NPR News Now: 02-02-2026 11AM EST – Episode Summary

Main Theme:
A brisk five-minute news roundup covering major national and international stories from federal immigration crackdowns, high-profile investigations, extreme winter weather, Grammy Award highlights, and the annual Groundhog Day forecast.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Federal Judge Upholds Trump-Era Immigration Crackdown in Minneapolis

• [00:15-00:53]

• U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez denied Minnesota’s request to halt federal immigration actions in Minneapolis.

• The state and local officials argued these actions violated constitutional rights and caused “tremendous damage.”

• Judge Menendez (a Biden appointee) ruled the state was unlikely to succeed—though she recognized the operation’s profound and “even heartbreaking consequences” for Minnesota.

  “Her ruling really focused on the state's argument and whether it was likely to succeed in court. And ultimately she said she didn't think it would.”
  — Kat Lansdorf, NPR reporter [00:39]

  “The immigration operation, quote, has had and will likely continue to have profound and even heartbreaking consequences for the state of Minnesota.”
  — Korva Coleman, NPR (quoting Judge Menendez) [00:53]

2. UK’s Prince Andrew Faces Renewed Scrutiny in Epstein Investigation

• [00:53-02:06]

• British PM urges Prince Andrew to testify before US Congress after new Epstein-related document releases and photos.

• Emails between Andrew, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and Epstein surfaced, contradicting prior claims of severed ties.

• Andrew previously stripped of royal titles, evicted from Windsor Castle, and settled an abuse case (but maintains innocence).

• Former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson resigned from Labour Party for sharing confidential information with Epstein.

  “There are also friendly emails from Andrew and his ex wife Sarah Ferguson to Epstein while he was under house arrest—long after the royals had said they'd cut ties.”
  — Lauren Frayer, NPR London [01:27]

3. Extreme Cold and Winter Weather Hits Southeast and East US

• [02:06-03:08]

• Bitter cold and wind chills stretch from Florida to the Northeast, with rare snowfall reported in the Carolinas.

• North Carolina Governor Josh Stein comments on the unusual snow.

  “We just don't get snow like this very often.”
  — Gov. Josh Stein [02:23]

• Incidents include numerous crashes, dramatic rescues, and lingering storm impacts across the region.

• Meteorologist Dan McGinley forecasts temperatures will start to moderate, but cold will persist.

4. Grammy Awards: Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, SZA Among Big Winners

• [03:08-04:07]

• Bad Bunny collects three Grammys, including Album of the Year, and uses his platform to criticize misconceptions about immigrants.

  “We're not animals, we're not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
  — Bad Bunny [03:45]

• Gloria Estefan, also present, expresses her concern for immigrant families.

  “These are people that have families that have contributed to this country for decades.”
  — Gloria Estefan [03:55]

5. Groundhog Day: Six More Weeks of Winter Predicted

• [04:07-04:44]

• Thousands gather in Pennsylvania as Punxsutawney Phil “sees his shadow,” signaling six more weeks of winter.

• Dan McGinley, Groundhog Club vice president, delivers the forecast in traditional rhyme.

  “There is a shadow here on my ground. Six more weeks of winter abound.”
  — Dan McGinley, Punxsutawney Phil spokesperson [04:28]

• Host notes the event’s roots in ancient European farming traditions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We just don't get snow like this very often.”
  — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein [02:23]
• “We're not animals, we're not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
  — Bad Bunny at the Grammys [03:45]
• “These are people that have families that have contributed to this country for decades.”
  — Gloria Estefan [03:55]
• “There is a shadow here on my ground. Six more weeks of winter abound.”
  — Dan McGinley (Groundhog Day) [04:28]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Immigration Crackdown Ruling: 00:15–00:53
• Prince Andrew/Epstein Investigation: 00:53–02:06
• Extreme Winter Weather: 02:06–03:08
• Grammy Awards/Immigrant Rights: 03:08–04:07
• Groundhog Day Forecast: 04:07–04:44

Tone:
Straightforward, briskly factual, with moments of human interest and direct commentary from newsmakers.