NPR News: 02-09-2026 1PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: 02-09-2026 1PM EST

Date: February 9, 2026
Host: Nora Raum
Duration: ~5 minutes

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Overview

This brisk NPR News Now update delivers the top headlines of the hour, covering high-profile developments spanning global politics, U.S. Olympic controversies, a missing-person investigation, labor negotiations, pediatric media guidelines, and corporate bankruptcy. Each story is presented succinctly, with expert reporting from NPR correspondents in Washington, London, Milan, and elsewhere.

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Key News Segments & Insights

1. Ghislaine Maxwell Refuses to Testify Before House Committee, UK Political Fallout

[00:15 – 01:33]

• Ghislaine Maxwell’s Refusal:

  • Maxwell, convicted sex offender, appeared virtually before the House Oversight Committee and invoked her Fifth Amendment right, declining all questions about her association with Jeffrey Epstein.
  • She continues to serve a 20-year prison term for sex trafficking.

• UK Political Turmoil:

  • British PM Keir Starmer faces increasing pressure after his chief of staff and communications chief resign amid scandal involving Epstein associations.
    • “Starmer's chief of staff resigned over his role recommending one of Epstein's friends as ambassador to Washington.” — Lauren Freyr ([00:51])
  • Criticism mounts for Starmer’s judgment, especially the nomination of Peter Mandelson as ambassador.
  • Starmer apologizes to victims, but opposition and some party members call for his resignation.
  • The royal family is affected: Prince William and Kate are “deeply concerned about the latest Epstein files”; Prince Andrew alleged to have passed confidential trade info to Epstein.

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2. President Trump Versus U.S. Olympians

[01:33 – 02:31]

• Trump Targets Skier Hunter Hess:
  • Trump uses Truth Social to call 27-year-old U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess a “real loser” after Hess expresses “mixed emotions” about representing the U.S. due to the current political climate.
    • “Trump fired back Sunday on his truth social platform, calling Hess a real loser, adding, ‘Very hard to root for someone like this.’” — Brian Mann ([01:47])
  • The backdrop is a rising chorus of U.S. Olympians criticizing Trump’s immigration crackdown.
• Abuse of Athletes for Advocacy:
  • Figure skater Amber Glenn reports increased threats after voicing LGBTQ support.
    • “I’ve never had so many people wish me harm before,” — Amber Glenn ([reported by Brian Mann, 01:47])
  • U.S. Olympic Committee acknowledges and is responding to increased abuse directed at athletes speaking out.

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3. Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Mother

[02:31 – 03:13]

• Ongoing Investigation:

  • Second week of the search for Nancy Guthrie, 84 year-old mother of TODAY show host Savannah Guthrie, last seen January 31 in Arizona.

• Ransom Notes Surface:

  • Multiple ransom notes sent to local media; one demands $6 million by Monday evening.
    • “KGUN said they received a ransom note that demanded $6 million by Monday evening, and that’s later today.” — Bill Chappell ([02:45])
  • FBI is involved, advising the Guthrie family but leaving the ransom decision to them.
  • Police have not publicly confirmed specifics about the ransom.

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4. Nurses Strike in New York City

[03:13 – 03:55]

• Strike Resolution:
  • Over 10,000 nurses in NYC reach a tentative agreement to end a strike that began January 12th over staffing and safety concerns.
  • The deal still needs union member ratification.
  • Strikes are ongoing at New York Presbyterian.

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5. New Pediatric Screen Time Guidelines

[03:55 – 04:41]

• Shift from Time to Content:
  • American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends a strict 2-hour daily limit.
  • Emphasis shifts to the quality and context of screen use.
    • “It’s not just on quantity, it’s about the quality.”— Dr. Tiffany Munzer (reported by Amy Held, [03:55])
    • “Screen time with a business over kid model, think endless scrolling, can hurt. Then there’s higher quality screen time that can encourage kids’ learning and well-being.” — Dr. Munzer ([03:55])
  • Parents are encouraged to focus on sleep, movement, and real-world connection, not just limiting digital exposure.

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6. Eddie Bauer Declares Bankruptcy

[04:41 – 04:58]

• The iconic outdoor brand, founded in 1920 and famed for outfitting the first American Everest climbers, has filed for bankruptcy protection.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Starmer’s communications chief has stepped down as well. Opposition politicians and even some members of Starmer’s own party are calling for the prime minister to resign over his judgment.” — Lauren Fryer ([00:51])
• “Trump fired back Sunday on his truth social platform calling Hess a real loser, adding, ‘very hard to root for someone like this.’” — Brian Mann ([01:47])
• “I’ve never had so many people wish me harm before,” — Amber Glenn, U.S. Figure Skater ([relayed at 01:47])
• “It can really have positive effects on children’s development. But kids still need sleep, movement, in-person connection…” — Dr. Tiffany Munzer ([reported by Amy Held, 03:55])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Maxwell & UK Politics: [00:15–01:33]
• Trump/Olympians: [01:33–02:31]
• Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Missing: [02:31–03:13]
• NYC Nurses Strike: [03:13–03:55]
• Screen Time Guidelines: [03:55–04:41]
• Eddie Bauer Bankruptcy: [04:41–04:58]

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This summary focuses strictly on the news content, omitting sponsor messages and other non-editorial segments, maintaining NPR's concise, impartial tone.

Transcript

[A]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Warby Parker, the One Stop.

[B]

Shop for all your vision needs. They offer expertly crafted prescription eyewear plus contacts, eye exams and more for everything you need to see. Visit your nearest Warby Parker store or.

[A]

Head to warbyparker.com live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Nora Raum. Convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell refused this morning in a virtual appearance to answer questions from the House Oversight Committee about her time with Jeffrey Epstein. Lawmakers say she invoked her Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate herself. Maxwell is serving 20 years in prison for sex trafficking. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is struggling to keep his job over his handling of a scandal involving Epstein. NPR's Lauren Freyr reports.

[B]

First, Starmer's chief of staff resigned over his role, recommending one of Epstein's friends as ambassador to Washington. Now Starmer's communications chief has stepped down as well. Opposition politicians and even some members of Starmer's own party are calling for the prime minister to resign over his judgment in naming Peter Mandelson as ambassador. Starmer has said he regrets that and has apologized to Epstein's victims. Meanwhile, a royal spokesperson says Prince William and his wife Kate are deeply concerned about the latest Epstein files. William's uncle Andrew, no longer a prince because of his own Epstein ties, is now alleged to have passed confidential trade information to the sex offender. Lauren Fryer, NPR News, London.

[A]

President Trump is using social media to criticize a U.S. olympic skier, calling 27 year old Hunter Hess a loser. This comes after the athlete voiced concern about political developments in the U.S. nPR's Brian Mann reports.

[C]

A growing number of U.S. olympians have voiced criticism in Italy about Trump's immigration crackdown. Hess, from Bend, Oregon, said in a press conference last week he has, quote, mixed emotions to represent the US Right now. Trump fired back Sunday on his truth social platform calling Hess a real loser, adding, quote, very hard to root for someone like this. The exchange comes after US Figure skater Amber Glenn said she's received threats and hate online after voicing support for LGBTQ rights. I've never had so many people wish me harm before, glenn told NPR. In a statement, the U.S. olympic and Paralympic Committee said it takes threats against U.S. athletes seriously and adding that they'd seen an increase in abusive and harmful messages directed at the athletes. Brian Mann, NPR News, Milan.

[A]

The search for the mother of TODAY show co host Savannah Guthrie is now in its second week. 84 year old Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Arizona home on January 31st. NPR's Bill Chappell has been following the investigation.

[D]

There are multiple reports of ransom notes being sent to local media. In Tucson, one local TV station, KGUN, said they received a ransom note that demanded $6 million by Monday, even evening, and that's later today. Police have not publicly confirmed details about ransom in concrete terms, but the FBI that's been working with the local sheriff's department has said that while it's advising the Guthrie family in this case, any decision about whether to pay a ransom or not is up to them.

[A]

NPR's Bill Chappell. This is NPR News in Washington. In New York city, more than 10,000 nurses have reached an agreement with two major hospital systems to end their strike. The walkout began January 12th over staffing levels and workplace safety. The tentative deal must still be ratified by union members. Nurses remain on strike at New York Presbyterian. As technology becomes more entrenched in everyday life, the leading association of pediatricians is no longer recommending a two hour a day screen time limit. Instead, the group advises focusing on what kids are doing on screens. NPR's Amy Held reports.

[E]

Today, screens stretch from schools to stores. There are interactive assistants and AI, a whole digital ecosystem kids and parents must now navigate. Why? The American Academy of Pediatrics says the focus is not just on quantity, it's about the quality. Dr. Tiffany Munzer is lead author of a new AAP policy statement. It finds screen time with a business over kid model, think endless scrolling can hurt. Then there's higher quality screen time that can encourage kids learning and well being. It can really have positive effects on children's development. But kids still need sleep, movement in person connection, all of these healthy activities. Then it naturally crowds out some of that time for digital media. In other words, there's still time to put down the screens. Amy Held, NPR News.

[A]

The outdoor sportswear company Eddie Bauer filed for bankruptcy protection today. It began as a Seattle fishing shop in 1920. It grew to hundreds of stores and outfitted the first American to climb Mount Everest. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

[C]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.