NPR News Now – February 5, 2026, 2AM EST

Host: Jael Snyder
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode delivers the latest headlines from across the U.S. and the world. The broadcast covers a suspected abduction in Arizona, federal wildfire aid disputes in California, a milestone in seafloor mineral mining in Alaska, upcoming nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran, a large-scale cholera vaccine campaign, and early results from the Winter Olympics in Italy.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Missing: Family Issues Plea

(00:16 – 01:17)

• Background:
  Savannah Guthrie (TODAY show host) and her siblings posted a heartfelt video four days after their mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reportedly abducted from her Tucson-area home.
• Details:
  • Described their mother as “a faithful and loving woman and a beloved grandmother.”
  • The family implores potential abductors for proof of life:

    “We are ready to communicate but need to know without a doubt that our mother is still alive.”
    — Savannah Guthrie, video message [00:34]

  • Nancy Guthrie requires medication to survive, underscoring the urgency.
  • Pima County Sheriff's investigation is ongoing.
• Reporter:
  Katya Mendoza, Arizona Public Media.

2. Federal Aid Dispute: Trump Administration vs. California Wildfire Victims

(01:17 – 02:19)

• Highlights:
  • President Trump has sent officials to assure wildfire victims in Los Angeles.
  • Friction over aid: The administration claims California’s recovery fund request ($40 billion) is excessive.
  • FEMA aid: Fewer than half of surveyed LA fire victims report receiving any.
  • EPA head Lee Zeldin criticizes the state’s request:

    “In between insult four and five of the day, he's like, oh, by the way, where's my tens of billions of dollars?”
    — Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator [01:54]

  • Executive order update: Federal officials are defending a new order to speed up rebuilding by overriding local permitting.
• Reporter:
  Kirk Sigler, NPR News, Los Angeles.

3. Alaska’s First Potential Seafloor Mineral Lease

(02:19 – 03:11)

• Context:
  The federal government is considering opening Alaskan waters to seabed mining for critical minerals.
• Details:
  • The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is seeking public input on a possible lease, including areas around the Aleutian Islands.
  • Environmental concerns: Recently found “thriving coral and sponge communities…may be vulnerable to disturbances.”
  • First offshore minerals lease sale in Alaska, following a Trump push for mineral development.
  • Deadline for public input: March 2.
• Reporter:
  Sophia Stuart Rossi, KUC-B.

4. U.S. and Iran Set for Nuclear Talks

(03:11 – 03:49)

• Overview:
  • Location: Oman’s capital.
  • Participants: Iran’s foreign minister confirmed, and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will represent the Trump administration.
  • Context: Heightened tensions. Trump recently “threatened U.S. military action” after Iran’s crackdown on protesters last month.
• Notable:
  First official dialogue since recent escalation between the countries.

5. WHO Launches First Preventive Cholera Vaccination in Years

(03:49 – 04:30)

• Facts:
  • Over 7,000 cholera deaths and 500,000+ cases last year.
  • Global vaccine shortage hampered previous campaigns.
  • New supplies: South Korean manufacturer has enabled WHO to launch preventive campaigns for the first time in three years.
  • 20 million doses allocated to Mozambique, DRC, and Bangladesh.
  • Distribution led and funded by Gavi, UN agencies.
• Quote:

  “The surge in cases and emergency vaccination campaigns consumed much of the available vaccine stock. But now, thanks to a vaccine manufacturer in South Korea, there is enough for preventive campaigns.”
  — Gabriela Emanuel, NPR [03:49]

6. Winter Olympics Curling Underway

(04:30 – 04:55)

• Update:
  • Opening ceremony Friday, but competition has started in Italy.
  • Highlights from mixed doubles curling: Britain beats Norway 8–6; Canada wins against Czech Republic.
• Anchor:
  Jael Snyder.

Notable Quotes

• “We are ready to communicate but need to know without a doubt that our mother is still alive.”
  — Savannah Guthrie [00:34]

• “In between insult four and five of the day, he's like, oh, by the way, where's my tens of billions of dollars?”
  — Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator [01:54]

• “The surge in cases and emergency vaccination campaigns consumed much of the available vaccine stock. But now, thanks to a vaccine manufacturer in South Korea, there is enough for preventive campaigns.”
  — Gabriela Emanuel, NPR [03:49]

Timestamps: Important Segments

• [00:16] Savannah Guthrie family video, abduction plea
• [01:17] Trump administration officials visit LA, aid dispute
• [02:19] Alaska seabed mining proposal
• [03:11] U.S.-Iran nuclear talks set in Oman
• [03:49] Preventive cholera vaccination campaign launches
• [04:30] Winter Olympics curling results

Tone & Style

The tone is urgent, concise, and objective—characteristic of NPR’s headline news reporting, focused on delivering critical facts and updates efficiently.