NPR News Now — February 13, 2026, 4AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
Length: 5 minutes

Main Theme

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise roundup of major national developments: the end of a high-profile immigration crackdown in Minnesota, reversals in climate policy, significant news in antitrust and media mergers, housing market shifts, a court-ordered improvement in detention facility medical care, and updates on the President’s schedule and sports headlines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. End of Immigration Crackdown in Minnesota

• [00:15] Trump administration announces that the controversial immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota is ending.
• Governor Tim Walz expresses "cautious optimism," noting personal assurances from Border Czar Tom Homan that agents will depart immediately.
• The governor describes the operation’s severe impact:
  • "The operation caused an economic crisis here similar to Covid and left the state with generational trauma."
  • Demands federal compensation for damage.
  • Urges state lawmakers to pass a small business aid package.

Governor Tim Walz [00:42]:
"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."

2. Climate Policy Reversal

• [01:00] The EPA rescinds the pivotal 2009 "endangerment finding" – a scientific determination that greenhouse gases threaten public health.
• Move likely to prompt legal action from environmental groups.
• Context: The decision comes amid Democratic efforts to curb immigration enforcement.

3. Antitrust Official Departure Amid Media Merger Battles

• [01:12] Top Trump administration antitrust official Gail Slater resigns, following tensions over major merger cases.
• High-profile developments:
  • Debate over Netflix's proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. President Trump first indicated he would oversee the decision but then recused himself.
  • Warner has rejected rival bids from Paramount, whose CEO David Ellison recently visited Trump.
• Slater, seen as a serious regulator, leaves following DOJ settlement of another major merger case.

David Folkenflik [01:44]:
"President Trump, of course, likes to be the decider on such matters. He earlier announced he would personally examine the Netflix offer for Warner Brothers Discovery, then said he'd sit it out."

4. Housing Market Downturn

• [02:20] January saw a sharp, almost 8.5% drop in existing home sales, reversing strong figures from late 2025.
• Possible causes include bad weather and consumer pessimism about the economy.
• Median sale price: About $397,000, a small year-over-year uptick.
• Housing affordability is at its best in four years due to faster wage growth, but buyers compare unfavorably to the much lower mortgage rates of 2021.
• Reluctance to move persists, as homeowners are unwilling to give up locked-in low rates.

Stephen Saha [02:55]:
"Homeowners and would-be buyers are not looking back four years, but five, back when mortgage rates were half what they are today."

5. Medical Care Ordered Improved at Immigration Detention Facility

• [03:13] A federal judge mandates that ICE swiftly improve medical care at the California City detention facility, Mojave Desert, following a lawsuit detailing insufficient treatment of detainees with severe health conditions.
• An independent monitor will ensure compliance.
• Judge also mandates:
  • Full access to attorneys
  • Daily time outdoors
  • Provision of warm clothing

Margo Mendelsohn, Prison Law Office [04:03]:
"This is critical interim relief to make sure that people are not subject to horrific, unconscionable conditions."

6. Other Brief Headlines

• [04:22] President Trump is set to visit Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to praise special forces involved in the capture of Venezuela’s former leader Nicolas Maduro.
• U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team: Dominant opening win over Latvia, 5-1, featuring top NHL talent.

Notable Quotes

• Governor Tim Walz on Minnesota’s trauma:
  "The operation caused an economic crisis here similar to Covid and left the state with generational trauma." ([00:42])

• David Folkenflik on presidential involvement in mergers:
  "President Trump ... announced he would personally examine the Netflix offer ... then said he'd sit it out." ([01:44])

• Stephen Saha on housing market malaise:
  "Homeowners are still reluctant to move and give up their old lower rate." ([03:08])

• Margo Mendelsohn on judge’s order for detention conditions:
  "...make sure that people are not subject to horrific, unconscionable conditions." ([04:03])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• End of MN Immigration Crackdown: 00:15 – 01:00
• EPA Climate Policy Action: 01:00 – 01:12
• Antitrust and Media Mergers: 01:12 – 02:20
• Housing Market Report: 02:20 – 03:13
• Detention Facility Court Order: 03:13 – 04:22
• Trump’s NC Visit & Olympics Results: 04:22 – 04:55

Episode Tone

Brief, factual, and urgent—providing listeners with essential news updates in a neutral and concise NPR style.

This episode offers a vivid snapshot of pressing U.S. political, legal, economic, and cultural developments as of February 13, 2026.