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

Host: Giles Snyder
Duration: ~5 Minutes

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.

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])

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.

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.

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])

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.

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.

7. Financial Markets Update

[04:27–04:55]

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

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])

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

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