NPR News Now: February 4, 2026, 3AM EST

Host: Gael Snyder (NPR)
Episode Theme:
A concise, five-minute update on national news, including immigration policy developments in Minnesota, congressional budget negotiations, Walmart’s market milestone, a controversial Utah murder case, U.S.–Iran tensions, a Chinese car safety regulation, and Asian financial markets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immigration Crackdown and ICE Presence in Minnesota

• [00:18 - 01:14]
  • Minnesota remains a focal point as state and federal authorities clash over immigration enforcement.
  • ICE agents in Minneapolis have been ordered to wear body cameras, but no deal has been reached to de-escalate the immigration crackdown.
  • Governor Tim Walz reinforces his demands:
    • A swift reduction in federal law enforcement personnel.
    • Inclusion of state investigators in probes into two civilian deaths involving immigration agents.
    • Opposition to Trump administration requests for Minnesota voter data.
  • Memorable Moment:
    • Governor Walz, voicing deep concern over federal/state tensions:

      "I think we're the frogs in the boiling water and man, it is bubbling now. This is foundational, as the attorney general said, to everything this country is founded on and this assault on Minnesota for whatever false reason they want to give. And it continues to change. They don't care."
      (Walz, 00:50)

  • ICE's expanded operations are now in their third month.

2. Congressional Spending Deal and Ongoing Immigration Negotiations

• [01:14 - 01:46]
  • President Trump signed a measure ending a brief government shutdown.
  • The bipartisan $1.2 trillion spending package funds most federal operations through September.
  • Only short-term funding was approved for the Department of Homeland Security, as lawmakers continue to debate immigration enforcement provisions.
  • Stage is set for another fight in Congress regarding immigration and border security.

3. Walmart Hits $1 Trillion Market Value

• [01:46 - 02:26]
  • Walmart shares reached a record high, pushing its valuation past $1 trillion for the first time.
  • The retailer, known for attracting bargain hunters, now appeals to more affluent shoppers seeking relief from high grocery and household costs.
  • Walmart raised its sales forecasts ahead of the upcoming earnings report.
  • Significant market impact: 3% rise in share value, equating to an added $29 billion in company value.
  • Notable Quote:

    "That put the retail giant in the trillion dollar camp for the first time ever. A rarefied neighborhood more typically associated with big tech companies, Walmart itself is a technology leader with one of the world's most efficient supply chains."
    (Scott Horsley, 02:13)

4. Utah Murder Case: Potential Conflict of Interest Draws Scrutiny

• [02:26 - 03:14]
  • In Utah, defense attorneys for Tyler Robinson are seeking to disqualify prosecutors in the Charlie Kirk murder case.
  • Issue: A senior attorney from the Utah County Attorney's office has a daughter who was present at the fatal event (a fan of the victim, Charlie Kirk), though she did not witness the shooting directly.
  • Defense argues the daughter’s connection may have improperly influenced the decision to pursue the death penalty.
  • Prosecutors maintain no impact on decision-making.
  • Judge to decide whether to remove prosecutors from the case.

5. U.S.-Iran Tensions: Drone Incident & Continued Talks

• [03:14 - 03:37]
  • Despite a U.S. fighter jet shooting down an Iranian drone near a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea (following harassment of a U.S.-flagged tanker), diplomatic talks between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian officials will proceed.
  • U.S. military officials describe the shootdown as a necessary precaution.

6. China’s Ban on Hidden Electronic Car Door Handles

• [03:37 - 04:36]
  • New Chinese regulation (effective 2027): bans hidden, electronically-operated car door handles, popularized by Tesla.
  • Rationale: These handles have been linked to multiple fatalities—during crashes, power failures can leave occupants trapped, and rescuers unable to open doors quickly.
  • All vehicles will now require visible, mechanically-operated releases both inside and outside.
  • U.S. safety regulators are also investigating.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Electrically powered handles can't stop working after a crash. That's caused multiple instances of people trapped inside vehicles during an emergency, while those trying to save them are unable to open doors."
    (Camila Dominosky, 04:10)

7. Asian Market Update

• [04:36 - 04:57]
  • Most Asian markets gained, but Japan’s Nikkei index fell over 0.7% after reaching a record high the previous day.
  • The decline was led by a sell-off in tech stocks.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Governor Tim Walz on Federal Pressure:

  “I think we’re the frogs in the boiling water and man, it is bubbling now. This is foundational, as the attorney general said, to everything this country is founded on and this assault on Minnesota for whatever false reason they want to give. And it continues to change. They don’t care.”
  (00:50)

• Scott Horsley on Walmart’s Market Milestone:

  “That put the retail giant in the trillion dollar camp for the first time ever. A rarefied neighborhood more typically associated with big tech companies, Walmart itself is a technology leader with one of the world’s most efficient supply chains.”
  (02:13)

• Camila Dominosky on China’s Ban of Hidden Handles:

  “Electrically powered handles can't stop working after a crash. That's caused multiple instances of people trapped inside vehicles during an emergency, while those trying to save them are unable to open doors.”
  (04:10)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• (00:18) Immigration Crackdown Updates in Minnesota
• (01:14) Congressional Government Funding & Immigration Debate
• (01:46) Walmart Hits $1 Trillion Market Value
• (02:26) Utah Murder Case Conflict of Interest Concerns
• (03:14) U.S.–Iran Drone Incident and Diplomatic Talks
• (03:37) China Bans Electronic Car Door Handles
• (04:36) Asian Market Recap

This episode delivered a rapid-fire but substantive look at top headlines shaping domestic U.S. policy, economic news, international security, consumer safety, and global markets—all in under five minutes, with clear reporting and direct quotes from key players.