NPR News Now: 02-11-2026 11AM EST – Episode Summary

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode, anchored by Korva Coleman, provides a concise five-minute roundup of the top stories as of 11AM EST on February 11, 2026. It covers international incidents, U.S. political developments, crime news, economic updates, and Olympic highlights, blending urgent updates with expert analysis and on-location reporting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FAA Airspace Shutdown over El Paso (00:15)

• Event: Sudden overnight closure of airspace around El Paso, Texas by the FAA.
• Reason: Security threat due to a "cartel drone incursion" (as cited by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy).
• Resolution: Threat neutralized, airspace reopened ahead of the planned 10-day closure.

Notable Insight

• Heightened concern over drones being used for cartel activities and swift federal response.

2. Congressional Hearing: Attorney General Pam Bondi Testimony (00:32)

• Event: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appears before the House Judiciary Committee.
• Focus: Her critique of federal judges she says obstruct President Trump’s work.
• Anticipated Questioning: Expected to face inquiries about her agency's mishandling (“bungled release”) of Jeffrey Epstein case files.

Memorable Quote

• Pam Bondi [00:50]:
  “America has never seen this level of coordinated judicial opposition towards a presidential administration. It is not only an unlawful attack on the executive branch's authority, but a serious attack on the democratic process.”

3. White House Meeting: U.S. and Israeli Leadership (01:10)

• Event: President Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
• Agenda: Iran’s nuclear program, Iran-U.S. talks, and Israeli security concerns.
• Expert Analysis:
  • Matthew Kroenig [01:33]: Notes Trump’s negotiation style—"swinging from threatening strikes to making a deal".
  • Unnamed Political Analyst [01:48]: Netanyahu fears Trump might “agree to terms that harm Israel's security” in his pursuit of a deal.
  • Kroenig [02:03]: Netanyahu wants more than just a nuclear deal—demands limits on Iranian ballistic missiles and end to proxy support.

4. Canadian Tragedy: School and Home Shooting (02:19)

• Event: Mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia; at least nine dead, over two dozen injured.
• Locations: Victims found at local secondary school and a private residence.
• Status: Shooter, a female, found dead inside the school.
• Local Official:
  • Ken Floyd, RCMP Superintendent [02:53]:
    “I think we will struggle to determine the why, but we're going to try and do our best to determine what transpired that day and what led up to this tragic event.”

5. Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie (03:11)

• Event: Person detained and then reportedly released in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie.
• Update: FBI releases photos and video of a masked, apparently armed individual near Nancy Guthrie’s home.

6. U.S. Economic Update (03:33)

• Jobs Report: 130,000 new jobs added last month—exceeding analyst expectations.
• Unemployment: Down by 0.1%, to a rate of 4.3%.

7. Olympic Highlight: U.S. Skiing Silver in Men’s Super-G (04:08)

• Athlete: Ryan Cochran-Siegle wins his second straight Olympic silver medal in Super-G.
• Background:
  • First U.S. men’s alpine medal this Olympics.
  • Cochran-Siegle’s mother, Barbara Cochran, was a 1972 Olympic gold medalist.
• Other medals: Swiss skiers Franja Phenalman (gold) and Marco Odermat (bronze).
• Women’s Preview: U.S. lacking contenders after Lindsey Vonn’s catastrophic crash, leaving Italy’s Sofia Goggia and New Zealand’s Alice Rob in as the top hopefuls.

Notable Reporting

• Becky Sullivan [04:08]:
  “The U.S. alpine Ski Team has been a force at the Olympics, but this is the first medal for the men.”

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Pam Bondi [00:50]:

  “It is not only an unlawful attack on the executive branch's authority, but a serious attack on the democratic process.”

• Matthew Kroenig [01:33]:

  “President Trump has repeatedly swung from threatening strikes to making a deal.”

• Unnamed Analyst [01:48]:

  “Netanyahu is worried that maybe in that rush for a deal... the president will agree to terms that harm Israel’s security.”

• Ken Floyd [02:53]:

  “I think we will struggle to determine the why...”

• Becky Sullivan [04:08]:

  “This is the first medal for the men. 33 year old Cochran Siegel comes from a family of Olympians, including his mom, Barbara Cochran, who won gold in the 1972 slalom race.”

Timestamps & Segment Guide

• 00:15 — FAA closes and reopens El Paso, TX airspace (cartel drone)
• 00:32 — Pam Bondi House testimony (judicial opposition, Epstein files)
• 01:10 — Trump-Netanyahu White House meeting; Iran negotiations analysis
• 02:19 — Tumbler Ridge, BC school/home shooting (9 dead)
• 03:11 — Nancy Guthrie disappearance; FBI releases images
• 03:33 — U.S. job market and unemployment stats
• 04:08 — Olympic men’s Super-G, silver for Ryan Cochran-Siegle
• 04:51 — Recap and close

This episode swiftly delivers major headlines with expert context and on-the-ground perspectives, blending U.S. and global news in NPR’s trademark objective, informative style.