NPR News Now – February 3, 2026, 10AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman | Podcast: NPR News Now
Summary by Minute: [00:13]–[04:53]

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update, hosted by Korva Coleman, delivers breaking news and developments in U.S. politics, business, and society as of February 3, 2026. The episode focuses on the ongoing partial government shutdown, controversial remarks by President Trump on state elections, corporate responses to economic pressures, ongoing immigration debates, and changes in entertainment and leadership spheres.

Key News Topics and Insights

1. House Votes on Spending Package to End Partial Government Shutdown

[00:13]–[01:12]

• Spending Plan Details:

  • The Republican-led House is preparing to vote on a spending package that would end the partial government shutdown.
  • The spending bill provides funding for the Departments of Defense, Transportation, Health and Human Services, and others through September.
  • However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) only receives funding for two weeks, to allow time for negotiation on immigration law enforcement reforms.

• Bipartisan Support and Frustrations:

  • House Appropriations Democrat Rosa DeLaura supports the bill, even though it’s not perfect for either party:
    • Quote:

      "Did we get everything we wanted? Hell no. Did the Republicans get everything they wanted? Hell no."
      —Rosa DeLaura, [00:47]

  • Not all House Democrats concur, calling for immediate reforms to DHS.
  • The Senate passed the bipartisan bill after a rare agreement between Senate Democrats and the Trump White House.
  • House Republicans are expected to support President Trump’s call for a yes-vote.

2. President Trump’s Call for Nationalized Elections

[01:12]–[01:49]

• Controversial Remarks:

  • President Trump, speaking on Dan Bongino's podcast, suggested that Republicans should take away control of elections from at least 15 unspecified states and nationalize the voting system, criticizing certain states for what he termed as "crooked" vote counting.
    • Quote:

      "The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting. We have states that are so crooked and they're counting votes. We have states that I won that show I didn't win."
      —Donald Trump, [01:31]

  • Trump also makes unsubstantiated claims about the 2020 election and predicts revelations regarding Georgia.

• Background Context:

  • Last week, FBI agents raided an elections office near Atlanta, Georgia, seizing hundreds of boxes of ballots from the 2020 election; Georgia officials say they do not know the ballots’ whereabouts.
  • NPR clarifies that Trump’s claims of winning the national election and Georgia in 2020 are false.

3. Pepsi Cuts Snack Prices Amid Slumped Sales

[01:49]–[03:04]

• Economic Trends and Corporate Response:

  • PepsiCo is responding to customer frustration with high prices by reducing the cost of snacks like Doritos, Cheetos, and Lay's potato chips by up to 15%.
  • The company reported decreased sales as shoppers turn to cheaper store brands.
  • Price cuts are timed ahead of the Super Bowl; prices on corn chips and guacamole were already dropping.

• Wall Street Update:

  • Dow Jones up about 7 points, Nasdaq down over 200.
  • The release of the monthly job turnover report has been postponed due to the government shutdown.
    • Quote:

      "The company is planning to cut prices by up to 15% to regain market share."
      —Scott Horsley, [02:23]

• Corporate Leadership News:

  • Disney's head of theme parks, Josh D’Amaro, will become CEO at the upcoming annual meeting, succeeding Bob Iger.

4. Federal Judge Blocks End of TPS Protections for Haitians

[03:04]–[04:11]

• Legal Update:

  • A federal judge has halted the Trump administration’s attempt to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 300,000 Haitians in the U.S., protections which were set to expire today.

• Community Response in Ohio:

  • Over a thousand faith leaders gathered in Springfield, Ohio, to support the Haitian community at a church rally titled "Here We Stand."
  • Bishop Kristin Ufel White expressed concern for community cohesion and well-being:
    • Quote:

      "It will remove the neighbors we depend on. It will hurt local schools and businesses. And, yes, it will hurt churches. It will hurt us being who we are called to be."
      —Reverend Kristin Ufel White, [03:50]

  • Governor Mike DeWine reports receiving mixed signals about possible increased ICE deportation efforts.

5. Quick Updates: International and Entertainment News

[04:11]–[04:53]

• U.S.–Colombia Relations:

  • President Trump meets Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House amid gradually easing tensions, despite past sharp criticism (including Trump’s previous comparison of Petro to Venezuela's Maduro).

• Entertainment:

  • Kelly Clarkson announces a step back from her daily TV show to prioritize her children.
    • She will continue to make music, perform, and occasionally appear on "The Voice."
    • Clarkson’s show is currently in its seventh season.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• "Did we get everything we wanted? Hell no. Did the Republicans get everything they wanted? Hell no."
  —Rosa DeLaura, [00:47]

• "The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting. We have states that are so crooked and they're counting votes. We have states that I won that show I didn't win."
  —Donald Trump, [01:31]

• “It will remove the neighbors we depend on. It will hurt local schools and businesses. And, yes, it will hurt churches. It will hurt us being who we are called to be.”
  —Reverend Kristin Ufel White, [03:50]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Government Shutdown Spending Vote: [00:13]–[01:12]
• Trump’s Voting System Remarks: [01:12]–[01:49]
• FBI Georgia Ballot Raid Context: [01:49]
• Pepsi Price Cuts & Corporate News: [02:23]–[03:04]
• Wall Street & Disney CEO News: [03:04]
• Haitian TPS Protections Blocked: [03:34]–[04:11]
• U.S.–Colombia, Entertainment Updates: [04:11]–[04:53]

Tone and Style

The episode maintains NPR’s signature straightforward, objective news delivery, with occasional direct quotes adding color and authenticity to political and local community responses. The pace is brisk, ensuring concise coverage of major national and international events for a busy, news-hungry audience.