Google Now Launcher - Won't Load Now Screen

I know it was mentioned that in some of the more recent OS releases that the Now launcher may be "going away" (if memory serves). I've noticed over the past couple of days that when I try to pull over the Now screen from the left, it won't load. Don't get the message saying it can't be reached or anything, it just is blank and if I pull down to refresh, it just spins and never loads anything. I have a Now widget on my main home screen and it seems to show accurate info from Now cards, yet tapping the widget just takes me to the Now screen that is blank. I'm in the beta program still (last I knew at least) and I'm on 7.1.1 build N4F26O. Anyone else experiencing anything like this?