NPR News Now: 02-02-2026 3AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Date: February 2, 2026
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of the top headlines in U.S. politics, global affairs, education policy, and entertainment, offering listeners a snapshot of the latest developments impacting both national and international communities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ongoing Federal Government Shutdown

[00:14 - 00:54]

• Senate Deal Progress: The government continues operating under a partial shutdown as a funding bill passes the Senate, extending Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding for just two weeks.
• Contention in the House:
  • Some House Republicans oppose any DHS reforms and want to tie the deal to "election integrity" by requiring proof of citizenship to vote.
  • Some Democrats object to even the temporary extension.
• Procedural Delays: House Speaker Mike Johnson says a vote could take several days, prolonging the shutdown.
• Quote:
  • "The idea is a short term funding, you know, will force changes to DHS." (Uncredited Speaker, 00:32)

2. Missouri's Legal Challenge to Census Numbers

[00:54 - 02:02]

• Missouri's Lawsuit: Attempts to exclude both undocumented residents and those with visas from the decennial census, directly impacting congressional apportionment and Electoral College votes.
• Legal and Political Stakes:
  • The U.S. Constitution (14th Amendment) mandates counting the "whole number of persons" per state, regardless of immigration status.
  • Other states (Louisiana, Kansas, Ohio, West Virginia) have filed similar lawsuits.
  • Republican lawmakers and former President Trump support excluding non-citizens as part of a broader strategy to influence redistricting for partisan advantage.
• Quote:
  • "No state resident has ever been excluded from a US Census because of their immigration status."
    — Hansi Lo Wang, NPR News (01:39)

3. Coping With War: Kyiv's "Ice Parties"

[02:02 - 03:10]

• Context:
  • Ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy grid have left much of Kyiv in darkness and cold.
• Resilient Civil Response:
  • Residents hold "ice parties" with barbecues, music, and lively gatherings on the frozen Dnieper River and Kyiv Sea, seeking reprieve from the conflict.
• On-the-Ground Reporting:
  • Eleanor Beardsley describes a festive scene despite frigid temperatures; locals race cars and dance, pushing back against the psychological toll of war.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Resident Anton Kucherenko expresses a need for distraction:
    "People just want to have fun, relax." (02:53)
  • On coping with war:
    "It's like a pause, a pause, he says, until the next Russian attack."
    — Anton Kucherenko via Eleanor Beardsley (03:03)

4. Texas A&M University Ends Women's and Gender Studies Programs

[03:10 - 04:18]

• Program Closure:
  • The university eliminates its women's and gender studies courses as part of a statewide move against DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) initiatives.
  • Hundreds of courses modified or cancelled to comply with a new policy prohibiting instruction rooted in "race or gender ideology."
• Faculty Backlash:
  • Ira Dworkin, Associate Professor and AAUP Vice President, criticizes the move as political interference by the Board of Regents: "To have policies like this that allow politicians to determine what kind of wonderful, brilliant students are allowed to study is a travesty."
    — Ira Dworkin (04:02)
• University Response: Low student interest and enrollment are cited as additional factors for the closure.

5. Arts & Entertainment Highlights

[04:18 - 04:54]

• 68th Annual Grammy Awards:
  • Turnstile wins Best Rock Album for Never Enough.
  • Jelly Roll wins Best Contemporary Country Album for Beautifully Broken.
  • Leon Thomas wins Best R&B Album for Mutts.
• Box Office Notes:
  • Documentary Melania about the First Lady grosses $7 million, unexpectedly strong but still likely to be unprofitable given Amazon's $75 million investment.
  • Sam Raimi’s thriller Send Help tops the box office.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The idea is a short term funding, you know, will force changes to DHS." — [Uncredited Speaker, 00:32]
• "No state resident has ever been excluded from a US Census because of their immigration status." — Hansi Lo Wang, NPR News (01:39)
• "People just want to have fun, relax." — Anton Kucherenko via Eleanor Beardsley (02:53)
• "It's like a pause, a pause, he says, until the next Russian attack." — Eleanor Beardsley, relaying Anton Kucherenko (03:03)
• "To have policies like this that allow politicians to determine what kind of wonderful, brilliant students are allowed to study is a travesty." — Ira Dworkin (04:02)

Timeline of Important Segments

• [00:14] Federal government shutdown & Senate funding deal developments
• [00:54] Missouri lawsuit seeking changes to 2030 & 2020 Census counting
• [02:02] Ukraine: Social resilience during wartime blackout
• [03:10] Texas A&M’s elimination of DEI, gender, and women's studies programs
• [04:18] Grammy Awards results & box office updates

This episode delivers a succinct, globe-spanning snapshot of ongoing political tussles, innovative civilian resilience amid war, major shifts in U.S. education policy, and highlights from the world of entertainment. For listeners who want a distilled overview of headline news with context and commentary, this installment provides essential updates with NPR’s signature journalistic clarity.