NPR News Now – February 9, 2026, 7PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton, NPR
Date: February 9, 2026
Length: 5 minutes
Format: Hourly news summary

Overview

This episode provides a concise snapshot of pressing national and international news, including the looming U.S. Department of Homeland Security shutdown, measles vaccine advocacy amid outbreaks, Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn's injury, UK political scandal, landmark social media lawsuits, SpaceX's lunar ambitions, and a lighthearted note on a senator's dog predicting a football score.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Funding Battle

[00:15] Ryland Barton presents the story.

• Stalemate Ahead of Shutdown:
  Lawmakers face an impasse as the Department of Homeland Security nears a partial government shutdown on Franklin Friday's midnight deadline.
• Immigration Enforcement Dispute:
  Democrats and some Republicans demand changes in immigration enforcement policies.
• Notable Quote:
  Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Leader, states:

  "The Trump administration is not targeting violent felons. They're targeting American citizens, communities throughout this country and law abiding in immigrant families."
  — Hakeem Jeffries [00:38]

• Proposed Reforms:
  Jeffries calls for banning federal agents from wearing masks and requiring judicial warrants for arrests.

2. Measles Vaccine Push in Wake of Outbreaks

[00:53] Maria Godoy covers health developments.

• Surge in Measles Cases:
  Outbreaks prompt the Trump administration to recommend nationwide vaccination.
• Dr. Mehmet Oz’s Advocacy:
  As head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Dr. Oz urges the public:

  "Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for a problem...but measles is one. You should get your vaccine."
  — Dr. Mehmet Oz [01:21]

• Countering Vaccine Skepticism:
  Oz denies that administration actions have undermined vaccine confidence, highlighting Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s support of measles vaccination—despite Kennedy's history of vaccine skepticism.

3. Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic Comeback Cut Short

[01:53] Becky Sullivan reports from Italy.

• Severe Injury:
  U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn suffers a "complex tibia fracture" just 13 seconds into the Olympic downhill race, ending her high-profile return from retirement.
• Context:
  Vonn had torn her ACL the previous month but competed despite injury.
• Athlete’s Response:
  On social media, Vonn clarifies:

  "...the ACL tear and other injuries had, quote, nothing to do with her crash."
  — Becky Sullivan relaying Lindsey Vonn [02:18] "It wasn't the ending she dreamed of, she wrote. Still, she says she has no regrets about competing."
  — Becky Sullivan [02:40]

4. UK Political Scandal Over Ambassador Appointment

[02:45] Ryland Barton covers global politics.

• Keir Starmer Under Fire:
  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces calls to step down after appointing Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the U.S., despite Mandelson's ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Diplomatic Fallout:
  Starmer subsequently removed Mandelson following the DOJ’s release of documents highlighting the closeness of these ties.

5. Social Media Companies Face Landmark Lawsuits

[03:16] Ryland Barton summarizes legal news.

• Trial Opens in Los Angeles:
  Major platforms (Meta/Instagram, YouTube/Google) are on trial over claims they deliberately addict and harm children.
• Settlements:
  TikTok and Snap have already settled for undisclosed sums.

6. SpaceX Shifts Focus to the Moon

[03:45] Nell Greenfield Boyce reports on space news.

• SpaceX’s Changing Ambitions:
  Elon Musk announces SpaceX now aims to develop a "self-growing city on the moon," shifting emphasis from Mars colonization.

  "But now on his social media company X, Musk has posted a message saying that the focus of SpaceX is a self growing city on the moon, that this could be accomplished much faster than a city on Mars."
  — Nell Greenfield Boyce [03:56]

• Industry Context:
  This comes as SpaceX competes with Blue Origin for NASA's lunar lander contract.

7. Lighthearted Closing: Baby Dog Almost Calls Super Bowl

[04:34] Ryland Barton adds a human touch.

• Furry Prognosticator:
  West Virginia Senator Jim Justice’s dog, Baby Dog, nearly predicted the exact score of the Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 win over the Patriots.
• Tongue-in-Cheek Statement:

  "...missing the correct score by a single point is just doggone impressive."
  — Statement on behalf of Baby Dog [04:50]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Hakeem Jeffries on DHS and immigration enforcement:
  "The Trump administration is not targeting violent felons. They're targeting American citizens, communities throughout this country and law abiding in immigrant families." [00:38]
• Dr. Mehmet Oz on measles vaccination:
  "Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for a problem... but measles is one. You should get your vaccine." [01:21]
• Lindsey Vonn via Becky Sullivan on competing despite injury:
  "...the ACL tear and other injuries had, quote, nothing to do with her crash." [02:18] "It wasn't the ending she dreamed of, she wrote. Still, she says she has no regrets about competing." [02:40]
• Nell Greenfield Boyce quoting Elon Musk/SpaceX:
  "The focus of SpaceX is a self growing city on the moon, that this could be accomplished much faster than a city on Mars." [03:56]
• Baby Dog’s Super Bowl prediction statement:
  "...missing the correct score by a single point is just doggone impressive." [04:50]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• DHS Funding & Immigration Enforcement: [00:15 – 01:10]
• Measles Vaccine & Dr. Oz: [01:10 – 01:53]
• Lindsey Vonn’s Injury: [01:53 – 02:45]
• UK Ambassador Scandal: [02:45 – 03:16]
• Social Media Addiction Lawsuits: [03:16 – 03:45]
• SpaceX Moon City Announcement: [03:45 – 04:34]
• Baby Dog Football Prediction: [04:34 – 04:56]

Tone:
Concise, factual, rapid-fire with a balanced mix of urgent news and lighter moments, reflecting NPR’s neutral and informative style. This episode is ideal for listeners needing a quick but comprehensive overview of major news stories.