NPR News Now – 9AM EST, February 4, 2026

Main Theme:
This concise five-minute newscast delivers the latest updates on major U.S. Supreme Court rulings about congressional maps, legal battles over election documents in Georgia, geopolitical moves on critical minerals, a high-profile missing person case, and new car safety regulations in China.

Key News Stories & Discussion Points

1. Supreme Court Clears California’s New Congressional Map

• [00:16 – 01:18]

  • Report: Hansi Lo Wang
  • The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed California to use a Democratic-leaning congressional map for the 2026 midterm elections, denying a Republican Party request to block its use.
  • The new map was approved by California voters to counterbalance Texas’s Republican-friendly map.
  • Background: The California GOP argued that the map was based on race, not politics; the court dismissed this argument.
  • Legal fights continue over maps in other states (New York, Virginia).

  Notable Quote:

  • “The Supreme Court has previously ruled that partisan gerrymandering is not reviewable by federal courts.” — Hansi Lo Wang [01:08]

2. Fulton County, Georgia Fights for Return of Election Documents

• [01:18 – 02:18]

  • Report: Raul Balia
  • Leaders in Fulton County are seeking the return of 2020 election documents seized during a recent federal raid.
  • County officials argue that Fulton is targeted due to persistent false claims by former President Trump that the county’s 2020 election results were fraudulent.
  • Concerns: Locals fear the raid could set a pretext for the state GOP to take over the county’s election board ahead of 2026 midterms.

  Notable Quote:

  • “This case is not only about Fulton County, it's about elections across Georgia and across the nation. But Fulton county, make no mistake…we are the poster child here.” — Fulton County Commission Chair Rob Pitts [01:43]

3. Trump Administration Forms Critical Minerals Trading Bloc

• [02:18 – 03:09]

  • Report: Michelle Kellerman
  • At a State Department conference, Vice President J.D. Vance urged 55 nations to join a U.S.-led critical minerals bloc, aiming to reduce dependence on China.
  • Focus: U.S. officials blame China for manipulating the minerals market and stress the need to bolster domestic and allied supply chains.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled this a top priority.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “We have close to two thirds of the world's GDP represented. And so we have the capacity to make ourselves more independent, more self-reliant, and that's what we should be doing.” — Vice President J.D. Vance [02:37]

4. Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Missing in Arizona

• [03:09 – 03:51]
  • Report: Juliana Kim
  • The 84-year-old mother of TODAY show host Savannah Guthrie is missing near Tucson, Arizona, for four days.
  • Authorities are investigating the possibility that she was taken by force and are probing reports of a ransom note demanding millions in Bitcoin.
  • No official details on ransom demand; media outlets have notified authorities.

5. China to Ban Electrically Operated Hidden Car Door Handles

• [03:51 – 04:46]

  • Report: Camila Domonosky
  • Starting next year, China will ban electronically controlled hidden door handles—popularized by Tesla—after multiple fatal incidents where vehicle occupants were trapped after crashes.
  • Details: New rules require mechanically operated, easily visible door releases inside and out.
  • U.S. regulators are also investigating the safety of these handles.

  Notable Moment:

  • “Electrically powered handles can stop working after a crash. That's caused multiple instances of people trapped inside vehicles during an emergency…” — Camila Domonosky [04:18]

6. Markets Update

• [03:09, 04:46]
  • The Dow Jones is up; the Nasdaq is down, reflecting mixed trading.
  • “On Wall Street, the Dow was up 325 points…The Dow up 342 points, the Nasdaq down 289.” — Windsor Johnston

Memorable Quotes

• “The Supreme Court has previously ruled that partisan gerrymandering is not reviewable by federal courts.” — Hansi Lo Wang [01:08]
• “But Fulton county, make no mistake…we are the poster child here.” — Rob Pitts [01:43]
• “We have the capacity to make ourselves more independent, more self-reliant, and that's what we should be doing.” — Vice President J.D. Vance [02:37]
• “Electrically powered handles can stop working after a crash. That's caused multiple instances of people trapped inside vehicles…” — Camila Domonosky [04:18]

Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Summary | | ----------- | ------------------------------------------------- | | 00:16 | Supreme Court on California congressional map | | 01:18 | Fulton County’s legal motion over 2020 documents | | 02:18 | U.S. minerals bloc conference & global appeal | | 03:09 | Savannah Guthrie’s mother missing—possible ransom | | 03:51 | China bans electric hidden car door handles | | 03:09, 04:46| Wall Street market update |

Tone:
The episode maintains NPR’s fact-driven, neutral tone, focusing on succinctly conveying each story’s essential facts without editorializing.

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