NPR News Now

Episode: 9AM EST, February 9, 2026
Host: Korva Coleman

Overview

This tightly packed five-minute news briefing from NPR delivers major headlines from the U.S. and abroad. The episode focuses on the looming Department of Homeland Security funding crisis in Congress, the kidnapping case of Nancy Guthrie, the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl win and Bad Bunny's halftime show, legal developments for Jeffrey Epstein's associates, political repression in Venezuela, and a new sentence for Nobel laureate Nargis Mohamedi in Iran.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DHS Funding & Immigration Tensions

(00:17–01:14)

• Stalemate in Congress:
  Congress has mere days left to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Negotiations between Republicans and Democrats have ceased, centering on immigration enforcement.
• Democrats Demand Answers:
  House and Senate Democratic leadership, including Hakeem Jeffries, sent their demands to the White House but haven't received a response.
  • Notable Quote:

    "The ball is in the court right now of the Republicans."
    — Hakeem Jeffries (00:43)

• DHS Under Scrutiny:
  Funding is being withheld by Jeffries and Schumer following news that DHS agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minnesota.
• Hispanic Vote Stakes:
  GOP Rep. Tony Gonzalez emphasized the strategic importance of communication with Hispanic voters.
  • Notable Quote:

    "If we want to keep that long term, we do have to make a shift, not necessarily in policy but in communication."
    — Tony Gonzalez (01:00)

• Upcoming Hearings:
  The House and Senate will hold hearings this week to oversee the DHS shootings.

2. Kidnapping Case of Nancy Guthrie

(01:14–02:02)

• Media & Public Focus:
  The search continues for Nancy Guthrie, mother of media personality Savannah Guthrie, who was allegedly abducted from her Tucson home.
• Ransom Notes:
  Multiple ransom notes for $6 million were received by local media. The Guthrie family released a video offering to pay the ransom.
• Investigation Update:
  Bill Chappell reports that law enforcement has no significant leads, suspects, or known vehicles tied to the abduction.
  • Notable Quote:

    "We haven't identified any suspects or people of interest or vehicles that might be connected to the case."
    — Bill Chappell (01:44)

3. Super Bowl Results and Cultural Impact

(02:02–03:11)

• Seattle Seahawks' Victory:
  The Seahawks won the Super Bowl for the second time, defeating the New England Patriots 29–13, with Seattle’s defense dominating until New England scored in the fourth quarter.
• Halftime Show Highlight:
  The broadcast underscores that for many, the halftime performance by Puerto Rican global star Bad Bunny was the main event.
• Puerto Rican Pride:
  Isabela Gomez Sarmiento reports from San Juan, where local fans gathered hours before the game to support Bad Bunny.
  • Notable Quote:

    "[The] Super Bowl belongs to Benito."
    — Mirelis Pineros Rojas (02:32)

  • Notable Quote:

    "It's so much...The feeling doesn't fit inside her chest of watching him for 15 minutes represent an entire island."
    — Ari Pineros Rojas (02:51)

4. Ghislaine Maxwell Deposition

(03:11–03:26)

• Congressional Oversight:
  Ghislaine Maxwell is scheduled to sit for a deposition as part of the House Oversight Committee’s probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s activities.
  Maxwell is already serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking.

5. Venezuela Political Crackdown

(03:26–04:31)

• Release and Re-Arrest:
  Opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa, an ally of María Corina Machado, was released after eight months in prison, only to be abducted and re-arrested hours later by armed men in civilian clothes.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Immediately after his release, Guanipa met with families of those still jailed. Hours later...at least 10 heavily armed men dressed in civilian clothing had violently abducted Guanipa."
    — Kerry Kahn (03:53)

• Government Justification:
  Venezuela’s attorney general cited non-compliance with release conditions; Guanipa will be under house arrest.
• Broader Context:
  Despite the releases, hundreds of political opponents remain imprisoned.

6. Iran: New Prison Sentence for Nargis Mohamedi

(04:31–04:56)

• New Sentence Announced:
  Nobel Peace Prize laureate and women’s rights activist Nargis Mohamedi received an additional seven-year prison sentence in Iran.
• Ongoing Repression:
  Mohamedi, already imprisoned, had been temporarily released in 2024 for medical reasons. The report highlights Iran’s ongoing crackdown on protesters.

Notable Quotes

• Hakeem Jeffries, on DHS negotiations:
  “The ball is in the court right now of the Republicans.” (00:43)

• Rep. Tony Gonzalez, on political outreach:
  “If we want to keep that long term, we do have to make a shift, not necessarily in policy but in communication.” (01:00)

• Bill Chappell, on Guthrie investigation:
  “We haven't identified any suspects or people of interest or vehicles that might be connected to the case.” (01:44)

• Mirelis Pineros Rojas, on Bad Bunny’s performance:
  “[The] Super Bowl belongs to Benito.” (02:32)

• Ari Pineros Rojas, on Puerto Rican pride:
  “It's so much...The feeling doesn't fit inside her chest of watching him for 15 minutes represent an entire island.” (02:51)

• Kerry Kahn, on Guanipa’s re-arrest:
  “Immediately after his release...heavily armed men dressed in civilian clothing had violently abducted Guanipa.” (03:53)

Key Timestamps

• 00:17: DHS funding and immigration negotiation breakdown
• 01:14: Nancy Guthrie abduction ongoing investigation
• 02:02: Seahawks win Super Bowl, Bad Bunny’s halftime show coverage
• 03:11: Maxwell deposition in Epstein case
• 03:46: Venezuelan opposition leader freed, re-arrested
• 04:31: Nobel Peace Prize winner Nargis Mohamedi’s new sentence

This concise news briefing covers the most pressing political, legal, and cultural headlines of February 9, 2026, with a focus on developing stories and global human rights issues.