NPR News Now – February 13, 2026, 8AM EST

Overview

This five-minute edition of NPR News Now (hosted by Korva Coleman) offers concise reporting on today’s biggest stories: a looming shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, a court ruling involving Venezuelan migrants, controversial new EPA announcements from President Trump, US participation in WHO flu discussions, inflation trends, an ongoing high-profile abduction case, and a new NASA Crew 12 launch to the International Space Station.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Department of Homeland Security Faces Shutdown

• [00:11 – 01:02]
  • The Senate failed to pass a funding bill for DHS, putting the agency on track to shut down at day’s end.
  • Barbara Sprunt reports:
    • Senate Democrats demand changes to DHS, particularly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by ICE officers in Minneapolis.
    • Even with a DHS shutdown, ICE will remain funded (has a separate $70 billion allocation from last summer).
    • Congress expected to be out of session next week but are “on notice” to return if a deal emerges.

2. Federal Judge Orders Return of Venezuelan Migrants

• [01:02 – 01:41]
  • A U.S. judge rules Venezuelan migrants, previously deported to El Salvador and then to Venezuela, must be allowed to return if they’re outside Venezuela and want to appeal their deportations.
  • U.S. must pay for their return or grant them entry for legal proceedings.

3. Trump Administration Overturns EPA Climate Finding

• [01:41 – 02:00]
  • President Trump announces the EPA is overturning the “endangerment finding,” which has served as the federal basis for climate action.
    • Donald Trump [01:41]:

      “We are officially terminating the so-called endangerment finding, a disastrous Obama-era policy that severely damaged the American auto industry and massively drove up prices for American consumers. Prices went up incredibly for a worse product.”

  • Environmental groups denounce the move, arguing it violates federal law and undermines U.S. climate protection commitments.

4. U.S. Participation in WHO Flu Meeting

• [02:00 – 03:10]
  • Jonathan Lambert reports:
    • Despite the U.S. officially leaving the World Health Organization earlier this year, U.S. scientists will still participate in the annual meeting to determine flu shot composition.
    • The CDC will share critical data, continuing its traditional role in international flu-prevention efforts.
    • Maria Van Kerkove, WHO official [02:55]:

      "The meeting will take place at the end of this month, and yes, the U.S. is participating."

5. Consumer Price Index and Inflation Update

• [03:10 – 03:31]
  • The Labor Department is set to release the January cost-of-living report.
  • Economists expect consumer prices to be up about 2.5% year-on-year—a slowdown from previous months, signaling cooling inflation.

6. FBI Ups Reward in Nancy Guthrie Abduction

• [03:31 – 04:09]
  • The FBI raises its reward to $100,000 for information on Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, abducted nearly two weeks prior from Tucson.
  • Authorities appeal to neighbors for security camera footage.

7. NASA’s Crew 12 Launches to the ISS

• [04:09 – 04:48]
  • NASA’s Crew 12 departed Cape Canaveral for the International Space Station.
    • Crew: Two U.S. astronauts, one French, one Russian.
    • They are traveling in a SpaceX Dragon capsule; docking is expected in about 34 hours.
    • Their mission (8 months aboard) follows a medical evacuation from the ISS, which left it short-staffed.
    • Brendan Byrne (launch moment) [04:09]:

      "Three, two, one, ignition and liftoff. Go Falcon, Go Dragon, and Godspeed Crew 12."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Donald Trump [01:41]:
  • “We are officially terminating the so-called endangerment finding, a disastrous Obama-era policy that severely damaged the American auto industry and massively drove up prices for American consumers.”
• Maria Van Kerkove, WHO official [02:55]:
  • “The meeting will take place at the end of this month, and yes, the U.S. is participating.”
• Brendan Byrne, launch commentator [04:09]:
  • “Three, two, one, ignition and liftoff. Go Falcon, Go Dragon, and Godspeed Crew 12.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• DHS Funding Crisis: 00:11 – 01:02
• Venezuelan Migrants Court Order: 01:02 – 01:41
• EPA Climate Finding Overturn: 01:41 – 02:00
• US Participates in WHO Flu Meeting: 02:00 – 03:10
• Consumer Price Index Report Preview: 03:10 – 03:31
• Nancy Guthrie Abduction Investigation: 03:31 – 04:09
• NASA Crew 12 Launch: 04:09 – 04:48

Summary

This episode delivers swift, high-impact updates on urgent U.S. political standoffs, legal rulings on immigration, shifts in federal environmental policy, major public health collaborations, economic indicators, a developing criminal investigation, and an inspiring space launch. The reporting is direct, measured, and concise—ensuring listeners have the essential facts and critical developments as the day begins.