NPR News: 02-14-2026 10AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – February 14, 2026, 10AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Podcast: NPR News Now
Date: February 14, 2026

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Overview

This episode delivers a brisk, five-minute rundown of the latest major news stories in the U.S. and abroad, focusing on the federal partial government shutdown over immigration policy, international security cooperation, legal challenges around college admissions, policy changes at public libraries, Winter Olympics updates, and business news.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Partial Government Shutdown and Its Fallout

• [00:16 – 01:15]
  • The U.S. federal government has gone into partial shutdown following the expiration of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at midnight.
  • Main point of contention: Disagreement between lawmakers on immigration agency tactics.
    • Democrats: Demand for reforms such as removal of masks and requiring judicial warrants for immigration agents. They seek these requirements to be codified into law.
    • White House/President Trump: Emphasizes protecting law enforcement and criticizes Democrats.
      • Quote:
        • President Donald Trump [00:54]: "Look, I know what they want. I know what they can live with. The Democrats have gone crazy. They're radical left lunatics."
    • The administration aims to limit disruptions from the shutdown.
  • Congress is currently in recess and won’t return for a week.
  • Air travel might see disruptions since TSA is under the DHS umbrella.

2. U.S.-Europe Relations & Security at the Munich Conference

• [01:15 – 02:00]
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizes the importance of U.S.-European unity amid global challenges, referencing historic cooperation and warning about Western "decline."
    • Quote:
      • Senator Marco Rubio [01:43]: "Our predecessors recognized that decline was a choice and it was a choice they refused to make. This is what we did together once before and this is what President Trump and the United States want to do again now, together with you."
  • Rubio raises concerns about mass migration, erosion of the rules-based order, and calls for U.N. reform.
  • Advises caution for Europe in dealings with China to avoid risking national interests.

3. Lawsuit Filed Against Harvard University over Admissions

• [02:00 – 03:11]
  • The Trump administration has sued Harvard, alleging the university failed to fully comply with a federal probe into its admissions process.
    • The investigation centers on compliance with the 2023 Supreme Court decision ending race-based admissions.
    • The government clarifies it is not accusing Harvard of discrimination, nor seeking damages or an end to federal funding.
    • Harvard has not yet responded.
    • Reported by: Alyssa Nadworny

4. New State Department Policy on Passport Applications

• [03:11 – 03:57]
  • The State Department has ordered public libraries to stop processing passport applications—a longstanding public service in many communities.
    • Cease and desist orders have been sent to libraries, prompting backlash from members of Congress.
    • Lawmakers call the move “abrupt” in a letter to Secretary Rubio.
    • The administration argues that law prohibits non-governmental organizations from collecting fees for such services.

5. Olympic Highlights: U.S. Women in Freestyle Skiing

• [03:57 – 04:39]
  • At the Winter Olympics in Milan, U.S. mogul skiers Jalen Kauf and Elizabeth Lemley medaled in the dual moguls event.
    • Kauf won silver—her third Olympic silver—and Lemley took bronze.
    • Both athletes praised their team's camaraderie.
    • Quote:
      • Jalen Kauf (US mogul skier) [04:21]: "A lot of what makes us so strong is the relationships that we have with each other. We're really close, really supportive of each other and constantly encouraging and pushing each other."
    • Gold was secured by Australian skier Jakara Anthony.

6. Wendy’s to Close Several Hundred U.S. Locations

• [04:39 – 04:54]
  • Fast food chain Wendy’s announces closure of several hundred U.S. restaurants due to poor fourth-quarter performance.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• President Donald Trump criticizes Democrats' stance on immigration [00:54]:

  "Look, I know what they want. I know what they can live with. The Democrats have gone crazy. They're radical left lunatics."

• Senator (Secretary of State) Marco Rubio on U.S.-European cohesion [01:43]:

  "Our predecessors recognized that decline was a choice and it was a choice they refused to make. This is what we did together once before and this is what President Trump and the United States want to do again now, together with you."

• Olympic silver medalist Jalen Kauf on team support [04:21]:

  "A lot of what makes us so strong is the relationships that we have with each other. We're really close, really supportive of each other and constantly encouraging and pushing each other."

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Partial Government Shutdown Coverage: 00:16 – 01:15
• U.S.-Europe Security Conference & Rubio Speech: 01:15 – 02:00
• Harvard Lawsuit Explained: 02:00 – 03:11
• State Department Ends Library Passport Services: 03:11 – 03:57
• Winter Olympics: U.S. Skiers Medal: 03:57 – 04:39
• Wendy’s Closures Announced: 04:39 – 04:54

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Host: Windsor Johnston
Reporters: Tamara Keith, Alyssa Nadworny, Ping Wang

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This episode provides a snapshot of urgent political negotiations, international diplomacy, evolving legal landscapes, grassroots public service policy, American athletic achievement on the world stage, and shifts in the national economic landscape—all succinctly wrapped in NPR’s signature fast-paced, factual style.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The federal government is once again in partial shutdown. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired at midnight after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on the way federal immigration agencies conduct business. NPR's Tamara Keith reports.

[Tamara Keith]

Democrats say they need significant changes to the tactics being used by immigration agents, like removing masks and requiring judicial warrants, and they want those changes cemented in law. President Trump was asked about negotiations while preparing to board Marine One. He said he has to protect law enforcement.

[President Donald Trump]

Look, I know what they want. I know what they can live with. The Democrats have gone crazy. They're radical left lunatics.

[Tamara Keith]

A White House official not authorized to speak on the record tells npr. Ultimately there will have to be a compromise, though the administration is working to limit any interruptions from the partial government shutdown. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Congress is in recess and won't return to Washington for a week. Air travel, meanwhile, could face problems because the Transportation Security Administration is included in DHS funding. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Europe and the United States belong together. Speaking at the Munich Security at the Bertie conference, Rubio echoed Trump administration warnings about Western decline while also stressing the long standing ties between the US And Europe together.

[Senator Marco Rubio]

Our predecessors recognized that decline was a choice and it was a choice they refused to make. This is what we did together once before and this is what President Trump and the United States want to do again now, together with you.

[Windsor Johnston]

Rubio warned about mass migration and what he called the erosion of the rules based order, arguing that institutions like the United nations need major reform. He also said European nations should engage with China but need to be cautious of compromising their national interests. The Trump administration filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, accusing it of failing to comply with a federal investigation. NPR's Alyssa Nadworny reports.

[Alyssa Nadworny]

The new complaint filed by Lawyers from the U.S. justice Department in a federal court in Boston seeks documents related to the Ivy League's admissions process. Those documents, the government argues, will help demonstrate if Harvard is complying with a 2023 decision by the U.S. supreme Court that ruled race conscious college admissions programs unconstitutional. In the complaint, lawyers said that the United States was not accusing Harvard of any discriminatory conduct and was not seeking monetary damages or the cancellation of federal funding. Harvard did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Alyssa Nadworny, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is NPR News. In Washington. The State Department has ordered nonprofit public libraries to stop taking passport applications. The agency began sending cease and desist orders. Librarians say the service has worked for years and many residents still rely on it. Members of Congress from several states are pushing back. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling the change abrupt, the Trump administration says the order was issued because federal law and regulations clearly prohibit non governmental organizations from collecting and retaining fees for passport applications. At the Winter Olympics, two U.S. women free skiers landed on the medal stand today. NPR's Ping Wang reports from Milan.

[Ping Wang]

For the second time this week, US Mogul skiers Jalen Cough from Wyoming and Elizabeth Lemley from Colorado stood on the podium in their snow white beanies clutching Stuffies as the weight of their Olympic medals settled around their necks. In the dual moguls event where skiers compete side by side, Laemmle won bronze and Kauf won silver. This is Kauf's third Olympics and her third silver medal. She praised her US Teammates in a press conference.

[US Mogul Skier]

A lot of what makes us so strong is the relationships that we have with each other. We're really close, really supportive of each other and constantly encouraging and pushing each other.

[Ping Wang]

Australian free skier Jakara Anthony won the gold. Ping Huang, NPR News, Milan.

[Windsor Johnston]

Fast food chain Wendy's says it's closing several hundred restaurants in the U.S. the decision comes after a weaker than expected fourth quarter. I'm Windsor Johnston, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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