NPR News Now – February 9, 2026, 5PM EST

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Ryland Barton
Date: February 9, 2026
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of global and national headlines, touching on unfolding political events in the U.S., technological impacts in Ukraine, religious freedom controversy, international legal developments, Winter Olympic triumphs, and changes in Major League Baseball.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ghislaine Maxwell Before the House Oversight Committee

[00:16]

• Key Event: Ghislaine Maxwell appeared via video before the House Oversight Committee.
• Reporter: Claudia Grisales
• Context: First significant congressional appearance after her conviction as a sex trafficker.
• Maxwell’s Stance: She invoked her Fifth Amendment right, declining to answer committee questions.
  • Lawyer’s statement: Maxwell would answer in exchange for clemency from former President Trump, and claimed she could detail connections between the Clintons and Jeffrey Epstein, stating explicitly “they are not guilty of any wrongdoing.”
• Chairman’s Response: “Chairman James Comer said Maxwell decision not to answer questions was a disappointment. However, Comer maintained that the committee’s investigation into Epstein continues.” (Claudia Grisales, 00:34)

2. SpaceX Starlink Restrictions in Ukraine

[01:19]

• Key Event: SpaceX is now cutting illegal users off Starlink satellite internet in Ukraine, impacting Russian forces.
• Reporter: Eleanor Beardsley
• Local Voices:
  • Anton Sadyukov: Sells/adapts Starlink terminals.
    • “Right now, the entire front on the enemy’s side has stopped. He says SpaceX cut off their technology and this has been effective.” (Eleanor Beardsley, 01:31)
  • Sergeant Oleksiy Mikolyuk: Ukrainian military.
    • Quote: “To end the war, because war is money. We’re seeing it every day.” (02:05)
• Impact: Blocking Russian forces from Starlink use has reportedly reduced Ukrainian casualties.
  • “Since Russian forces have been blocked from using Starlink, they are seeing fewer wounded Ukrainian soldiers.” (Eleanor Beardsley, 02:08)

3. Religious Organizations Sue Trump Administration

[02:17]

• Key Event: Multi-faith groups sue over the administration’s Religious Liberty Commission, citing lack of representation.
• Reporter: Jason DeRose
• Lawsuit Details:
  • Filed in Southern District of New York.
  • Alleges the commission does not include enough diversity—specifically, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and non-religious voices, despite them comprising over one-third of the U.S. population.
  • Plaintiffs: Interfaith Alliance, Muslims for Progressive Values, Hindus for Human Rights.
• White House Response: “The commission was created so that Americans can freely exercise their faith without fear of government censorship or retaliation.” (Jason DeRose, 02:29)

4. International: Jimmy Lai Sentenced in Hong Kong

[03:07]

• Key Event: Veteran pro-democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison under China’s National Security Law.
• Personal Note: His daughter, Claire, claims, “if his sentence is carried out, he will die a martyr behind bars.” (Ryland Barton, 03:07)
• Impact: Escalates Beijing’s tensions with international governments.

5. Winter Olympics Speed Skating Records

[03:46]

• Reporter: Ping Huang
• Location: Milan
• Standouts:
  • Dutch team dominates, with fans described as “a sea of orange.”
  • Femke Kok: Sets an Olympic record: 1:12.59.
  • Jutta Leerdam: Beats Kok’s fresh record by about a quarter second, setting another new record just minutes later.
  • Brittany Bowe (USA): World record holder, narrowly misses the podium, finishing fourth.
  • Miho Takagi (Japan): Previous Olympic record holder.
• Quote: “So far, speed skating leads in setting new Olympic records at these Games.” (Ping Huang, 04:34)

6. Major League Baseball Adopts Automated Strike Zone

[04:34]

• Key Event: Spring training begins with expanded use of the automated ball-strike system (“robot umpires”).
• Note: Teams can challenge pitch calls; over half of last year’s challenges were successful.
• Implication: MLB continues integrating technology to improve officiating.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Maxwell’s Attorney (via Grisales, 00:34):
  “[Maxwell] would be willing to answer questions in exchange for clemency from President Trump.”
• Sgt. Oleksiy Mikolyuk (02:05):
  “To end the war, because war is money. We’re seeing it every day.”
• Claire Lai (daughter of Jimmy Lai):
  “If his sentence is carried out, he will die a martyr behind bars.” (03:07)
• Ping Huang (on Olympics, 04:34):
  “So far, speed skating leads in setting new Olympic records at these Games.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:16] – Ghislaine Maxwell before Congress
• [01:19] – SpaceX Starlink limitations in Ukraine conflict
• [02:17] – Religious groups file suit over Liberty Commission
• [03:07] – Jimmy Lai’s prison sentence in Hong Kong
• [03:46] – Olympic speed skating records tumble
• [04:34] – MLB Spring Training and robot umpires

This concise but information-dense episode delivers crucial headlines reflecting major political, technological, legal, and cultural developments, infused with voices from the field and insights on ongoing global changes.