NPR News Now – 4PM EST, February 4, 2026

Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: Approx. 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode presents a succinct roundup of the top national and international stories at the hour. Topics cover domestic military readiness, a high-profile sentencing, significant Supreme Court decisions, Olympic sports updates from Milan, major journalism layoffs, a baseball legend’s passing, and an unconventional Valentine’s Day marketing move by McDonald’s.

Key News Points & Insights

1. Stand Down for Troops in Minnesota

[00:15 – 01:17]

• Context: Hundreds of active duty troops previously on alert for possible deployment to Minnesota have been told to stand down.
• Details:
  • Over 1,500 troops from Alaska, Colorado, and North Carolina have been stood down by U.S. Northern Command.
  • Troops had been in readiness amid protests against Trump administration immigration enforcement.
  • President Trump had recently threatened use of the Insurrection Act to deploy soldiers to Minneapolis, against wishes of local authorities.
  • Public reaction escalated after two bystander videos surfaced showing ICE agents fatally shooting US citizens.
  • White House border czar Tom Homan announced about 700 federal agents are leaving Minnesota.
• Notable Quote:
  “The public outcry seems to have prompted a shift.” – Quill Lawrence, NPR [00:54]

2. Sentencing in Trump Assassination Attempt

[01:17 – 02:05]

• Context: In Florida, the man who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign will spend his life in prison.
• Details:
  • Ryan Ruth was found guilty on five counts after plotting to shoot Trump during a golf outing at West Palm Beach.
  • A Secret Service agent noticed Ruth with a rifle in the tree line; Ruth was confronted, fled, but was quickly arrested.
  • During sentencing, Ruth sought leniency, but the judge was unmoved.
• Memorable Courtroom Moment:
  “Your plot to kill was deliberate and evil ... you are not a peaceful man.” – Judge Eileen Cannon [01:50]
• Next Steps: Ruth’s attorney plans to appeal the life sentence.

3. Supreme Court Greenlights California Congressional Map

[02:05 – 02:36]

• Development:
  • The Supreme Court declined to block California’s new congressional map after Republicans labeled it a “racial gerrymander.”
  • California Democrats redrew districts as a countermeasure to GOP-friendly redistricting in Texas, supported by President Trump.
• Key Context:
  The Supreme Court’s brief order allows California’s redistricting to proceed ahead of upcoming elections.

4. Winter Olympics Begin in Milan

[02:36 – 03:08]

• Story: Official Olympic events began ahead of the opening ceremony.
• Highlights:
  • Mixed doubles curling matches and men’s alpine skiing training runs (notably, Ryan Cochrane Siegel of the U.S. had the fastest time).
  • Women’s hockey group stage starts with Team USA, captained by Hillary Knight, facing Czechia.
  • Although headquartered in Milan, most events are scattered across the Dolomites due to the venues' locations.
• Quote:
  “The only events in Milan are speed skating, figure skating and hockey. Everything else ... is being held in resort towns stretching across the Dolomites in northern Italy.” – Becky Sullivan, NPR [02:56]

5. The Washington Post Cuts Newsroom Jobs

[03:08 – 03:49]

• Announcement:
  The Washington Post is downsizing:
  • Shuttering its sports desk and book sections
  • Suspending the flagship podcast “Post Reports”
  • Shrinking the international reporting team
• Rationale: Leadership frames this as a strategic move in a challenging media landscape.

6. Baseball Trailblazer Ron Teasley Dies at 99

[03:49 – 04:33]

• Remembrance:
  • Ron “Schoolboy” Teasley, early African American MLB signee post-Jackie Robinson, passes away at 99.
  • Background: Starred at Detroit’s Northwestern High and Wayne State University, played briefly for Dodgers’ minor league and more notably for the Negro League’s New York Cubans.
  • Family Insight:
    “That means that my dad actually played in the minor leagues, MLB minor leagues, before playing in the Negro League. I don't think any other player did that.” – Ronald A. Teasley, Ron’s son [04:13]
  • Post-career: Longtime coach and advocate for youth baseball in inner cities.

7. McDonald’s McNugget Caviar Kit for Valentine’s Day

[04:33 – 04:54]

• Feature:
  McDonald’s unveils a limited-edition McNugget caviar kit for Valentine’s Day, including Siberian sturgeon caviar and a $25 gift card for McNuggets—a blend of luxury and fast food marketing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The public outcry seems to have prompted a shift.”
  – Quill Lawrence on troop stand down in Minnesota [00:54]

• “Your plot to kill was deliberate and evil ... you are not a peaceful man.”
  – Judge Eileen Cannon to Ryan Ruth [01:50]

• “That means that my dad actually played in the minor leagues, MLB minor leagues, before playing in the Negro League. I don’t think any other player did that.”
  – Ronald A. Teasley remembering his father, Ron Teasley [04:13]

• “The only events in Milan are speed skating, figure skating and hockey. Everything else ... is being held in resort towns stretching across the Dolomites in northern Italy.”
  – Becky Sullivan, on the far-flung nature of the Winter Olympics [02:56]

Segment Timestamps

• Troops Stand Down in Minnesota: 00:15 – 01:17
• Trump Assassination Attempt Sentencing: 01:17 – 02:05
• Supreme Court on California Congressional Map: 02:05 – 02:36
• Winter Olympics in Milan: 02:36 – 03:08
• Washington Post Job Cuts: 03:08 – 03:49
• Ron Teasley Tribute: 03:49 – 04:33
• McDonald’s Valentine’s Kit: 04:33 – 04:54

This episode delivers a fast-paced, diverse news update, blending urgent national affairs with cultural stories, world events, and a bit of quirky marketing news, capturing NPR’s authoritative yet approachable news tone.