NPR News Now: 02-14-2026 4AM EST

Host: Dale Willman (NPR)
Date: February 14, 2026

Episode Overview

This rapid-fire NPR News Now episode delivers key headlines and major events from overnight, focusing on the U.S. federal government’s partial shutdown, major Olympic upsets in Milan, civil rights protests at a Minnesota church, the death of Kent State shooting historian Jerry M. Lewis, and developments on drug trafficking in the Caribbean. The episode is delivered in a neutral, news-driven tone, punctuated by firsthand quotes and field reports.

Major News Highlights

1. Federal Government Partial Shutdown

(00:16 – 01:15)

• The U.S. government has entered its third partial shutdown in three months, with Department of Homeland Security funding lapsing at midnight.
• The conflict revolves around disagreements between Republicans and Democrats on how ICE agents should operate.
• Key Democratic Demands:
  • Removal of masks by immigration agents
  • Requirement of judicial warrants
  • Permanent legislative changes to cement these operating standards
• President Trump’s Stance:
  • Firm on supporting law enforcement, dismisses Democrats’ proposals as extreme.
  • Quote (00:54)—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."

• Negotiations appear deadlocked; a White House official suggests a compromise will be necessary, but efforts are ongoing to minimize shutdown fallout.
• Congress is in recess for a week, increasing uncertainty over core government functions, notably air travel due to TSA’s inclusion under DHS.

2. Activists and Journalist Plead Not Guilty in Minnesota Church Protest

(01:15 – 02:02)

• Journalist Don Lemon, activist Georgia Ford, and other demonstrators pleaded not guilty to federal charges of disrupting services at City’s Church in St. Paul, MN.
• Demonstration (Jan. 18) highlighted concerns over an ICE official serving in the church’s ministry team.
• Activist Perspective:
  • Protest leader Nikima Levy Armstrong vows to continue activism, calling out hypocrisy within the church.
• Legal Response:
  • Church attorneys argue First Amendment freedoms don’t permit actions violating the sanctity of religious services.

3. Shocking Olympic Figure Skating Upset

(02:02 – 03:06)

• At the Winter Olympics in Milan, overwhelming favorite Ilia Malinin (USA) dramatically underperforms: two falls, only three completed quadruple jumps, and falls from 1st to 8th place.
• Mikhail Shadarov (Kazakhstan) wins gold in a stunning upset.
  • Quote (02:43)—Mikhail Shadarov (via interpreter):

    "I was surprised. Usually Ilya's skating is excellent, and he demonstrated it throughout the season."

• Malinin expresses feelings of being overwhelmed:
  • Paraphrased (02:50)—Steve Futterman:
    "He told reporters the Olympics are unlike any other event, saying he felt overwhelmed and had no control."
• Shadarov’s win marks Kazakhstan's first Winter Olympic skating gold.

4. Stock Market Update

(03:06 – 03:17)

• The Dow Jones closes up by 48 points, the Nasdaq down 50 points—markets end mixed ahead of the weekend.

5. U.S. Southern Command Reports Fatal Incident at Sea

(03:17 – 03:50)

• Three killed when a vessel suspected of drug trafficking exploded in the Caribbean.
• The U.S. Southern Command provided no material evidence the boat was drug-affiliated, but released a video of the incident.
• Ongoing campaign against drug boats: 133 people have been killed so far.

6. Remembering Jerry M. Lewis: Kent State Tragedy Historian

(03:50 – 04:21)

• Jerry M. Lewis, sociologist, eyewitness, and chronicler of the 1970 Kent State shootings, has died at age 88.
• His work emphasized honest reckoning and remembrance of the tragedy.
  • Quote (04:10)—Roseanne Canfora (KSU faculty, survivor):

    "Losing Jerry feels like losing a compass. He, more than anybody, helped to turn tragedy into teaching, and that's no small thing."

• Lewis passed away at his home in Maine.

7. More Olympic Results

(04:28 – 04:54)

• Japanese snowboarder Yuto Tatsuka secures Olympic gold in the men's halfpipe.
• Australia’s Scotty James wins silver again, after failing his 1620-degree spin.
• Recap of Shadarov’s historic gold for Kazakhstan in men’s figure skating.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• President Trump on Negotiations:
  • "The Democrats have gone crazy. They're radical left lunatics." (00:54)
• Mikhail Shadarov on Malinin's Skate:
  • "Usually Ilya's skating is excellent, and he demonstrated it throughout the season." (02:43)
• Kent State Survivor on Jerry M. Lewis:
  • "He, more than anybody, helped to turn tragedy into teaching, and that's no small thing." (04:10)

Key Timestamps

• 00:16 – Government Shutdown Coverage Begins
• 01:15 – Congressional Recess & Airport Warnings
• 01:42 – Minnesota Church Protest Legal Update
• 02:02 – Olympics: Malinin’s Fall & Shadarov’s Win
• 03:17 – Drug Boat Explosion in Caribbean
• 03:50 – Remembrance of Jerry M. Lewis
• 04:28 – Other Olympic Results: Snowboard Halfpipe

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections (beginning and end of the show) have been omitted in this summary.