NPR News Now: February 14, 2026 – 5AM EST

Episode Overview
This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers concise coverage of the day’s top stories: the Department of Homeland Security's shutdown, U.S.-Europe relations at the Munich Security Conference, Wall Street’s weekly performance, a major upset at the Winter Olympics, and a new restriction on public libraries handling passport applications. The reporting is factual, urgent, and characteristic of NPR’s crisp, impartial tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Homeland Security Department Shutdown

• Summary:
  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered a shutdown at midnight after Congress failed to fund the agency, affecting over 260,000 employees.

• Details:

  • A week-long Congressional recess began without a deal on federal immigration enforcement.
  • Democrats refused funding DHS without policy changes following a high-profile incident where immigration officers killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.
  • Enforcement operations continue for ICE, thanks to prior congressional allocations.
  • DHS also oversees Coast Guard, cybersecurity, disaster response, and airport security.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Democrats have refused to fund DHS without policy changes after immigration officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.”
    — Sam Greenglass (00:44)

• Timestamp: [00:15–01:27]

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

• Summary:
  Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in Germany, reaffirmed the importance of ties between the U.S. and Europe, warning of Western decline and calling for institutional reforms.

• Details:

  • Rubio cites historical U.S.-European cooperation, echoing past Trump administration stances.
  • Warns of “mass migration” and decline in the rules-based order, urging U.N. reforms.
  • Advises Europe to be cautious in engaging China.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “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.”
    — Marco Rubio (01:46)

• Timestamp: [01:27–02:02]

3. Wall Street Weekly Recap

• Summary:
  Markets fell for the week despite strong jobs and inflation data, with investor anxiety over artificial intelligence (AI) investments dominating.

• Details:

  • US employers added 130,000 jobs in January (biggest gain in over a year).
  • Inflation rose at the slowest pace in eight months.
  • “Ordinarily that might have lifted the stock market. But investors continue to be rattled by concerns around artificial intelligence.”
  • Different investor fears: AI investments failing vs. AI being too successful and displacing businesses and workers.
  • Weekly performance: Dow -1.25%, S&P 500 -1.4%, Nasdaq -2.1%.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Some fear the giant AI investments companies are making will not pay off. Others worry they'll be too successful and put other businesses and workers at risk.”
    — Scott Horsley (02:29)

• Timestamp: [02:02–03:11]

4. Winter Olympics Figure Skating Upset

• Summary:
  American skater Ilia Malinin, the event favorite, fell twice during his routine in Milan, missing out on any medal, while Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shadarov secured gold.

• Details:

  • Malinin completed only three of his intended quadruple jumps.
  • Finished eighth after leading going into the free skate.
  • First time Malinin didn’t win a major competition since 2023.
  • Malinin admitted feeling overwhelmed, stating he had "no control."
  • Shadarov expressed surprise at Malinin’s performance.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “The spectators inside the Milan arena were stunned as they witnessed the world's top male figure skater look anything but.”
    — Steve Futterman (03:32)
  • “I was surprised. Usually Ilya's skating is excellent and he demonstrated it throughout the season.”
    — Mikhail Shadarov, via interpreter (03:57)

• Timestamp: [03:11–04:21]

5. State Department Orders Libraries to Cease Passport Applications

• Summary:
  The State Department ordered nonprofit libraries to stop processing passport applications, citing legal prohibitions. Congress members from multiple states criticized the move as abrupt.

• Details:

  • Service has been longstanding and relied upon by many residents.
  • Justification: federal law prohibits non-governmental groups from collecting/retaining passport fees.
  • Bipartisan Congressional pushback in a letter to Secretary Rubio.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Members of Congress from several states are pushing back. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling the change abrupt...”
    — Windsor Johnston (04:21)

• Timestamp: [04:21–04:54]

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The broadcast delivers rapid-fire headlines with sober urgency, characteristic of NPR’s news style.
• The figure skating report stands out for its emotional atmosphere and the stunned reactions of both audience and competitors.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start – End | |----------------------------------------------------|---------------| | DHS Shutdown & Immigration Enforcement | 00:15–01:27 | | Munich Security Conference: Rubio on U.S.-Europe | 01:27–02:02 | | Wall Street Recap & AI Concerns | 02:02–03:11 | | Winter Olympics: Skating Upset | 03:11–04:21 | | Libraries Lose Passport Application Authority | 04:21–04:54 |

Notable Quotes

• “Democrats have refused to fund DHS without policy changes after immigration officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.”
  — Sam Greenglass (00:44)
• “Our predecessors recognized that decline was a choice, and it was a choice they refused to make. …This is what President Trump and the United States want to do again now, together with you.”
  — Marco Rubio (01:46)
• “Some fear the giant AI investments companies are making will not pay off. Others worry they'll be too successful and put other businesses and workers at risk.”
  — Scott Horsley (02:29)
• “The spectators inside the Milan arena were stunned as they witnessed the world's top male figure skater look anything but.”
  — Steve Futterman (03:32)
• “I was surprised. Usually Ilya's skating is excellent and he demonstrated it throughout the season.”
  — Mikhail Shadarov, via interpreter (03:57)

This news update encapsulates key events and pressing debates shaping U.S. politics, global relations, economy, sports, and public services on February 14, 2026, in NPR’s signature succinct style.