NPR News Now – February 7, 2026, 10AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston, NPR
Length: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise news update delivers the latest headlines from around the world, spanning politics, public health, technology, finance, weather, and sports. With reporting from correspondents and direct quotes from notable figures, the episode highlights significant societal developments both in the U.S. and internationally.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Controversy Over Racist Video Posted by President Trump

• [00:15] Host Windsor Johnston reports that President Trump refuses to apologize for sharing a racist deepfake video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes on Air Force One.
  • Trump expresses no regret, insisting on his support for Black Americans.
  • Quote:
    • "Nobody has been. And that's why I got a tremendous, the highest vote with male black voters that they've seen in many, many decades. I've done great with them. Black voters have been great to me. I've been great to them. And I am, by the way, the least racist president you've had in a long time."
      — Donald Trump [00:37]
  • The White House initially defended the post before it was deleted.
  • The video sparked bipartisan condemnation, with backlash from civil rights groups and lawmakers.

2. Uvalde School Safety Funding Included in Federal Appropriations Bill

• [00:58] The federal budget allocates funds for school safety in Texas, targeting two districts, including Uvalde, site of the devastating 2022 mass shooting.
  • [01:31] Reporting by Camille Phillips explains that San Antonio will convert a closed school into a training site for emergency response.
  • Quote:
    • "When you talk about Uvalde, what comes to mind? Minutes matter, seconds matter, training matters. And we can't, we can't think. It's not going to happen to us."
      — Congressman Tony Gonzalez [01:42]
  • Both Uvalde ISD and Northeast ISD receive $4.2 million each for such improvements.

3. EU Finds TikTok in Breach for Addictive Design

• [02:11] The European Commission claims TikTok violates the Digital Services Act due to features inducing compulsive use, particularly among minors.
  • [02:23] John Ruich notes:
    • Infinite scroll, autoplay, and push notifications "fuel the urge to keep scrolling" and lead users—especially minors—into "autopilot mode," risking their mental and physical health.
    • TikTok denies the allegations, calling the findings "false and misleading" and plans to challenge them.
  • Quote:
    • "Features like TikTok's infinite scroll, autoplay, and push notifications are in breach of the EU's Digital Services Act. It says those and other design features, quote, fuel the urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain of users into autopilot mode."
      — John Ruich [02:23]

4. Dow Jones Crosses Record 50,000 Mark

• [03:02] The Dow Industrial Average reaches a historic milestone, surpassing 50,000 for the first time.

5. Severe Winter Weather Forecast

• [03:02] A swift-moving winter storm is forecasted to bring heavy snow and cold temperatures to parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast, tracking from the Northern Plains to New England.

6. U.S. Skiers Struggle on First Day of 2026 Winter Olympics

• [03:02] U.S. athletes finish outside medal contention in both men's and women's events in Milan.
  • [03:47] Brian Mann reports:
    • Jess Diggins, a medal favorite, places more than two minutes behind gold medalist Frida Karlsson (Sweden) in her race, collapsing after the finish.
    • U.S. men's alpine racers are well off the podium; Kyle Negomir is best-placed, at tenth.
    • Hopes remain for upcoming events featuring Lindsey Vonn and Breezy Johnson.
  • Quote:
    • "Diggins collapsed in the snow after the final sprint. Her best shot at a medal comes next week in a shorter 10k race."
      — Brian Mann [03:47]

7. U.S. Measles Outbreak Grows to Decades-High

• [04:33] The largest U.S. measles outbreak in decades surges to 920 cases, with 40 new infections reported since Tuesday and 277 people in quarantine.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump on Racist Video Backlash:
  "Black voters have been great to me. I've been great to them. And I am, by the way, the least racist president you've had in a long time." — Donald Trump [00:37]

• Rep. Tony Gonzalez on School Emergency Preparedness:
  "Minutes matter, seconds matter, training matters. And we can't, we can't think. It's not going to happen to us." — Tony Gonzalez [01:42]

• EU Charges TikTok With Addictive Design:
  "...fuel the urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain of users into autopilot mode. That may lead to compulsive behavior and could harm the physical and mental well being of its users, including minors." — John Ruich [02:23]

• Olympic Setback for U.S. Skiers:
  "Diggins collapsed in the snow after the final sprint. Her best shot at a medal comes next week in a shorter 10k race." — Brian Mann [03:47]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump Video Controversy: 00:15 – 00:58
• Uvalde School Safety Funding: 00:58 – 02:11
• TikTok EU Ruling: 02:11 – 03:02
• Wall Street Milestone: 03:02
• Winter Storm Warning: 03:02
• Winter Olympics Update: 03:02 – 04:33
• Measles Outbreak: 04:33 – 04:54

This roundup delivers a punchy, informative slice of the world’s top stories, with clear attribution and firsthand commentary for listeners to stay up-to-date in just five minutes.