NPR News Now - February 10, 2026, 3AM EST

Host: Jael Snyder, NPR
Episode Length: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise news episode provides updates on major national and international stories as of early February 10, 2026. The reports cover Congressional examination of Jeffrey Epstein-related Justice Department files, a renewed federal push for measles vaccinations, a policy change by the Palestinian Authority, a trade dispute between the Trump administration and Canada, concerning Colorado River drought forecasts, and a high-profile Olympic skiing injury. The reporting remains direct, urgent, and informative, with brief soundbites from relevant figures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Review of Epstein Files by Congress (00:20-01:10)

• Background: First-ever Congressional review of (mostly) unredacted Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Notable Details:
  • Led by Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY), co-sponsors of the bill that enforced the files' public release.
  • Transparency Issue: Khanna voiced frustration:

    "Our bigger concern is that there's still a lot that's redacted. Even in what we're seeing, we're seeing redacted versions. I thought we were supposed to see the unredacted version."
    (Ro Khanna, 00:37)

  • Justice Call: Massie identified six men in the files he believes should be investigated.
• Context: Review came as Ghislaine Maxwell, imprisoned accomplice, pleaded the Fifth before the House Oversight Committee from a Texas prison (01:10-01:26).

2. Federal Urging for Measles Vaccinations Amid Outbreaks (01:26-02:20)

• Situation: Measles outbreaks prompt a new push for vaccination.
• Remarks From Health Officials:
  • Dr. Mehmet Oz, now head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said:

    "Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for our problem... but measles is one. You should get your vaccine."
    (Dr. Mehmet Oz, 01:49)

  • Political Tension: Oz denied any undermining of vaccine confidence by the Trump administration and claimed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports the vaccine — despite Kennedy's anti-vaccine history.
• Key Insight: The administration faces skepticism over vaccine messaging in the face of urgent public health needs.

3. Palestinian Authority Ends Payments to Detainee Families (02:20-03:13)

• Change in Policy: The Palestinian Authority (PA) stopped payments to families of Palestinians killed, injured, or imprisoned by Israel, under external pressure.
• Reporting by Emily Fang:
  • External pressure from Israel and the US led to the halt, aiming to reduce alleged incentives for violence.
  • This drew outrage from Palestinians, exemplified by Jamal Al Khafre, whose son was imprisoned for almost two years without charges:

    "[The PA] told him this time to apply for welfare instead. Al Khafre said he refused to, calling it an insult to his dignity."
    (Emily Fang, 03:06)

• Reactions: Support from US/Israel; anger and humiliation among affected Palestinians.

4. US-Canada Trade Dispute Over Bridge Opening (03:16-03:37)

• Development:
  • President Trump threatens to prevent the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge (Detroit-Windsor), demanding "compensation and respect" from Canada.
  • The bridge, funded by Canada, is nearly finished.
• Significance: Escalates US-Canada trade tensions and could impact cross-border commerce.

5. Colorado River Snowpack Crisis (03:37-04:33)

• Forecast: Lowest water supply in 35 years due to minimal Rocky Mountain snowfall.
• Reporting by Alex Hager:
  • "Every single part of the watershed has below average snow for this time of year. Most areas are about half of normal or less."
  • Vanita Cartha of Central Arizona Project stressed the seriousness:

    "December was dry, November was dry. October was dry, January was dry. And this trend seems to be continuing."
    (Vanita Cartha, 04:11)

• Impact:
  • Threatens water supply at Lake Powell (second-largest US reservoir).
  • May necessitate extraordinary resource management.

6. Olympic Skiing Accident: Lindsey Vonn (04:33-04:55)

• Incident: Lindsey Vonn suffered a broken left leg during the Olympic downhill event, requiring helicopter evacuation.
• Family’s Statement: Her father, Ellen Kildall, told the Associated Press he does not want her to race again.
• Vonn's Update: She posted that her leg is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Ro Khanna on Epstein Files Transparency (00:37):
  "I thought we were supposed to see the unredacted version."
• Dr. Mehmet Oz’s Vaccine Plea (01:49):
  "Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for our problem."
• Vanita Cartha on Drought (04:11):
  "December was dry, November was dry. October was dry, January was dry. And this trend seems to be continuing."
• Emily Fang on Palestinian Reaction (03:06):
  "Al Khafre said he refused to, calling it an insult to his dignity."

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Congressional review of Epstein files & Maxwell hearing | 00:20-01:26 | | Federal vaccination push & Dr. Oz interview | 01:26-02:20 | | PA ends payments to Palestinians, Emily Fang reporting | 02:20-03:13 | | Trump threatens to block US-Canada bridge | 03:16-03:37 | | Colorado River drought forecast & expert opinions | 03:37-04:33 | | Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic injury update | 04:33-04:55 |

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