NPR News Now: February 13, 2026, 6AM EST – Episode Summary

Main Theme:
This five-minute NPR News Now episode offers a concise update on key national and international headlines, focusing on imminent U.S. government action, developments in global security, financial and crime news, scientific achievement, and ongoing criminal investigations.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Imminent Department of Homeland Security Shutdown

[00:15 - 00:57]

• Partial Funding Crisis: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faces a likely partial shutdown as funding is set to expire later today.

• Senate Deadlock: Senate failed to pass a funding bill due to deadlock, driven by disagreements on department policies following two recent fatal shootings by immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis.

• Democratic Position: Democrats insist that any policy changes must occur via the legislative process to be codified into law, rejecting executive actions as a substitute.

  Notable Quote:

  • "Democrats have said that any changes must be made through the legislative process, not by executive order in order to ensure that they're codified into law."
    – Barbara Sprunt [00:41]

2. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Trip to Europe & Munich Security Conference

[00:57 - 01:45]

• Rubio’s Travel Agenda: Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to Munich for the security conference, with scheduled stops in Slovakia and Hungary. His tone is described as “moderate,” contrasting last year’s aggressive speech by Vice President Vance.

• Key Issues: His appearance will be closely monitored, given past U.S. criticisms of European migration policies.

• Rubio’s Message: Emphasizes the necessity for allies to reconsider their roles in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and highlights continued private communications.

  Notable Quote:

  • "The world is changing very fast right in front of us. The old world is gone, frankly, the world I grew up in. And we live in a new era in geopolitics."
    – Marco Rubio [01:18]
  • "We need to continue to have those conversations. And I think Saturday, hopefully, and the meetings we'll have there will move us in that direction."
    – Marco Rubio [01:38]

3. Israeli Arrests Over Insider Betting on Polymarket

[01:45 - 02:56]

• Insider Trading Allegations: Israeli authorities arrest and charge two individuals—including a military reservist—for allegedly using classified information to bet on online prediction market Polymarket.

• Broader Concerns: The case raises fears that online platforms may enable military personnel and others with access to sensitive data to profit unlawfully, a concern for militaries worldwide.

• Past Incidents: Reference to a recent large Polymarket win involving predictions about Venezuelan leadership; such cases are prompting legal and regulatory scrutiny, but jurisdiction issues persist.

  Notable Quotes:

  • "It's a situation where people seeking to line their own pockets are willing to put at risk the militaries to whom they have pledged oaths of loyalty."
    – Joe Grundfest, former SEC commissioner, via Jeff Brady [02:31]
  • "Polymarket operates an overseas exchange outside the reach of American regul."
    – Bobby Allen [02:48]

4. U.S. Economic Outlook: Cost of Living & Consumer Prices

[02:56 - 03:26]

• January Inflation Report: Labor Department set to release new consumer price report; economists anticipate a 2.5% year-over-year increase, slightly below December figures.

5. SpaceX Crew 12 Launch

[03:26 - 03:29]

• New Mission to ISS: Four astronauts have successfully launched from Cape Canaveral aboard SpaceX Dragon (Crew 12), en route to the International Space Station.

6. Trump Administration Repeals Climate Change Endangerment Finding

[03:29 - 04:27]

• Policy Reversal: The administration is repealing the 2009 EPA "endangerment finding" that deemed greenhouse gases a threat to public health.

• Implications: The move severely limits the federal government's ability to regulate emissions from vehicles, power plants, and oil companies.

• Legal & Political Fallout: Experts expect lengthy court battles, with legal analysts noting that using legislative channels for new climate action will now be required—a tough sell, given past failures.

  Notable Quotes:

  • "It really neutralizes the Clean Air act as a powerful tool, and now you're left with needing new legislation from Congress."
    – Jody Freeman, Harvard Law professor [04:14]
  • "Previous efforts to pass such climate legislation have failed."
    – Jeff Brady [04:22]

7. Ongoing Investigation: Missing Nancy Guthrie

[04:27 - 04:53]

• FBI Increases Reward: Reward grows to $100,000 for leads in the abduction case of Nancy Guthrie, mother of TV host Savannah Guthrie. She has been missing for nearly two weeks from her home in Tucson, Arizona.
• Community Appeal: FBI requests home security video from neighboring residents to assist the investigation.

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• Barbara Sprunt on legislative requirements for DHS policy changes [00:41]
• Marco Rubio on the new geopolitical era [01:18], [01:38]
• Joe Grundfest on the risk to militaries from insider betting [02:31]
• Jody Freeman on the fate of the Clean Air Act [04:14]

Summary Table of Key Segments (with Timestamps)

| Segment | Start | Topic | |---------|-------|---------------------------------------------------| | 1 | 00:15 | DHS shutdown & Senate deadlock | | 2 | 00:57 | Rubio at Munich Security Conference | | 3 | 01:45 | Israeli Polymarket insider betting arrests | | 4 | 02:56 | January consumer price report preview | | 5 | 03:26 | SpaceX Crew 12 launch to ISS | | 6 | 03:29 | Trump admin repeals climate "endangerment finding"| | 7 | 04:27 | FBI reward in Nancy Guthrie abduction |

Tone:
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This comprehensive summary captures the rapid-fire, news-focused nature of this NPR News Now segment—providing an engaging and standalone update for anyone who missed the episode.