NPR News Now — 9PM EST — February 7, 2026

Main Theme:
This concise episode covers global and national news: Russia's persistent attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in a harsh winter; changes in the U.S. State Department’s social media archiving policy; conditions at a Texas ICE detention center; a significant environmental incident on the Potomac River; and new research on the impact of Parkinson’s disease in the brain.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Russian Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Grid

[00:11–01:23]

• Situation: Ukraine experiences devastating energy outages due to escalated Russian drone and missile attacks during a historically brutal winter.
• Details:
  • Hundreds of drones/missiles targeted electrical infrastructure, damaging two thermal power plants and high voltage substations.
  • Nuclear power plants, which generate ~70% of Ukraine’s electricity, had to reduce output.
  • Residents of Kyiv are left with only 1.5 to 2 hours of electricity per day in temperatures well below freezing.
• Diplomatic Context: President Zelenskyy, in his address, emphasized the disconnect between ongoing peace efforts and the brutality of Russian strikes.
• Notable Quote:
  • President Zelenskyy: “‘This is a level of attack that no terrorist in the world has ever allowed itself... Russia must feel the response of the entire world.’” ([00:56])
• Reporter: Eleanor Beardsley, reporting from Kharkiv.

2. State Department to Remove Social Media Posts

[01:23–02:21]

• Policy Change: The State Department announces it will delete pre-2025 social media posts from official X (formerly Twitter) accounts, archiving them internally but making them inaccessible to the public.
• Process:
  • Those seeking older posts—spanning the Obama, Biden, and first Trump terms—must now file FOIA requests.
  • This breaks tradition; e.g., White House and presidential social media content usually remains publicly archived.
• Reasoning:
  • The department indicates a desire to “speak with one voice” on current social media.
• Context: Comes amid criticism that the Trump administration has wiped extensive information from government websites.
• Notable Quote:
  • “State Department staff were told anyone who wants to see posts from the Obama, Biden or first Trump terms will have to file a Freedom of Information act request...” — Anonymous State Department employee ([01:44])
• Reporter: Shannon Bond

3. Texas ICE Detention Center Conditions Criticized

[02:21–03:07]

• Incident: Congressman Joaquin Castro visits South Texas ICE Processing Center and denounces treatment of detainees.
• Key Points:
  • Claims detainees are intentionally kept longer for profit motives—a policy he describes as cruel.
  • Warns against expansion of ICE warehouse-like detention centers and urges local resistance.
• Notable Quote:
  • Joaquin Castro: “They’re keeping people in detention in prison longer to make more money. And I also think that it’s part of this cruelty. We just don’t care about these people. We don’t see them as fully human.” ([02:41])
• Reporter: Jerry Clayton, Texas Public Radio

4. Major Wastewater Spill in Potomac River

[03:07–04:25]

• Incident: Collapsed sewer pipe near Washington, D.C. leaks 243 million gallons (≈368 Olympic swimming pools) of wastewater into the Potomac River.
• Key Details:
  • Pipe broke in late January; rock dam discovered downstream has complicated repairs (estimated 4–6 weeks for removal).
  • Testing found high levels of fecal bacteria; advocates demand a public health warning.
• Community Impact:
  • Potomac Riverkeeper Network, supported by University of Maryland researchers, confirms significant contamination risk.
  • The river is officially deemed unsafe following the disaster.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The Potomac river is not safe.” — Potomac Riverkeeper Network statement ([04:19])
• Reporter: Andrew Limbong

5. Parkinson’s Disease Breakthrough

[04:25–04:53]

• Scientific Discovery:
  • New research sheds light on how Parkinson’s disease disrupts a critical neural network linking thoughts and actions—not just affecting motor skills but also cognitive functions.
  • This could explain non-motor symptoms in patients.
• Reporter: NPR News Anchor Jeanine Herbst

Notable Quotes by Segment

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:56 | Zelenskyy (reported by Beardsley) | “This is a level of attack that no terrorist in the world has ever allowed itself, ... Russia must feel the response of the entire world.” | | 01:44 | Anonymous State Dept. Employee | “State Department staff were told anyone who wants to see posts from the Obama, Biden or first Trump terms will have to file a Freedom of Information act request...” | | 02:41 | Joaquin Castro | “They’re keeping people in detention in prison longer to make more money. And I also think that it’s part of this cruelty. We just don’t care about these people. We don’t see them as fully human.” | | 04:19 | Potomac Riverkeeper Network | “The Potomac river is not safe.” |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Russia-Ukraine energy grid attacks: 00:11–01:23
• State Dept. social media post removal: 01:23–02:21
• ICE detention center conditions: 02:21–03:07
• Potomac River wastewater spill: 03:07–04:25
• Parkinson’s disease brain network study: 04:25–04:53

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a concise yet comprehensive wrap-up of today's key news stories, keeping true to the factual, impartial tone of NPR.