Apple News Today — Episode Summary

Episode: The measles is surging in the U.S. Here’s why — and where.
Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Cecilia Ley (in for Shamita Basu)

Overview

This episode of Apple News Today delves into a surge of measles cases across the U.S., explains why it's happening and where the epicenters are, and explores public health responses. Additionally, the episode covers a congressional hearing on immigration enforcement and ICE reforms, controversies surrounding Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s association with Jeffrey Epstein, an ongoing FBI elections investigation in Georgia, and an Olympic update featuring figure skater Ilya Malinin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Congressional Hearing on Immigration and ICE Reform

[00:05–06:40]

• Testimonies on Capitol Hill:
  • Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons faces questions regarding the deaths of two American citizens in Minneapolis and challenges from both Democrats and Republicans.
    • Rep. Eric Swalwell presses for accountability:

      “Will you apologize to the family of Renee Good for being called a domestic terrorist by the President and his leadership?” (C, 01:19)

    • Lyons declines to comment on ongoing investigations:

      “Sir, I welcome the opportunity to speak to the family in private, but I'm not going to comment on any active investigation.” (B, 01:29)

    • Lyons discusses hostile working conditions for ICE officers:

      “The families of … ICE personnel have been made to feel unsafe in their homes. I know this firsthand because my own family was targeted. ... You will fail. Despite these perils, our officers continue to execute their mission with unwavering resolve.” (B, 01:39)

  • ICE will not unmask agents, despite Democratic push and a recent federal judge blocking California’s mask ban for ICE agents.
  • Lyons commits to transparency, pledging to release relevant body camera footage and increase the number of officers equipped with body cams.

    “I fully welcome body cameras all across the spectrum in all of our law enforcement activities. ... The footage will be released.” (B, 02:21)

• Body Cameras & Roving Patrols:
  • Body cameras find bipartisan support.
  • Republican Rep. Michael McCaul suggests roving patrols should be situated at the border, not in U.S. cities.

    “I believe that these roving patrols should be done at the border rather than in the major cities…” (C, 02:54)

• Political Context:
  • With congressional budget negotiations pending, ICE reforms remain contentious.
  • Polling data indicates waning public support for ICE's aggressive tactics and Trump’s immigration policies.

    “A recent national NPR poll found that 65% of those surveyed said that ICE enforcement has gone too far.” (A, 04:27) “The president promised to bring border crossings down from the record levels seen under the Biden administration. ... migrant encounters at the US-Mexico border were now at their lowest levels in 50 years.” (A, 04:35)

• Community Reactions—Freud, Montana Spotlight:
  • Local tensions emerge over the case of Roberto Orozco Ramirez, a well-known resident facing deportation.

    “[Residents] understood Trump's immigration policy to be focused on deporting criminals ... not someone like their neighbor Roberto Orozco Ramirez, who is this beloved auto mechanic and member of the community.” (D, 06:01)

  • Residents organize legal support and voice difficulties seeing longstanding local families separated.

    “Very devastating, very sad watching my classmate's dad get pulled away from his family.” (D, 06:33)

2. Measles Outbreak: Scope, Causes, and Responses

[07:04–10:05]

• Surging Cases:
  • By early February, U.S. sees a third of last year’s total measles cases—on track to worsen 2025’s record.

    “We have already reached a third of the total cases that occurred in 2025... outbreaks are becoming more frequent and bigger.” (E, 07:04)

• Transmission Patterns:
  • Unlike prior years, spread now occurs predominantly between U.S. states, not via international travel.

    “In these new outbreaks, we're seeing spread from people … not necessarily from different countries but different states right here in the US.” (E, 07:34)

• Geographic Clusters:
  • Clusters strongest in the Northwest and Southeast, with South Carolina as epicenter (933 current cases, 235 quarantined as of report).
    • “South Carolina health officials are reporting 13 new measles cases. That brings the current total to 933.” (D, 07:55)
  • Outbreaks in other states and related high-profile public exposures, such as at Disneyland and a major rally.
• Drivers of Spread:
  • Outbreaks compounded by holiday travel and gatherings.

    “You had a lot of people in close quarters traveling across the country for the holidays ... that holiday travel got things completely out of control.” (E, 08:19)

• Public Health Response:
  • Vaccination rates jump in South Carolina amid crisis; authorities hope to sustain this trend nationwide.
• Expert Perspectives:
  • Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb warns that declines in toddler vaccination rates will exacerbate school-age outbreaks.

    “We're seeing vaccination rates decline among toddlers … as those toddlers age into school age settings, the scope of the measles outbreaks are going to continue to escalate.” (B, 09:13)

  • HHS Secretary RFK Jr. makes inconsistent statements, sometimes endorsing and sometimes casting doubt on the MMR vaccine.
  • Trump’s CDC chief Mehmet Oz gives a strong endorsement for vaccination:

    “Take the vaccine, please. … Measles is one. You should get your vaccine.” (F, 09:55)

• Losing Measles-Free Status:
  • The ongoing surge puts the U.S. at risk of losing its measles-free designation, achieved nearly 30 years ago.

3. Other Major Headlines

[10:05–11:50]

• Epstein Encounters & Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick:
  • Lutnick admits to having had lunch with Epstein in 2012, contradicting earlier statements.

    “I did have lunch with him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation ... we had lunch on the island, that is true for an hour.” (F, 10:44)

  • Senator Chris Van Hollen presses Lutnick about misleading statements:

    “It’s the fact that you believe that you misled the country and the Congress based on your earlier statements…” (C, 11:30)

  • Trump administration continues to voice support for Lutnick.
• FBI Investigation—Fulton County, Georgia:
  • Unsealed affidavit details FBI’s search of elections office tied to voter fraud conspiracy probes; no evidence of fraud found so far.
• Olympics Update:
  • Figure skater Ilya Malinin advances, leading after a triumphant performance and setting up potential for individual gold.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The families of ICE personnel have been made to feel unsafe in their homes. ... But let me send a message to anyone who thinks they can intimidate us. You will fail.” — Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons [01:39]
• “We have already reached a third of the total cases that occurred in 2025. So these outbreaks are becoming more frequent and bigger.” — Erika Edwards, NBC News health reporter [07:04]
• “Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for our problem. ... Measles is one. You should get your vaccine.” — CDC chief Mehmet Oz [09:55]
• “Very devastating, very sad watching my classmate's dad get pulled away from his family.” — Freud, Montana resident [06:33]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Congressional ICE hearing & controversy: 00:05–06:40
• Freud, Montana deportation case: 05:10–06:40
• Measles outbreak background & analysis: 07:04–10:05
• Epstein–Lutnick developments: 10:05–11:42
• Fulton County/FBI election probe: 11:42–11:50
• Olympics/Ilya Malinin update: 11:50–end

This summary captures the essential news and perspectives shared in the episode, with ample context, direct quotes, and clear attribution for key moments.