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)
- "No state resident has ever been excluded from a US Census because of their immigration status."
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)
- Resident Anton Kucherenko expresses a need for distraction:
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)
- 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."
- 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.
