NPR News Now – February 15, 2026, 9AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme:
A concise overview of key domestic and international news stories, focusing on U.S. foreign policy, the U.S. Census, water negotiations in the West, government shutdown impacts, and U.S.-China relations.

1. U.S. Foreign Policy and NATO Relations

[00:19–00:54]
Key Points:

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured world leaders at the Munich Security Conference of ongoing U.S. commitment to NATO.
• Rubio dismissed speculation the U.S. wants European dependence, emphasizing partnership and shared strength within the alliance.
• The backdrop includes continuing global tensions, notably the Ukraine war.

Notable Quotes:

• Marco Rubio [00:36]:
  “We don’t want Europe to be dependent on [America] ... We want to be your partner. We want to work with Europe. We want to work with our allies. We want to work in cooperation with you.”

2. Changes to U.S. Census Field Test Raise Concerns

[00:54–02:15]
Key Points:

• Civil rights advocates alarmed at the Trump administration’s changes to the 2026 U.S. Census field test, with concerns of undercounting.
• Changes include removing rural and tribal communities, cutting non-English support, and adding a citizenship question—all of which experts believe would reduce response rates.
• Census Bureau claims commitment to accuracy; advocates disagree.
• “Sabotage” of fair counts, especially for Latino and Indigenous communities, is cited as a risk.

Notable Quotes:

• Hansi Lo Wang [01:30]:
  “The Trump administration has removed rural communities and indigenous tribal lands, plus cut support for languages other than English, and also plans to ask about U.S. citizenship status, which Census Bureau research shows is likely to lower participation.”
• Erica Bernal Martinez [01:56]:
  “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.”

3. Colorado River States Fail to Reach Water Sharing Agreement

[02:15–03:11]
Key Points:

• Western states reliant on the Colorado River missed the deadline for a new water-sharing deal, risking future water supplies.
• Proposals from lower basin states (like Arizona) were rejected by upstream states.
• Potential federal intervention with deep cuts and resulting legal battles loom.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Buschatzky (Arizona’s water negotiator) via Alex Hager [02:52]:
  “It is frustrating to me that we haven’t been able to bridge gaps, and it’s probably frustrating to them, too.”

4. U.S. Government Shutdown Hits Homeland Security Agencies and Airports

[03:11–03:46]
Key Points:

• Department of Homeland Security shutdown causes TSA, Secret Service, FEMA, and Coast Guard employees to work without pay.
• Potential delays for travelers and impact on national security services.
• Congress departed without a deal to resolve the shutdown.

Notable Quotes:

• Rep. Andrew Garbarino [03:36]:
  “It’s Secret Service, FEMA, as well as the TSA officials that work at our airports, Coast Guard, they are all going to go to work without being paid.”

5. U.S.-China Tensions and CIA Recruitment Efforts

[03:46–04:53]
Key Points:

• CIA released a Chinese-language video appealing for informants, emphasizing corruption among Chinese officials and pitching cooperation as patriotic.
• U.S. accuses China of numerous cyberattacks and data collection via platforms like TikTok.
• Recruitment is challenging: many former CIA informants have been caught and executed, reducing American intelligence access in China.

Notable Quotes:

• Emily Feng [04:07]:
  “The CIA tries to persuade Chinese citizens that party officials only look out for their own interests, asking viewers if they are worried about corruption and want to help their own country. It says working for the U.S. would ultimately benefit China.”

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• U.S. on NATO partnership: [00:36–00:54]
• Civil rights concerns on census: [01:30–02:09]
• Deadlocked Colorado River negotiations: [02:34–02:52]
• Government shutdown fallout: [03:36–03:46]
• CIA recruitment pitch to Chinese citizens: [04:07–04:53]

Tone & Style:
Crisp, factual delivery, reflecting the gravitas and urgency of ongoing national and global events, with direct quotes offering insight from both officials and affected communities.

Summary Usefulness:
This episode delivers a rapid yet thorough briefing on major issues—the evolving U.S.-Europe relationship, threats to fair census data, regional water crises, impacts of the government shutdown, and rising U.S.-China intelligence tensions—making it vital listening for anyone needing a quick, authoritative catch-up on current affairs.