NPR News Now – 9PM EST, February 8, 2026

Host: Jeanine Herbst

Overview

This concise episode of NPR News Now delivers key headlines from the U.S. and around the world, covering ongoing diplomatic negotiations in Greenland, a dramatic Olympic skiing accident, New York’s winter hardships, updates on a Utah book-banning lawsuit, and the week’s economic outlook. Each story is delivered in NPR’s signature straightforward, informative tone.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. U.S.-Greenland Relations: Ongoing Negotiations and Signs of Progress

[00:15–01:17]

• Reporter: Terry Schultz

• Discussion:

  • Recent visit by U.S. lawmakers (including Senators Lisa Murkowski and Angus King) to Nuuk, Greenland, aimed at easing tensions regarding the U.S.'s interest in an expanded presence on the island.
  • Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Mutzfeld express “cautious optimism.”
  • No current threats or trade conflicts between U.S. and Europe regarding this issue.

  Memorable Quote:

  • “[W]e are in a much better position now compared to like [a] few weeks ago because there are no threats on the table, there's no trade war with Europe, and that is good.” — Lars Løkke Rasmussen [00:56]

  • Notably, Canada and France have opened diplomatic offices in Greenland to show support.

2. Olympics: Lindsey Vonn’s Injury and Team USA’s Triumph

[01:17–02:16]

• Reporter: Becky Sullivan

• Discussion:

  • U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn suffered a dramatic crash just 13 seconds into the Olympic downhill race, resulting in a serious leg fracture.
  • Vonn had already been racing with a torn ACL.
  • She was airlifted and underwent surgery in Treviso, Italy.
  • Despite the injury, teammate Breezy Johnson captured gold, becoming only the second American woman to win the downhill (after Vonn in 2010).

  Notable Moment:

  • Vonn’s distress was evident: “She could be heard wailing on the TV broadcast as a medical team tended to her, the Associated Press reported.” — Becky Sullivan [01:44]

3. New York’s Ongoing Winter Crisis

[02:16–03:09]

• Reporter: Catalina Gonella (WNYC)

• Discussion:

  • At least 18 deaths reported in New York City this winter due to cold weather.
  • Dangerous wind chills; risk of frostbite in just 15 minutes.
  • Warming centers see increased use, with 460+ people staying overnight.
  • City still recovering from January’s major snowstorm; bike share docks remain affected.
  • Warmer temperatures expected later in the week.

  Memorable Note:

  • “Officials say the cold has already contributed to at least 18 deaths this winter. Wind chills remain dangerously cold, with frostbite possible in just 15 minutes.” — Catalina Gonella [02:35]

4. Book Banning Lawsuit in Utah: Maya Angelou’s Estate Joins

[03:09–04:28]

• Reporter: Chloe Veltman

• Discussion:

  • Maya Angelou’s estate joins a lawsuit (supported by the ACLU) opposing Utah’s “Sensitive Materials Law,” which allows banning books in public schools.
  • The law, enacted in 2022, has led to the removal of Angelou’s memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in two school districts, with a statewide ban under consideration.
  • The memoir, published in 1969, details Angelou’s experiences with racism and sexual assault.

  Memorable Quote:

  • “…I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings explores the racism Angelou experienced growing up in the south, as well as a sexual assault the author experienced as a child.” — Chloe Veltman [04:12]

5. Economic Outlook: Upcoming Jobs Report

[04:28–04:56]

• Host: Jeanine Herbst
• Discussion:
  • The federal jobs report for January, delayed by the partial government shutdown, is scheduled for release Wednesday.
  • It will update on job growth and unemployment rates; an annual revision is expected to indicate job growth last year was weaker than previously reported.

Other Brief Mentions

• U.S. Futures: Trading higher at this hour. [03:09]
• Super Bowl Update: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots, Seahawks lead 120 in the third quarter. [03:23]
• Wall Street: Anticipating new employment data. [04:28]

Notable Quotes

• Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Danish Foreign Minister):
  “The we are not out of the crisis and we do not have a solution yet. But we are in a much better position now compared to like few weeks ago because there are no threats on the table, there's no trade war with Europe, and that is good.” [00:56]

• Catalina Gonella (WNYC):
  “Officials say the cold has already contributed to at least 18 deaths this winter. Wind chills remain dangerously cold, with frostbite possible in just 15 minutes.” [02:35]

• Chloe Veltman (NPR):
  “Utah's Sensitive Materials Law allows the removal of books from public schools deemed to contain sensitive material. The update follows the banning of Angelou's autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Utah's Davis and Granite school districts.” [03:54]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Greenland-U.S. Negotiations: 00:15–01:17
• Olympic Skiing Accident: 01:17–02:16
• NYC Winter Crisis Update: 02:16–03:09
• Book Banning Lawsuit: 03:09–04:28
• Jobs Report/Economic Update: 04:28–04:56

This NPR News Now episode delivers brief, impactful updates across global diplomacy, major sports, local weather crises, first amendment battles, and economic anticipation, anchoring listeners in the day’s major developments within just five minutes.