NPR News: 02-13-2026 1AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now — February 13, 2026, 1AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
Duration: ~5 Minutes

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Episode Overview

This edition of NPR News Now delivers a concise roundup of major U.S. and global news stories as of February 13, 2026. Key topics include the end of a high-profile immigration crackdown in Minnesota, sweeping climate policy changes by the Trump administration, longstanding air safety concerns, U.S. participation in a critical global flu vaccine meeting, a court ruling on military free speech, and updates from the opening days of the Winter Olympics.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. End of Immigration Crackdown in Minnesota

[00:15–01:00]

• Main News: Trump administration announces an end to the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota.

• Source: Tom Holman, Homeland Security Department, statement Thursday.

• Governor’s Response:

  • Tim Walz (Minnesota Governor):
    • “Cautiously optimistic” the federal government will keep its word.
    • Claimed the operation caused an "economic crisis here similar to Covid" and left "generational trauma."
    • Urges state lawmakers to allocate aid for small businesses hurt by the crackdown.
    • Asserts "the feds need to pay for what they broke."

  Notable Quote:

  • Tim Walz: “I am cautiously optimistic that Trump will keep his word. … The operation caused an economic crisis here similar to Covid and left the state with generational trauma.” ([00:37])

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2. Trump Administration Rescinds Climate Change Scientific Finding

[01:00–01:43]

• Action:
  • EPA revokes the 2009 declaration stating greenhouse gases “endanger public health” — a cornerstone of federal climate policy.
• Anticipated Reaction:
  • Environmental groups expected to pursue legal action.
• Political Context:
  • Senate Democrats simultaneously push for new immigration enforcement restrictions.

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3. FAA & Defense Department Miscommunication on Airspace Safety

[01:43–02:25]

• Event:
  • FAA briefly closed the airspace around El Paso amid tensions with the Pentagon over counter-drone tech.
• Official Testimony:
  • Jennifer Homendy (NTSB Chair): Testifies that miscommunication between the FAA and Army is a longstanding issue.
    • “There has been miscommunication or no communication between at least the Army and FAA for years.” ([02:04])
• Senate Hearing Context:
  • Homendy appeared to discuss the final report on a deadly 2023 midair collision near Washington, D.C.

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4. U.S. Participation in WHO Flu Vaccine Selection Meeting

[02:25–03:13]

• Background:

  • Despite officially exiting the WHO, the U.S. will participate in its key flu strain selection meeting.

• Implications:

  • Ensures ongoing U.S. contribution to global flu vaccine efforts.

• WHO Official Statement:

  • Maria Van Kerkhove confirms U.S. participation, dispelling doubts.

  Notable Quote:

  • Jonathan Lambert (NPR): “The move suggests that both the US and WHO are still open to collaborating, at least when it comes to flu.” ([03:02])

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5. Federal Judge Blocks Pentagon from Punishing Senator Mark Kelly

[03:13–03:47]

• Ruling:
  • Judge finds Pentagon violated Sen. Mark Kelly’s First Amendment rights by seeking to punish him for supporting troops’ legal obligations.
• Background:
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attempted to censure Kelly, a former Navy pilot, for a video urging troops to resist unlawful orders.

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6. 2026 Winter Olympics Highlights

[03:47–04:27]

• Men’s Ice Hockey:
  • U.S. defeats Latvia 5-1 in its opening game.
    • Brock Nelson scores twice; captain Auston Matthews also scores.
    • Two U.S. goals disallowed after Latvian challenges.
    • First Olympics since 2014 featuring NHL players.
    • U.S. and Canada seen as strong favorites.
• Canadian Team:
  • Canada beats Czechia 5-0 in their opener.
• Curling:
  • Rich Rouenen, age 54, becomes oldest American to compete in Winter Olympics.
    • Entered during the round-robin match versus Switzerland.
    • Rouenen is also a personal injury lawyer from Minnesota.

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7. Financial Markets Update

[04:27–04:55]

• Asia:
  • Markets mostly lower.
  • Japan’s benchmark index down over 1%.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tim Walz (Minnesota Governor), on trauma from enforcement:

  “The operation caused an economic crisis here similar to Covid and left the state with generational trauma.” ([00:40])

• Jennifer Homendy (NTSB Chair), on FAA-Army communication:

  “There has been miscommunication or no communication between at least the army and FAA for years.” ([02:07])

• Jonathan Lambert (NPR), on U.S.-WHO cooperation:

  “The move suggests that both the US and WHO are still open to collaborating, at least when it comes to flu.” ([03:02])

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Segment Timestamps

• [00:15] — Immigration crackdown in Minnesota ends
• [01:00] — EPA rescinds climate endangerment finding
• [01:43] — FAA-Pentagon miscommunication and air safety
• [02:25] — U.S. will join WHO flu strain selection meeting
• [03:13] — Judge rules on Pentagon action against Sen. Mark Kelly
• [03:47] — Winter Olympics: U.S. hockey and curling highlights
• [04:27] — Financial markets update

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For those who missed this edition, this summary captures the major headlines, key statements, and memorable soundbites from a particularly eventful news cycle.

Transcript

[Charles Schwab Announcer]

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 Think or swim. Visit schwab.com to learn more.

[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. The Trump administration says the immigration crackdown in Minnesota is coming to an end. Border czar Tom Holman made the announcement Thursday, saying the Homeland Security Department has accomplished its goal. Minnesota Public Tonight's radio's Matt Sepik has reaction from Minnesota's Democratic governor.

[Matt Sepik]

Governor Tim Wall says he is cautiously optimistic that Trump will keep his word. The Democratic governor says Homan personally assured him that agents are leaving immediately. Wall says the operation caused an economic crisis here similar to Covid and left the state with generational trauma. The governor says the feds need to pay for what they broke, but for now, he's urging state lawmakers to approve an aid package for small businesses.

[Giles Snyder]

The announcement came a day before the Homeland Security to run out of money. As Senate Democrats are demanding new restrictions on immigration enforcement operations, the Trump administration is revoking the scientific finding the government uses for federal actions on climate change. The EPA announced Thursday that it rescinded the 2009 declaration that Greenhouse gases endanger public health. Environmental groups likely to take court action. The nation's top safety investigator says miscommunication between the Federal Aviation Administration and the military is a long, longstanding problem. NPR's Joel Rose says those comments come after the FAA briefly closed the airspace around El Paso.

[Joel Rose]

The head of the National Transportation Safety Board was asked about the decision to abruptly close and then reopen the airspace around El Paso amid tensions between the FAA and the Pentagon over the use of an experimental counter drone laser technology. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said she didn't know enough to comment on El Paso, but that similar tensions are not new.

[Giles Snyder]

There has been miscommunication or no communication.

[Matt Sepik]

Between at least the army and FAA for years.

[Joel Rose]

Homendy was called to testify before the senate about the NTSB's final report on the mid air collision of an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet near Washington, D.C. that killed 67 people. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

The U.S. will participate in a World Health Organization flu meeting later this month. As NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports, twice a.

[Jonathan Lambert]

Year, scientists from over the world get together to study what strains of flu are circulating at these WHO led meetings. They decide what strains to put into next year's flu shot to give the best protection in past years, the US has played a major role by sharing CDC data and expertise. There were questions about whether that would happen this year, now that the US Officially exited who. But in a press conference, WHO official Maria Van Kerkove put that question to rest.

[Giles Snyder]

The meeting will take place at the end of this month. And yes, the US Is participating.

[Jonathan Lambert]

The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that to npr. The move suggests that both the US And WHO are still open to collaborating, at least when it comes to flu.

[Giles Snyder]

This is NPR News. Federal judge has blocked the Pentagon from punishing Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly for participating in that video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders. The judge said Thursday that Pentagon officials violated Kelly's First Amendment free speech rights. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had sought to censure Kelly, a former U.S. navy pilot. The women's hockey team has won its first game at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Steve Futterman reports. The Americans had no trouble easily beating Lafayette 5 1.

[Steve Futterman]

The US squad was led by Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche. He scored twice. Team captain Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs also had a goal. The score could have been even more one sided, but the US had two goals disallowed following a pair of challenges by Latvia, one for offsides, the other for goaltender interference. This is the first time since 2014 that NHL players have been allowed to compete at the Winter Games. The US And Canada are the two favorites. Many expect them to meet in the gold medal match. The Canadian men won their first game here five to nothing over Czechia. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.

[Giles Snyder]

US Curler Rich Rouenen made Olympic history Thursday. He became the oldest American to ever compete in the Winter Olympics when he was subbed in during the opening round robin match against Switzerland. Ronin is a 54 year old personal injury lawyer from Minnesota. Financial markets in asia mostly lower Japan's benchmark down more than 1%. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.

[Charles Schwab Announcer]

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.