NPR News Now: February 14, 2026, 2AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: ~5 minutes

Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise roundup of major overnight news headlines, focusing on the federal government shutdown, immigration policy costs, ongoing Olympic updates, a thwarted terrorist incident in Paris, legal developments involving Don Lemon, and winners in the Winter Olympics. The reporting maintains NPR’s straightforward, factual tone, providing key developments and direct statements from those involved.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Partial Government Shutdown

Segment Start: 00:16

• The federal government is in a partial shutdown for the third time in three months.
• Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired at midnight Eastern Time due to a lack of agreement in Congress.
• According to Sam Greenglass, negotiations have stalled, with both parties at an impasse over new immigration enforcement checks after a fatal incident involving federal agents.
  • Both chambers have left for a scheduled recess and are not expected to return for another week, leaving the situation unresolved.

Notable Quote:

“Negotiations are ongoing, but with no vote in sight, lawmakers packed up and left, and because of the scheduled recess, they’re not expected to be back for another week.”
— Sam Greenglass [00:56]

2. Third Country Deportations Cost Report

Segment Start: 01:03

• Congressional Democrats are holding out on DHS funding until their demands for reforms at ICE are met.
• A new report commissioned by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) estimates that the Trump administration’s third country deportation policies have cost at least $40 million so far.
  • $32 million went to agreements with five countries (including Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Palau) to accept deportees.
  • $7.2 million was spent on deportation flights.
  • These recipient countries have histories of human rights concerns and corruption.
  • The actual costs may be higher than stated.

Notable Quote:

“Some of these countries have records of human rights violations and corruption. The Trump administration has aggressively cracked down on illegal and legal migration, deporting hundreds of thousands of people.”
— Sergio Martinez Beltran [01:51]

3. Lindsey Vaughn’s Injury and Recovery

Segment Start: 02:10

• Olympic skier Lindsey Vaughn suffered a catastrophic leg injury during a downhill race.
  • She’s been hospitalized in Treviso, Italy, with a complex tibia fracture.
  • Multiple operations have been performed, with at least two more surgeries anticipated.
  • Vaughn released a video update from her hospital bed expressing gradual physical and emotional recovery.

Memorable Moment:

“I’m final, more like myself, but have a long, long way to go.”
— Lindsey Vaughn, video statement [02:51]

• She plans to transfer home after another surgery in Italy, followed by additional surgery in the U.S.

4. Attempted Terrorist Attack in Paris

Segment Start: 03:11

• French police thwarted a knife attack at the Arc de Triomphe during the daily rekindling of the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  • The attacker stabbed an officer (minor injuries) and was subsequently killed by police.
  • The suspect recently finished a 17-year prison term in Belgium for attacking police and was known to authorities.
  • France’s anti-terrorism unit has opened an investigation.
  • President Macron responded with a statement on resilience against terrorism.

Notable Quote:

“France’s interior minister says the suspect was known to authorities and recently completed a 17 year prison sentence in Belgium for attacking two police officers there.”
— Rebecca Rossman [03:36]

5. Don Lemon Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges

Segment Start: 04:05

• Former CNN anchor Don Lemon pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges in Minnesota.
  • Arrest occurred during a protest at a church in St. Paul; Lemon states he was covering the event as an independent journalist.
  • Prosecutors allege he participated in what they termed a “mob.”

6. Winter Olympics Highlights

Segment Start: 04:25

• Mikhail Shadorov of Kazakhstan secured the nation's first ever Winter Olympic gold in the free skate after U.S. skater Ilya Malinin fell from first to eighth.
• Japan’s Yuma Kageyama earned silver in cross-country skiing.
• Norway’s Johannes Hossflatt Klebo tied the Winter Olympic gold record with his 8th gold, winning the 10-kilometer start race. He is expected to compete in three more events in Italy.

Timeline of Major Segments

• 00:16 – Partial government shutdown updates, Congressional impasse
• 01:03 – Costs and implications of Trump-era third country deportations
• 02:10 – Lindsey Vaughn’s injury, hospitalization, and recovery outlook
• 03:11 – Attempted terrorist attack in Paris and police response
• 04:05 – Don Lemon’s not guilty plea and protest arrest context
• 04:25 – Winter Olympic results and historical moments

Notable Quotes Recap

• “Negotiations are ongoing, but with no vote in sight, lawmakers packed up and left…” — Sam Greenglass [00:56]
• “Some of these countries have records of human rights violations and corruption.” — Sergio Martinez Beltran [01:51]
• “I’m final, more like myself, but have a long, long way to go.” — Lindsey Vaughn [02:51]
• “France’s interior minister says the suspect was known to authorities and recently completed a 17 year prison sentence in Belgium…” — Rebecca Rossman [03:36]

This five-minute news update offers a sharp, clear-eyed look at pressing national and international stories as of early February 14, 2026.