NPR News Now – February 9, 2026, 4PM EST

Host: Nora Raum

Overview

This five-minute news update delivers the latest headlines, covering developments in high-profile investigations involving Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein, controversies around Prince Andrew and Buckingham Palace, legal battles over housing for homeless veterans, major labor strikes in education and health care, new trends in midlife education, and a historic bankruptcy in the outdoor retail industry.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. House Oversight Committee Questioning of Ghislaine Maxwell

• [00:15] The House Oversight Committee conducted a virtual hearing with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.
  • Maxwell repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer questions about her association with Epstein and possible co-conspirators.
  • Chairman James Comer expressed disappointment:
    • “Ghislaine Maxwell took the fifth and refused to answer any questions. This obviously is very disappointing. We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspirators.” – James Comer [00:35]
  • The committee plans to continue the Epstein hearings and will call former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to testify. The Clintons have requested public testimony.

2. Allegations Against Prince Andrew and Buckingham Palace’s Response

• [01:13] Allegations have emerged that former Prince Andrew passed confidential trade information to Jeffrey Epstein.
• King Charles, amidst public scrutiny, issued a statement expressing “profound concerns” regarding his brother’s alleged actions.
• Buckingham Palace has pledged full cooperation if British police pursue an investigation.
  • Fatima Al Kassab reported:
    • “The statement says that if approached by British police as part of their investigation into the disgraced former prince, Buckingham palace stands ready to support them. It adds that the king and queen's thoughts and sympathies have been and remain with victims of all forms of abuse.” – Fatima Al Kassab [01:34]

3. Trump Administration Appeals Court Order on Housing for Homeless Veterans

• [02:13] The Trump administration is appealing a federal court order requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to house homeless veterans on its Los Angeles campus.
• The class action suit, won by homeless veterans, has already been upheld by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court.
• Mark Rosenbaum, attorney for the veterans:
  • “Now this administration owns veteran homelessness. It's fighting our nation's veterans. It's going to a federal court and saying that veterans unhoused, disabled veterans cannot call upon their government to house unhoused veterans on veteran property.” – Mark Rosenbaum [02:48]
• Departments of Justice and VA declined to comment.

4. Labor Strikes in Education and Health Care

• [03:09] Major strikes are occurring in two of the nation’s largest cities:
  • San Francisco: Public school teachers strike for the first time in nearly 50 years, seeking higher pay, better health benefits, and more resources for special needs students.
  • New York City: Over 10,000 nurses have settled their strike with two major hospital systems regarding staffing levels and workplace safety. The strike continues at New York Presbyterian.

5. Trends in Midlife Transition Programs

• [03:51] Educational initiatives for adults navigating midlife changes are gaining popularity.
  • Chip Conley, founder of Modern Elder Academy, reframes the idea of a ‘midlife crisis’:
    • “I think of midlife as not a crisis, but a chrysalis. It's that middle stage between caterpillar and butterfly. You're letting go of some things and something else is being created at the same.” – Chip Conley [04:04]
  • These programs range from online quizzes to courses at universities and ‘transformational travel’ retreats focused on self-improvement.

6. Eddie Bauer Files for Bankruptcy

• [04:37] The iconic outdoor apparel brand Eddie Bauer has filed for bankruptcy protection after over a century in business, marking the end of an era for the company that began as a Seattle fishing shop and once outfitted the first American to summit Mount Everest.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We sincerely want to get to the truth of the American people and justice for the survivors. That’s what this investigation is about.”
  – James Comer, House Oversight Chairman [00:35]

• “The king has made clear, ‘in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concerns’ over allegations that continue to come to light about his brother.”
  – Fatima Al Kassab, reporting on King Charles’ statement [01:34]

• “Now this administration owns veteran homelessness. It's fighting our nation's veterans.”
  – Mark Rosenbaum, attorney for homeless veterans [02:48]

• “I think of midlife as not a crisis, but a chrysalis. It's that middle stage between caterpillar and butterfly.”
  – Chip Conley, Modern Elder Academy founder [04:04]

Important Timestamps

• 00:15 – Ghislaine Maxwell’s testimony and House hearing
• 00:57 – Commitments to continue Epstein investigation, Clinton testimony
• 01:13 – Buckingham Palace response to Prince Andrew allegations
• 02:13 – VA housing battle for homeless veterans
• 03:09 – Labor strikes in San Francisco and New York
• 03:51 – Rise of midlife education programs
• 04:37 – Eddie Bauer bankruptcy announcement

This concise newscast efficiently covers pressing national and international news, with a focus on accountability, social justice, and changing cultural trends.