NPR News Now: 02-01-2026 11AM EST

Host: Dan Ronan, NPR
Date: February 1, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme:
A concise roundup of major national news, including updates on the government shutdown, severe winter weather in the East, a Mardi Gras parade shooting in Louisiana, and special election results in Texas.

1. Congressional Spending Bill and Government Shutdown

[00:15 – 01:27]

• Overview:

  • The House is expected to vote on a Senate-passed spending bill to end the partial government shutdown.
  • Logistical issues are complicating the timing due to members' travel difficulties.

• Key Details:

  • Senate passed a nearly $1.3 trillion spending package for the Pentagon, health, transportation, and housing agencies.
  • Funding for Homeland Security remains held up; Democrats push for reforms following fatal shootings by federal agents in Minnesota.

• Notable Quotes:

  • [00:39] Mike Johnson (House Speaker):
    “We have a logistical challenge of getting everyone in town. And because of the conversation I had with Hakeem Jeffries, I know that we've got to pass a rule and probably do this mostly on our own. I think that's very unfortunate.”
  • [01:27] Tamara Keith (NPR Political Reporter):
    “There's a way to read this announcement as a de escalation cloaked in bluster since city leaders in Minneapolis and elsewhere have been asking federal immigration agents to leave and stop using force against protesters.”

• Trump’s Response:

  • President Trump instructs Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to defend federal property but avoid intervention in protests.
  • Trump emphasizes that cities must request federal help:
    [01:51] Donald Trump:
    “Honestly, the crime ridden cities are all Democrat run cities and if they want help, they have to ask for it… if they want help, they can ask for it and they're going to need help.”

2. Major Winter Storm in the Eastern U.S.

[02:09 – 03:12]

• Overview:

  • Unseasonably heavy snowfall blankets regions unfamiliar with such conditions.

• Key Details:

  • Myrtle Beach, SC received six inches; Charlotte, NC saw nearly a foot.
  • Hundreds of crashes reported; dramatic rescues mentioned (e.g., firefighters retrieving a pickup truck driver from a pond).
  • Meteorologist Brian Hurley attributes the event to an entrenched Arctic air mass; temperatures reached the upper teens along coastal NC.

• Notable Quotes:

  • [02:45] Brian Hurley (NWS Meteorologist):
    “I think it's going to be kind of a historical snow.”
  • [02:54] Brian Hurley:
    “Along the beaches over there in eastern North Carolina, temperatures were in the upper teens last night with the heavy snow. How unusual is that?”

• Outlook:

  • The cold is expected to ease, but temperatures will remain below average for the week.

3. Mardi Gras Parade Shooting in Louisiana

[03:12 – 04:12]

• Overview:

  • A shooting at a parade in Clinton, Louisiana leaves five injured, including a six-year-old child.
  • Multiple suspects detained; no deaths reported.

• Key Details:

  • Incident occurred as parade floats began moving.
  • Police and multiple law enforcement agencies responded on-site.
  • All victims hospitalized; ongoing investigation as it's unclear who was responsible.

• Notable Quotes:

  • [03:42] Jeff Travis (East Feliciana Parish Sheriff):
    “We had a lot of people here, a lot of law enforcement agencies here helping with the parade. There's still a whole lot that we don't know. There's a lot of moving parts.”

4. Special Election Results in Texas

[04:12 – 04:53]

• Overview:

  • Democrat Christian Menefee wins a Congressional seat formerly held by the late Sylvester Turner.
  • The win narrows the Republican House majority to 218-200, with three seats still vacant.

• Key Details:

  • Menefee’s victory means upcoming special elections to fill remaining vacancies.
  • Additional Democratic win for a Texas State Senate seat in a traditionally Republican district near Fort Worth.

5. Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Government Shutdown Logistics:
  [00:39] Mike Johnson: “We have a logistical challenge of getting everyone in town... I know that we've got to pass a rule and probably do this mostly on our own. I think that's very unfortunate.”

• On Federal Involvement in Protests:
  [01:51] Donald Trump: “If we go in, all they do is complain. But if they want help, they can ask for it and they're going to need help.”

• On Extreme Weather:
  [02:45] Brian Hurley: “I think it's going to be kind of a historical snow.”

• On the Parade Shooting:
  [03:42] Jeff Travis: “There's still a whole lot that we don't know. There's a lot of moving parts.”

6. Timestamps for Key Segments

• Spending bill and Congressional shutdown: [00:15–01:27]
• Trump directive and Homeland Security: [01:27–02:09]
• Eastern U.S. snowstorm: [02:09–03:12]
• Louisiana Mardi Gras parade shooting: [03:12–04:12]
• Texas special elections: [04:12–04:53]

Overall Tone:
Clear, level, and urgent—a focus on straightforward, factual news reporting with direct quotes from officials and reporters. This episode balances quick updates across politics, weather, public safety, and elections to keep listeners informed of major breaking stories as they unfold.