NPR News Now – January 31, 2026, 12PM EST

Host: Dan Ronan
Duration: 5 minutes
Main Theme:
A concise roundup of significant national and global news, including the U.S. government shutdown, deadly cold weather in New York, developments in Gaza, Grammy nominations influenced by TikTok, headline sports results, and a major economic nomination.

1. Partial U.S. Government Shutdown

Timestamps: 00:15 – 01:07

• Key Points:

  • Congress failed to fund major federal agencies by the latest deadline, triggering a partial shutdown.
  • Senate moved forward with a five-bill appropriations package, covering key departments:
    • Pentagon, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Labor, and Education.
    • A two-week stopgap for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was included.
  • Senate package was possible after a White House deal with Democrats, who demanded DHS policy changes following the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy by DHS agents in Minneapolis.
  • The funding bill returns to the House, which reconvenes Monday; the shutdown remains until the package advances and President Trump signs it.

• Notable Quotes:

  "The government will remain partially shut down until the House advances the package and President Trump signs it." — Luke Garrett, NPR (01:01)

2. Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza

Timestamps: 01:07 – 01:59

• Key Points:

  • At least 27 people, including women and children, killed in heavy Israeli airstrikes throughout Gaza, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency.
  • Israeli Defense Forces say they targeted Hamas and Islamic Jihad commanders and infrastructure in response to a ceasefire violation.
  • Civilian casualties include apartment blocks, police stations hit; report of seven members of a single family killed in a tent attack.

• Notable Quotes:

  "People in Gaza described these strikes as the heaviest since Donald Trump announced the second phase of the ceasefire." — Dan Johnson, BBC (01:33)

  "One man said it felt like war had returned to the Gaza Strip." — Dan Johnson, BBC (01:47)

3. Deadly Cold Snap in New York City

Timestamps: 01:59 – 02:58

• Key Points:

  • More than a dozen deaths (13 confirmed), with seven attributed to hypothermia amid a rare prolonged cold spell.
  • Over 800 people brought into city shelters as temperatures reached single digits at night and struggled above 20°F during the day.
  • Such severe cold is now rare in New York, with winters generally milder in the past 25 years.
  • Temperatures expected to rise slightly but remain well below seasonal average.

• Notable Quotes:

  "Nighttime lows have plunged into single digits and daytime highs have struggled to climb above 20. Such a deep and prolonged cold snap has become a rarity in New York over the past 25 years..." — Bruce Kornviser, NPR (02:38)

4. Severe Snow in the Carolinas

Timestamps: 02:58 – 03:25

• Key Points:
  • Up to a foot of snow predicted in parts of the Carolinas.
  • Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, expects 6 inches of snow but reportedly has no snow plowing equipment.

5. Grammy Awards: TikTok’s Influence on Best New Artist

Timestamps: 03:25 – 04:10

• Key Points:

  • TikTok propelled several artists into the “Best New Artist” Grammy category.
  • Nominees include TikTok creators (Addison Rae, Alex Warren) and signed artists who found breakthrough success via TikTok (Leon Thomas, Lola Young, The Maria’s, Olivia Dean).
  • Acts such as girl group Katseye and Gen Z rocker Sombear also featured.
  • All eight nominees set to perform at the Grammys.

• Notable Quotes:

  "The one thing they have in common, they all had a breakthrough moment this year thanks to TikTok." — Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR (03:37)

6. Australian Open Tennis Results

Timestamps: 04:10 – 04:26

• Key Points:

  • Elena Rybakina wins the Australian Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka and denying her a third title.
  • Men's final (Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic) anticipated as “the greatest matchup in tennis history.”

• Notable Quotes:

  "I want to say thank you, of course, to you guys for such an incredible atmosphere where it was battle and honestly, your support kept us going." — Elena Rybakina (04:15)

7. Federal Reserve Nomination

Timestamps: 04:26 – 04:54

• Key Points:
  • President Trump nominates Karvin Walsh to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair in May.

End of News Content.
Advertisements and support messages were not summarized as requested.