NPR News Now – February 12, 2026, 2PM EST

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise, five-minute update on the most pivotal developments as of early afternoon, February 12, 2026. Key stories include the wrap-up of immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota, debates in Congress over DOJ surveillance regarding Jeffrey Epstein files, shifting US leadership in NATO, a US Navy ship collision, and trends in the US housing market. The episode features field reports, congressional soundbites, and context on breaking news, with factual, measured reporting characteristic of NPR.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. End of Federal Immigration Enforcement Surge in Minnesota

(00:25–01:24)

• White House border czar Tom Homan announced that the aggressive two-month enforcement surge in Minnesota is winding down, with agents already starting to leave and a continued drawdown over the next week.
• Results: The operation led to more than 4,000 arrests.
• Quote:
  • Tom Homan:

    "I’m very pleased to report that this surge operation and our work here with state and local officials to improve coordination and achieve mutual goals, as well as our efforts to address issues of a concern here on the ground, have yielded the successful results we have came here for." (00:49)

• A "small footprint" of personnel will remain in Minnesota for ongoing enforcement.
• Community impact: Local leaders cite beginning of a "hard recovery" from the operation's fallout—community distrust and economic consequences.

2. Public Opinion and Community Response to Immigration Enforcement

(01:24–02:07)

• Polling: Majority of Americans support deportation for undocumented immigrants.
• Democratic Governor Tim Waltz: Warns of "long lasting trauma" for communities affected by raids, protests, and deadly encounters with federal agents.

3. Congressional Scrutiny of DOJ Surveillance & Epstein Files

(02:07–02:48, 04:42)

• Correction: The episode later clarifies a reporting error: the officials involved are US Representatives, not Senators.
• Context: Lawmakers are examining unredacted Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Surveillance concerns: Representatives were monitored closely by the DOJ while reviewing the documents.
• Notable quotes:
  • Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC):

    "There is someone or two people from the DOJ monitoring you as you sit on those computers. There is a tech person who logs you into the computer...they’re tracking all of the documents that members of Congress open, and they’re tracking everything that you do in that room." (02:07)

  • Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA):

    "I think she probably opened it up to us on Monday, two days before the hearing, so she could see what we were going to search and ask her about." (02:38)

    • (referencing Attorney General Pam Bondi's intentions in providing access shortly before testimony)

4. NATO Developments and US Military Positioning

(02:48–03:22)

• US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is notably absent from NATO meetings in Brussels, signaling a potential US pullback from alliance leadership.
• UK’s increased commitment to Ukraine:
  • UK joins NATO’s "arms buying scheme" for Ukraine, sending $680 million in air defense, including 1,000 missiles.
  • UK Defense Secretary John Healy describes this as building a "new deal for European security within NATO."

5. US Naval Accident

(03:22–03:59)

• Incident: Two US vessels—a Navy destroyer and a supply ship—collided in the Caribbean, resulting in two minor injuries.
• Details: Cause of collision under investigation.

6. Housing Market Update

(03:59–04:42)

• Existing home sales: Fell nearly 8.5% from December to January, erasing recent signs of market improvement.
• Factors: Includes harsh winter weather, economic pessimism, and elevated mortgage rates.
• Quote:
  • NPR's Stephen Basaha:

    "The median sales price was about $397,000, up just a bit less than a percent compared with a year ago...The good news is wages have grown faster, and the national association of Realtors says housing affordability is the best it’s been in about four years. But homeowners and will be buyers are not looking back four years, but five. Back when mortgage rates were half what they are today." (04:11)

• Buyer sentiment: Homeowners are reluctant to move and give up lower mortgage rates from five years ago; affordability has improved relative to recent years but not compared to five-year benchmarks.

7. Financial Markets Update

(04:42–05:04)

• US stocks: Dow down by 514 points at the hour’s close.

Notable Quotes

• Tom Homan:

  "I’m very pleased to report that this surge operation... have yielded the successful results we have came here for." (00:49)

• Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC):

  "They’re tracking all of the documents that members of Congress open, and they’re tracking everything that you do in that room." (02:07)

• Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA):

  "I think she probably opened it up to us on Monday, two days before the hearing, so she could see what we were going to search and ask her about." (02:38)

• Stephen Basaha, NPR:

  "The median sales price was about $397,000...But homeowners and will be buyers are not looking back four years, but five. Back when mortgage rates were half what they are today." (04:11)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Minnesota immigration enforcement drawdown: 00:25–01:24
• Polling and community trauma discussion: 01:24–02:07
• Epstein files/DOJ surveillance concerns: 02:07–02:48
• NATO/Ukraine/UK arms package: 03:02–03:22
• US Navy ship collision: 03:22–03:59
• Housing market report: 03:59–04:42
• Correction on congressional involvement: 04:42
• Stock market update: 04:42–05:04

This episode presents a brisk, balanced overview of top national and international stories while highlighting the personal and political stakes behind today’s headlines, featuring direct comments from government officials and lawmakers.