NPR News Now: 02-03-2026 6AM EST

Date: February 3, 2026
Host: Korva Coleman (and correspondents)
Episode Overview:
This five-minute NPR News Now update delivers the latest breaking national and international news, focusing on U.S. government spending negotiations, the temporary stay for Haitians under TPS, the mishandling of victim information in the Jeffrey Epstein case, key political developments around the 2020 U.S. election, and the acquisition of XAI by SpaceX.

1. Congressional Spending Showdown & Partial Government Shutdown

Main Points:

• The House is set to vote on spending legislation aiming to end a partial federal government shutdown.
• House Democrats have withheld support, demanding changes to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), especially following the shooting of Minneapolis protesters by federal agents.
• Senate amendments keep funding for five agencies but fund DHS for only two weeks, leading to continued uncertainty.

Key Quotes:

• Hakeem Jeffries (House Democratic Leader, 00:37):
  "Department of Homeland Security need to dramatically change. And absent that, then a full year appropriations bill is in deep trouble."
• Mike Johnson (House Speaker, 01:01): "Will be debated, decided over the next two weeks, so we'll have to see."

Other Insights:

• Essential federal employees (e.g., air traffic controllers) continue to work without pay during the shutdown (01:05).

2. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians

Main Points:

• A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump from ending TPS for Haitians, allowing 330,000 people to remain in the U.S. for another six months pending court proceedings.
• Haitians nationwide, especially in Boston, are relieved but remain anxious about their future.

Memorable Moment:

• Davidson (TPS Holder, 01:50):
  "But I just hope that during those six months, you know, they gave us like the opportunity, you know, either to adjust the status or probably open a new door for us to be able to stay longer than that."

Correspondent:

• Simone Rios (WBUR Boston, 01:33-02:13):
  Covers on-the-ground reactions, stresses ongoing uncertainty and the potential for further government appeals.

3. Justice Department’s Mishandling of Epstein Case Documents

Main Points:

• The Justice Department released about 3 million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein last Friday.
• They failed to properly redact victim names and explicit images before the release.
• After notification, the DOJ took down affected files but the incident raises concerns over victim protection.

Key Quote:

• Jacqueline Diaz (NPR, 02:30):
  "In some cases, even nude images of young women or possibly even teens were released. The DOJ, in a statement says it takes victim protection, quote, very seriously, unquote, and that they've taken down page where they were notified of identifiable information that was released."

4. Election Security & Political Tensions

Main Points:

• Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, confirms visiting a Georgia election office at President Trump’s direction.
• Federal agents seized hundreds of 2020 election ballots and materials in Georgia.
• Trump continues to assert he won the 2020 election, which is false.
• Tensions between President Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro are noted ahead of their White House meeting, with Trump's past suggestion to extradite Petro to the U.S.

5. Tech & Business: SpaceX Acquires XAI

Main Points:

• SpaceX acquires Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, XAI.
• SpaceX claims terrestrial solutions can’t meet AI’s growing energy needs, pointing to a vision of “space-based AI” utilizing satellite solar power.
• SpaceX reportedly saw $8 billion profit in the prior year; XAI is burning through over $1 billion per month.

Key Quote:

• John Ruich (NPR, 04:05): "SpaceX says space based AI is the answer. Satellites harnessing solar power, it says, will transform the ability to scale AI's computing."

6. Quick Financial Update

• Dow futures are trading lower in premarket activity, with a reported drop of about 25 points (04:47).

Notable Quotes Summary

• Hakeem Jeffries [00:37]:
  "Department of Homeland Security need to dramatically change. And absent that, then a full year appropriations bill is in deep trouble."
• Davidson [01:50]:
  "But I just hope that during those six months, you know, they gave us like the opportunity, you know, either to adjust the status or probably open a new door for us to be able to stay longer than that."
• Jacqueline Diaz [02:30]:
  "In some cases, even nude images of young women or possibly even teens were released. The DOJ, in a statement says it takes victim protection, quote, very seriously, unquote, and that they've taken down page where they were notified of identifiable information that was released."
• John Ruich [04:05]:
  "SpaceX says space based AI is the answer. Satellites harnessing solar power, it says, will transform the ability to scale AI's computing."

This concise update captures the evolving stories impacting U.S. politics, immigration, justice, election security, and technology, offering vital context for each headline.