NPR News: 02-13-2026 6PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – February 13, 2026, 6 PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton

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Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode covers breaking developments on a potential U.S. government shutdown, an ICE investigation after a fatal shooting, shock results at the Winter Olympics in Milan, U.S. inflation data for January, a high-profile UK court ruling on protest bans, tech industry news with Amazon's Ring, and LeBron James' latest basketball milestone.

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Key News Highlights & Insights

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Partial Government Shutdown Looms

[00:15 – 01:03]

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding is expiring at midnight.

  • Context: Democrats draw a hard line on funding, demanding DHS reforms, especially regarding Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following fatal officer-involved shootings.
  • ICE Operations: Not directly affected; received over $70 billion in separate funding last summer.
  • Congress: Lawmakers expected out of town, but on standby for a return if an agreement arises.

• Notable Quote:

  • “But this shutdown wouldn't mean a shutdown of ICE itself. That agency received over $70 billion in separate funding from Congress last summer.” — Barbara Sprunt (00:45)

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ICE Under Investigation

[01:03 – 01:42]

• Federal inquiry into Minneapolis shooting by immigration officers:

  • Investigating potential perjury; officers may have lied under oath about details of the fatal shooting of a Venezuelan man.
  • ICE Director Todd Lyons cites video evidence contradictory to officer testimony.
  • Officers are on administrative leave during the probe.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Video evidence showed testimony made by two separate officers appeared to have included untruthful statements…” — Ryland Barton (01:08)

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Winter Olympics Shocker in Men’s Figure Skating

[01:42 – 02:20]

• Ilya Malinin, U.S. favorite and world champion, finishes eighth:

  • “One of the biggest shocks in Olympic history.” Malinin fell twice, completed only three of seven quadruple jumps.
  • Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shadorov wins gold; Malinin misses the podium entirely.

• Memorable Moment:

  • “This was supposed to be a coronation, but he just had a horrible free skate… He didn't win gold. He didn't win silver or bronze. He ended up in eighth place.” — Steve Futterman (01:50)

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U.S. Inflation Eases

[02:20 – 03:11]

• January’s Consumer Price Index:

  • Inflation at 2.4% year-over-year, slower rise than December.
  • Offsetting factors: higher rents and groceries versus a 7.5% drop in gasoline prices over the year; electricity and natural gas prices soared.
  • Core inflation (excluding food and energy): 2.5% (also a slowdown).

• Notable Quote:

  • “Grocery prices in January were up 2.1% from a year ago. Airfares also got more expensive last month, while used cars and trucks got cheaper.” — Scott Horsley (02:41)

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London Court Rules on UK Protest Ban

[03:11 – 04:11]

• UK's designation of 'Palestine Action' as a terror group challenged:

  • High court says government’s ban is “disproportionate” but lets the ban stay for now, pending appeal.
  • Since 2020, the group has vandalized arms factories tied to Israel; supporters faced arrest for mere expressions of support during Gaza war protests.
  • The ruling underscores tension between anti-terror policy and civil liberties in the UK.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Judges ruled the government's labeling of Palestine Action as a terror group was, quote, disproportionate… Protests over this grew during the Gaza war, prompting questions about free speech and civil liberties.” — Lauren Fryer (03:34, 03:53)

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Amazon’s Ring Ends Flock Safety Partnership

[04:13 – 04:38]

• Ring backs out of tech integration with neighborhood surveillance firm after backlash:
  • Decision comes after controversy over a Super Bowl ad featuring AI and lost dog recovery.
  • Cited need for more time/resources and concerns raised by critics about privacy with neighborhood camera networks.

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LeBron James Breaks NBA Age Record

[04:38 – 04:57]

• James becomes oldest player with a triple-double (41 years, 44 days):
  • Breaks Karl Malone’s record with the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks.
  • Demonstrates continued dominance and longevity in the NBA.

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Segment Timestamps

• Partial government shutdown, ICE/Minneapolis shooting: 00:15 – 01:42
• Winter Olympics men’s figure skating upset: 01:42 – 02:20
• U.S. inflation report: 02:20 – 03:11
• UK court and protest ban: 03:11 – 04:11
• Amazon Ring news and LeBron’s record: 04:13 – 04:57

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Notable Quotes

• “But this shutdown wouldn't mean a shutdown of ICE itself.” — Barbara Sprunt (00:45)
• “Video evidence showed testimony… included untruthful statements…” — Ryland Barton (01:08)
• “This was supposed to be a coronation… he ended up in eighth place.” — Steve Futterman (01:50)
• “Core inflation in January was 2.5%. That's also a smaller annual increase than the month before.” — Scott Horsley (02:55)
• “Judges ruled the government's labeling of Palestine Action as a terror group was… disproportionate.” — Lauren Fryer (03:34)
• “At 41 years and 44 days old, James broke the record held by Karl Malone.” — Ryland Barton (04:44)

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This concise news update spans government, legal, economic, international, technology, and sports highlights, delivering the day’s key stories with clarity and brevity.

Transcript

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[Ryland Barton]

See terms live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm RYLAND Barton. The U.S. is facing another partial government shutdown as Department of Homeland Security funding expires at midnight. NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports.

[Mint Mobile Announcer]

Democrats say they'll only fund DHS if there are significant changes to the department, specifically Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, after two US Citizens were fatally shot by officers in Minneapolis. But this shutdown wouldn't mean a shutdown of ICE itself. That agency received over $70 billion in separate funding from Congress last summer. Lawmakers in both the Senate and House are expected to be out of town next week, but they'll be on notice to return to D.C. if there's a deal. Barbara Sprent, NPR News, Washington.

[Ryland Barton]

Federal authorities are investigating whether two immigration officers lied under oath about a shooting in Minneapolis last month. ICE Director Todd Lyons says video evidence showed testimony made by two separate officers appeared to have included untruthful statements about the shooting of one of the Venezuelan men. The officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of an internal investigation. At the Winter Olympics in Milan, an unexpected result in the men's figure skating competition. Ilya Malinin, the United States, the reigning world champion and the overwhelming favorite, fell twice and failed to win a medal. Steve Futterman was at the Milano Arena.

[Steve Futterman]

It is without doubt one of the biggest shocks in Olympic history. Ilia Malinin was virtually given the gold medal before the Olympics. This was supposed to be a coronation, but he just had a horrible free skate. He fell twice. He completed only three of his seven planned quadruple jumps. And when it was over, he didn't win gold. He didn't win silver or bronze. He ended up in eighth place. The gold medal goes to Mikhail Shadorov of Kazakhstan. Ilya Malinin may still be the best in the world, but he's not an Olympic champion. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.

[Ryland Barton]

Inflation in the U.S. economy eased in January. NPR's Scott Horsley says consumer prices rose 2.4% compared to the same month a year earlier.

[Scott Horsley]

The latest cost of living index from the Labor Department shows prices rose more slowly in January than they did the month before. Rising rents and grocery prices last month were partially offset by the falling price of gasoline. Gasoline prices have tumbled 7.5% over the last year, but the price of electricity and natural gas has jumped sharply. Grocery prices in January were up 2.1% from a year ago. Airfares also got more expensive last month, while used cars and trucks got cheaper. Stripping out volatile food and energy prices, core inflation in January was 2.5%. That's also a smaller annual increase than the month before. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Ryland Barton]

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. London's high court has ruled that the United Kingdom's ban on a prominent pro Palestinian group is unlawful, but has allowed it to stay in place for now. NPR's Lawrence Freyer reports.

[Lauren Fryer]

Cheers went up through the crowd outside a London court where judges ruled the government's labeling of Palestine Action as a terror group was, quote, disproportionate. Since 2020, the group has vandalized UK arms factories, including some manufacturing weapons for Israel. After the UK Banned Palestine Action, it became illegal to express support for it, and thousands of otherwise peaceful protesters were arrested for carrying placards or wearing T shirts with the group's name, some faced to 14 years in prison. Protests over this grew during the Gaza war, prompting questions about free speech and civil liberties. The court says the ban will stay in place, though, pending a government appeal next week.

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Lauren Fryer, NPR News, London.

[Ryland Barton]

Amazon's Ring camera service is ending its plan to partner with police surveillance company Flock Safety after critics rose fresh worries about neighborhood camera networks. Ring says the integration would take more time and resources than expected. The move follows backlash to a Super bowl ad. The ad shows a lost dog found through cameras and AI. LeBron James has become the oldest player in NBA history to have a triple double. That's double digit points, assists and rebounds in a game. He accomplished the feat for the Los Angeles Lakers last night against the Dallas Mavericks. At 41 years and 44 days old, James broke the record held by Karl Malone. This is NPR News.

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This message comes from Mint mobile. Starting at $15 a month. Make the [e-mail] Switch $45 upfront payment for 3 months 5 gigabyte plan equivalent to $15 a month. Taxes and fees Extra first 3 months only. See terms.