NPR News: 02-09-2026 2PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – Episode Summary

Podcast: NPR News Now
Air Date: February 9, 2026, 2PM EST
Host: Nora Ramm
Duration: 5 minutes

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Overview

This episode delivers a succinct update on top headlines, covering a push for measles vaccinations in the U.S., international developments involving Ukraine and Russia, updates from Buckingham Palace, business news including major market moves, insights into Valentine’s Day spending habits, and labor strikes affecting schools and hospitals.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Measles Vaccine Advocacy

• Speaker: Dr. Mehmet Oz (Head of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)
• Key Points:
  • Dr. Oz urges Americans to get the measles vaccine amid outbreaks in several states.
  • When asked about his message, he simply states:

    “Take the vaccine, please.” (Dr. Mehmet Oz, 00:39)

  • Oz emphasizes:

    “We have a solution for our problem. Not all illnesses are equally dangerous and not all people equally susceptible to those illnesses, but measles is one. You should get your vaccine.” (Dr. Mehmet Oz, 00:39)

  • He denies that recent administration actions have undermined confidence in vaccines and claims Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports the measles vaccine, despite his skeptical history. (00:48)

2. Ukraine, Russia, and U.S. Economic Discussions

• Speakers: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky; economist Pavlo Cherenko
• Key Points:
  • Zelensky highlights concerns about Russia and the U.S. considering a $12 trillion economic cooperation plan, potentially affecting Ukraine but excluding Ukrainian involvement. (01:10)
  • Pavlo Cherenko questions the feasibility:

    “As of now, the economic situation in Russia is such that there is no money to be made.” (Pavlo Cherenko, 01:44)

  • Cherenko notes the lack of transparency in negotiations, suggesting Russia is stalling for advantage in the ongoing conflict:

    “There is this transactional, not transparent side to negotiations.” (Pavlo Cherenko, 01:55)

3. Buckingham Palace & Prince Andrew Investigation

• Speaker: Nora Ramm (Host)
• Key Points:
  • King Charles commits to supporting police inquiries into former Prince Andrew’s alleged sharing of confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Andrew lost royal titles in the previous year due to his association with Epstein. (02:11)

4. Market Updates: Weight Loss Drug Battle & Leadership Changes

• Speaker: Scott Horsley
• Key Points:
  • Stock in Novo Nordisk, maker of Wegovy (a GLP1 drug), rises after Hims and Hers Health withdraws a cheaper version due to regulatory and legal pressure.
  • “GLP1 drugs can produce big gains and losses in the stock market as well as patients’ waistlines...” (Scott Horsley, 02:36)
  • Kroger names Greg Ferran, a former Walmart executive, as new CEO after a previous leadership controversy. (02:36)
  • Latest market update: Dow up 14 points. (03:09)

5. Valentine’s Day Spending Trends

• Speaker: Stephen Bisaha
• Key Points:
  • Americans expect to spend $50 less on average this Valentine’s Day. (03:31)
  • Jewelry and chocolate prices have risen substantially (8% and 12% respectively).
  • LendingTree’s Matt Schultz shares:

    “The last thing anybody wants to do is be a cheapskate on Valentine’s Day. But when prices are really high and budgets are tight, sometimes you have to make some sacrifice.” (Matt Schultz, 03:44)

  • Most still intend to give gifts, averaging $130; a strong majority (72%) would be upset if a partner went into credit card debt for Valentine’s. (03:42–04:11)

6. Labor Strikes: Education and Healthcare

• Speaker: Nora Ramm
• Key Points:
  • San Francisco public school teachers strike for higher wages, better health benefits, and more resources for special needs students. This is the first such action in nearly 50 years, closing all 120 schools temporarily. (04:11)
  • A partial resolution is in place for the nurses’ strike in New York City: two hospital systems have reached tentative agreements, while action continues against New York Presbyterian. The strike centered on pay, health benefits, and staffing. (04:11)

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Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Mehmet Oz (on measles vaccine, 00:39):
  “Take the vaccine, please.”
• Pavlo Cherenko (Ukrainian economist, 01:44):
  “As of now, the economic situation in Russia is such that there is no money to be made.”
• Matt Schultz, LendingTree (03:44):
  “The last thing anybody wants to do is be a cheapskate on Valentine’s Day. But when prices are really high and budgets are tight, sometimes you have to make some sacrifice.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:29–01:10: Measles vaccine advocacy by Dr. Mehmet Oz
• 01:10–02:11: Ukraine–Russia economic plan and negotiations
• 02:11–02:36: Buckingham Palace investigation & market news
• 03:31–04:11: Valentine’s Day spending report
• 04:11–04:55: San Francisco teachers’ strike & New York nurses’ strike

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This episode maintains the NPR News Now tradition of briskly delivering current events, blending updates on health, politics, economics, and social issues with concise, informative reporting.

Transcript

[A]

This message comes from Carvana, who makes buying and financing your next car easy. Thousands of vehicles terms up front and 100% online even get it delivered to your door. Buy your car the easy way with Carvana. Delivery fee may apply. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. Dr. Mehmet Oz is urging Americans to get vaccinated against measles at a time when outbreaks have hit several states. NPR's Maria Hodoi reports.

[B]

Oz's comments came Sunday during an interview on CNN's State of the Union. When asked what his message about the measles vaccine is, Oz replied, take the vaccine, please.

[C]

We have a solution for our problem. Not all illnesses are equally dangerous and not all people equally susceptible to those illnesses, but measles is one. You should get your vaccine.

[B]

Oz is the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. He denied that the Trump administration's actions have undermined confidence in vaccines, and he argued that his boss has. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Has been supportive of the measles vaccine. Kennedy has a long history of being skeptical of the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Maria Godoy, NPR News.

[A]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia and the US Are considering large scale economic cooperation that could affect Ukraine, but without the involvement of Ukraine. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.

[D]

Zelensky said the $12 trillion scheme was presented by Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitri, who manages Russia's sovereign wealth fund. But Ukrainian economist Pavlo Cherenko says its enactment is highly unlikely as Russia's entire GDP in one year is only 2.3 trillion and Russia's economy is in tatters.

[E]

As of now, the economic situation in Russia is such that there is no money to be made.

[D]

But, says Cherenko, the plan shows how Russia is trying to influence peace talks.

[E]

There is this transactional, not transparent side to negotiations.

[D]

Ukrainians say President Putin is proposing business deals to play for time so he can continue his war on Ukraine. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Kyiv.

[A]

Buckingham palace issued a statement today that King Charles will support British police looking into whether former Prince Andrew gave confidential information to financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew lost his royal titles last year because of his association with Epstein. A battle over weight loss drugs is weighing on financial markets today. NPR's Scott Horsley has details.

[C]

GLP1 drugs can produce big gains and losses in the stock market as well as patients. Waistlines stock in Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk is up after the mail order pharmacy hims and Hers Health withdrew a cheaper knockoff pill. Hims and hers was facing pressure from the Food and Drug Administration, as well as a patent infringement lawsuit from Novo Nordisk. Stock in Hims and Hers is down. Kroger is tapping a former Walmart executive to be its new CEO. Greg Ferran will take the reins nearly a year after Kroger's previous CEO stepped down following an investigation of his personal conduct. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[A]

At last check on Wall street, the dow is up 14 points. This is NPR News. The online lending marketplace LendingTree says people should expect fewer roses and chocolates on Valentine's Day. A new survey finds Americans are planning to spend nearly $50 less on the holiday this year. NPR's Stephen Bisaha reports.

[E]

LendingTree says the jewelry items it tracks are up almost 8% from last year, chocolates up nearly 12%. Matt Schultz is LendingTree's chief consumer finance analyst.

[A]

The last thing anybody wants to do.

[E]

Is be a cheapskate on Valentine's Day. But when prices are really high and budgets are tight, sometimes you have to make some sacrifice. But most American couples are still planning on gift giving. People in the survey expect to spend about $130 this year. And if you're considering overspending, remember, 72% of Americans said they'd be upset if their partner took on credit card debt for the holiday. Stephen Messaha, NPR News.

[A]

Public school teachers in San Francisco are on strike for the first time in nearly 50 years. The city closed all 120 schools today, and after it failed to reach an agreement with the union. After nearly a year of negotiations, the teachers want higher wages, better health benefits and more resources for students with special needs. Negotiations are expected to resume today. It appears a nurses strike in New York City may be partially over. Nurses reached a tentative agreement with two of the three major hospital systems affected. The walkout began January 12th over pay, health benefits and staffing levels. They're still on strike against New York Presbyterian. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News.

[E]

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.