NPR News Now – February 12, 2026, 11PM EST

Host: Giles Snyder (NPR)
Date: February 13, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode offers key updates on significant national and international events, delivered in NPR’s signature balanced and brisk reporting style. Major topics include a drastic policy reversal on federal climate change regulation, the end of a sweeping immigration crackdown in Minnesota, Olympic news from Milan, Bangladesh’s political upheaval, an ongoing investigation in Arizona, and a country music chart milestone.

Key News Segments

1. Trump Administration Repeals Climate Change Regulations

[00:15–01:13]

• The Trump administration announces a repeal of all federal actions founded on the 2009 EPA “endangerment finding” that classified greenhouse gases as harmful to public health.
  • Reporter: Jeff Brady (NPR)
  • Darren Bakst (Competitive Enterprise Institute):

    “It is basically an excuse to regulate the economy and to reshape entire industries.” [00:44]

  • Jody Freeman (Harvard Law Professor):

    “It really neutralizes the Clean Air act as a powerful tool. And now you're left with needing new legislation from Congress.” [01:00]

• Potential legal battles are anticipated, culminating in the Supreme Court.
• Past efforts to pass ambitious climate legislation through Congress have failed.

2. Minnesota Immigration Crackdown Ends

[01:13–02:12]

• The intense immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota concludes, moving the state into a “recovery phase.”
  • Governor Tim Walz:

    “This is something that I don't think any state has ever experienced. And through that entire time, the dignity, the compassion, the love, the care and the absolute determination to do what was right never wavered amongst Minnesotans.” [01:40]

  • The state will provide financial assistance to impacted small business owners.
  • Governor Walz also called on federal lawmakers for broader recovery funds.

3. Washington D.C. Standoff Over DHS Funding and Immigration

[02:12–02:36]

• The conclusion of Minnesota’s crackdown comes as Congress debates Homeland Security funding, set to expire imminently.
  • Democrats are pushing for limits on immigration enforcement.

4. Chloe Kim’s Olympic Run Ends in Silver

[02:36–03:13]

• Chloe Kim, a dominant U.S. halfpipe snowboarder, finishes second, just missing an Olympic gold “three-peat.”
  • Reporter: Rachel Treisman (NPR)
  • 17-year-old GA Eun Choi of Korea wins gold, being the same age Kim was when she first won in 2018.
  • Kim embraces Choi at the finish line; Kim says:

    “She's honored to have inspired the next generation.” [03:09]

  • Memorable for showcasing sportsmanship and generational transition.

5. Election Outcome Unfolds in Bangladesh

[03:13–03:55]

• The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) claims victory in the first parliamentary election since the 2024 uprising that unseated PM Sheikh Hasina.
  • Final results pending, but BNP claims a parliamentary majority.
  • Notably, BNP had boycotted prior elections and cites past repression.

6. Arizona Police Seek Clues in Disappearance Case

[03:55–04:09]

• Investigators near Tucson appeal for home surveillance video in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
  • Requests extend to residents within a two-mile radius for footage from the month before her disappearance.

7. Ella Langley Makes Country Music History

[04:09–04:52]

• Reporter: Stephen Thompson (NPR)
• Newcomer Ella Langley’s single “Choose in Texas” achieves a historic triple: #1 on the Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts.
  • Stephen Thompson:

    “She’s the first woman ever to pull off that trifecta.” [04:50]

  • Langley's success stands out among many Grammy-performing artists.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Darren Bakst (Competitive Enterprise Institute):

  “It is basically an excuse to regulate the economy and to reshape entire industries.” [00:44]

• Jody Freeman (Harvard Law):

  “It really neutralizes the Clean Air act as a powerful tool. And now you’re left with needing new legislation from Congress.” [01:00]

• Governor Tim Walz (Minnesota):

  “The dignity, the compassion, the love, the care and the absolute determination to do what was right never wavered amongst Minnesotans.” [01:40]

• Stephen Thompson (NPR):

  “She’s the first woman ever to pull off that trifecta.” [04:50]

Segment Timestamps

• [00:15–01:13] — Federal climate change actions repealed and legal/political implications
• [01:13–02:12] — Minnesota ends immigration enforcement surge and plans recovery
• [02:12–02:36] — Broader federal funding and immigration policy debate
• [02:36–03:13] — Chloe Kim's Olympic silver, GA Eun Choi's gold
• [03:13–03:55] — Bangladesh parliamentary election post-uprising
• [03:55–04:09] — Arizona missing persons case update
• [04:09–04:52] — Ella Langley’s country music milestone

This snapshot gives listeners a thorough, succinct overview of pressing U.S. and global headlines, notable achievements, and breaking updates—all captured in NPR's trusted, straightforward manner.