NPR News Now – 02-15-2026, 8AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Date: February 15, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode provides the top headlines from across the United States and internationally in a concise five-minute segment. The major stories include the ongoing partial government shutdown affecting U.S. airport operations, repercussions of a federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota, renewed U.S.-China cooperation on anti-drug efforts, an important community science bird count, and updates from the International Space Station.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown Impacting US Airports

[00:13 – 01:23]

• The U.S. is in the midst of a partial government shutdown due to Congress missing a funding deadline for the Department of Homeland Security.
• TSA agents are working without pay, causing anticipated travel delays at airports.
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) remains funded, but agencies like the Coast Guard, TSA, and FEMA are facing furloughs or requiring staff to work unpaid.
• Senate negotiations are deadlocked, largely over disagreements on immigration policy changes.
  • Claudia Grisales notes:

    "Even as many lawmakers left town for a week long recess, leaders argued the bipartisan negotiations will continue."
    (Claudia Grisales, 01:16)

2. Aftermath of Federal Immigration Crackdown in Minnesota

[01:23 – 02:14]

• Federal agents are starting to withdraw after weeks of aggressive immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
• The operations reportedly cost over $200 million to Minneapolis’ economy—cited by the city’s mayor.
  • Notable quote:

    "The damage caused by this operation has been staggering."
    (Jacob Fry, Mayor of Minneapolis, 01:41)

• Small business owners, like Khalid Abdi, express concerns that trust and economic stability will take months to recover.
  • Khalid Abdi shares:

    "Returning customers will start going back to work. It might take a couple months after they leave because people have to get back to their financial being."
    (Khalid Abdi, 01:56)

• The crackdown triggered bipartisan backlash after two U.S. citizens were killed by ICE agents.

3. U.S. and China Resume Cooperation on Drug Enforcement

[02:14 – 03:14]

• U.S. and Chinese officials conducted in-depth discussions on anti-money laundering and chemical control.
• The renewed dialogue comes after last year’s souring of relations—tariffs and disputes over fentanyl precursors.
  • Jennifer Pak remarks:

    "Both sides have called a trade truce and are working on a meeting between Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, potentially in April."
    (Jennifer Pak, Shanghai, 03:06)

• The talks signal efforts to reset anti-drug cooperation.

4. Annual Christmas Bird Count Wraps Up

[03:14 – 04:15]

• The annual citizen science bird count is concluding, with birders in Aspen, CO assisted by ski patrol who helped spot rare species like the ptarmigan.
• Unusually dry and warm conditions made birding harder; this affected numbers.
• Rebecca Weiss of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies highlights the ptarmigan’s elusive presence:

  "It's kind of hard for people to census ptarmigans because they live so remotely and in such rugged habitat. Their plumage is pure white."
  (Rebecca Weiss, 03:56)

• The Snowmass ski patrol is one of the few ski patrols globally involved in bird counts.

5. International Space Station Fully Staffed Again

[04:15 – 04:42]

• Four new crew arrived at the ISS, restoring a full complement after a recent medical evacuation.
• French astronaut Sophie Adno shares a view from space:

  "The first time we looked at the Earth was, wow, mind blowing. The Earth is so beautiful from up there and literally we see no lines, no borders."
  (Sophie Adno, 04:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Windsor Johnston (Host):

  "Travelers could face delays at US Airports this week. The partial government shutdown means TSA screeners are now working without pay."
  (00:13)

• Claudia Grisales (NPR reporter):

  "Even as many lawmakers left town for a week long recess, leaders argued the bipartisan negotiations will continue."
  (01:16)

• Jacob Fry (Minneapolis Mayor):

  "The damage caused by this operation has been staggering."
  (01:41)

• Khalid Abdi (Minneapolis cell phone seller):

  "Returning customers will start going back to work. It might take a couple months after they leave because people have to get back to their financial being."
  (01:56)

• Rebecca Weiss (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies):

  "It's kind of hard for people to census ptarmigans because they live so remotely and in such rugged habitat. Their plumage is pure white."
  (03:56)

• Sophie Adno (French astronaut, ISS):

  "The first time we looked at the Earth was, wow, mind blowing. The Earth is so beautiful from up there and literally we see no lines, no borders."
  (04:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:13 – Government shutdown impacts airport security/workers
• 01:23 – Immigration enforcement withdrawal from Minnesota
• 02:14 – U.S.-China drug enforcement cooperation resumes
• 03:14 – Citizen science: Annual bird count challenges
• 04:15 – Space Station: New crew members and global perspective

Summary

In this brisk news roundup, NPR covers cascading consequences from the U.S. government shutdown, the economic and human impact of aggressive immigration enforcement, the reboot of anti-drug cooperation between the U.S. and China, environmental citizen science in Aspen amid climate anomalies, and personal reflections from the International Space Station, all in five minutes—providing listeners with a compelling, global snapshot of today's most pressing issues.