NPR News Now: 02-02-2026 10AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman (NPR)
Date: February 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major national headlines, touching on the ongoing partial government shutdown, controversies surrounding federal immigration enforcement, economic updates—including Disney’s robust earnings—and notable events in entertainment and music, such as box office surprises and historic wins at the Grammy Awards. The tone throughout is factual, urgent, and informative, geared toward giving listeners an efficient news briefing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Partial Federal Government Shutdown

• Situation: Parts of the federal government remain closed because Congress did not meet last week’s funding deadline.

• Senate Action: On Friday, the Senate passed a major funding bill reopening most agencies, but only authorized continued funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for two weeks.

• House Deliberations: Speaker Mike Johnson comments on the House's next steps.

  "Our intention is by Tuesday to fund all agencies of the federal government except for that one. And then we'll have two weeks of good faith negotiations to figure it out."
  — Mike Johnson, House Speaker [00:38]

• Dispute: Democrats are pressing to limit federal immigration agents’ tactics, particularly their use of masks during enforcement.

2. Immigration Enforcement Controversies

• Minnesota Case: A five-year-old boy and his father, detained by federal agents (arrested in Minnesota, detained in Texas), were released following a federal judge’s order.

  • Allegations: Lawyers accuse federal agents of using the child as bait to draw others out of a home.
  • Local Impact: Columbia Heights Public Schools are closed due to a "credible threat," likely related to the incident.

• Portland Protests:
  Reporter: Conrad Wilson (Oregon Public Broadcasting, NPR)
  Thousands participated in a union-backed rally against escalated immigration enforcement. Federal officers deployed tear gas at protesters blocking an ICE facility’s security gate; the tear gas spread into a larger peaceful crowd.

  "Federal officers... deployed tear gas. That tear gas drifted through the air into a much larger crowd of demonstrators made up of families, including children and elderly people."
  — Conrad Wilson [01:33]

  "They had deployed heavy waves of chemical munitions on peaceful protesters who did not pose a threat."
  — Portland Mayor Keith Wilson (per Conrad Wilson) [01:52]

• Legal Action: The ACLU of Oregon has initiated a lawsuit accusing federal agents of excessive force.

3. Economic Update: Markets and Disney Earnings

• Stock Market:
  The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened approximately 150 points higher; later noted as up 180 points

• Disney’s Performance:

  • Strong box office earnings ("Zootopia 2," latest "Avatar")
  • Record revenue in theme parks and cruise divisions
  • Caution: Expected downturn in international visits due to current conditions

  "Disney's movie studio did a strong box office business thanks to hits like Zootopia 2 and the latest Avatar movie. The company's theme parks and cruise ship division reported record revenue."
  — Scott Horsley (NPR) [02:27]

• Federal Leadership:
  President Trump’s new nominee, Brett Matsumoto—applauded as a competent "technocratic data nerd"—is set to head the agency tracking inflation and unemployment, following a leadership shakeup.

4. Weather Update

• Situation:
  Dangerously cold conditions follow a major winter storm in the Southeast U.S., with up to 18 inches of snow in parts of North Carolina. [03:07]

5. Weekend Entertainment Highlights

• Box Office Surprises:
  Reporter: Bob Mondello (NPR)

  • "Send Help" (Disney thriller) leads with $20M.
  • Unexpected second place: "Iron Lung," a low-budget adaptation by YouTuber Mark Fischbach—massively successful due to online fan mobilization.

  "It was originally slated for 60 screens, but director Mark Fischbach urged his online followers to request it at their local theaters. Iron Lung ended up on 3,000 screens. It will take in more than $17 million in three days, about five times what it cost to make."
  — Bob Mondello [03:53]

• Notable Documentary:
  "Melania," a documentary about former First Lady Melania Trump, earns $7M—good for a doc, though underwhelming given Amazon’s $35M marketing push.

  • Includes a clip from Melania Trump:

  "I feel energized to serve the American people."
  — Melania Trump [04:14]

6. Grammy Awards Records

• Bad Bunny: Wins Album of the Year for "Debitirmas Photos," the first Spanish-language album to do so.

• Kendrick Lamar: Wins five Grammys—most-awarded artist for the second consecutive year, becoming the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history.

  "Bad Bunny's Debitirmas Photos, a love letter to his Puerto Rican home, is the first Spanish language album to win album of the year. Rapper Kendrick Lamar won five Grammys... also the most awarded rapper in in Grammys history."
  — Korva Coleman [04:29]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Speaker Mike Johnson on government funding:
  "Our intention is by Tuesday to fund all agencies of the federal government except for that one. And then we'll have two weeks of good faith negotiations to figure it out." [00:38]

• Conrad Wilson describing tear gas incident:
  "Federal officers... deployed tear gas. That tear gas drifted through the air into a much larger crowd of demonstrators made up of families, including children and elderly people." [01:33]

• Portland mayor’s statement (via Conrad Wilson):
  "They had deployed heavy waves of chemical munitions on peaceful protesters who did not pose a threat." [01:52]

• Scott Horsley on Disney’s quarter:
  "Disney's movie studio did a strong box office business thanks to hits like Zootopia 2 and the latest Avatar movie. The company's theme parks and cruise ship division reported record revenue." [02:27]

• Highlight of Mark Fischbach’s "Iron Lung" release strategy:
  "It was originally slated for 60 screens, but director Mark Fischbach urged his online followers to request it at their local theaters. Iron Lung ended up on 3,000 screens. It will take in more than $17 million in three days, about five times what it cost to make." [03:53]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Government Shutdown & Federal Funding: 00:16 – 01:07
• Immigration Enforcement Controversies: 01:07 – 02:14
• Stock Market & Disney Earnings: 02:14 – 03:07
• Winter Storm & Weather: 03:07 – 03:38
• Box Office & Documentaries: 03:38 – 04:29
• Grammys Recap: 04:29 – 04:55

This episode provides a fast, tightly-edited update on complex stories unfolding across government, society, business, and culture. The language is clear and direct, giving listeners just enough context to understand the stakes, while notable quotes and soundbites add urgency and color to the news.