NPR News Now – February 11, 2026, 2PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh (NPR)
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise news update delivers the latest national and international stories, focusing on urgent security developments in El Paso, political fallout from a rejected Senate indictment, escalating violence in Ukraine, public health concerns over ultra-processed baby food, potential breakthroughs in making cottonseed safe for consumption, and a quick financial market snapshot.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. FAA Reopens El Paso Airspace After Drone Incident

[00:16 – 01:17]

• The FAA shut down airspace over El Paso overnight due to “special security reasons,” specifically involving drones.
• Initially, a 10-day closure was announced, but restrictions were lifted within hours, as there was “no threat to commercial aviation.”
• Dispute over Details:
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the US Military responded to a “drone incursion” by a Mexican drug cartel.
  • A Capitol Hill source claimed the Defense Department activated counter-drone technology before the FAA completed its safety review.
  • El Paso’s mayor described “chaos on the ground” due to the sudden closure.

“The FAA abruptly shut down the airspace around El Paso late last night for, quote, special security reasons... The mayor of El Paso says the result was chaos on the ground.”
— Joel Rose, NPR News [00:34]

2. Grand Jury Rejects Federal Indictment of Democratic Senators over Military Advice Video

[01:17 – 01:55]

• A grand jury in Washington, D.C., declined to indict a group of Democratic senators for their involvement in a video advising US military members not to follow unlawful orders.
• Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona was among the lawmakers targeted by prosecutors.
• The incident provoked a severe reaction from President Trump, labeling the senators’ actions “treasonous.”

“Federal prosecutors went to a grand jury to seek criminal charges against members of the United States Senate for something we said. They tried to have us charged and thrown into jail because we said something that they didn’t like.”
— Senator Mark Kelly [01:31]

• Senator Alissa Slotkin of Michigan and others also participated in the video.

3. Russian Drone Attacks Intensify in Ukraine Amid Peace Talks

[01:55 – 03:09]

• Ukraine intercepted 112 drones, but at least 15 got through, causing significant civilian casualties.
• A Russian strike in Kharkiv Oblast killed a father and his three young children; their pregnant mother was injured.
• These assaults coincide with new trilateral diplomatic efforts among Ukraine, the US, and Russia.

“Each Russian strike, quote, undermines trust in everything being done diplomatically to end this war and proves that only strong press, Russia and clear security guarantees for Ukraine can stop the killings. He said nothing else works.”
— Reporting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s comments, Eleanor Beardsley [02:33]

4. Study Warns: Most Baby Foods Are Ultra-Processed

[03:09 – 04:00]

• 71% of tested commercial baby foods are classified as ultra-processed (UPFs), containing high levels of sugars, salt, and additives (e.g., flavor enhancers, thickeners).
• Mounting research ties such additives to gut health disruptions, inflammation, and illness.
• The study is published in the journal Nutrients.

5. Breakthrough in Making Cottonseed Safe for Food Use

[04:00 – 04:43]

• Professor Kirti Rethor (Texas A&M University) has developed a method to reduce toxins in cottonseed, potentially unlocking a new protein source for animals and people.
• Despite the scientific breakthrough, Rethor has not secured commercial interest due to company concerns over profitability.
• He is now giving seeds to cotton-growing countries—starting with Uzbekistan—to demonstrate viability.

“And if you could utilize that protein directly for human nutrition, you could meet the basic protein requirements of 500 million people. That’s a lot of protein.”
— Prof. Kirti Rethor [04:11]

6. Financial Markets Update

[04:43 – 04:55]

• Dow Jones: Down 94 points at 50,093.
• S&P 500: Up 5 points.
• Nasdaq: Down 13 points.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Joel Rose on El Paso chaos:
  “The mayor of El Paso says the result was chaos on the ground.” [00:34]
• Senator Mark Kelly on prosecutorial overreach:
  “They tried to have us charged and thrown into jail because we said something that they didn’t like.” [01:31]
• President Zelenskyy (via Eleanor Beardsley) on war diplomacy:
  “Only strong press, Russia and clear security guarantees for Ukraine can stop the killings. He said nothing else works.” [02:33]
• Prof. Kirti Rethor on global nutrition:
  “You could meet the basic protein requirements of 500 million people. That’s a lot of protein.” [04:11]

Timestamps Summary

• 00:16 — FAA closes, then reopens El Paso airspace (Joel Rose)
• 01:17 — Senate indictment rejected; video controversy (Sen. Mark Kelly)
• 01:55 — Ukraine drone attacks and diplomatic update (Eleanor Beardsley)
• 03:09 — Ultra-processed baby foods study
• 04:00 — Cottonseed toxicity breakthrough (Michael Marks)
• 04:43 — Market update

This episode offers a brisk, informative cross-section of emerging U.S. and world news, highlighting key political, scientific, and humanitarian developments.