NPR News Now – Episode Summary

Episode: NPR News: 02-15-2026 4AM EST
Host: Dale Willman
Date: February 15, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers concise updates on the most important national and international news of the hour. Major stories include the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown impacting airport operations, new findings on Alexei Navalny’s death, Olympic speed skating results, unrest in Iran and Gaza, a massive demonstration in Germany, weather updates for Northern California, surging Hollywood box office numbers for Valentine’s Day, and a college basketball brawl.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Partial U.S. Government Shutdown & Travel Disruptions

[00:16–01:11]

• Main Point: Travel may be disrupted during winter break due to a partial government shutdown that halted funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
• Details: TSA agents will work without pay; the shutdown stems from disagreements in Congress over ICE regulations.
• Notable Quote:
  • Senator Gary Peters:

    “We want to put in just some common sense guardrails on actions by federal agents in DHS...[to] make sure that federal agents have to abide by the same kinds of rules and regulations that our local police in our communities follow each and every day. I think most Americans would agree that federal agents should not be above any of those laws or policies.” (01:00)

2. Official Conclusion: Navalny Was Poisoned

[01:11–02:05]

• Main Point: Five European countries have officially concluded Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, a lethal toxin, contradicting Russia’s claims he died naturally.
• International Response: A joint statement by the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands asserts Russia had the “means, motive and opportunity.”
• Navalny’s Widow Reacts:
  • Yulia Navalnya called the findings “a validation of her long standing assertion that Russian President Vladimir Putin was responsible for her husband's death.” (01:53)

3. Olympic Speed Skating: Jordan Stoltz’s Wins

[02:05–02:44]

• Main Point: U.S. skater Jordan Stoltz secured his second gold medal in Milan, aiming for four golds in total.
• Race Highlights: Beat Jenning Debo (Netherlands) in the 500m, having recently done the same in the 1000m.
• Future Goals:
  • Jordan Stoltz:

    “Yeah, I'm really happy so far to win two. I think if I have a good 1500, it should turn out well. I'm hoping for gold in that.” (02:37)

  • Fellow competitor Laurent Debray (Canada) called Stoltz “the greatest speed skater of all time.”

4. Gaza: Doctors Without Borders Suspends Operations

[02:57–03:16]

• Main Point: Due to safety issues after armed masked men entered their hospital compound, Doctors Without Borders suspended some operations at one of Gaza’s largest hospitals. No details were provided on resumption.

5. Protests in Germany Against Iran’s Crackdown

[03:16–03:46]

• Main Point: A huge demonstration outside the Munich security conference protested Iran’s fatal clampdown on dissent, with 250,000 attending.
• Background: Iran’s exiled crown prince called for protests, condemning international inaction as enabling further violence.

6. Winter Storm Alert for Northern California

[03:46–03:56]

• Main Point: Up to a foot of snow is expected for many, with mountain areas possibly accumulating eight feet.

7. Hollywood’s Romantic Box Office Surge

[03:56–04:38]

• Main Point:
  • “Wuthering Heights,” a romance film, is forecasted to exceed $30M due to Valentine’s Day weekend.
  • The animated family film “Goat” is projected to gross $25M, boosted by President’s Day on Monday.
• Notable Quote (Bob Mondello):

  “Valentine's Day with a steamy, time honored romance opening, that's the perfect movie.” (04:09)

8. College Basketball Brawl: St. John’s vs Providence

[04:38–04:54]

• Main Point: A hard foul by Duncan Powell (Providence) sparked a brawl resulting in seven ejections, including four from St. John’s.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sen. Gary Peters on DHS:
  “Federal agents should not be above any of those laws or policies.” (01:08)
• Jordan Stoltz on Olympic Goals:
  “If I have a good 1500, it should turn out well. I'm hoping for gold in that.” (02:37)
• Bob Mondello on Valentine’s Box Office:
  “Valentine's Day with a steamy, time honored romance opening, that's the perfect movie.” (04:09)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:16] – U.S. government shutdown impacts travel
• [01:11] – Navalny poisoning conclusion released
• [02:05] – Olympic speed skating update (Jordan Stoltz)
• [02:57] – Gaza hospital operations suspended
• [03:16] – German protests over Iran's crackdown
• [03:46] – Northern California winter storm
• [03:56] – Hollywood box office update for Valentine’s Day
• [04:38] – College basketball brawl

This five-minute NPR News Now episode provides swift, clear updates on top stories from politics and international relations to sports and cultural events, with direct quotes and on-the-ground reporting.