NPR News Now – January 30, 2026, 5AM EST

Host: Dave Mattingly (NPR)
Date: January 30, 2026

Overview

This five-minute NPR News update provides the latest headlines and developments on key stories in politics, immigration, weather, international affairs, legal battles over prediction markets, and a cultural note about the upcoming Grammy Awards. The episode is aimed at quickly briefing listeners on pressing national and international events as of the early morning hours.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senate Avoids Government Shutdown with DHS Funding Deadlock

• Timestamps: 00:16–01:24
• Senate Democrats announce a funding agreement with Republicans to stave off a partial government shutdown.
  • Democrats demand changes to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration enforcement before supporting long-term spending.
  • A deal splits funding into two parts:
    • Five appropriations bills are bundled for an immediate vote.
    • A two-week continuing resolution for DHS gives more time for negotiation.
  • The House of Representatives is currently in recess; if it acts quickly upon return, shutdown effects will be minimal as most federal offices are closed on weekends.
• Quote:
  • "They've refused to support funding that agency without making major changes to immigration and enforcement." (Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 00:55)

2. Bipartisan Mayors Call for Reduced Immigration Enforcement

• Timestamps: 01:24–02:32
• A bipartisan group of mayors urges the federal government to scale back aggressive ICE activity.
• Reference to Minneapolis as a cautionary example of the effects on communities.
• Released a statement decrying “unnecessary chaos caused by ICE agents.”
• Notable Testimony:
  • Minneapolis Mayor Elizabeth Kautz highlights the fear and suffering in her city:

    "People are afraid to leave their homes to go to the grocery store and might never return, and their children are left. It is horrific."
    (Elizabeth Kautz, 02:02)

• The White House responds, with Press Secretary Caroline Levitt attributing blame to Democrats for resisting administration policies.

3. Severe Winter Storms Impact Southeast & Northeast U.S.

• Timestamps: 02:32–03:17
• Winter storm warnings are in effect from northeast Georgia to southern Virginia.
• Some areas may receive more than six inches of snow.
• Notable forecasts:
  • Raleigh, NC: 4 to 8 inches of snow
  • Charleston, SC: Up to 4 inches
• Power outages persist:
  • Over 200,000 homes and businesses are without power from Texas to New England, mainly Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana due to ice.
• “This is NPR News.” (Dave Mattingly, 03:16)

4. Venezuela Opens Oil Sector as U.S. Eases Sanctions

• Timestamps: 03:17–04:06
• Following the U.S. military seizure of Venezuela’s President and his wife, the acting president signs a law to privatize the oil sector.
  • Delsey Rodriguez formalizes the decision after parliamentary approval.
  • The Trump administration starts easing sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector.
  • Ousted President Nicolas Maduro and wife Celia Flores face charges in New York, return to court in March.

5. Legal Challenges to Prediction Market Apps

• Timestamps: 04:06–04:46
• The future of prediction market apps like Kalshi is in doubt amid nearly 20 federal lawsuits.
  • Apps allow users to bet on events ranging from sports to politics and entertainment.
  • Critics warn this “supercharges gambling addiction” and may encourage insider trading.
  • Kalshi’s defense: Activities are legal under futures contract laws.
  • Lawsuits involve multiple states, Indian tribes, and a question of whether these apps are skirting gambling regulations.
  • Potential for the Supreme Court to intervene.
• Quote:
  • "Opponents of the industry say live betting on sports, press conferences and foreign invasions invites insider trading and fuels gambling addiction."
    (Bobby Allen, 04:23)

6. Upcoming Grammy Awards

• Timestamps: 04:46–04:54
• The annual Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday night in Los Angeles.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On DHS Funding:
  "They've refused to support funding that agency without making major changes to immigration and enforcement."
  — Barbara Sprunt, 00:55

• On Immigration Enforcement in Minneapolis:
  "People are afraid to leave their homes to go to the grocery store and might never return, and their children are left. It is horrific."
  — Elizabeth Kautz, 02:02

• On Prediction Markets and Gambling:
  "Opponents of the industry say live betting on sports, press conferences and foreign invasions invites insider trading and fuels gambling addiction."
  — Bobby Allen, 04:23

Important Timestamps

• Senate Funding Deal & DHS Dispute: 00:16–01:24
• Mayors on Immigration Enforcement: 01:24–02:32
• Winter Storm Warnings & Power Outages: 02:32–03:17
• Venezuela Oil Privatization & U.S. Sanctions: 03:17–04:06
• Prediction Market Lawsuits: 04:06–04:46
• Grammy Awards Note: 04:46–04:54

This concise summary delivers the essential content and tone of NPR's early-morning news update, offering a reliable briefing for listeners who may have missed the episode.