NPR News: 02-11-2026 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: 7AM EST, February 11, 2026

Host: Korva Coleman, NPR
Duration: ~5 minutes

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EPISODE OVERVIEW

This NPR News Now episode provides a concise yet comprehensive roundup of significant national and international news stories as of February 11, 2026. Coverage includes developments in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, Capitol Hill hearings on the Jeffrey Epstein case, Senate inquiries into Border Patrol use of force, a sudden FAA airspace closure in Texas, political tensions over the removal of the pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument, and the start of Olympic ice hockey in the men’s division.

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KEY STORIES & DISCUSSION POINTS

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1. Update in Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie

[00:18] - [01:01]

• Reporter: Alana Wise
• Authorities in Southern Arizona detained a person in connection with Nancy Guthrie's disappearance (mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie), during a traffic stop south of Tucson.
• Although some outlets report the person was released, NPR has not independently confirmed this.
• Eyewitness: The man seen leaving a courthouse told reporters he is not a suspect and hopes Guthrie is found safe.
• Notable procedures: The Pima County Sheriff's Department conducted a court-authorized search; FBI has released images and two short videos of a masked person outside Guthrie’s home, carrying a backpack and what looks like a holstered gun.

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2. Congressional Hearings: Epstein Files & Immigration Oversight

[01:01] - [02:29]

• Host: Korva Coleman

• U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on the release of Epstein-related documents. Lawmakers dispute redactions of names involved.

• Senate and House oversight continues regarding immigration enforcement, sparked by the killing of two Minneapolis protesters.

  Sen. Rand Paul’s View ([01:59])

  • “I think there needs to be some publicly announced rules and restrictions on what the proper use of force is.” – Sen. Rand Paul
  • Paul calls for public guidelines to restore trust in immigration agencies.

  Partisan Divide:

  • Republicans and Democrats remain far from agreement on border enforcement.
  • Imminent short-term DHS funding deadline, raising stakes for compromise.

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3. Federal Airspace Closures in El Paso, TX & Santa Teresa, NM

[02:29] - [03:12]

• Reporter: Aaron Montes (KTEP)

• FAA issued a 10-day flight restriction (no prior local/military notification) spanning 10 nautical miles radius, up to 18,000ft.

• Affects: Commercial, cargo, and general aviation.

• Reason cited: “Security,” but no details from the White House or Pentagon.

  • “No local officials were warned about the flight restriction ahead of time, including military leaders at Fort Bliss.” – Aaron Montes, El Paso [02:43]

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4. Diplomacy & LGBTQ Rights: Stonewall National Monument Flag Removal

[03:12] - [04:41]

• President Trump welcomes Israeli PM Netanyahu; Iran nuclear talks ongoing, with U.S. military escalation in the Middle East.

• The Trump administration has removed the pride flag from Stonewall National Monument, prompting outcry in NYC.

  Community Response ([03:47] - [04:06])

  • “It's not surprising. It's incredibly upsetting. And I'll say this, the LGBT community in New York City is not going to take it standing down.” – Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoyleman Siegel [03:55]
  • Plan to re-raise the flag by Thursday, in defiance of federal orders permitting only U.S., Department of the Interior, and POW flags.
  • “New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement and no act of erasure will ever change or silence that history.” – NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani (via social media, quoted by Catalina Canelo) [04:15]

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5. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Begins

[04:41] - [04:57]

• First games: Slovakia vs. Finland (today); U.S. faces Latvia tomorrow.
• Quick mention amidst heavier news.

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NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• Rand Paul on border enforcement:
  “I think there needs to be some publicly announced rules and restrictions on what the proper use of force is.” ([01:59])
• Brad Hoyleman Siegel on Stonewall flag removal:
  “It's not surprising. It's incredibly upsetting. And I'll say this, the LGBT community in New York City is not going to take it standing down.” ([03:55])
• NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s statement:
  “New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement and no act of erasure will ever change or silence that history.” ([04:15], via Catalina Canelo)

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TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• Nancy Guthrie investigation update: [00:18] – [01:01]
• Congressional hearings (Epstein, border enforcement): [01:01] – [02:29]
• El Paso airspace closure: [02:29] – [03:12]
• Stonewall Monument pride flag removal: [03:12] – [04:41]
• Olympic hockey coverage: [04:41] – [04:57]

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This episode keeps a brisk and information-dense pace, offering a snapshot of complex, unfolding news stories with firsthand statements and clear factual reporting—ideal for listeners seeking a comprehensive morning update.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Authorities in Southern Arizona detained a person for questioning yesterday in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie. But NPR's Alana Wise reports it appears that person has been release.

[Alana Wise]

The Pima County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday night it had detained the person during a traffic stop south of Tucson and was conducting a court authorized search related to the investigation. The sheriff's office hasn't commented since then. Other outlets have reported that the person was released. NPR has not independently confirmed this. A New York Times reporter posted video on social media of the man who was detained. He was speaking to reporters outside his home, saying he is not the suspect and he hopes Guthrie is found safe.

[Korva Coleman]

Yesterday, the FBI released images and two shorts videos of a person outside Nancy Guthrie's home. The person is wearing a mask, gloves and a backpack and carrying what appears to be a holstered gun. US Attorney General Pam Bondi will testify before the House Judiciary Committee today. She's expected to be questioned about the huge releases of documents about late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Some lawmakers say some names of men allegedly involved with Epstein are still being redacted. A Senate oversight committee will continue to question top immigration officials tomorrow. This follows the killing of two protesters in Minneapolis last month. NPR Sage Miller reports. The Republican chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee has questions.

[Sage Miller]

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul says the killing of Alex Preddy by Border Patrol agents shouldn't have happened, that immigration agents are using too much force and and that he plans to ask the head of ICE to get specific.

[Rand Paul]

I think there needs to be some publicly announced rules and restrictions on what the proper use of force is, paul.

[Sage Miller]

Says that could restore public trust in immigration agencies. Similar questioning this week on the House side made clear that Republicans and Democrats remain far apart on enforcement practices and time is running out to resolve their differences before short term funding for DHS runs out. Sage Miller, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The Federal Aviation Administration has suddenly closed airspace in El Paso, Texas, And Santa Teresa, N.M. from member station KTEP, Aaron Montes reports the closure will last for 10 days.

[Aaron Montes]

In a Reddit post, City Council Representative Chris Canales said no local officials were warned about the flight restriction ahead of time, including military leaders at Fort Bliss. And the FAA issued the notice with no announcement from the White House or Defense Department. According to the faa, the restriction was issued for security reasons and prohibits flights within 10 nautical miles and up to 18,000ft. The restriction includes commercial cargo and general aviation. I'm Aaron Montes in El Paso.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. President Trump is set to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House today. They're expected to talk about Iran. Trump has recently said good talks were happening with Iran over its nuclear program. But Trump has also sent a US Aircraft carrier and its strike group to the Middle East. The Trump administration has removed the pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument in Manhattan. From member station wnyc, Catalina Canelo reports on how New Yorkers are responding.

[Catalina Canelo]

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoyleman Siegel says it's an attempt by the Trump administration to erase and silence the the LGBTQ community.

[Brad Hoyleman Siegel]

It's not surprising. It's incredibly upsetting. And I'll say this, the LGBT community in New York City is not going to take it standing down.

[Catalina Canelo]

He says the flag will be raised again, possibly as soon as Thursday. That would be in defiance of a Trump administration memo to the National Park Service that led to its removal. It states only US Flags, Department of the Interior flags, and prisoners of war flags can be flown by the nps. New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani wrote on social media, New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement and no act of erasure will ever change or silence that history. For NPR News, I'm Catalina Gonela in New York.

[Korva Coleman]

The first men's Olympic ice hockey games start today. Slovakia will take on Finland. The U.S. men's ice hockey team will play its first game tomorrow. They'll meet Latvia. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News in Washington.

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