The Pour Over Today - NYE Happenings, New Laws in 2026, College Football Playoffs, & More | 01.02.2026

Episode Date: January 2, 2026

Today, we’re talking about global NYE celebrations and a deadly fire in Switzerland; new laws going into effect (and not going into effect) in 2026; the College Football Playoffs; and other top news for Friday, January 2nd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Looking to support us? You can choose to pay ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out The Pour Over's Gift Guide!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out our sponsors! We actually use and enjoy every single one. Cru Wild Alaskan Safe House Project Gloo QAVA CCCU Filament Bible Upside Mosh LMNT Theology in the Raw Not Just Sunday Podcast Bible Gateway Plus

Hey, this is Zan at the Porover. And this is Joe at the Porover. Today, we're talking about global New Year's Eve celebrations in a deadly fire in Switzerland. New laws going into effect and not going into effect in 2026. The college football playoffs and other top news for Friday, January 2nd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the Porover. Here's your quote of the day. Don't delay making memories or sharing your life with your friends.

Do what you can to live your life well with what you have. Crystal Evanshurst. Let's get started with some espresso shots. In case you missed it, it's 2026. Wednesday night, skies lit up around the world with massive fireworks and drone displays. In Times Square, Revelers rang in 2026 and, kicked off America's 250th birthday. After rumors of a second New Year's ball drop circulated, Times Square clarified that Americans would have to wait till Uncle Sam's actual B-Day for the Crystal

Sphere's second descent. Meanwhile, 26 started on a somber note in Switzerland, where roughly 40 people were killed and 115 were injured in a fire at a ski resort. The blaze ignited around 130 a.m. during a crowded New Year's party at a bar in Switzerland's Cron's Montana resort. The fire's cause remains unknown, but authorities are not currently investigating it as an attack. As we usher in a new year with both rejoicing and mourning, we remember that darkness is real, but it does not win. Join us and praying for the injured and the families of those who lost their lives. God of peace, comfort those who are mourning. God of healing, help those who are injured.

God of wisdom, guide investigators. God of restoration, bring your kingdom here and renew our hope and joy. Though sorrows persist today, one day we will see mountains low and valleys high, crooked ways made straight, and brokenness restored. Until that day, we hold on to these promises with joy. make us vessels of hope in a world of fear. Amen. Four of college football's most iconic bowl games sealed the college football playoff semifinals this week.

Wednesday night, the quarterfinals kicked off with number 10 Miami pulling the biggest upset in CFP history with a 24 to 14 win over reigning national champ No. 2, Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Then, yesterday brought a triple header, starting with a showdown between No. 4 Texas Tech

and No. 5, Oregon in the Orange Bowl. The ducks took the W. 23 to 0. Next, No. 1, Indiana kept their undefeated record stomping No. 9, Alabama, 38 to 3. And last night, No. 3, Georgia met No. 6 Ole Miss for a rematch in the Sugar Bowl, where the rebels got their revenge on the Bulldogs, 39 to 34. The semifinals will be hosted by the Peach Bowl in Atlanta and the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale next Thursday and Friday.

Sure, as they say, it's just a game, but, Sports are an opportunity to experience camaraderie with fellow fans and to enjoy the thrill of watching athletes do what God created them to do. As you watch athletes compete, thank God that He also made you to do beautiful things and pray that you'd bring Him glory in all you do. Ephesians 2, verse 10 says, For we are His workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. Uncle Sam's on day two of his 2026 resolutions. New laws took effect on January 1st across the country, including minimum wage increases in 19 states, with Washington becoming the first to exceed $17 an hour. Restrictions on buying soda and candy with snap benefits in five states. No alcohol sale marks on Utah. driver's licenses for those caught drunk driving, a tourism tax in Hawaii to fund national

disaster prevention, newly not taking effect, a pair of bills that got the first vetoes of President Trump's second term. A unanimously passed Colorado pipeline project got number 47's Trump card because it's, quote, expensive and unreliable, and a bipartisan bill benefiting a Florida Everglades native tribe went unsigned over the tribe's immigration policies. Critics say Trump used the veto to target his political rivals. Here's a verse to consider whether you love or hate your state's new laws. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godliness and worldly lusts,

and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works. Titus 2.11 through 14. Hey, it's Zan from the Pourover. I've been making a purposeful effort to eat more seafood because I know it's packed with news. and I feel better when I do. But finding quality seafood where I live is a feat.

That's why I started ordering from Wild Alaskan. They deliver 100% wild-caught, never-farmed seafood like coho salmon and Pacific halibut, straight to my door. It comes perfectly portioned and frozen right off the boat, locking in taste, texture, and nutrients like omega-3s. So it's both delicious and super easy to prep a quick nutrient. dinner for my family. My first box from Wild Alaskan company definitely made me realize that not all fish is the same. Get seafood that you can trust. Go to wildalaskan.com slash TPO for 35% off your first box of premium wild caught seafood. That's wildalaskan.com slash TPO for $35

off your first order. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. The Health Department wants child care centers to show their work. Following allegations of rampant daycare fraud in Minnesota and a social media post Tuesday saying Minnesota's child care funding was frozen, HHS clarified Wednesday that centers suspected of fraud in all states must provide additional, quote, administrative. administrative data to keep receiving funding. Critics say the extra paperwork puts families at risk of losing child care.

Congress rang in the new year by releasing former special counsel Jack Smith's closed-door testimony, including a 255-page transcript of the December 17th deposition. Smith says his team, quote, developed powerful evidence that then former President Trump illegally retained classified documents and engaged in a court. criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 election. Trump pleaded not guilty in both cases, asserting they were politically motivated. Protests are spreading across Iran

as its economic crisis worsens. Demonstrations began Sunday when the Rial, Iran's currency, hit a record low and shopkeepers in Tehran went on strike. Protests swelled and at least three people died in violent clashes with security forces on Thursday. Iran has replaced its central bank governor and promised, quote, to resolve the problems and act responsibly. President Trump is withdrawing the National Guard from some U.S. cities.

On Wednesday, number 47 said he's ending his push to deploy the Guard in Chicago, Los Angeles, in Portland, for now. He vowed to send them back to Democrat-led cities, quote, when crime began to soar again, only a question of time. Many troops had already left following court rulings blocking their deployment. Stocks had a solid 2025. The SNP 500 closed the year up 16.4%.

Even after a slight dip on the final day of trading, as investors embraced the optimism surrounding AI and its profit-boosting potential for companies. The tech-heavy NASDAQ rose 20.4% over the year, and the Dow Jones posted double-digit gains of 13%. That's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening, TPOFam. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast app, give us a five-star rating and drop a review.

If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. We're grateful for your support, and we hope you have a great weekend. Catch you on Monday. The noise can be deafening in our chaotic. world. But Jesus offers a better way to live. Each week on the Not Just Sunday podcast, pastors Keith Simon and Patrick Miller help you quit part-time Christianity and follow Jesus with every part of your life so that even in the chaos, you can experience the beautiful life he offers every day, not just Sundays. Listen to Not Just Sunday wherever you get your podcasts.