NPR News Now: 02-12-2026 9AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Date: February 12, 2026

Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of the morning’s major national and international news, focusing on immigration enforcement debates in Congress, voting legislation, U.S. foreign policy in Venezuela, missing persons news, a major corporate shakeup, severe weather in Madagascar, and global calls for human rights.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Senate Testimony on Immigration Enforcement

[00:13 – 01:05]

• Context: Senior officials from U.S. immigration agencies (ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and USCIS) are scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, coinciding with a looming Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.
• Key Issues:
  • Senate Democrats have outlined requirements for agency funding, including:
    • Mandatory use of body cameras
    • Judicial warrants for enforcement actions
    • Bans on mask use by officers
    • Prohibitions on arrests in sensitive locations, like hospitals, schools, and churches
  • Republicans show mixed support, particularly around body camera proposals, but remain divided on broader reforms.
• Quote:
  • Ximena Bustillo [01:00]: “Democrats on the Senate committee have laid out a list of demands...Republicans have scattered support for proposals such as body camera use, but the parties remain deeply divided on most other potential changes.”

2. House Passes New Voting Rules

[01:05 – 01:32]

• Legislation: The House approved the “Save America Act,” a Republican-backed measure to increase identification and registration requirements for federal elections.
• What’s Proposed:
  • Proof of citizenship and photo ID when voting.
• Key Stakeholders:
  • Supporters argue it is necessary to uphold election security.
  • Opponents believe it would disenfranchise eligible voters lacking proper documentation.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Speaker Mike Johnson [01:19]: “Proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote. Everyone in the country understands the necessity of that…The only people that oppose it are people who want to cheat our system.”
• Additional Note: It is uncertain whether the bill will pass in the Senate.

3. Nebraska Voter Data Controversy

[01:32 – 01:52]

• Update: Nebraska’s Supreme Court has allowed the state to release voter data to the Justice Department, despite opposition.
• Concerns: Opponents cite privacy and legality, with the DOJ previously being denied similar data from other states.

4. US-Venezuela Oil Dealings

[02:23 – 03:08]

• Event: U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright visits Venezuela for discussions focused on revitalizing the country’s oil industry.
• Objectives:
  • Boost U.S. investment
  • Generate more income for Venezuelans
  • Increase oil supply to global markets
• Quote:
  • Secretary Wright [02:39]: “We want to see a flood of investment coming in, more income being generated for the people of Venezuela, more improvement in the quality of lives and more oil going on to world oil markets to help the planet, to help the world.”
• Status: No talks yet on scheduling democratic elections in Venezuela.

5. Other Headlines

[03:08 – 04:53]

• Missing Persons: Authorities in Arizona continue search efforts for Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, absent for over 10 days and presumed abducted.
• Corporate News: Kraft Heinz, under new CEO Steve Kalain, has halted plans to split the company, instead opting to reinvest in the business after persistent sales declines.
  • Investing $600 million in marketing and R&D.
  • CEO Kalain’s focus: healthier, convenient, and affordable products.
• Quote:
  • Arlene Seluk [03:36]: “Kraft Heinz is reporting another quarter of declining sales... It's now budgeting $600 million for marketing and research and development, aiming for healthier, more convenient options with lower prices.”
• International News:
  • In Madagascar, Cyclone winds (121mph) have killed over 30; this follows a recent cyclone impacting the region.
  • The Norwegian Nobel Committee is urgently demanding Iran releases imprisoned Peace Prize winner Nargis Mohammadi, citing reports of severe mistreatment.

Notable Quotes

• Speaker Mike Johnson [01:19]:
  “Proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote. Everyone in the country understands the necessity of that, understands how simple it is and how important it is. And the only people that oppose it are people who want to cheat our system.”
• Secretary Chris Wright [02:39]:
  “We want to see a flood of investment coming in, more income being generated for the people of Venezuela, more improvement in the quality of lives and more oil going on to world oil markets to help the planet, to help the world.”
• Arlene Seluk [03:36]:
  “Kraft Heinz is reporting another quarter of declining sales for more than two years now. And it's now budgeting $600 million for marketing and research and development, aiming for healthier, more convenient options with lower prices.”

Segment Timestamps

• [00:13] – Immigration officials to testify before Senate committee
• [01:05] – House passes “Save America Act” voting requirements
• [01:32] – Nebraska will hand over voter data to DOJ
• [02:23] – US-Venezuela energy negotiations
• [03:08] – Search for Nancy Guthrie; Kraft Heinz cancels company split
• [04:18] – Madagascar cyclone disaster; Nobel Committee on Nargis Mohammadi

This five-minute episode efficiently summarizes key political, corporate, and international events, providing both factual updates and the broader stakes at play.