NPR News Now – 10AM EST, February 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This fast-paced NPR News Now segment, hosted by Windsor Johnston, provides a succinct roundup of the hour’s breaking stories: the Pentagon’s dramatic severing of ties with Harvard University over ideological concerns, a traumatizing family plea in a high-profile abduction case, a devastating Winter Olympics crash and a gold medal win, escalating US-Israel-Iran tensions, a historic Japanese election, and a major auto recall.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. Pentagon Cuts Ties with Harvard University

• [00:15–01:17]
  • The Department of Defense has ended all professional military education programs and fellowships at Harvard University, citing concerns of anti-American sentiment.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegsef justified the move, asserting that Harvard’s “radical ideologies” were not benefiting military officers.
  • Quote — Pete Hegsef:

    “For too long, this department has sent our best and brightest officers to Harvard hoping the university would better understand and appreciate our warrior class. Instead, too many of our officers came back looking too much like Harvard.” [00:53]

  • Service members currently enrolled at Harvard will be allowed to finish their studies.

2. Public Plea in Guthrie Abduction Case

• [01:17–01:46]
  • Savannah Guthrie, along with her siblings, issued an emotional plea via social media to whoever is holding their mother, Nancy Guthrie, abducted from her Tucson home a week ago.
  • Quote — Savannah Guthrie:

    “We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her… This is very valuable to us and we will pay.” [01:28]

  • Police continue to investigate, describing the case as likely abduction.

3. Lindsey Vonn Crash & Breezy Johnson Gold at Winter Olympics

• [01:46–02:56]
  • American ski legend Lindsey Vonn suffered a severe crash during her comeback attempt in the women’s downhill at the Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy.
  • Details: Vonn crashed 13 seconds into her run, requiring on-snow medical attention for over 10 minutes before being airlifted away.
  • Quote — Brian Mann (reporter):

    “The cheering crowd went silent as rescue personnel raced to her side.” [02:42]

  • Despite Vonn’s crash, teammate Breezy Johnson claimed gold—making her only the second American woman in 16 years to win the Olympic downhill after Vonn herself in 2010.

4. US-Israel-Iran Diplomatic Tensions

• [02:56–03:57]
  • Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Trump amidst ongoing US–Iran talks.
  • After indirect Oman talks and threatened strikes by Iran’s foreign minister, Israel demands any accord address Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for armed groups.

5. Historic Election in Japan

• [03:57–04:35]
  • Exit polls indicate PM Sanae Takaichi and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) scored a decisive victory, possibly gaining a two-thirds majority needed to override opposition.
  • Notable as Takaichi is Japan’s first female Prime Minister.
  • Quote — Anthony Kuhn (reporter):

    “The results represent a comeback for the LDP, which has suffered two electoral defeats in a row. Takaichi could take the results as a mandate to pursue her conservative agenda, including boosting defense spending.” [04:24]

6. BMW Engine Recall

• [04:35–04:55]
  • Over 87,000 BMW vehicles are being recalled in North America due to a dangerous engine starter that can overheat and catch fire.
  • The part will be replaced at no cost to owners by dealers.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Pentagon’s Critique of Harvard:
  Pete Hegsef’s pointed statement underscoring culture-war tensions in military education.

  “Instead, too many of our officers came back looking too much like Harvard.” [00:53]

• Heartfelt Family Plea:
  Savannah Guthrie’s direct, emotional appeal to her mother’s captors:

  “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her… This is very valuable to us and we will pay.” [01:28]

• Shocking Olympic Scene:

  “The cheering crowd went silent as rescue personnel raced to her side.” (Brian Mann) [02:42]

• Historic Gender Breakthrough in Japan:
  Anthony Kuhn underlines the comeback and significance of Sanae Takaichi’s electoral win.

Quick Reference – Timestamps

• [00:15] Pentagon ends Harvard military ties (Windsor Johnston, Pete Hegsef)
• [01:17] Savannah Guthrie’s abduction plea
• [01:46] Lindsey Vonn’s crash at Winter Olympics (Brian Mann)
• [02:56] Breezy Johnson wins gold, US Olympics update
• [03:57] Japanese election victory, first female PM (Anthony Kuhn)
• [04:35] BMW recall

This episode captures breaking stories with clarity and impact, balancing hard news with human moments and international developments.