NPR News Now – February 13, 2026 – 9AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Length: 5 minutes
Main Theme:
A concise update on top U.S. and international news stories, including congressional negotiations over Department of Homeland Security funding, diplomatic outreach at the Munich Security Conference, antitrust developments in the Trump administration, inflation and campus violence, and the re-raising of the pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Department of Homeland Security Funding Stalemate

[00:18–01:10]

• Overview: The funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to expire at the end of the day unless Congress can reach an agreement.
• Key Issue: Disagreement between Democrats—who seek major changes to Trump-era immigration enforcement—and Republicans, who oppose some of those demands, such as the removal of masks by ICE officers.
• Bipartisan Potential: There is some consensus over measures like body cameras for officers, but compromise remains elusive.
• Notable Quote:
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune [00:48]:

    "Democrats are never going to get their full wish list. That's not the way this works. Republicans, for example, will not agree to measures that make it impossible for officers or law enforcement officers to do their jobs. But Democrats can build on the measures that Republicans have already agreed to if they actually engage in serious negotiations with the White House."

• Current Status: No spending agreement is in sight as of this report.

2. U.S. Diplomacy at the Munich Security Conference

[01:10–02:12]

• Key Figure: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is attending the Munich Security Conference, seeking to reassure European allies.
• Backdrop: European attendees are still reacting to Vice President J.D. Vance’s critical speech from the previous year, which challenged their immigration and free speech policies.
• Rubio’s Message: Calls for honest reassessment of global roles in a changing world.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Marco Rubio [01:45]:

    "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. And it's going to require all of us to sort of re examine what that looks like and what our role is going to be."

  • California Governor Gavin Newsom (on Rubio vs. Vance) [02:06, paraphrased by David Folkenflick]:

    "If we grade on the curve, it should be a good speech."

• Insight: Rubio is seen as more diplomatic compared to Vance’s approach.

3. Trump Administration Antitrust Official Resigns

[02:12–03:11]

• Story Overview: Gail Slater, the top antitrust official in the Trump administration, is stepping down after a year marked by internal tensions and high-profile cases.
• Key Cases Mentioned:
  • The proposed Netflix takeover of Warner Brothers Discovery.
  • The Justice Department settled a lawsuit against HP’s $14B takeover bid after Slater’s involvement.
• Notable Quote:
  • David Folkenflick [02:32]:

    "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."

• Insight: Slater was seen as serious about corporate consolidation issues, but her effectiveness and independence faced limits.

4. Economic and Crime Updates

[03:11–04:00]

• Inflation:
  • News: Consumer prices rose 2.4% in January year-over-year.
  • Context: This inflation rate is lower than expected, signaling moderate price increases.
• Campus Shooting in South Carolina:
  • Incident: Two killed, one wounded in a shooting at a South Carolina State University residential complex. No suspect information released yet.
  • Location: Orangeburg, about 45 miles southeast of Columbia.

5. Pride Flag Re-Raised at Stonewall National Monument

[04:00–04:50]

• Event: Activists and local officials re-raised the rainbow pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument after its removal, which was ordered by the Trump administration as part of a policy permitting only American flags at National Park Service sites.
• Community Sentiment: The removal was viewed as symbolic of anti-LGBTQ policies.
• Notable Quote:
  • Mike Hisy, Gay Activist [04:33]:

    "They want to see us erased. They want us to be gone. The pride flag has to be flown here at this park."

• Historical Context: Stonewall is the first national monument commemorating LGBTQ civil rights.

6. Financial Markets Brief

[04:50]

• Wall Street Update: Dow futures are higher in pre-market trading.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Thune, Senate Majority Leader [00:48]:

  "Democrats are never going to get their full wish list. That's not the way this works."

• Marco Rubio, Secretary of State [01:45]:

  "The old world is gone, frankly, the world I grew up in. And we live in a new era in geopolitics."

• Mike Hisy, Gay Activist [04:33]:

  "They want to see us erased. They want us to be gone. The pride flag has to be flown here at this park."

• David Folkenflick, NPR [02:32]:

  "President Trump, of course, likes to be the decider on such matters."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• DHS Funding Deadline: 00:18–01:10
• Munich Security Conference & U.S.–Europe Relations: 01:10–02:12
• Antitrust Chief Departure / Tech Mergers: 02:12–03:11
• Inflation Report / SC State Shooting: 03:11–04:00
• Pride Flag at Stonewall: 04:00–04:50
• Wall Street Update: 04:50

This episode provides a precise yet thorough news briefing, capturing the current U.S. political climate, diplomatic efforts abroad, key legal and economic turns, and symbolic moments resonating with American civil rights history.