NPR News Now: 02-12-2026 11AM EST

Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Korva Coleman

Overview

This episode provides a concise, five-minute update on the latest U.S. news, focused on key political and policy developments involving the Trump administration, state governors, market updates, and notable events in sports and current affairs.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Drawdown of Federal Immigration Surge in Minnesota

[00:15–00:50]

• Tom Homan, President Trump’s border czar, announced a near-complete withdrawal of federal agents sent to Minnesota for the immigration surge, with only a small contingent remaining.
• Earlier in the month, a drawdown of 700 agents had already been outlined, suggesting this latest departure is an expected continuation.
• Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota highlights impacts, saying:

  “Recovery work starts today to address the immigration surge’s effect on people’s lives, schools, and the Minnesota economy.”
  (Paraphrased from [00:50])

• Insight: Local and federal cooperation has been a sticking point, influencing the timing and scale of the agent withdrawal.

2. Trump Administration EPA Rollback and Coal Power Directive

[00:50–02:17]

• President Trump is moving to revoke a key scientific basis permitting the EPA to regulate fossil fuel usage via the Clean Air Act, arguing it no longer applies.
• He directs the Pentagon to shift military electricity purchases toward coal-powered plants, aiming to buttress the struggling coal industry.
• Coverage of a White House event (attended by coal executives and miners), where the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says:

  “We’re going to be buying a lot of coal through the military now, and it’s going to be less expensive and actually much more effective than what we have been using for many, many years.”
  — Pete Hegseth [01:49]

• Context: Last year, $625 million was pledged for modernizing power plants and opening additional federal land for coal mining.

3. Governors Invited to White House Meeting

[02:17–03:07]

• The National Governors Association announces all 55 governors are now invited to the annual White House event with President Trump.
• Initially, the administration excluded Democratic governors, leading the association to remove the meeting from its agenda.
• After discussions between Trump and association chair Kevin Stitt (Governor of Oklahoma), the invitation was expanded.
• Insight: The move, typically bipartisan, became briefly contentious—a rare moment of open partisanship in a tradition of unity.

4. Other Headlines

[03:07–04:49]

• Stock Market Update:
  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average dips by over 80 points.
• El Paso Airspace Incident:
  • Conflicting explanations over why the airspace closed: official version blames a cartel drone incursion, but NPR reports CBP shot down a Mylar party balloon with a laser.
• Nancy Guthrie Missing:
  • Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, remains missing (over 1.5 weeks) after a presumed abduction at the Winter Olympic Games in Italy.
• Winter Olympics Hockey Preview:
  • The U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team makes its Olympic debut tonight, competing against Latvia.
  • NHL players return to the Games for the first time in 12 years.
  • Auston Matthews, U.S. team captain, shares his expectations:

    “I think all of us feel the same way. I mean, I think we feel like we're up there and we should be competing for gold. You want to be obviously the best country in the world.”
    — Auston Matthews [04:24]

  • U.S. and Canada are tournament favorites; U.S. women’s team remains undefeated after four games.

Notable Quotes

• Pete Hegseth (Defense Secretary):

  "We’re going to be buying a lot of coal through the military now, and it’s going to be less expensive and actually much more effective than what we have been using for many, many years."
  [01:49]

• Auston Matthews (U.S. Hockey Captain):

  "I think all of us feel the same way. I mean, I think we feel like we're up there and we should be competing for gold. You want to be obviously the best country in the world."
  [04:24]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Federal Immigration Drawdown in Minnesota: 00:15–00:50
• Trump EPA & Coal Power Policy: 00:50–02:17
• Governors White House Meeting Controversy: 02:17–03:07
• Market, Airspace, Missing Person, Olympics: 03:07–04:49

This NPR News Now episode offers a rapid yet thorough snapshot of significant policy moves, political maneuvers, and major news stories at the start of 2026, with firsthand statements from high-profile officials underscoring the major themes.