NPR News Now – 9PM EST, February 1, 2026

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode, anchored by Luis Schiavone, delivers a concise roundup of major headlines: legal decisions on federal immigration actions in Minnesota, ongoing protests and calls to boycott Target, severe weather across the eastern U.S., the ending of women's and gender studies at Texas A&M University, and updates from the world of sports.

Key News Segments and Highlights

1. Federal Immigration Enforcement in Minnesota

[00:16–01:10]

• Court Ruling:

  • A federal judge rejected Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's bid to halt increased immigration enforcement resources sent by the Trump administration.
  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s response:
    • "We're grateful. When a court sees that the right thing has been done, we'll continue to focus on getting dangerous criminals, murderers and rapists and drug traffickers out of this country and bringing them to justice." (Kristi Noem, 00:33)

• Related Protests and Federal Investigations:

  • Secretary Noem confirmed the FBI is investigating the shooting death of Minnesota protester Alex Preddy.
  • Protests are occurring nationwide against immigration enforcement tactics and the death of Preddy.
  • Renewed calls for a boycott of Target (Minneapolis headquarters) tied to both law enforcement incidents and corporate policy changes.

2. Protests at Target Stores

[01:10–02:01]

• Demonstrations in D.C. and Minneapolis:
  • Protesters demanded Target call for an independent investigation into the deaths of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Preddy.
  • Signage at rallies emphasized community solidarity:
    • "I want them to see that we are not just standing idly while our neighbors are being kidnapped and we are standing up, standing for our brothers and sisters." (Protester, 01:33)
  • Target responded in a statement:
    • It does not have "cooperative agreements with ICE or any other immigration enforcement agency."

3. Winter Weather Disaster in Kentucky

[02:01–02:55]

• Significant Death Toll:

  • At least 15 deaths attributed to severe winter conditions in Kentucky.
  • Notably, Marvin Nuckles, an inmate, died while working to clear ice and snow at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex.

• Prison Safety Questions:

  • There's scrutiny over why inmates were outside in sub-freezing nighttime conditions, despite a statewide stay-inside order.

  • Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has promised a "full and transparent investigation."

  • Prison officials state Nuckles volunteered for the ice removal assignment.

  • "Decisions made, good or bad, they deserve ... to be seen by that family and by everyone else." (Protester & Greenlight Representative, 02:40–02:46)

4. Bomb Cyclone Impacts the Southeast

[02:55–03:28]

• Weather Update:
  • A “meteorological bomb cyclone” brings blizzard-like conditions to the Southeastern U.S.
  • Forecasts of 6–10 inches of snow in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Appalachians.
  • Frigid temperatures are expected along the entire East Coast.

5. Texas A&M University Cuts Women’s & Gender Studies

[03:28–04:20]

• Academic Changes:

  • Texas A&M ends programs in women’s and gender studies; 100+ courses affected, 6 canceled.
  • Policy, adopted November 2025, prohibits teaching advocating for "race or gender ideology" or on sexual/gender identity issues.

• Faculty Reaction:

  • Ira Dworkin, associate professor and AAUP vice president, sharply criticized the decision:
    • "To have policies like this that allow politicians to determine what, you know, our kind of wonderful, brilliant students are allowed to study is a travesty." (Ira Dworkin, 04:01)
  • The university cited "low student interest and enrollment" as a factor.

6. Sports News: Lindsey Vonn & Tennis Highlights

[04:20–04:55]

• Lindsey Vonn Injury:

  • She withdrew from a World Cup Super G race due to a left knee injury sustained in Switzerland.
  • Her coach says Vonn remains on track for the Milan Olympics.
  • Vonn posted on Instagram: "Doing My Best Right Now".

• Australian Open:

  • Elina Rybakina wins the women’s championship over Aryna Sabalenka.

Notable Quotes

• Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary (00:33):

  • "We're grateful. When a court sees that the right thing has been done, we'll continue to focus on getting dangerous criminals, murderers and rapists and drug traffickers out of this country and bringing them to justice."

• Protester at Target Rally (01:33):

  • "I want them to see that we are not just standing idly while our neighbors are being kidnapped and we are standing up, standing for our brothers and sisters."

• Ira Dworkin, Texas A&M Professor (04:01):

  • "To have policies like this that allow politicians to determine what, you know, our kind of wonderful, brilliant students are allowed to study is a travesty."

Timeline of Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------|-------------------| | Immigration ruling in Minnesota | 00:16–01:10 | | Target protests and boycott | 01:10–02:01 | | Kentucky winter storm fatalities | 02:01–02:55 | | Southeast/East Coast blizzard | 02:55–03:28 | | Texas A&M policy changes | 03:28–04:20 | | Lindsey Vonn/Australian Open | 04:20–04:55 |

This episode delivers fast-moving, headlining news snapshots, with direct voices from both officials and protestors. It captures the urgency and broad scope of ongoing debates—from policy to weather to sports—across the U.S. on February 1, 2026.