Overview of NPR News: 02-09-2026 8AM EST
This edition of NPR News covers developments in high‑profile legal and political stories, a federal court order related to the 2020 election records, an urgent federal funding deadline for Homeland Security, local fallout from federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, several sports news items (including a ski crash and an NFL rematch), and culture coverage from the Super Bowl halftime and counterprogramming.
Top stories (headlines)
- Ghislaine Maxwell to give a private, virtual deposition to the House Oversight Committee; she is expected to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights.
- A federal judge ordered the FBI to release a redacted affidavit used when it seized 2020 election-related materials from Fulton County; the FBI must publish it by Tuesday.
- Department of Homeland Security faces a funding deadline at the end of the week; failure to agree could cause a partial government shutdown.
- Minneapolis reports ongoing protests and business losses tied to federal immigration enforcement operations; local leaders and businesses voice concerns.
- Olympic ski star Lindsey Vonn suffered a leg fracture in a crash at an alpine downhill event in Italy and is in stable condition after surgery.
- Seattle fans celebrated a 29–13 win over the New England Patriots in a rematch; fans poured into downtown to welcome the team.
- Bad Bunny headlined the Super Bowl halftime show; conservative Turning Point USA staged a competing event headlined by Kid Rock and country artists — NPR noted criticisms that labeled Bad Bunny (who performs in Spanish) as a “foreigner” were incorrect, since Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.
Expanded details
Ghislaine Maxwell deposition
- Maxwell, serving a 20‑year sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, is scheduled to answer questions in a virtual, private deposition to the House Oversight Committee.
- Republicans seek answers about Epstein, his crimes, and associates they say include politicians, entrepreneurs, academics and entertainers — President Trump is among those named by committee members.
- Lawmakers want the names of 25 men Maxwell alleges entered into secret settlements and were not part of the Epstein probe.
- Maxwell is widely expected to assert her Fifth Amendment right against self‑incrimination and may decline to answer substantive questions.
FBI seizure of Fulton County election materials
- A federal judge ordered the FBI to make public a redacted copy of the affidavit it used to seize election material from Fulton County elections offices; the FBI has until Tuesday to comply.
- More than 650 boxes of election material were removed on January 28 with limited public explanation.
- Fulton County (Atlanta) has been central to numerous conspiracy claims about the 2020 election; NPR reiterated that there is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 race.
DHS funding deadline and Minneapolis enforcement fallout
- Funding for the Department of Homeland Security runs out at the end of the week unless Congress passes new legislation, raising the prospect of a partial government shutdown.
- Negotiations are focused in part on rules governing federal immigration agents; talks show little progress.
- The funding and negotiation context follows tensions in Minneapolis tied to federal immigration enforcement; the broadcast reported clashes that included the deaths of two protesters during operations (as reported in the segment).
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the federal operation is costing local businesses — reporting described steep weekly losses (the report cited roughly $2 million per week).
- Business owners, including Andrea Corbin, say the crackdown is hurting both small and large employers as workers fear coming to work and corporations cancel events.
- President Trump blamed Democrats and state/local officials for the protests.
Sports & culture
- Lindsey Vonn crashed early in an alpine downhill event in Italy, sustained a fracture to her left leg, was flown off the mountain, underwent surgery, and is in stable condition.
- The Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29–13 in a rematch that triggered large fan celebrations and street parties in downtown Seattle.
- The Super Bowl halftime show was headlined by Bad Bunny (a Puerto Rican artist performing primarily in Spanish). Turning Point USA staged a competing conservative show featuring Kid Rock and country musicians; some conservative critics wrongly labeled Bad Bunny as a foreigner — NPR emphasized that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.
Notable quotes and soundbites
- Seahawks fan Greg Sifferman: “Absolute perfect ending to get it against New England and set everything right.”
- Minneapolis business owner Andrea Corbin: “It’s not just employees that are afraid to come to work. It’s corporations… that have booked events here are canceling.”
Key takeaways
- The Maxwell deposition could be limited in usefulness if she invokes the Fifth, but Republicans continue to pursue names and details related to Epstein’s network.
- The court‑ordered release of the FBI affidavit is a significant transparency development in the ongoing scrutiny over seized 2020 election materials from Fulton County.
- DHS funding and immigration‑enforcement policy remain unresolved and could trigger a partial shutdown; enforcement operations in Minneapolis are having measurable economic and civic impacts.
- Sports and culture coverage highlights both major athletic incidents (Lindsey Vonn’s crash) and the political/cultural divides reflected in Super Bowl programming and reactions.
Sponsors (messages read in broadcast)
- Charles Schwab: wealth management and trading platforms.
- Indeed: sponsored job credit promotion.