NPR News Now: 3PM EST – February 1, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

This concise episode delivers a five-minute roundup of key national and international news stories, covering immigration, U.S. politics, developments in Israel and Gaza, severe weather in the U.S., the Grammy Awards, and a consequential congressional special election.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Release of Liam Kojo Ramos and His Father from ICE Detention

• Segment: [00:14] – [01:12]
• Details:
  • Five-year-old Liam Kojo Ramos and his father, Adrian Kojo Arias, have been released from an ICE detention center in Texas and returned home to Minneapolis, Texas.
  • Their release was mandated by a federal court order after a judge criticized their detention.
  • Representative Joaquin Castro accompanied them and shared a photo of Liam, whose image became symbolic of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
• Notable Quote:
  • "A picture of the boy in a floppy bunny ear hat before he was taken by ICE came to represent the immig crackdown in Minnesota." – David Martin Davies, [00:45]
• Memorable Moment:
  • The story highlights the emotional impact of family detention cases and the influence of judicial intervention.

2. Federal Funding and Immigration Lawmakers’ Showdown

• Segment: [01:12] – [02:02]
• Details:
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson expects a House vote on the Senate's federal funding bill by Tuesday, but there will be a two-week period for negotiating Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding and ICE reforms.
  • The Senate has passed a $1.3 trillion spending bill, but House passage is complicated due to tight GOP control and internal pushback.
  • Additional congressional hearings on ICE and Border Patrol leadership are scheduled as the DHS funding deadline looms.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Speaker Mike Johnson is working with a razor thin majority and some Republicans have pushed back on the Senate's demands." – Jimena Bustillo, [01:40]

3. Democrats Seek ICE Reforms after Deadly Shooting

• Segment: [02:02] – [02:26]
• Details:
  • Democrats are pushing for ICE reforms following the shooting deaths of two Minnesota residents by ICE agents last month.

4. Plans to Reopen Gaza’s Rafah Border Crossing

• Segment: [02:26] – [03:06]
• Details:
  • Israeli and Egyptian authorities, along with the EU and Palestinian officials, are coordinating to reopen the Rafah border crossing—the main gateway between Gaza and Egypt.
  • The move advances ceasefire negotiations.
  • Reopening will initially allow for the transfer of up to 50 medical patients per day, each with two companions.
  • With 20,000 Gazan medical patients needing care abroad, reopening is a critical step.
• Notable Quote:
  • "The Rafah border crossing has been almost completely sealed since Israeli forces captured it in 2024." – Daniel Estrin, [02:26]

5. Bomb Cyclone in North Carolina and Nationwide Cold Snap

• Segment: [03:09] – [03:53]
• Details:
  • A powerful bomb cyclone brings around a foot of snow to North Carolina—one of the area’s largest snowfalls in years.
  • At least 750 non-fatal traffic collisions were reported in the state.
  • Extreme cold spreads from the East Coast to the Midwest; Orlando experiences temperatures in the mid-20s, among the coldest in nearly a century.

6. Preview of the Grammy Awards & Historic Nominations for Bad Bunny

• Segment: [03:53] – [04:29]
• Details:
  • The Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles tonight.
  • Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Bad Bunny are nominated for top awards.
  • If Bad Bunny wins in the Record, Song, or Album of the Year categories, it will mark the first time a Spanish-language work wins in those major awards.
  • Bad Bunny is also set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show next week.
• Notable Quote:
  • "If Bad Bunny wins in any of these categories, it will be the first time a Spanish language song or album takes home the award." – Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, [03:59]

7. Special Election Gives Republicans a House Majority

• Segment: [04:29] – [04:52]
• Details:
  • Democrat Kristen Menefee wins a special election, capturing the seat left vacant by the late Congressman Sylvester Turner.
  • This shifts the House majority narrowly to Republicans: 218 GOP seats to 214 for Democrats.
• Notable Quote:
  • "His win narrowly gives the Republicans control of the House. 218 seats. The Democrats have 214." – Dan Ronan, [04:43]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• David Martin Davies [00:45]:
  "A picture of the boy in a floppy bunny ear hat before he was taken by ICE came to represent the immig crackdown in Minnesota."

• Jimena Bustillo [01:40]:
  "Speaker Mike Johnson is working with a razor thin majority and some Republicans have pushed back on the Senate's demands."

• Daniel Estrin [02:26]:
  "The Rafah border crossing has been almost completely sealed since Israeli forces captured it in 2024."

• Isabella Gomez Sarmiento [03:59]:
  "If Bad Bunny wins in any of these categories, it will be the first time a Spanish language song or album takes home the award."

• Dan Ronan [04:43]:
  "His win narrowly gives the Republicans control of the House. 218 seats. The Democrats have 214."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:14] – [01:12]: Release of Liam Kojo Ramos and his father from ICE.
• [01:12] – [02:02]: House vote on federal funding and immigration negotiations previewed.
• [02:26] – [03:06]: Rafah crossing to open as ceasefire talks progress.
• [03:09] – [03:53]: Bomb cyclone and severe winter weather coverage.
• [03:53] – [04:29]: Grammy Awards preview; Bad Bunny’s historic nominations.
• [04:29] – [04:52]: Special election shifts House majority.

This summary delivers key takeaways and context behind major national and international news stories as broadcast in NPR’s signature impartial and concise style.