NPR News Now: January 31, 2026, 2AM EST

Host: Dale Willman

Episode Overview

In this concise five-minute update, the NPR News team covers breaking stories across U.S. politics, international affairs, climate and environmental issues, and culture. Key topics include the Justice Department’s release of Jeffrey Epstein files, the partial government shutdown and debate over ICE funding, progress in the Gaza ceasefire, weather-related challenges in the American West, and the deaths and injuries of prominent public figures.

Key News Segments & Discussion Points

1. Justice Department Releases Epstein Files

[00:15–01:03]

• The Justice Department made public over 3 million pages of documents, 180,000 images, and 2,000+ videos related to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, formerly Donald Trump's personal defense attorney, addressed questions about whether Trump was treated equally and whether all related files were made public.
• Blanche insisted the department complied with the law, denying any protection of Trump. He acknowledged strong public interest, partly fueled by Trump himself and other officials.

Notable Quote:
"There's a hunger for information out there that won't be satisfied by the release of these files."
— Ryan Lucas (reporting on Todd Blanche's comments), [00:53]

Files can be accessed on the DOJ website.

2. U.S. Partial Government Shutdown & ICE Funding Controversy

[01:03–02:12]

• The U.S. government entered a partial shutdown, as the Senate passed funding but the House had yet to act.
• Core dispute: funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• Over 1,000 religious organizations sent Congress a letter protesting recent deadly actions by ICE, calling for all ICE funding to be stopped until violence and deaths in immigration detention centers cease.

Notable Quotes:
"They are horrified and outraged at the deaths."
— Jason DeRose, [01:36]

"The letter demands an immediate halt in all funding for these deadly operations until the violence, abuses, and deaths in American communities and in immigration detention centers stop."
— Jason DeRose, [01:47]

• Faith leaders in Minnesota are especially active in calling for ICE to leave the state.

3. Gaza Ceasefire and Exchange of Bodies

[02:12–03:11]

• The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire concluded: Israel returned 15 Palestinian bodies to Gaza after receiving the last Israeli hostage’s body.
• Palestinian doctors reported evidence of torture on returned bodies and mass burials; Israel declined comment. Israel still holds bodies from Gaza and the West Bank, not included in the exchange.
• Under U.S. pressure, Israel plans to open the Rafah border with Egypt for tightly controlled crossings.

Notable Quotes:
"The return of the last Israeli body taken in the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel closed a dark chapter for the nation. But Palestinians say they continue to search for their loved ones."
— Aya Batrawi, [02:26]

"Israel also continues to hold an unknown number of bodies from Gaza and hundreds of bodies from the West bank, but they are not part of this ceasefire exchange."
— Aya Batrawi, [02:46]

4. Record Warmth and Drought in the Western U.S.

[03:11–04:11]

• While the East Coast and South experience severe winter weather, the western U.S. faces its warmest, driest winter on record.
• Snowpack in the Colorado River headwaters is at only 60% of average (already depressed by years of drought), threatening water supplies for 40 million people and agriculture.

Notable Quotes:
"The West's main water storage supply is its snowpack... the deficit is huge."
— Lindsey Defrates, [03:38]

"We would need to see over 145% of average snowfall in three months to be able to make up the difference."
— Kirk Siegler (reporting from Colorado River Water District), [03:48]

• Ski resorts are experiencing a significant downturn compared to the previous year.

5. Obituaries and Noteworthy Updates

[04:11–04:55]

Catherine O'Hara:

• Emmy-winning star of SCTV, Schitt's Creek, and Home Alone, died at 71 after a brief illness.
• Born in Canada, O'Hara was widely celebrated for her comedic and acting talent.

Lindsey Vonn Injury:

• U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn injured her knee in a crash during a Swiss race.
• She was able to walk but is uncertain for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy.

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• "There's a hunger for information out there that won't be satisfied by the release of these files."
  — Ryan Lucas, [00:53]
• "They are horrified and outraged at the deaths."
  — Jason DeRose, [01:36]
• "The West's main water storage supply is its snowpack... the deficit is huge."
  — Lindsey Defrates, [03:38]
• "The return of the last Israeli body... closed a dark chapter for the nation. But Palestinians say they continue to search for their loved ones."
  — Aya Batrawi, [02:26]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:15] Justice Department releases Epstein files; questions about Trump.
• [01:03] Government shutdown; religious leaders protest ICE funding.
• [02:12] Gaza ceasefire: exchange of bodies, humanitarian concerns.
• [03:11] Western U.S. drought: effects on water and ski industry.
• [04:11] Catherine O'Hara’s death; Lindsey Vonn’s injury.

This NPR News Now episode delivers a rapid but thorough update on major developing stories, providing listeners with essential facts and compelling voices from the United States and around the world.