NPR News Now – 7AM EST, February 3, 2026

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: 5 minutes
Main Theme:
A concise roundup of the morning’s top national and international stories, covering the ongoing government shutdown, immigration transparency, U.S. policy shifts on critical minerals, Middle East diplomacy, political legal developments, wildlife conservation, and cultural events.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Partial Federal Government Shutdown & Immigration Enforcement (00:18–01:31)

• Status: Day four of a partial federal government shutdown continues as the House considers a Senate funding measure.
• Key Issue: Only temporary funding for the Department of Homeland Security is included—pending negotiations on changes to federal immigration enforcement.
• Reform Sought: House Democrats call for federal law enforcement officers to wear body cameras.
• Immediate Action: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announces all federal agents in Minneapolis will receive body cameras immediately, to be expanded nationwide as funds allow.
  • She did not clarify the funding source.
• Context:
  • Heightened scrutiny follows the 2022 shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal agents during Minneapolis deportation protests.
  • President Biden had previously mandated body cameras by executive order; President Trump had rescinded this but recently voiced support, stating it could "help law enforcement."
• Notable Quote:
  • Kat Lonsdorf: “President Trump rescinded that in his second term. But over the weekend, Trump seemed to approve of the idea, saying he thought it would, quote, help law enforcement.” (01:29)

2. U.S. Strategic Minerals Stockpile Initiative – Project Vault (01:31–02:28)

• Announcement: President Trump launches a $12 billion program, “Project Vault,” aiming to reduce reliance on Chinese rare earth metals crucial for tech, auto, and defense sectors.
• Funding:
  • $10 billion via the Export-Import Bank
  • $2 billion from private industry
• Policy Goal: U.S. officials underscore the need to regain control over critical minerals, emphasizing national security and economic independence.
• Notable Quote:
  • Project Vault Official: “Today we’re launching what will be known as Project Vault to ensure that American businesses and workers are never harmed by any shortage. We don’t want to ever go through what we went through a year ago.” (02:03)

3. Diplomatic Talks on Iran’s Nuclear Program (02:28–03:07)

• Event: U.S. envoys and Iranian officials to meet in Turkey, joined by U.S. allies, to discuss Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
• Regional Context:
  • Middle East powers (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey) push for diplomacy to avoid escalation and foster economic development.
  • Iran warns of the risk of regional war if the U.S. launches an assault—concern for all involved economies.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jackie Northam: “Iran has warned if the US launches an assault, it could result in a regional war. These countries are very business oriented and they need common stability in order to pursue some of their grand economic development plans. A regional war will not help that.” (02:53)

4. Clintons Offer to Testify in Epstein Probe (03:07–03:55)

• Development:
  • Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary Hillary Clinton agree to testify in a House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein after facing possible contempt charges for defying a subpoena.
  • GOP Rep. James Comer, leading the probe, remains noncommittal on dropping charges: “It depends on what they say.”
• Implication: Ongoing Congressional investigation maintains pressure and public scrutiny on high-profile political figures.

5. Grizzly Bear Endangered Status Review (03:55–04:36)

• Update:
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now has until December 28, 2026, to decide on delisting grizzly bears in the Lower 48 as “threatened.”
  • Deadline extended after court order; Western states push for state management, citing recovery of numbers.
  • Wildlife groups are concerned about potential negative impacts of hunting; grizzlies occupy only a fraction of their historic range.
• Notable Quote:
  • Ellis Julin: “There are also concerns over how hunting could further impact population recovery. Grizzlies will remain federally protected until the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes its final decision.” (04:31)

6. Cultural Note: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (04:36–04:56)

• Event:
  • The 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show opens in New York City.
  • Thousands of dogs competing in groups like herding, sporting, and terrier; finalists vie for Best in Show later today.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Body Cameras for Federal Agents:

  • “Secretary Noem made the announcement on X, saying that the program would be expanded nationally as funding becomes available.” – Kat Lonsdorf (00:52)

• Supply Chain Security:

  • “We don’t want to ever go through what we went through a year ago.” – Unnamed Project Vault Official (02:03)

• Diplomatic Priorities:

  • “…they need common stability in order to pursue some of their grand economic development plans. A regional war will not help that.” – Jackie Northam (02:57)

• Wildlife Conservation Tension:

  • “Wildlife advocacy groups say bears only occupy a small fraction of their historic range.” – Ellis Julin (04:13)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Shutdown & Immigration Cameras: 00:18–01:31
• Critical Minerals Policy (Project Vault): 01:31–02:28
• Iran Nuclear Talks: 02:28–03:07
• Clinton–Epstein Probe: 03:07–03:55
• Grizzly Bear Protection Status: 03:55–04:36
• Westminster Dog Show: 04:36–04:56

This summary provides a comprehensive guide to the episode’s key news stories, capturing the urgency, evolving policies, and major public events shaping the U.S. and the world on February 3, 2026.