NPR News Now – February 9, 2026, 2AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers concise updates on major global and national events, ranging from international diplomatic tensions and health alerts to sporting highlights and box office numbers. The tone is measured and informative, with a rapid-fire delivery of key headlines shaping the news cycle.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. US-Greenland-Denmark Relations

[00:16–01:12]

• Context: Tensions remain between the US, Denmark, and Greenland following US interest in a greater presence on the island.
• Key Events:
  • US lawmakers, including Senators Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Angus King (Maine), visited Nuuk, Greenland.
  • Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Mautzfeld and Danish Foreign Minister Larslake Rasmussen aimed for optimism.
• Quote:
  • "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 a few weeks ago because there are no threats on the table, there's no trade war with Europe, and that is good."
    — Larslake Rasmussen, [00:52]
• Additional Support:
  • Canada and France opened diplomatic offices in Greenland to signal support.

2. Political Tensions: White House Dinner Disinvitation

[01:12–01:47]

• Event: President Trump uninvited Maryland Governor Wes Moore (Democrat), Vice Chair of the National Governors Association, from an official White House dinner.
• Reaction: On CNN, Moore responded, highlighting the disrespect involved, particularly as the only Black governor in the country.
• Quote:
  • "It's not lost to me that I'm the only black governor in this country and I find that to be, you know, particularly painful considering the fact that the president is trying to exclude me from from an organization that that not only are my peers have asked me to help to lead, but then also a place where I know I belong in."
    — Wes Moore, [01:27]
• Note: At least one other Democratic governor was also uninvited.

3. Public Health Alert: Measles at National March for Life

[01:47–02:53]

• Crisis: Measles exposure risk reported in connection to the National March for Life in Washington, DC.
• Exposure Sites: Reagan National Airport, Union Station, Amtrak, D.C. subway, the Basilica, and Catholic University.
• Children's National Hospital issued a notice for potential ER exposure.
• National Impact:
  • The US faces its largest measles outbreak in decades, with 733 confirmed cases so far this year.
  • South Carolina's outbreak alone nears 1,000 cases.
  • Risk: US could lose its status as a measles-eradicated country.
• Report: Kristin Wright, NPR, [02:09]

4. Middle East: Rafah Border Crossing Update

[02:53–03:16]

• Event: Rafah border between Gaza and Egypt reopened after two days closure.
• Medical Evacuations: Out of ~20,000 Palestinians seeking medical care in Egypt, only 36 permitted to cross in the initial four days.

5. Winter Olympics Highlights

[03:16–04:20]

a. Alpine Skiing Accident

• American skier Lindsey Vaughn suffered a broken leg, airlifted after a crash 13 seconds into her Olympic run in Milan.
• Outcome: Vaughn is in stable condition post-surgery in Italy.
• Gold Medal: Breezy Johnson (USA) took gold in the women’s downhill.

b. Figure Skating Team Event

• Result: Team USA edged Japan for gold by a single point after a fiercely contested three-day event.
• Key Moment: Ilya Malinin's quad-heavy free skate secured the USA’s winning spot on the podium for the second straight Olympics.
• Ongoing: Figure skating events continue with ice dance and men's singles.
• Quote:
  • "It was Ilya Malinin's quad stacked program that propelled Team USA to the top of the podium for the second Olympics in a row."
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, [03:46]

6. Entertainment: Box Office Update

[04:20–04:54]

• Top Films:
  • Send Help led with $10M in sales.
  • Solo Meal followed at $7.2M.
  • Iron Lung at $6M.
• Amazon’s Melania: Expanded release but significant 67% drop to $2.4M.
• Context: Slow box office allowed due to Super Bowl weekend.

Notable Quotes

• Larslake Rasmussen (Denmark’s Foreign Minister):
  "We are not out of the crisis and we do not have a solution yet..." [00:52]

• Wes Moore (Governor of Maryland):
  "It's not lost to me that I'm the only black governor in this country and I find that to be... particularly painful..." [01:27]

• Rachel Treisman (NPR, Figure Skating):
  "It was Ilya Malinin's quad stacked program that propelled Team USA to the top of the podium for the second Olympics in a row." [03:46]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Greenland/Denmark/US Relations: [00:16–01:12]
• White House Dinner Disinvitation: [01:12–01:47]
• Measles Outbreak & Public Health Alert: [01:47–02:53]
• Rafah Border Update: [02:53–03:16]
• Winter Olympics Highlights: [03:16–04:20]
• Box Office Update: [04:20–04:54]

This succinct, detail-rich episode brings listeners up-to-speed on a global spectrum of headline stories in under five minutes, maintaining NPR’s authoritative, even-toned approach.