NPR News Now: February 5, 2026 – 7PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton, NPR
Episode Theme:
A concise rundown of the day's most significant national news and cultural developments, spanning presidential approval ratings, immigration enforcement controversies, federal employment reforms, court rulings, pop music milestones, and animal cognition research.

Key News Stories and Insights

1. President Trump Faces Historic Disapproval in New Poll

• [00:18–01:04]
  • Main Points:
    • NPR PBS News Marist poll finds Trump’s overall job approval at just 39%, with strong disapproval tying a decade-long record at 51%.
    • Approval for Trump's handling of foreign policy and the economy is only 36%.
    • Widespread unpopularity stems heavily from controversial immigration enforcement tactics.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Domenico Montanaro (01:00):
      “What really jumps out here, though? 51% say they strongly disapprove of the job that Trump is doing. That's tied for the worst score in the decade that Marist has been asking about strong approval and disapproval.”

2. Michigan Launches Federal Action Tracker for Immigration Oversight

• [01:04–01:46]
  • Main Points:
    • Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announces an online portal ("Federal Action Tracker") for the public to report ICE and Border Patrol actions.
    • The initiative responds to violent incidents involving federal agents in other states.
    • Nessel emphasizes potential prosecution of unlawful actions by federal officers in Michigan.
    • ICE appeals for state cooperation “to protect public safety and national security,” while several Michigan law enforcement agencies refuse to work with ICE, claiming community endangerment.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Dana Nessel (01:38): “And that includes, if need be, prosecuting unlawful actions perpetrated by federal officers within our borders.”

3. Trump Administration Finalizes Rule Easing Federal Worker Firings

• [02:04–02:53]
  • Main Points:
    • Revised federal regulations reclassify about 50,000 civil servant positions as “at-will,” stripping many job protections.
    • Applies primarily to policy-influencing roles; Trump says it ensures federal workers support his directives.
    • Critics warn the rules open the door to partisan firings and reduce protections for whistleblowers, now at agency discretion instead of under independent oversight.
    • Federal worker unions and advocacy groups have already sued to block the overhaul.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Shannon Bond (02:41): “Opponents of the change say it will open the door to politically motivated firings of employees who are meant to be nonpartisan.”

4. Tennessee Appeals Court Overturns Ban on Covenant School Shooting Records

• [02:53–03:25]
  • Main Points:
    • A Tennessee appeals court rules that writings of the 2024 Nashville Covenant School shooter can be made public, overturning a lower court's decision.
    • Parent groups argue the records could further traumatize students and inspire copycat acts.

5. Boar’s Head Deli Plant Reopens After Deadly Listeria Outbreak

• [03:25–03:48]
  • Main Points:
    • Virginia plant, linked to a 2024 listeria outbreak via contaminated liverwurst (10 deaths, dozens sickened), resumes operations after being closed for over a year.
    • Inspections at another Boar's Head site found similar sanitation problems.

6. Harry Styles’ “Aperture” Debuts at #1 on Billboard

• [03:48–04:35]
  • Main Points:
    • Harry Styles releases “Aperture,” the lead single from his upcoming album “Kiss All the Time Disco Occasional.”
    • The song’s debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 signals a successful new era, marked by a more textured and electronic sound.
    • Strong chart competition anticipated in coming weeks.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Stephen Thompson (04:07): “Aperture will face strong competition in the coming weeks, but for now, his new cycle is off to a chart topping start.”

7. Science: Apes and Pretend Play

• [04:35–04:57]
  • Main Points:
    • A research experiment on bonobo Kanzi suggests apes may have the ability to play pretend.
    • Kanzi could track the locations of imaginary juice during tests, distinguishing real from imagined situations.
    • The scientific community remains divided on whether bonobos genuinely understand false beliefs as humans do.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Ryland Barton (04:44): “A new experiment hints that apes may be able to play pretend like humans do.”

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Presidential Disapproval Hits Historic High
  “That's tied for the worst score in the decade that Marist has been asking…”
  — Domenico Montanaro ([01:00])

• Attorney General Nessel on Holding Federal Agents Accountable
  “And that includes, if need be, prosecuting unlawful actions perpetrated by federal officers within our borders.”
  — Dana Nessel ([01:38])

• Controversy Over Federal Worker Firings
  “It will open the door to politically motivated firings of employees who are meant to be nonpartisan.”
  — Shannon Bond ([02:41])

• Harry Styles’ New Era Begins
  “His new cycle is off to a chart topping start.”
  — Stephen Thompson ([04:15])

Useful Timestamps for Reference

• President Trump Approval Poll: 00:18–01:04
• Michigan Federal Action Tracker: 01:04–01:46
• Federal Worker Firings: 02:04–02:53
• Covenant School Shooting Records Decision: 02:53–03:25
• Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak Update: 03:25–03:48
• Harry Styles’ “Aperture” Release: 03:48–04:35
• Bonobo “Pretend Play” Science Report: 04:35–04:57

Summary Tone:
Straightforward, informative, and brisk, in line with NPR’s standard newscast delivery. The episode presents both political and cultural headlines with objective analysis and measured sourcing.