NPR News Now — February 8, 2026, 8PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Episode Overview:
This five-minute newscast delivers key updates on major world events, national health concerns, economic indicators, political developments, and Olympic achievements. The episode is notable for its concise coverage of breaking stories with direct reporting from NPR correspondents.

Main Headlines and Key Discussion Points

1. Netanyahu’s Urgent Washington Visit Amid Iran Tensions

[00:15 – 01:23]

• Summary: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced an expedited trip to Washington to meet President Trump, occurring as the U.S. opens new talks with Iran.
• Details:
  • Netanyahu’s meeting is scheduled a week earlier than planned, coinciding with renewed U.S.–Iran negotiations after the U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear sites in June.
  • Iran signals willingness to negotiate on its nuclear program but maintains its missile program is non-negotiable, describing it as purely defensive.
  • Israel voices strong concerns, pushing for missile program limitations and cessation of Iranian support for regional proxy groups.
  • Israeli officials see a U.S. attack on Iran as inevitable, regardless of ongoing discussions.
• Notable Quote:
  • Daniel Estrin: “Netanyahu says any negotiations with Iran must include limitations on its ballistic missiles and ending support for militant proxy groups in the region.” [01:10]

2. Measles Exposure at National March for Life

[01:23 – 02:22]

• Summary: Health officials issue warnings about potential measles exposure at the recent National March for Life in Washington, D.C., following a surge in U.S. cases.
• Details:
  • Exposure sites identified include Reagan National Airport, Union Station, Amtrak, D.C. subway, the Basilica, and Catholic University.
  • Children’s National Hospital issues a special public health notice due to exposure in its emergency department.
  • The U.S. is facing its largest measles outbreak in decades, with 733 confirmed cases nationally and a particularly severe outbreak in South Carolina.
  • There is growing concern that the U.S. may lose its measles eradication status.
• Notable Quote:
  • Kristen Wright: “The U.S. is dealing with its biggest measles outbreak in decades. The CDC reports 733 confirmed cases so far this year. South Carolina’s outbreak has grown since October, with cases nearing 1,000.” [01:58]

3. Delayed January Jobs Report and Economic Outlook

[02:22 – 03:09]

• Summary: Investors and the public await key employment data after a brief government shutdown causes delay.
• Details:
  • January’s jobs report, delayed from last Friday, will be released Wednesday.
  • Analysts expect insights on job growth and the unemployment rate, with an annual revision likely revealing weaker job gains than previously reported.
  • A separate report on December retail sales will also shape economic expectations, spotlighting strong personal spending driven by higher-income households.
• Notable Quote:
  • Scott Horsley: “Personal spending is the biggest driver of the US Economy. It’s remained strong, thanks in large part to spending by upper income households.” [02:58]

4. Political Dispute Over Governors’ White House Dinner Invitation List

[03:09 – 03:49]

• Summary: Maryland Governor Wes Moore reacts publicly to President Trump’s decision to exclude Democratic governors from a historically bipartisan National Governors Association dinner.
• Details:
  • Wes Moore, NGA vice chair and the only current Black governor, expresses confusion over being “uninvited.”
  • The move breaks with tradition, signaling a deepening partisan divide at the executive level.

5. Olympic Records Shattered in Speed and Figure Skating

[03:49 – 04:57]

• Speed Skating:

  • Norwegian Sander Eitram sets a new Olympic record in the men’s 5000 meters, beating the previous record by nearly five seconds after previously breaking the world record last month.
  • Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida broke the women’s 3000 meter Olympic record, delivering Italy’s first gold medal at these Games.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Piers Ping Huang: “The Norwegian speed skater beat the previous Olympic record by nearly five seconds, easily clinching the gold medal.” [04:06]

• Figure Skating:

  • Ilia Malinin, known as “the quad quad,” lands five quads in his free skate, securing a team gold for the U.S.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Jeanine Herbst: “Ilia Malinin, known as the quad quad, landed five quadruple jumps, scoring 200.03 for his free skate that helped the U.S. defend its team figure skating gold medal.” [04:41]

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Daniel Estrin on Israeli-Iranian tensions:
  “Netanyahu says any negotiations with Iran must include limitations on its ballistic missiles and ending support for militant proxy groups in the region.” [01:10]

• Kristen Wright on measles outbreak:
  “The U.S. is dealing with its biggest measles outbreak in decades.” [01:58]

• Scott Horsley on the economy:
  “Personal spending is the biggest driver of the US Economy. It’s remained strong, thanks in large part to spending by upper income households.” [02:58]

• Piers Ping Huang on Olympic records:
  “The Norwegian speed skater beat the previous Olympic record by nearly five seconds, easily clinching the gold medal.” [04:06]

• Jeanine Herbst on figure skating:
  “Ilia Malinin, known as the quad quad, landed five quadruple jumps, scoring 200.03 ... helping the U.S. defend its team figure skating gold medal.” [04:41]

Useful Segment Timestamps

• [00:15] Netanyahu’s trip to Washington / Iran talks
• [01:23] Measles outbreak at March for Life
• [02:22] Upcoming January Jobs Report and economic outlook
• [03:09] Governors’ dinner exclusion dispute
• [03:49] Speed Skating (Olympics)
• [04:36] Figure skating gold for the U.S.

Tone & Language:
The reporting is direct, fact-based, and urgent, reflecting the fast-paced delivery essential to a news bulletin. Correspondents maintain clarity and neutrality, reserving strong language for stance quotations and factual updates.