NPR News Now – February 13, 2026, 10PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: February 14, 2026
Runtime: 5 minutes
Format: Rapid-fire news roundup

Overview

This episode provides a concise overview of major news events in the U.S. and internationally as of February 13, 2026. Top stories include the looming Department of Homeland Security funding deadline, charges against journalist Don Lemon, an Olympic figure skating upset, economic updates, technology and surveillance news, the everyday impact of war in Ukraine, and an upcoming solar eclipse.

Key Stories and Insights

1. DHS Funding Crisis and Immigration Enforcement

[00:18–00:58]

• Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to expire, putting crucial services at risk.
• Ongoing debates focus on new restrictions tied to President Trump’s immigration enforcement approach.
• White House Democrats and Republicans are at an impasse; details of the White House's counteroffer remain undisclosed.
  • “Some of the Democrats' demands are nonstarters for most Republicans, like requiring judicial warrants for many enforcement operations and banning officers from masking.” (Sam Greenglass, 00:36)
• Possible effects:
  • Airport screening could be disrupted if a shutdown drags on.
  • ICE operations remain unaffected, as they’re already funded.

2. Legal Troubles for Don Lemon, Former CNN Journalist

[00:58–02:05]

• Don Lemon, ex-CNN host, released without bond after federal arraignment in Minneapolis.
• Charges:
  • Conspiring to violate religious freedom during coverage of a protest at a church pastored by an immigration official.
  • Additional charge: Violation of protections around family planning clinics and religious gatherings.
• Lemon’s defense: He was acting as a journalist, reporting live from the scene.
• Notably, a federal appellate judge and magistrate declined to issue an arrest warrant, affirming his journalistic role.
  • “Lemon wrote that, quote, the process is the punishment for the Trump administration.” (David Folkenflick, 01:54)

3. Winter Olympics Figure Skating Upset

[02:05–03:06]

• Shocking outcome at the Winter Olympics in Milan:
  • U.S. favorite Ilia Malinin fell twice, performed below expectations, and dropped from 1st to 8th place.
  • Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidarov took gold, expressing surprise at Malinin’s performance:

    “I was surprised. Usually Ilia’s skating is excellent, and he demonstrated it throughout the season.” (Shaidarov, 02:43, via interpreter)

  • Malinin admitted feeling “overwhelmed” and “had no control,” stating the Olympics are unlike any other event.

4. Economic Relief: Inflation Declines

[03:06–03:23]

• Key inflation indicator falls to its lowest point in nearly five years.
• Relief driven by slower rent increases and falling gas prices, though Americans remain affected by years of price hikes.

5. Amazon Ring Drops Police Surveillance Partnership

[03:23–03:41]

• Amazon’s Ring will not proceed with plans to integrate with police surveillance company Flock Safety.
  • Official reason: Integration would require more resources than expected.
  • Underlying issue: The announcement follows backlash (including a controversial Super Bowl ad) and renewed privacy concerns about neighborhood camera networks.

6. Living Under Threat: Life in Wartime Ukraine

[03:47–04:39]

• First-hand report from Kyiv, where daily life is disrupted by frequent air raid alerts—even inside modern shopping malls.
• Business and routine suspended during alerts; workers follow incoming attack updates via phone apps.
• Recent Russian attacks: Over 2,000 drones, 1,200 bombs, and 116 missiles launched at Ukraine in the past week.
  • “You’re in a modern mall. You could be in any modern city. But there’s an air raid alert.” (Eleanor Beardsley, 03:54)
  • The resilience and adaptation of Ukrainians is evidenced as work and shopping resume promptly after each alarm.

7. Upcoming Solar Eclipse: Rare Visibility

[04:39–04:57]

• The first solar eclipse of 2026—"Ring of Fire"—will be visible only in Antarctica.
• Some regions, including Chile and southeastern Africa, will see a partial eclipse.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the immigration enforcement stalemate:
  “Some of the Democrats' demands are nonstarters for most Republicans, like requiring judicial warrants for many enforcement operations and banning officers from masking.”
  — Sam Greenglass, 00:36

• On Don Lemon’s prosecution:
  “Lemon wrote that, quote, the process is the punishment for the Trump administration.”
  — David Folkenflick, 01:54

• On Malinin’s Olympic shock defeat:
  “I was surprised. Usually Ilia’s skating is excellent, and he demonstrated it throughout the season.”
  — Mikhail Shaidarov (via interpreter), 02:43

• On living amidst constant air raids in Ukraine:
  “You’re in a modern mall. You could be in any modern city. But there’s an air raid alert.”
  — Eleanor Beardsley, 03:54

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:18] DHS funding deadline and immigration enforcement debate
• [00:58] Don Lemon and press freedom case
• [02:05] Olympic figure skating upset
• [03:06] Inflation update
• [03:23] Amazon Ring cancels Flock Safety partnership
• [03:47] Wartime life in Ukraine
• [04:39] Solar eclipse preview

This brisk NPR News Now episode keeps listeners informed with bite-sized, timely updates on high-stakes government negotiations, legal skirmishes linked to the press, uplifting (and humbling) Olympic moments, hard data on Americans' economic realities, privacy and surveillance, and the profound resilience of people living through war.