NPR News Now – February 12, 2026, 8AM EST

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now, hosted by Korva Coleman, provides a fast-paced rundown of the morning’s top stories: major climate policy changes under the Trump administration, an immigration funding standoff in Congress, a contentious Senate investigation into a “treason” video, social media platforms under fire for youth safety, unusual airspace restrictions on the southern border, striking new research on cataract surgery access, and Seattle’s Super Bowl celebration.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Trump Administration to Roll Back Climate Change Policies

[00:13 - 01:10]

• The EPA is expected to announce the rescinding of the 2009 "endangerment finding," which identified greenhouse gases as a danger to public health.
• The Trump administration argues that regulating climate pollution from cars and power plants is “illegal” and seeks to reverse prior policy.
• Earthjustice (environmental group) vows to challenge the rollback in court.

Notable Quotes:

• “We’ve defended the endangerment finding before, and… we will do it again. So we will see the Trump administration in court.”
  — Jill Tauber, Earthjustice [00:52–01:01]
• “The 2009 endangerment finding was based on scientific evidence. That’s even more robust now.”
  — Jeff Brady, NPR [01:01]

2. Senate Testimony as Homeland Security Faces Shutdown

[01:10 - 01:41]

• Top immigration officials set to testify as the Department of Homeland Security nears shutdown without congressional funding.
• Tensions mount after six Democratic lawmakers urge military personnel in a video to refuse unconstitutional orders, leading to accusations of “treason” from the President and a failed grand jury indictment.

3. Lawmakers Under Investigation for “Treason” Video

[01:41 - 02:20]

• The Justice Department investigated Democratic lawmakers for a video, but a grand jury did not indict.
• Senator Alyssa Slotkin voices support for the grand jury’s decision as an affirmation of free speech.

Notable Quotes:

• “The congressmembers said in the video that no one has to follow orders that violate the Constitution. Trump called the message treasonous…”
  — Sam Greenglass, NPR [01:41]
• “Yesterday, 20 anonymous Americans who we will never meet, who made up that grand jury told us more about the values of America than Jeanine Pirro or Pam Bondi or certainly this president.”
  — Sen. Alyssa Slotkin [01:56]

4. Instagram CEO Testifies: Is the App Addictive?

[02:20 - 03:10]

• CEO Adam Mosseri testifies in a major trial examining whether Meta and YouTube deliberately design addictive platforms for youths.
• Bereaved parents, including Juliana Arnold, speak out about harms their children suffered via Instagram.
• Mosseri denies that Instagram is “clinically addictive.”

Notable Quotes:

• “She has clinical depression. She has anxiety, they label it and want to give, you know, medications for it, but they never wanted to figure out behaviorally what was going on.”
  — Juliana Arnold, parent from New York [02:55]

5. Airspace Closure Over El Paso: Drone or Balloon?

[03:10 - 03:56]

• Conflicting stories about a temporary airspace closure in El Paso, Texas.
• Officials said it was responding to a “drone cartel incursion,” but NPR reports Customs and Border Protection authorized a laser strike on what turned out to be a Mylar party balloon.

6. Cataract Surgery Access Still Deeply Unequal

[03:56 - 04:37]

• A new study in The Lancet finds half of those needing cataract surgery worldwide still lack access, especially in Africa and among women.
• WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urges better integration of vision care into basic health services.

Notable Quotes:

• “Many countries have made impressive progress, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal and Qatar.”
  — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO [04:00]
• “In Africa, three in four people with cataract surgery lack access, and in all regions, women are disproportionately affected.”
  — Tedros [04:21]

7. Seattle Celebrates Super Bowl Victory

[04:37 - End]

• Massive crowds in Seattle celebrate the Seahawks’ victory over the New England Patriots.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “We will see the Trump administration in court.” (Jill Tauber, [01:01])
• “The grand jury upheld freedom of speech and the rule of law...” (Sen. Alyssa Slotkin, [01:56])
• On struggling to address youth mental health and social media: “But they never wanted to figure out behaviorally what was going on.” (Juliana Arnold, [02:55])
• “In Africa, three in four people... lack access [to cataract surgery], and in all regions, women are disproportionately affected.” (Tedros, [04:21])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Climate policy rollback – [00:13 – 01:10]
• Senate/DHS/federal shutdown – [01:10 – 01:41]
• Grand jury, “treason” video – [01:41 – 02:20]
• Instagram on trial – [02:20 – 03:10]
• El Paso airspace closure – [03:10 – 03:56]
• Cataract surgery report – [03:56 – 04:37]
• Seattle Super Bowl parade – [04:37 – End]

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporters: Jeff Brady, Sam Greenglass, Bobby Allen, Gabriela Emanuel
Notable Guests: Jill Tauber (Earthjustice), Juliana Arnold (bereaved parent), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO)

This episode distills a whirlwind of national and global headlines into five minutes, highlighting legal battles over climate and free speech, social media’s impacts, and continuing struggles for equitable health access.