applicants. This also applies to employers promoting or disciplining their employees. Democratic State Senator Javier Cervantes of Chicago backed the measure. This is an unchecked technology

if we lead a run and then it could hurt us, right? So just like we're doing this with employment. So we just got to get in front of it. Do our best we can. Illinois is no stranger to positioning itself as a firewall against Trump administration policies. Senator Cervantes says he's expecting a legal fight. Fenn P.R. News, I'm Mawa-Ikbon, Springfield, Illinois. Starting today, five states are blocking SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy soda, energy drinks, and other sugary beverages. Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia are rolling out new restrictions. Rules vary, but Iowa's are among the strictest, banning even some granola bars.

The changes are part of the Trump administration's push to limit processed foods, reduce drug prices and rollback vaccine guidelines. But research is mixed on whether restricting snap purchases improves diet and health. I'm Windsor Johnston, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.