NPR News: 02-12-2026 8PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now — February 12, 2026, 8PM EST: Episode Summary

Main Theme:
A concise roundup of major national and international news stories, covering key developments in U.S. policy, economics, global politics, sports, and technology.

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Key Stories and Insights

1. Trump Administration Repeals EPA Climate Change Policy

[00:15–01:11]

• Decision Details: The administration has repealed the 2009 EPA "endangerment finding" that allowed federal regulation of greenhouse gases as threats to public health.
• Supporter Perspective:
  • Darren Bakst (Competitive Enterprise Institute) claims the original finding was "illegal" and an "excuse to regulate the economy and to reshape entire industries."
• Expert Critique:
  • 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." [00:58]
• Impact: Without this finding, the federal government can no longer use the Clean Air Act to limit emissions from major polluters. Legislative solutions now required, historically difficult to pass.

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2. Immigration Raids End After Protests and Shootings in Minnesota

[01:11–02:06]

• Policy Halt: The Trump administration ends its large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, which led to over 4,000 arrests.
• Official Justification:
  • Tom Homan (Border Czar):
    • "As a result of this surge operation, we have greatly reduced the number of targets for enforcement action. And many criminal aliens have been arrested and taken off the streets, including murders, sex offenders, national security threats, gang members and other violent criminals." [01:24]
• Criticism:
  • Reports allege that non-criminals, including children and U.S. citizens, were swept up.
  • Minnesota Governor Tim Wall acknowledges lasting fear, urging the community to focus on recovery:
    • "That same energy now needs to be directed towards recovery." [01:55]
• Context:
  • The decision to withdraw agents followed fatal shootings (Renee Macklin Goode and Alex Preddy) and mass protests.

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3. Economic News: Markets and Inflation

[02:06–02:57]

• Stocks:
  • Tech stock declines pull down broader market indexes.
• Inflation Update:
  • Scott Horsley (NPR):
    • Labor Department to report January cost-of-living figures; expected 2.5% annual rise, slightly less than December.
    • "Inflation is still above the Federal Reserve's target though, and investors think the central bank will hold interest rates steady next month." [02:25]
  • Consumers increasingly seeking value; McDonald's McValue menu credited for sales growth.
• Housing:
  • Home sales fell sharply as prices and harsh winter weather keep buyers out of the market.

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4. Global Update: Bangladesh Election

[02:57–03:16]

• First Election Since 2024 Protests:
  • Bangladesh's first election post-mass protests and fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
  • Interim leader Muhammad Yunus frames the peaceful vote as a "birthday of a new Bangladesh."

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5. Sports: Chloe Kim's Olympic Reign Ends

[03:16–04:28]

• Event: Olympic women’s halfpipe snowboarding final.
• Outcome:
  • Chloe Kim, aiming for a third consecutive gold, is overtaken in the final run by South Korea's 17-year-old Choi Gowen (score: 90.25 vs. Kim's 88).
• Sportsmanship:
  • After Choi's early fall, Kim offered encouragement:
    • "You're a really good snowboarder. Like you can do this. You know, don't worry about what just happened. Like you got this. Shake it off." [04:09 — Chloe Kim]
• Kim's Response:
  • Proud of the new champion and role model behavior lauded.
• Location: Milan.

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6. Technology and Law: Albanian AI Minister Controversy

[04:28–04:55]

• Situation:
  • Albania's actor Anila Bisha protests the unauthorized use of her likeness and voice in the government's AI "Minister Diella."
• Action:
  • Legal proceedings underway to block further use of her image and voice.

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7. Health Segment: Menopause & Perimenopause Care Revolution

[05:07–05:46]

• Spokespersons: Dr. Kathleen Jordan and CEO Joanna Strober (Midi Health).
• Mission:
  • Address the underappreciated and "trivialized" symptoms women face in midlife.
  • Create "a new type of care system that is responsive to women's needs and helps them take care of themselves and stay healthy instead of just treating disease." [05:23 — Joanna Strober]
• Service:
  • Virtual, iterative care for menopause via telehealth.

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Notable Quotes

• Jody Freeman (Harvard Law), on climate policy rollback:

  • "It really neutralizes the Clean Air act as a powerful tool. And now you're left with needing new legislation from Congress." [00:58]

• Tom Homan (Border Czar), on immigration raids:

  • “As a result of this surge operation, we have greatly reduced the number of targets for enforcement action. And many criminal aliens have been arrested and taken off the streets...” [01:24]

• Chloe Kim, showing sportsmanship at the Olympics:

  • “You're a really good snowboarder. Like you can do this. You know, don't worry about what just happened. Like you got this. Shake it off.” [04:09]

• Joanna Strober (Midi Health), on women’s midlife care:

  • "What we've tried to do at MIDI Health is create a new type of care system that is responsive to women's needs and helps them take care of themselves and stay healthy instead of just treating disease." [05:23]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Repeal of EPA Climate Finding: 00:15–01:11
• End of Minnesota Immigration Raid: 01:11–02:06
• Economic and Market Update: 02:06–02:57
• Bangladesh Election: 02:57–03:16
• Olympics – Chloe Kim: 03:16–04:28
• Albanian AI Minister Controversy: 04:28–04:55
• Perimenopause & Menopause Telehealth (Midi Health): 05:07–05:46

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Tone:
Objective, informative, succinct—reflecting NPR's factual and balanced reporting style.

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Transcript

[Charles Schwab Representative]

This message comes from Charles Schwab. When it comes to managing your wealth, Schwab gives you more choices like full service, wealth management and advice when you need it. You can also invest on your own and trade on thinkorswim. Visit schwab.com to learn more.

[NPR News Anchor]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. The Trump administration says it's repealing the basis for all federal actions on climate change. NPR's Jeff Brady reports. The decision is expected to lead to lengthy court battles likely ending up before the U.S. supreme Court.

[Jeff Brady]

Trump's report request, the Environmental Protection agency repealed the 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health. Darren Bakst of the Competitive Enterprise Institute says the Obama era finding was illegal. It is basically an excuse to regulate the economy and to reshape entire industries. But without the endangerment finding, the government cannot limit climate pollution from cars, power plants and the oil industry, says Harvard law professor Jody Freeman.

[Jody Freeman]

It really neutralizes the Clean Air act as a powerful tool. And now you're left with needing new legislation from Congress.

[Jeff Brady]

Previous efforts to pass such climate legislation have failed. Jeff Brady, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

The Trump administration says it's ending its massive immigration crackdown in Minnesota after two fatal shootings and massive protests. Border czar Tom Homan says it was a successful operation that led to more than 4,000 arrests.

[Tom Homan]

As a result of this surge operation, we have greatly reduced the number of targets for enforcement action. And many criminal aliens have been arrested and taken off the streets, including murders, sex offenders, national security threats, gang members and other violent criminals.

[NPR News Anchor]

Critics say officers swept up people with no criminal records, including children and U.S. citizens. Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Wall says it's going to be a long road before some Minnesotans will be able to go out without further fear of being detained by federal immigration agents.

[Tim Wall]

So Minnesota, on behalf of not just this state but the country, thank you. That same energy now needs to be directed towards recovery, he said.

[NPR News Anchor]

The Trump administration knew it needed to withdraw federal agents, particularly after the killings of Renee Macklin Goode and Alex Preddy. But, quote, in very Trumpian fashion, they need to save face. Tech stocks tumbled today, pulling down the broader market. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. Investors are watching for an update tomorrow on inflation.

[Scott Horsley]

The Labor Department is set to report Friday on the cost of living for January. Forecasters expect the report to show prices rose about 2.5% over the last 12 months. That would be a slightly smaller annual increase than we saw in December. Inflation is still above the Federal Reserve's target though, and investors think the central bank will hold interest rates steady next month. Many cost conscious shoppers are looking for bargains. McDonald's credited the McValue menu with helping to boost sales to the fast food chain during its most recent quarter. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[NPR News Anchor]

Sales of previously occupied US Homes fell sharply last month as higher home prices and possibly harsh winter weather kept many prospective home buyers on the sidelines. U.S. stock indexes fell today. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Bangladesh held its first election since the 2024 mass protests toppled the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Husina. The vote was mostly peaceful. It's seen as a critical test of the country's democracy after turmoil. Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus said the day was the birthday of a new Bangladesh. American snowboard legend Chloe Kim's reign as the half pipe Olympic champion has come to an end. Trying for her third straight gold, Kim finished second to a 17 year old. From South Korea. Steve Futterman reports.

[Steve Futterman]

It was a dramatic end to Chloe Kim's gold medal dominance. She took the lead in the first run and appeared on her way to a three peat. But in the third and final run, South Korea's Choi Gowen came through with the performance of her life. Her score of 90.25 beat Kim's best of 88. The 17 year old had fallen on her first run. Kim said she walked up to her.

[Chloe Kim]

To give her encouragement after she took her crash. I went up to her and I was like, you're a really good snowboarder. Like you can do this. You know, don't worry about what just happened. Like you got this. Shake it off.

[Steve Futterman]

Chloe Kim said she is proud of her sport's new champion. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.

[NPR News Anchor]

An Albanian actor is asking the government to stop using her face and voice for its AI minister. The country introduced what it calls the world's first artificial intelligence, Minister Diella, last year. Anila Bisha says she never agreed to appear as the virtual minister. This week, she asked a question to block the government from using her image and voice. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[Charles Schwab Representative]

This message comes from Midi health co founders Dr. Kathleen Jordan and CEO Joanna Strober discuss why they started a virtual care platform for women in perimenopause and menopause.

[Jody Freeman]

The symptoms and experiences that women have in midlife, I think were underappreciated or possibly even trivialized. The changes of perimenopause and menopause create a broad spectrum of symptoms and can actually lead to long term health issues, but too few clinicians are trained in it.

[Joanna Strober]

I also want to add often the type of care that women are needing is very iterative. It requires trying different medications, learning about their body, and learning how to take care of themselves. And so what we've tried to do at MIDI Health is create a new type of care system that is responsive to women's needs and helps them take care of themselves and stay healthy instead of just treating disease.

[Charles Schwab Representative]

MIDI Health committed to helping women in midlife with perimenopause and menopause care. Accessible via telehealth [e-mail].