NPR News: 02-14-2026 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – February 14, 2026, 9PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: February 15, 2026
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of significant national and global stories, with emphasis on a Department of Homeland Security shutdown, Ukraine’s struggle under Russian attacks, U.S.-China anti-drug cooperation, U.S. Olympic hockey success, census policy controversy, and trends in chocolate pricing.

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1. Department of Homeland Security Shutdown

[00:15–01:17]

• Overview:
  The Department of Homeland Security is partially shut down after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement regarding restraints on immigration officers. Congress has left for a recess, making an immediate resolution unlikely.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • This is the third shutdown in three months.
  • The White House and congressional Democrats remain at an impasse.
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune is cautiously optimistic but noncommittal about a solution.
  • Essential services within FEMA and TSA will continue, but other functions are halted.

• Notable Quotes:

  • John Thune: “I think if people are operating in good faith and actually want a solution, that deal space is there. I think this can get done.” [00:50]

---

2. Russia-Ukraine War: Damage to Ukraine’s Energy Grid

[01:17–01:59]

• Overview:
  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reports severe and ongoing damage to every Ukrainian power plant from Russian attacks, leveraging his presence at the Munich Security Conference to call for faster delivery of air defenses.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Zelensky stresses that unity among allies is vital to repel Russian aggression.
  • He warns that Russian efforts to fracture international alliances are strategic and ongoing.
  • Zelensky is frustrated that air defenses sometimes only arrive “at the last minute” before attacks.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Volodymyr Zelensky:
    “While we invest in interceptors and protection, Russia invests in breaking unity between all of us, our unity with you, unity in Europe, unity in the Euro Atlantic community. They want to break it. Why? Because our unity is the best interceptor against Russia's aggressive plans.” [01:36]

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3. U.S.–China Cooperation on Combating Drugs and Trade Tensions

[01:59–03:11]

• Overview:
  The United States and China held talks about combatting drug trafficking and money laundering, an effort to stabilize broader trade relations, according to reports from Chinese state media.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Conversations addressed anti-money laundering and the regulation of chemical precursors.
  • Previous cooperation faltered after the Trump administration levied tariffs due to fentanyl concerns.
  • Both nations are working towards a summit between President Trump and President Xi, possibly in April.
  • A truce is in place following retaliatory tariffs from both sides.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Jennifer Paak (NPR’s Shanghai correspondent):
    "While it says such talk started in 2002, Chinese officials have said cooperation on anti-drug efforts were damaged last year. That's when President Trump accused China of not stemming the flow of chemicals that can be turned into street fentanyl." [02:26]

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4. U.S. Men’s Hockey Team Wins Again at the Winter Olympics

[03:27–04:09]

• Overview:
  Reporting from Milan, Steve Futterman highlights a second consecutive win for the U.S. men’s hockey team at the Winter Olympics, defeating Denmark 6-3.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Team USA started slow, trailing Denmark early in the first period.
  • The Americans surged ahead in the second period with three unanswered goals.
  • Forward Fridi Tkachuk stood out with a goal and an assist.
  • A win or tie against Germany will send the team to the quarterfinals.

• Memorable Moments:

  • Denmark’s early lead set up a tense first period.
  • U.S. dominance emerged in the second period, shifting momentum.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Steve Futterman:
    "The American team got off to a slow start, but came on strong after that to defeat Denmark 6-3...Fridi Tkachuk led the Americans with a goal and an assist." [03:27]

---

5. Census Citizenship Question Controversy

[04:09–04:30]

• Overview:
  Civil rights activists warn about the Trump administration’s inclusion of a citizenship status question in the census, which may hinder accurate U.S. population counts for 2030.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • The new question may deter participation, particularly among immigrant communities.
  • There are concerns this could impact the distribution of federal resources and congressional representation.

---

6. Chocolate Prices Defy Falling Cocoa Costs

[04:30–04:56]

• Overview:
  U.S. consumers shouldn’t expect cheaper Valentine’s Day or Easter chocolate, despite cocoa prices plummeting by 70% year-over-year.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Retail chocolate prices jumped 14% year-over-year in early 2026, after a 7.8% increase in 2025.
  • The disconnect is attributed to supply chain dynamics, corporate pricing, and possibly inflation, rather than just cocoa prices.

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End of news content.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

See Terms live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. A critical part of the federal government, the Department of Homeland Security, is shut down and Congress isn't in session to reopen it. NPR Sam Greeng, this after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement to restrain the conduct of immigration officers.

[Sam Greenglass]

It is the third shutdown in as many months and despite ongoing back and forth between the White House and congressional Democrats, a deal is not close. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said this week that could change.

[John Thune]

I think if people are operating in good faith and actually want a solution, that deal space is there. I think this can get done.

[Sam Greenglass]

But lawmakers have left town for a week long recess and though they could be called back, this partial shutdown is more likely to last through the week or beyond. In addition to immigration enforcement, the department also includes FEMA and tsa. Critical functions will continue during the shutdown. Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says there isn't a single power plant in Ukraine that hasn't been damaged by Russian air attacks. Speaking at the Munich security conference today, he repeated his call for quicker air defense deliveries, saying there are times when missiles would arrive at the last minute before an attack.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

While we invest in interceptors and protection, Russia invests in breaking unity between all of us, our unity with you, unity in Europe, unity in the Euro Atlantic community. They want to break it. Why? Because our unity is the best interceptor against Russia's aggressive plans.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who's also at the security conference, says he doesn't know if Russia's secretary serious about ending its nearly four year old war in Ukraine. The United States and China have swapped intelligence on combating drugs. Representatives met in the US this week. That's according to Chinese state media. NPR's Jennifer Paak reports from Shanghai. It comes as both sides seek to smooth trade tensions.

[Jennifer Paak]

The US And China had in depth discussions on anti money laundering efforts, chemical control and management, among other issues, according to Xinhua News Agency. While it says such Talk started in 2002, Chinese officials have said cooperation on anti drug efforts were damaged last year. That's when President Trump accused China of not stemming the flow of chemicals that can be turned into street fentanyl. He imposed a 20% tariff on all Chinese exports related to the fentanyl issue and added other levies over trade. China retaliated. Both sides have called a trade truce and are working on a meeting between Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, who potentially in April. Jennifer Pack, NPR News, Shanghai.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. In Italy, the US Men's hockey team has won a second straight game at the Winter Olympics. Steve Futterman has more from Italy.

[Steve Futterman]

The American team got off to a slow start, but came on strong after that to defeat Denmark 6 3. Early on, the heavily favored US squad found itself behind. Denmark scored the first goal a minute 40 into the game. Then after the Americans tied it, Denmark took a 2 to 1 lead midway through the first period. In the second period, though, the US Took over, scoring three straight goals, going on top four to two and led the rest of the way. Fridi Tkachuk led the Americans with a goal and an assist. The US Team next takes on Germany or a win or a tie in regulation in that game will guarantee the Americans advance to the quarterfinals. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Civil rights activists are raising concerns about the Trump administration's changes to the census questionnaire. People will now be asked about citizenship status that could affect the ability to accurately count the population in 2030. Cocoa prices are falling down nearly 70% from a year ago, but that won't make heart shaped boxes of chocolate or even chocolate Easter bunnies more affordable this year. Market research company Datasembly says chocolate prices at U.S. retail stores rose 14% between Jan. 1 and the first week of February compared to the same period last year. That's on top of a 7.8% increase for the same period in 2025. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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