About this episode

Published February 2nd, 2026, 02:45 pm

On today's episode:

  • Johnson says no quick House vote to end partial shutdown and blames Democrats for their ICE demands.
  • Punxsutawney Phil issues his Groundhog Day weather verdict from Gobbler's Knob.
  • China criticizes decision to award a Grammy to the Dalai Lama.
  • Gaza's border crossing to Egypt reopens in a key step for truce but only few Palestinians can cross.
  • 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and father return to Minnesota from Texas detention facility.
  • Iran's supreme leader warns any US attack would spark 'regional war'.
  • Democrat Christian Menefee wins election for US House, narrowing GOP's slim majority.
  • Trump says feds won't intervene during protests in Democratic-led cities unless asked to do so.
  • Nurses in Minneapolis doubt ICE claims about a Mexican immigrant's severe injuries..
  • Trump moved fast to cut a funding deal. It's a striking change from the last shutdown fight.
  • Journalist Don Lemon is charged with federal civil rights crimes in anti-ICE church protest.
  • No REAL ID yet You can still fly, but it may cost $45 without another form of accepted ID.
  • Trump's choice of Warsh to lead Fed could reshape the world's most influential central bank.
  • Former Prince Andrew can't escape Epstein's shadow as new documents reveal details about friendship.
  • In the latest Epstein files are famous names and new details about an earlier investigation.
  • Snow hits the Carolinas as low temps compound power outage woes elsewhere from last weekend's ice.
  • It's freezing cold and you've lost power. Here's what emergency doctors want you to do.
  • Coast Guard suspends search for missing from fishing vessel that sank off Massachusetts.
  •  ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse convicted on sexual assault charges.
  • US stocks fall while a break in gold fever sends metals prices plunging.
  • Bad Bunny wins album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards, a first for a Spanish-language album.
  •  ‘Melania,’ panned by some film critics, opens with strong ticket sales for a documentary.
  • Catherine O'Hara, Emmy-winning comedian of 'Schitt's Creek' and 'SCTV' fame, dies at 71.
  • A record-fast career Grand Slam for the world No. 1, a top women’s player also wins her first Australian Open, a Super Bowl-bound coordinator nears a head coaching deal, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer is again an All-Star, a hoops star is suspended over drug policy, an All-Star signs in baseball, a rare wire-to-wire win in golf and more.
  • Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.
  • NASCAR's Greg Biffle wasn't flying his plane before crash that killed him and 6 others.
  • NBA suspends Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George 25 games for violating anti-drug policy.
  • Trump announces upcoming IndyCar race through Washington's streets -- including Pennsylvania Avenue.
  • Iran summons EU ambassadors to protest Revolutionary Guard being listed as a terror group.
  • On this week's AP Religion Roundup, a town once controlled by a polygamous sect emerges transformed after court supervision.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.

Theme music

The News Tonight, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: ZR2MOTROGI4XAHRX

Malawi rolls out cholera vaccines as rains and floods raise the threat of deadly outbreaks.

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Partial government shutdown continues; new fee for those without REAL ID

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