NPR News: 02-10-2026 9AM EST

Summary

---

NPR News Now: February 10, 2026, 9AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman

---

Main Theme

This NPR News Now episode provides a concise snapshot of the morning’s top national news stories, featuring updates on Congressional hearings involving immigration enforcement, ongoing inquiries into the Jeffrey Epstein case, election integrity debates, a remarkable walk for peace by Buddhist monks, new findings in dementia prevention research, and a historic Olympic medal for the U.S. men’s cross-country ski team.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Congressional Hearings on Immigration Enforcement

[00:15-01:05]

• Capitol Hill is hosting testimony from officials representing three immigration agencies, with Democrats focusing scrutiny on the Trump administration's enforcement strategies, specifically a fatal incident in Minneapolis.
• The death of Alex Preddy, caused by federal immigration officers, has spurred Democrats to demand significant reforms to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• Democrats threaten to withhold votes for DHS funding without policy changes.
• Quote:
  • "The current stopgap funding bill for DHS runs out on Friday. If an agreement can't be reached this week, Congress will likely have to pass another continuing resolution for the department."
    —Barbara Sprunt ([00:59])

---

2. Epstein Investigation: Congressional Review & Ghislaine Maxwell’s Testimony

[01:05-02:06]

• Bipartisan lawmakers receive access to previously withheld parts of the Department of Justice’s Epstein investigation files; however, some names (six men) remain redacted.
• Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna push for full disclosure of these names, alleging their involvement with Epstein.
• Ghislaine Maxwell, currently imprisoned, appeared via video before the House Oversight Committee. On the advice of counsel, she refused to answer lawmakers’ questions, citing a willingness to cooperate only in exchange for clemency from President Trump.
• Quote:
  • "House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said Maxwell's decision not to answer questions was a disappointment."
    —Claudia Grisales ([02:02])

---

3. Report Dismisses Claims of Widespread Non-Citizen Voting

[02:06-03:09]

• A report by the Center for Election Innovation Research (CEIR) debunks widespread claims of non-citizen voting in U.S. elections, attributing these allegations primarily to misinformation.
• CEIR’s David Becker: only 35 non-citizen votes found in Iowa’s 2024 election, out of 1.67 million ballots (.002%).
• Despite this, former President Trump continues to press the narrative and calls for “nationalizing” U.S. election systems.
• Quote:
  • "It is extremely rare that non-citizens get registered, and then it is infinitesimally rare that they vote."
    —Miles Parks ([02:26])

---

4. Buddhist Monks’ Walk for Peace Reaches Washington, D.C.

[03:09-03:55]

• A group of Buddhist monks, accompanied by a rescue dog, concludes a months-long, silent peace walk from Texas to the nation’s capital.
• The journey has garnered significant social media attention and public support.
• Their final visits include the Washington National Cathedral and the Lincoln Memorial.

---

5. Mental Exercises Show Long-Term Cognitive Benefits

[03:55-04:33]

• New research published in Alzheimer's & Dementia shows that cognitive speed training can reduce dementia risk by 25%—effects lasting for two decades.
• The study followed over 2,800 participants using Medicare records, tracing results back to brain training exercises started in 1998.
• Quote:
  • "The fact that it's lasted and had an impact over 20 years is astonishing."
    —Marilyn Albert, Johns Hopkins ([04:14])

---

6. U.S. Men’s Cross-Country Skiing Makes History at Winter Olympics

[04:33-04:54]

• For the first time in 50 years, the U.S. men’s team wins a Winter Olympics medal in cross-country ski racing.
• Ben Ogden of Vermont secures silver, with Norwegian skiers clinching gold and bronze.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It is extremely rare that non-citizens get registered, and then it is infinitesimally rare that they vote."
  —Miles Parks, [02:26]

• "The fact that it's lasted and had an impact over 20 years is astonishing."
  —Marilyn Albert, Johns Hopkins, [04:14]

• "House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said Maxwell's decision not to answer questions was a disappointment."
  —Claudia Grisales, [02:02]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:15] — Immigration Hearings on Capitol Hill
• [01:05] — Congressional Review of Epstein Case, Maxwell's Testimony
• [02:18] — Report on Non-Citizen Voting
• [03:09] — Buddhist Monks Peace Walk in Washington, D.C.
• [03:55] — Study on Dementia & Cognitive Training
• [04:33] — Historic Olympic Medal for U.S. Men’s Cross-Country Skiing

---

This episode blends hard news and hopeful narratives, capturing a pivotal morning in American politics, societal progress, and global sports. Perfect for listeners seeking a comprehensive, fact-driven update in just five minutes.

Transcript

[Carvana Finance Announcer]

This message comes from Carvana Finance. And buy your next vehicle with Carvana. Shop a huge selection, customize terms to fit your budget, and buy completely online. No hassle, no pressure. Get the car you love, the easy way with Carvana.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Officials from three immigration agencies will testify on Capitol Hill today. Democrats are scrutinizing the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations in places such as Minneapolis. NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports.

[Barbara Sprunt]

The hearing came about in response to federal immigration officers shooting and killing Alex Preddy in Minneapolis. It's taking place as congressional Democrats are negotiating with the White House on proposals to change policies and tactics used by agencies like ice. Democrats say they won't vote for a DHS funding bill that doesn't include major changes to the department. The current stopgap funding bill for DHS runs out on Friday. If an agreement can't be reached this week, Congress will likely have to pass another continuing resolution for the department. Barbara Spru, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

A group of bipartisan lawmakers was given access yesterday to unredacted files of the investigation into late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but Congressmen Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna say some of it was still redacted, including the names of six men. They're demanding the Justice Department publish these names. The congressmen allege the men were involved in Epstein's actions. Meanwhile, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer questions yesterday that were put to her by the house Oversight Committee. NPR's Claudia Grisales reports lawmakers wanted to question her about her role with Jeffrey Epstein.

[Claudia Grisales]

Maxwell appeared before the congressional committee via video link from her prison facility and followed her attorney's directive to decline to answer lawmakers questions. In a statement following that appearance, her lawyer said she would be willing to answer questions in exchange for clemency from President Trump. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said Maxwell decision not to answer questions was a disappointment.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Claudia Grisales. A new report dismisses claims by President Trump of widespread non Citizen voting in U.S. elections. NPR's Miles Parks has this report.

[Miles Parks]

The nonpartisan center for Election innovation research, or CEIR, tracked data from all 50 states and found that allegations about non citizens voting arise from misunderstandings, mischaracterizations or outright fabrications about complex voter data. CEIR Executive Director David Becker so we have a very good sense of the depth of the problem. It is extremely rare that non citizens get registered and then it is infinitesimally rare that they vote in Iowa for instance, an exhaustive search there found 35 noncitizen votes in 2024 out of the state's 1.67 million cast. That's roughly.002%. Still, just last week, President Trump again falsely described the problem as widespread as he argued to, quote, nationalize the country's election systems. Miles Parks, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street and premarket trading, Dow futures are lower. This is npr. A group of Buddhist monks who are walking for peace have now crossed into Washington, D.C. their destination. The monks began their journey in Texas last October. Their silent walk of thousands of miles, accompanied by their rescue dog, has been closely followed on social media. They've been greeted by thousands of well wishers on their walk for peace. The monks plan to visit Washing National Cathedral today and the Lincoln Memorial tomorrow. New research suggests a little mental exercise can reduce the risk of dementia for at least 20 years. NPR's John Hamilton reports on a study in the Alzheimer's and Dementia Journal.

[John Hamilton]

The study used Medicare records to track more than 2,800 people who took part in a brain training experiment that started in 1998. Marilyn Albert of Johns Hopkins University says participants who did something called cognitive speed training were about 25% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.

[Marilyn Albert]

The fact that it's lasted and had an impact over 20 years is astonishing.

[John Hamilton]

The people who got long term protection completed about 10 hours of speed training, then got booster sessions many months later. Speed training is designed to help people acquire automatic skills like riding a bike. John Hamilton, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

At the Winter Olympic Games, the US has taken a medal in the men's cross country ski racing for the first time in 50 years. Ben Ogden of Vermont won a silver medal in today's event. Competitors from Norway clinched both the gold and the bronze medals. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[NPR News Sponsor Announcer]

Listen to this Podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.