NPR News Now — February 11, 2026, 3AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of top U.S. and international news stories, with reports on high-profile legal actions, a tragic school shooting in Canada, ongoing geopolitical conflict in Ukraine, developments in LGBTQ+ rights, environmental policy shifts in the U.S., and a regulatory setback for Moderna’s new flu vaccine.

1. FBI Search of Georgia Election Warehouse

[00:16–01:09]

• Key Points:

  • A legal affidavit explaining an FBI search of a Georgia ballot storage warehouse was unsealed.
  • The FBI seized “2020 ballots, tabulator tapes and ballot images from a recount.”
  • The unsealing follows a lawsuit by Fulton County’s Commission Chairman Rob Pitts, who alleges political motivation behind the search.
  • Georgia’s Secretary of State issued a statement affirming election safety and urging the public to “move on from past elections.”
  • The location of the seized materials remains undisclosed.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Sarah Kalis: “The FBI took 2020 ballots, tabulator tapes, and ballot images from a recount from the warehouse.” [00:29]
  • Giles Snyder (commentary): “Here we go again on a merry go round.” [00:51]
  • Sarah Kalis: “Georgia’s Republican secretary of state released a statement saying the state's elections are safe and it’s time to move on from past elections.” [00:54]

2. Mass Shooting at Canadian School

[01:09–01:40]

• Key Points:

  • A mass shooting occurred at a school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
  • Seven people, including the suspect, were found dead at the school.
  • Two additional deaths at a separate home are believed connected.
  • Over 25 people were injured; two have life-threatening injuries.
  • The motive remains unknown, with investigators unable to “understand why or what may have led” to the incident.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Ken Floyd (Royal Canadian Mounted Police): “As part of the initial response, officers entered the school to locate the source of the threat. During their search, police located multiple victims. The individual believed to be the shooter was also found deceased from what appears to be a self-inflicted injury.” [01:25]

3. Detainment in Disappearance of TV Host’s Mother

[01:40–02:02]

• Key Points:
  • Authorities in Arizona detained a person for questioning regarding the disappearance of “Today Show” host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie.
  • The person was detained during a traffic stop, following FBI release of images showing a masked individual on the victim’s porch.

4. Ukraine’s Strike on Russian Military Facility

[02:02–03:13]

• Key Points:

  • Ukraine claims a successful strike on a Russian drone storage warehouse in Rostov-on-Don.
  • 6,000 Russian FPV (first-person view) drones reportedly destroyed.
  • Drones are central to the current fighting; advances include fiber-optic controls to resist jamming.
  • The front line is described as a “kill zone,” with extensive casualties—Ukraine claims more Russian soldiers killed in January than Russia was able to recruit.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Eleanor Beardsley: “Drones are the key weapon in this war and can fly much farther with fiber optic cables that keep them from being jammed. They're guided by operators miles from the front.” [02:44]
  • Eleanor Beardsley: “Ukraine says it killed more soldiers in January than the Russian army recruited for the month. 22,000 Russian soldiers were recruited. Ukraine says more than 30,000 were killed in verifiable drone attacks captured on video.” [03:04]

5. Removal of Rainbow Flag at Stonewall National Monument

[03:13–03:54]

• Key Points:
  • The National Park Service removed the rainbow flag from New York City’s Stonewall National Monument, citing updated flag policies.
  • Local officials claim the move is part of President Trump’s efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights.
  • NYC Mayor Zran Mobdani condemned the removal as “an act of erasure.”

6. Trump Administration to End EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulation Authority

[03:54–04:36]

• Key Points:

  • The Trump administration will rescind the 2009 “endangerment finding,” which allows the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases.
  • This move would dismantle the foundation for federal climate regulations on vehicles, power plants, and the oil and gas industry.
  • Environmental advocates vow legal action.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Trump Press Secretary Caroline Levitt: “This will be the largest deregulatory action in American history.” [04:07]
  • Abigail Dillon (Earth Justice): “And we will see this administration in court to ensure that our government does its job to protect us.” [04:24]

7. FDA Rejects Moderna’s New mRNA Flu Vaccine Application

[04:36–04:55]

• Key Points:
  • The FDA refused to consider Moderna’s application for a new mRNA-based flu vaccine.
  • Moderna has requested an urgent meeting with the FDA to address the refusal.

End of episode content.