NPR News Now – February 2, 2026, 2PM EST

Host: NPR (Kristen Wright)
Length: 5 minutes
Theme: Rapid-fire update on top national and international news stories

Overview

This NPR News Now update delivers concise coverage of the top developing stories:

• Ongoing division in Congress over funding and immigration enforcement amid a government shutdown.
• Fallout and costs from Department of Education staff dismissals.
• New calls for Prince Andrew’s testimony in the US Epstein investigation, alongside broader British government scandal.
• US-India trade agreement updates.
• Efforts by school districts to help disabled students recover post-pandemic.
• Punxsutawney Phil’s annual Groundhog Day forecast—with a political twist.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown & Immigration Enforcement

[00:16–01:07]

• Lawmakers remain split on resolving a partial US government shutdown.
• Major debate centers on immigration enforcement by ICE and Border Patrol.
  • Democrats: Demand policy changes.
  • Trump administration: Continues immigration enforcement surge, especially in Minneapolis after a federal judge ruling.

Notable Quote:

“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.”
—Cat Lansdorf ([00:56])

2. Education Department Firing Costs

[01:07–02:07]

• Government watchdog reports Trump's attempted Department of Education staff firings cost taxpayers between $28.5–$38 million.
  • Over 300 Office for Civil Rights staff were put on paid leave for 9 months instead of working.
  • The courts later allowed their return to work, making the issue “moot” per administration.

Notable Quote:

“The cost of that lost work in salary and benefits was between 28 and a half and $38 million.”
—Cory Turner ([01:48])

3. Prince Andrew, Epstein, and UK Government Scandals

[02:07–03:11]

• UK Prime Minister urges Prince Andrew to testify before the US Congress re: Jeffrey Epstein.
  • New evidence: Photos of Andrew at an Epstein property; friendly emails after royals claimed to sever ties.
  • Prince Andrew has lost his title, housing; settled with an Epstein victim (denies wrongdoing).
  • Related fallout: Former UK Ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, resigns from Labour Party after revelations of information sharing.

Notable Quote:

“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 ([02:30])

4. US-India Trade Agreement & Indian Oil Imports

[03:11–03:23]

• US and India reach a deal: US lowers tariffs on Indian imports from 25% to 18%.
• President Trump claims India’s PM Modi agreed to cease Russian oil purchases.

5. Special Education Recovery Post-Pandemic

[03:23–04:30]

• Many lawsuits/federal probes force school districts to help disabled students recover services lost during COVID.
  • Example: Pittsburgh students missed 600,000+ hours of special education.
    • District spent $2.7 million on after-school tutoring, specialized classes, rock climbing, etc.

Notable Quotes:

“Some people question how rock climbing can help students make up for lost learning time. District official Maria Paul defends it.”
—Jillian Forstadt ([04:05])

“In those moments, too, you’re working on following directions, listening to others, getting along with peers, like there’s so many other pieces of development that are captured in those moments.”
—Maria Paul ([04:14])

6. Groundhog Day & Political Humor

[04:33–04:54]

• Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter; crowds reacted with cheers and boos.
• Potomac Phil (Washington’s furriest pundit) forecasts:
  • 6 more weeks of winter.
  • 6 more months of “political gridlock.”

Memorable Moments

• Political Humor:
  • “Six more weeks of winter and six more months of political gridlock.” ([04:50])
    • Commentary on DC’s legislative inaction, tied cleverly to Groundhog Day.

Timestamps & Segments

• [00:16] — Opening headlines (shutdown, immigration, Education Dept. firings)
• [00:42] — Minneapolis immigration surge court ruling (Cat Lansdorf)
• [01:23] — Education Department staff leaves cost report (Cory Turner)
• [02:07] — Prince Andrew and Epstein investigation (Lauren Frayer)
• [03:11] — US-India trade and oil agreements
• [03:23] — Special education recovery in Pittsburgh (Gillian Forstadt & Maria Paul)
• [04:33] — Groundhog Day predictions and political satire

Summary:
NPR’s hourly update spans politics, education, international scandal, and community recovery, capped with a wry seasonal joke about DC’s persistent divisions—offering listeners both essential information and a knowing smile.