Summary of NPR News: 02-09-2026 11AM EST

Overview of NPR News: 02-09-2026 11AM EST

This hour of NPR News, hosted by Korva Coleman, covered breaking political fallout related to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in the U.K. and a U.S. congressional appearance by Ghislaine Maxwell; an ongoing missing-person investigation in Arizona; a controversy over using AI “avatars” in health care proposed by the head of Medicare and Medicaid; market and consumer updates; and international and sports headlines. Reporters include Lauren Frayer (London), Bill Chappell, Windsor Johnston, and others.

Top stories — concise summaries

• Ghislaine Maxwell appears virtually before House Oversight Committee

  • Committee chair James Comer said Maxwell appeared virtually but formally refused to answer questions about her role with Jeffrey Epstein.
  • The committee is continuing its oversight related to Epstein-linked matters.

• U.K. political crisis for Prime Minister Keir Starmer

  • Starmer faces calls to resign after revelations that his chief of staff recommended Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington; his chief of staff and communications chief have resigned.
  • Starmer has apologized to Epstein’s victims and said he regrets the decision.
  • Royal family concern: Prince William and Princess Catherine (Kate) are reported to be “deeply concerned” about the latest Epstein files. Separately, Prince Andrew—no longer styled as a prince because of his Epstein ties—is alleged to have passed confidential trade information to Epstein.

• Tucson, Arizona: ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie

  • The family of NBC host Savannah Guthrie says Nancy Guthrie (Savannah’s mother) was abducted from her home in Tucson; the family released a video and offered to pay for her return.
  • Pima County Sheriff’s Office reports continued activity at the home but says there are no identified suspects, people of interest, or connected vehicles so far.

• Dr. Mehmet Oz proposes AI “avatars” to expand care; sparks backlash

  • At a health forum, the head of Medicare and Medicaid advocated using AI-generated doctor “avatars” to increase access in underserved areas.
  • Critics warn this risks treating rural and vulnerable populations as “laboratories” or “guinea pigs”; some people mocked replacing human caregivers with animations.
  • Supporters note AI can be a useful tool and is already used in many clinical settings.

• Market snapshot

  • Stocks were up in midday trading; the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose roughly 50–60 points during the hour.

• International and other headlines

  • Iran: Nobel laureate Narges (Nargis) Mohammadi has reportedly been sentenced to an additional seven years in prison.
  • Sports: Legendary U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn (reported as Lindsay Vaughn in raw transcript) crashed early in an Olympic downhill, was flown off the mountain, and is in stable condition in an Italian hospital after surgery for a fractured left leg.
  • Consumer trend: LendingTree survey finds Americans plan to spend about $130 for Valentine’s Day (nearly $50 less than last year). Jewelry prices tracked up ~8%, chocolates up ~12%. 72% said they’d be upset if a partner used credit card debt to pay for the holiday.

Notable quotes and soundbites

• James Comer (House Oversight): Maxwell “appeared virtually” but refused to answer questions about her criminal role (paraphrase of committee chair’s statement).
• Carrie Henning (University of Minnesota health researcher): “I don't like the idea of rural populations being treated as guinea pigs. We're seeing rural places as the laboratories for that.”
• Keir Starmer: has expressed regret and apologized to Epstein victims (paraphrase of his response to the controversy).

Key takeaways and implications

• Political risk for the U.K. government is immediate and tangible: the Epstein-related appointments are prompting resignations and cross-party calls for accountability; expect continued fallout for Starmer’s leadership.
• U.S. congressional interest continues in Epstein-related figures; Maxwell’s refusal to answer may prolong investigations or hearings.
• The debate over AI in health care is intensifying: proposals to deploy AI “avatars” in underserved areas raise ethical concerns about equity and consent, even as proponents point to scalability benefits.
• The Nancy Guthrie case remains active but without clear leads; law enforcement activity continues around the home.
• Consumer spending appears to be moderating for Valentine’s Day amid rising prices for select gift categories and concerns about using credit.

What to watch next

• Further developments from the House Oversight Committee regarding Maxwell and any follow-up testimony or enforcement actions.
• Political consequences in the U.K.: whether calls for Starmer’s resignation grow and how the government manages further disclosures.
• Updates from Pima County on Nancy Guthrie’s case—any identification of suspects or new evidence.
• Responses and policy discussions around using AI avatars for Medicare/Medicaid populations; any pilot programs or guidance from CMS.
• Medical updates on Lindsey Vonn’s condition and recovery timeline.
• Market movement and additional consumer surveys ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Sources and reporters mentioned

• Korva Coleman (host)
• Lauren Frayer — NPR London (Epstein/UK coverage)
• Bill Chappell — NPR (Nancy Guthrie report)
• Windsor Johnston — NPR (AI/health care report)
• LendingTree survey analysts, including Matt Schulz (chief consumer finance analyst)

(Transcript included sponsor message from Capital One at the top of the broadcast.)