NPR News: 01-31-2026 3AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now — January 31, 2026, 3AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Length: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This tightly packed NPR News Now episode offers listeners a brisk update on major national and international events as of early January 31, 2026. Key topics include the ongoing partial government shutdown, the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, the sharp decline of the US dollar, updates from the Middle East, weather alerts, a tribute to the late actress Catherine O’Hara, and a high-profile conviction.

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Key Topics & Insights

1. Partial Government Shutdown Continues

• [00:15] The federal government is experiencing yet another partial shutdown.
• The Senate passed a funding bill for most departments through September and a two-week extension for Homeland Security.
• The House remains unable to vote until at least Monday, complicated by members being widely dispersed and an impending snowstorm.
• Quote:
  • “It may not be possible. … I’ve got people literally spread around the world right now, so and we have a snowstorm.”
    — Unidentified House member [00:42]

2. DOJ Releases 3 Million+ Pages in Epstein Case

• [00:53] The Justice Department, facing a Congressional mandate, released over 3 million pages of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Over 500 DOJ staff worked intensively through holidays and weekends to vet this material.
• Sensitive documents depicting violence or protected by attorney-client privilege were withheld.
• Some materials allegedly contain “sensational and false claims about President Trump.” Trump, who had previously promised to release all Epstein files if elected, resisted Congressional efforts for full disclosure.
• Quote:
  • “The reviewers had to examine the equivalent of two Eiffel Towers of pages…”
    — Carrie Johnson, NPR [01:07]
  • “DOJ says some of the material contains sensational and false claims about President Trump on the campaign trail.”
    — Carrie Johnson, NPR [01:34]

3. Dollar Sinks to 4-Year Low—Trump Responds

• [01:48] The US dollar hit its lowest value in four years against major currencies.
• President Trump downplayed concerns and welcomed the weaker dollar.
• Economic explanation was provided: weaker dollar aids exports and tourism but makes imports and overseas travel more costly for Americans.
• Quote:
  • “I think it’s great. I mean, the value of the dollar. Look at the business we’re doing. No, dollar’s doing great.”
    — President Donald Trump [02:11]
  • “So, yes, there are benefits to a weaker dollar, but there can also be a bit of pain.”
    — Rafael Nam, NPR [02:40]

4. Middle East: Gaza/Egypt Border Update

• [02:46] Israel announces it will reopen Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt this weekend, potentially allowing restricted movement for Palestinians after nearly two years.
• However, aid shipments will still not be permitted through the crossing.

5. Markets and Weather

• [03:10] Stock market dips: Dow down 179 points, Nasdaq down 223 points.
• [03:20] Major storm forecast: Arctic air and snow threaten the Eastern US, with frigid temperatures moving south, high winds, and coastal flooding expected.

6. Obituary: Catherine O'Hara

• [03:42] Tribute to Catherine O’Hara, an acclaimed Canadian-American comedic actress known for "Home Alone," "Schitt's Creek," "SCTV," and films like "Beetlejuice."
• Known for her absurdist characters and collaborative work with Eugene Levy.
• Quote:
  • “She also played the self-centered, whiny matriarch in the riches to rags TV sitcom with the rascally name Schitt’s Creek.”
    — Mandalit del Barco, NPR [03:48]
  • “Taking your picture with a motley crew of pale, dewy salamander people. I haven’t hit rock bottom quite yet.”
    — Catherine O’Hara’s character, Moira Rose (clip) [03:55]

7. Legal News: Nathan Chasinghorse Convicted

• [04:35] Actor Nathan Chasinghorse, known for "Dances with Wolves," was convicted in Nevada for sexually assaulting a minor.
• The guilty verdicts mostly concerned crimes against a 14-year-old victim. He was acquitted of several other charges.

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Notable Quotes

• “It may not be possible. We have a rule of a 72-hour notice for a return…I’ve got people literally spread around the world right now, so and we have a snowstorm.”
  — Unidentified Interviewee (regarding House vote) [00:42]

• “The reviewers had to examine the equivalent of two Eiffel Towers of pages to decide what materials to release.”
  — Carrie Johnson, NPR [01:07]

• “I think it’s great. I mean, the value of the dollar. Look at the business we’re doing. No, dollar’s doing great.”
  — President Donald Trump [02:11]

• “She also played the self-centered, whiny matriarch in the riches to rags TV sitcom with the rascally name Schitt’s Creek.”
  — Mandalit del Barco, NPR [03:48]

• “Taking your picture with a motley crew of pale, dewy salamander people. I haven’t hit rock bottom quite yet.”
  — Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose (clip) [03:55]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:15 — US government partial shutdown update
• 00:53 — Epstein documents released by DOJ
• 01:48 — US dollar drops to four-year low; Trump’s reaction
• 02:46 — Israel to reopen Gaza-Egypt border (excluding aid)
• 03:10 — Stock market closes lower
• 03:20 — Major winter storm headed for the East
• 03:42 — Catherine O’Hara obituary and career overview
• 04:35 — Nathan Chasinghorse convicted

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This summary captures the essential updates, context, and standout moments of the NPR News Now episode, giving readers a clear view of the day's top headlines in under five minutes.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, D.C. i'm Dale Willman. The federal government is under yet another partial shutdown this weekend. The Senate Friday voted to fund most of the government through September. It also carved out a short term extension for Homeland security funding. It gives Congress an additional two weeks to debate that funding, but the House must now vote on the measures and they're not in session. House Speaker Mike Johnson says they won't be able to vote until at least Monday.

[Unidentified Interviewee]

It may not be possible. We have a we have a rule of a 72 hour notice for a return and I can try to truncate that, but I've got people literally spread around the world right now, so and we have a snowstorm.

[Dale Willman]

The Justice Department released more than 3 million pages tied to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, as NPR's Carrie Johnson reports. The the new videos and photos are emerging weeks after a deadline from Congress had passed.

[Carrie Johnson]

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch says more than 500 lawyers and other Justice Department staff worked through weekends and holidays to comply with the mandate from Congress. He says the reviewers had to examine the equivalent of two Eiffel Towers of pages to decide what materials to release. The Justice Department continues to withhold papers that depict violence or involve attorney client privilege. DOJ says some of the material contains sensational and false claims about President Trump on the campaign trail. Trump promised to release the Epstein files once in office. He fought efforts in Congress to press for their full release. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

This week, the dollar fell to its lowest level in four years compared to other major currencies. That drop is raising some concerns about the U.S. currency. But but as NPR's Rafael Nam reports, President Trump thinks a weaker dollar is great.

[Rafael Nam]

The US has traditionally wanted a strong dollar. But when Trump was asked by a reporter this week about the currency, he had a different take.

[Donald Trump]

I think it's great. I mean, the value of the dollar. Look at the business we're doing. No dollar's doing great.

[Rafael Nam]

In other words, Trump doesn't mind the dollar's decline. There are benefits to a weaker dollar. It makes US Exports a little cheaper and it's good for tourism. Visitors can get more dollars back when they exchange their currencies, but there are also disadvantages. It can make some stuff imported from overseas more expensive. And that bucket list trip to Paris becomes more expensive for Americans. So, yes, there are benefits to a weaker dollar, but there can also be a bit of pain. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Israel says it will reopen Gaza's border crossing with Egypt over the weekend. If that happens, it would allow Palestinians to enter and leave the territory. The enclave has been almost completely closed past two years. Israeli officials say, though, that aid will not be allowed through the crossing. Stocks closed down on Friday, Ladal it was down 179 points while the NASDAQ was down 223 points. This is NPR News. Another major storm is expected to hit parts of the eastern US this weekend. Arctic air will bring frigid temperatures to the southeast, while the east coast will be hit with high winds, snow and some flooding. Canadian American actress Catherine o' Hara has died at her home in Los angeles. She was 71 years old. O' Hara was known for her absurdist comic characters. NPR's Mondalit del Barco has this remembrance.

[Mandalit del Barco]

Catherine O' Hara played the freaked out mom of a rascally son in the Home Alone movies.

[Dale Willman]

Come on.

[Mandalit del Barco]

She also played the self centered, whiny matriarch in the Riches to rags TV sitcom with the rascally name Schitt's Creek.

[Unidentified Commentator]

Taking your picture with a motley crew of pale, dewy salamander people. I haven't hit rock bottom quite yet.

[Mandalit del Barco]

O' Hara won awards for that role, teaming up with her longtime friend and fellow Canadian Eugene Levy. They first collaborated in the 1970s and 80s on the sketch comedy show SCTV, which she also wrote for O' Hara and Levy also paired up in several mockumentaries including Best in Show and A.

[Unidentified Commentator]

Mighty Wind Res A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow.

[Mandalit del Barco]

In a career that spanned decades, o' Hara also had memorable turns in the mov, Beetlejuice and the TV sitcom the Studio. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

A jury in Nevada has convicted Dancing with Wolves star Nathan Chasinghorse of sexually assaulting a minor. The guilty verdicts mainly involved a victim who was 14 at the time the assaults began. He had pleaded not guilty to a total of 21 charges and was acquitted of several of those charges. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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