NPR News Now – February 15, 2026, 5PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: National and International Headlines – U.S. Foreign Relations, Domestic Policy Shifts, Community Impact of ICE Operations, Changes to Census Testing, Entertainment Trends, LGBTQ+ Rights

Overview

This episode delivers a rapid roundup of the day’s top news stories, spanning U.S. diplomatic efforts in Europe, the economic and community consequences of ICE operations in Minnesota, concerns about significant changes to the upcoming Census field test, box office news centered around Valentine's Day, and ongoing controversy over the removal of the pride flag at New York’s Stonewall National Monument.

Key Segments and Insights

1. U.S. Foreign Relations: Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Tour in Europe

[00:16 – 01:04]

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio continues his diplomatic trip overseas, currently in Hungary after visiting Slovakia.
• Aims to reinforce U.S. support for strong, independent European allies, emphasizing partnership over dependency.
• Rubio addressed skepticism regarding European reliance on the U.S., particularly within NATO.
• Quote (Marco Rubio, 00:33):

  "We never—we don’t want Europe to be dependent on—we’re not asking Europe to be a vassal of the United States. We want to be your partner."
  "The stronger the members of NATO are, the stronger NATO is."

• Upcoming meeting with Hungarian President Viktor Orban, noted for his close ties to both President Trump and Russian President Putin, and for his opposition to military aid to Ukraine.

2. Impact of ICE Operations in Minnesota

[01:04 – 02:16]

• ICE agents are leaving Minnesota, but the local economy has suffered significantly.
• Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry reports over $200 million in economic damage from the operations, including lost wages and hotel cancellations.
• Quote (Jacob Fry, via Windsor Johnston, 01:30):

  "The operations have cost the city more than $200 million, including lost wages and hotel cancellations."

• Hansi Lo Wang underscores the “staggering” damage caused by the operations.
• Small business owners, like cell phone vendor Khalid Abdi, expect a slow recovery as residents regain financial stability and feel safe to return.
• Quote (Khalid Abdi, 01:58):

  "It might take a couple months after they leave because people have to get back to their financial being stable."

• The enforcement surge faces backlash from both parties, especially after two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by ICE agents last month.

3. Controversial Census Field Test Cuts

[02:16 – 03:11]

• The Trump administration is implementing significant changes to the 2026 Census field test:
  • Rural and indigenous areas excluded.
  • Support for non-English languages cut.
  • Citizenship status question added, which research suggests will reduce participation.
• The Census Bureau claims commitment to accuracy, but has not responded to media inquiries about the changes.
• Civil rights advocates, like Erica Bernal Martinez, warn these steps could undermine a fair count in 2030, specifically harming Latino and broader national representation.
• Quote (Erica Bernal Martinez, 02:52):

  "The way that the Census Bureau has announced these changes to the 2026 test is going to sabotage any chance we have at an accurate count in 2030 for the Latino community and for the nation as a whole."

• The test will occur in parts of Alabama and South Carolina starting in April.

4. Valentine's Day Box Office Success

[03:11 – 04:08]

• Valentine's Day drives a box office spike, especially for romance films.
• Netflix attempted to purchase rights to a new "Wuthering Heights" adaptation but was outbid by a traditional studio; the filmmakers preferred a theatrical release for the holiday weekend.
• Audience skew: 75% women, indicating strong appeal to female and group viewers.
• Quote (Bob Mondello, 03:24):

  "Heathcliff not just Stream. Turns out they were right, with women making up 75% of the audience." "Wuthering Heights was both a date movie and an excuse for a girls night out."

• Projected earnings: $40 million domestic, $42 million international.
• Family animated comedy "Goat," focused on basketball and teamwork, is projected to earn $34 million.
• Quote (From 'Goat', 03:54):

  "We’re all different, but that’s what makes us strong. And together we can do something great."

5. Pride Flag Removal at Stonewall National Monument

[04:08 – 04:54]

• Ongoing controversy as the Trump administration removes the pride flag from the historic Stonewall National Monument.
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to introduce legislation to enforce congressional recognition and protection of the flag at the site.
• Quote (Chuck Schumer/ Bob Mondello, 04:23):

  "The attempts to hurt New Yorkers and the LGBTQ community won't fly, but the Stonewall flag will always fly."

• Local politicians have already raised a replacement flag in defiance.
• Background: The original flag was displayed for years at the National Park Service-run park across from the Stonewall Inn, the site of the 1969 uprising pivotal to the LGBTQ+ movement.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Marco Rubio: "We want to be your partner. We want to work with our allies … the stronger you are… the stronger NATO is." (00:33)
• Minneapolis Economic Toll: "The operations have cost the city more than $200 million." (01:30)
• Census Concern: "This is going to sabotage any chance we have at an accurate count…" – Erica Bernal Martinez (02:52)
• Box Office Insights: "Heathcliff not just Stream." – Bob Mondello (03:24)
• LGBTQ+ Rights: "The attempts to hurt New Yorkers and the LGBTQ community won't fly, but the Stonewall flag will always fly." – Chuck Schumer (04:23)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:16 – 01:04: U.S. – Europe relations, Secretary Rubio’s tour
• 01:04 – 02:16: Aftermath of ICE operations in Minnesota
• 02:16 – 03:11: Census test controversy and community response
• 03:11 – 04:08: Valentine's Day box office trends
• 04:08 – 04:54: Stonewall pride flag removal controversy

Tone

The episode maintains NPR's signature calm, informative, and balanced delivery. Direct quotes convey authentic urgency and the emotional stakes behind the stories (economic loss, civil rights jeopardy, community resilience).

For listeners who missed the episode, this summary captures the essentials: shifting international relations, economic and civil impacts at home, heated census debates, culture and identity in entertainment, and pivotal moments for LGBTQ+ visibility and rights.