NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-02-2026 1AM EST

Episode Date: February 2, 2026

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Do you ever feel like no matter how many hours of sleep you got, you're still fatigued? We have to be able to differentiate sleep from the different ways that we can rest. On the Life Kid podcast, the seven types of rest, and why each one is important to living a full, healthy life. Listen to the Life Kid podcast in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, D.C., I'm Dale Wilman. President Trump says he's planning to shut down the Kennedy's, Center in Washington, D.C. for two years beginning on July 4th to make a major renovation move more quickly. But as NPR's Tamara Keith reports, this comes as the Performing Arts Center has suffered

mass rejection by patrons and performers alike. Late last year, the Kennedy Center board, which is packed with Trump allies and chaired by the president himself, voted to add the president's name to the center, now calling it the Trump Kennedy Center. There has been widespread backlash, with artists pulling out of contracts to perform. there and a mass exodus of patrons buying memberships and tickets to shows. In his social media post denouncing the planned closure, Trump says he plans to transform the center he described as dilapidated and in bad condition financially and structurally into a new and spectacular entertainment complex with, quote, the highest level of success, beauty, and grandeur. Tamer Keith,

NPR News. Iran's leader is warning of a regional war in the Middle East, if President Trump follows through on his threats to attack Iran because of Tehran's treatment of protesters. Iran scholar Merzad Borujerdi says a major concern over any strike is just what it could accomplish. I think the White House is also thinking about the implication, right? Iran is a huge country with 90 million people, and they are thinking about, all right, you know, we engage in aerial attack. What comes next? What happens the morning after? You know, does it bring people to the streets? And if so, is it going to be enough to bring about the regime change? President Trump, meanwhile, says the U.S. is in serious discussions with Iran over that country's nuclear ambitions.

Much of the southeastern U.S. is digging out from under piles of snow and dealing with record cold as well. After a second winter storm in a week hit the region this weekend. The Arctic blast is now stretching from Virginia to the Carolinas in Georgia on down to Florida. Florida. South Carolina Public Radio's Victoria Hanson has our report from Charleston. Snow moved in across the state Saturday, dumping as much as six to eight inches inland and farther north, and just a couple of inches here in Charleston. Justin Hutchinson ventured out to see it Sunday, only to be struck by gusty winds and bitter temperatures. It's like bone shivering cold. I do not like it. My dog doesn't like it either.

The frigid temperatures are expected to stick around, with local officials. The area could see black ice Monday morning. Meanwhile, the state highway patrol in North Carolina reported more than 700 accidents after Charlotte got about a foot of snow, the heaviest in years. For NPR News, I'm Victoria Hanson in South Carolina. And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. The federal government remains under a partial shutdown on House Speaker Mike Johnson says it could take a few days before it's once again fully. reopened. The Senate Friday approved a deal that would extend funding for all but the Department of Homeland Security until October, but the House has been on recess. Johnson says he'll rely in President Trump to ensure the passage of the measures possibly on Tuesday. Hollywood's having a fairly

lackluster weekend, but there are some surprises, as NPR's Bob Mandela tells us. The Disney thriller Send Help was expected to top the chart with ticket sales of about $20 million, but what's coming in second is startling. Iron Lung, a low-budget video game adaptation from a dedicated YouTuber. You did test this thing, right? This is the test. It was originally slated for 60 screens, but after director Mark Fishbach urged

his online followers to request it at their local theaters, Iron Lung ended up on 3,000 screens. It will take in more than $17 million in three days, about five times what it costs to make. Coming in third is Melania, a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump.

I feel energized to serve the American people. It will earn a better-than-expected $7 million for the weekend, not bad for a documentary, but not great since Amazon spent more than $35 million to advertise it. Bob Mandelao, NPR News. The 68th annual Grammy Awards were handed out Sunday night, Bad Bunny, won album of the year, while Kendrick Lamar and SZA took home record of the year for Luther. Olivia Dean, meanwhile, won in the best new artist category,

while Billy Eilish and Phineas O'Connell, won Song of the Year for writing Wildfire. I'm Dale Wilman. NPR News. This message comes from Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe. You can send, spend, and receive in up to 40 currencies with only a few simple taps. Be smart, get Wise. Download the Wise app today or visit wise.com. T's and Cs apply.