NPR News Now – February 4, 2026, 1AM EST
Host: Giles Snyder
Episode Theme:
A concise, five-minute roundup of major U.S. and international news events, spanning government funding battles, immigration enforcement, developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, regional lawsuits over infrastructure, unusual weather impacts, and updates on global markets.
1. Government Funding & DHS Dispute
[00:16–01:08]
- President Trump has signed a funding bill, ending the partial government shutdown from the past weekend.
- The next battle in Congress shifts to funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is only cleared through the end of next week.
- Democrats are pressing for reforms to immigration enforcement, particularly in light of recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis.
Key Insights:
- Congress faces a choice: pass another DHS stopgap bill or risk a narrow shutdown.
- DHS funding covers vital agencies: TSA, the Coast Guard, and FEMA.
- Immigration enforcement remains robust:
"Congress already gave Immigration and Customs Enforcement 75 billion dollars over four years through that Republican tax and spending bill that passed last summer."
— NPR Analyst [00:56] - Even if future funding is turbulent, current immigration enforcement programs will continue.
2. Resignations at U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis
[01:08–01:57]
- A series of resignations have hit the U.S. attorney’s office in Minneapolis, following an incident where an immigration agent fatally shot Renee Macklin Good and subsequent federal pressure on prosecutors to investigate her widow.
- Departures now include a victims advocate, three prosecutors, and four civil division attorneys.
Notable Moment:
- The resignations have fully depleted the team prosecuting major social service fraud cases in Minnesota. Replacement lawyers are being brought in from other regions and the military.
"The departures mean that the Minnesota U.S. attorney's office has now lost all of the lawyers who were prosecuting a series of major social service program fraud cases involving dozens of defendants."
— Matt Sepik, MPR [01:38]
3. NATO’s Response to Russia’s Continued Attacks on Ukraine
[01:57–02:49]
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Kyiv, addressing Ukraine’s parliament and condemning Russia’s renewed attacks on the city’s infrastructure amidst harsh winter conditions.
- Rutte praised Ukraine’s endurance and assured that international security provisions are in place to reinforce any peace deal.
Key Quotes:
"On the ground, jets in the air, ships on the Black Sea."
— NATO Official [02:30]
"Russia attacks like those last night do not signal seriousness about peace."
— NATO Official [02:41]
- Despite direct talks between Ukraine and Russia, the overnight missile and drone attacks have left thousands in Kyiv without power, water, or heat.
Ukrainian President Zelensky’s Accusation:
"Russia used [the cease fire] to stockpile munitions to employ them in overnight assaults."
— NPR Reporter [03:01]
4. Lawsuit Over Gateway Tunnel Project in New York/New Jersey
[03:16–03:39]
- New Jersey Governor Mikey Sherrill announces a joint lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging illegal freezing of funds for the Gateway Tunnel project.
- Nearly 1,000 jobs are at risk as construction faces imminent suspension.
- This legal action is distinct from another filed by the Gateway Development Commission earlier in the week.
5. Record-Breaking Cold in South Florida Stuns Iguanas (and Locals)
[03:39–04:40]
- South Florida experienced a rare and record-setting cold snap, leading to a phenomenon of “cold-stunned” iguanas falling from trees.
- Iguana trapper Blake Wilkins reported catching around 3,000 iguanas in two days.
Memorable Quote:
"The sheer numbers of them was surprising. Even knowing that it was getting as cold as it was going to. I’m still kind of like borderline shocked with how many we found and got."
— Blake Wilkins, Redline Iguana Removal [04:03]
- The cold immobilizes the cold-blooded reptiles, but experts warn this does not resolve the area’s invasive iguana problem.
6. Asian Markets Update
[04:40–04:55]
- Asian shares showed mixed results following Wall Street losses, with markets in Japan and China particularly affected by a sell-off in tech stocks.
End of episode.