NPR News Now — February 16, 2026, 6PM EST

Main Theme

This fast-paced five-minute update from NPR News Now covers major national and international developments, including a high-profile Minnesota police shooting investigation, the Texas Senate primary race, the deaths of film legends Robert Duvall and Frederick Wiseman, a record-breaking travel period for China’s Lunar New Year, and more. The reporting reflects NPR's commitment to concise, factual news delivered on the hour.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Investigation Standstill: Minnesota Police Shooting

[00:15–01:14]

• The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has again been denied access to federal evidence in the case of Alex Preddy, an ICU nurse fatally shot by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.

• Despite persistent requests, the FBI remains unwilling to share materials, leading to concern and frustration among state investigators.

  “The BCA’s Evans calls the lack of cooperation, quote, unquote, ‘concerning and unprecedented.’”
  — Brian Baxd, [00:52]

• The BCA plans to continue independent investigations into both this incident and another fatal shooting of Renee Macklin earlier in January.

2. Texas Senate Primary Heats Up

[01:14–02:12]

• Early voting begins for the Texas Senate race. Incumbent Republican John Cornyn faces strong primary competition from State Attorney General Ken Paxton and Congressman Wesley Hunt.

• Ken Paxton voices skepticism of his opponents’ motives, suggesting they're more interested in fame than public service:

  “Unfortunately, my opponents are people who, frankly, just want to join those ranks of performance artists who want to come to Washington, D.C. and want to become famous, get the most clicks on social media and raise money. But the job entails a whole lot more than that.”
  — Ken Paxton, [01:42]

• No candidate is expected to win outright on March 3, setting the stage for a runoff between the top two candidates in May.

3. Remembering Robert Duvall

[02:12–02:57]

• Renowned actor Robert Duvall has passed away at age 95 after a career spanning over 90 films.

• Duvall was celebrated for roles such as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Hagen in The Godfather, and Lt. Col. Kilgore in Apocalypse Now.

  “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”
  — Robert Duvall as Lt. Col. Kilgore, Apocalypse Now, highlighted at [02:48]

• He earned seven Oscar nominations, winning Best Actor for Tender Mercies (1983).

4. Atlanta’s Airport Remains World’s Busiest

[03:03–03:23]

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport maintained its ranking as the world’s busiest, with over 63 million domestic and international travelers in 2025, according to OAG.

5. NAACP Challenges FBI Use of Voter Data

[03:23–04:02]

• The NAACP is seeking a judicial order to limit the federal government’s use of voter data seized during an FBI raid at Atlanta’s Fulton County Elections Hub.
• The group requests a full inventory and record of data access, with agents having searched for 2020 election records in January.

6. Lunar New Year: Spring Migration in China

[04:02–04:39]

• Asia prepares for Lunar New Year celebrations, prompting the world’s largest annual human migration, known as “Chunyun.”

• Chinese authorities report about 3.5 billion trips, many by people reuniting with family in rural areas.

  “This torrent of travelers in the two week run up to the Lunar New Year has come to represent China’s rapid urbanization and the hard work of people who work far from home.”
  — Emily Feng, [04:31]

7. Documentary Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman Dies

[04:39–04:57]

• Frederick Wiseman, influential American documentarian, has died at 96.
• His acclaimed 1967 film Titicut Follies exposed the grim reality inside a prison facility, marking a distinguished career exploring institutional life.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The PCA's Evans calls the lack of cooperation, quote, unquote, ‘concerning and unprecedented.’”
  — Brian Baxd, [00:52]
• “Unfortunately, my opponents are people who, frankly, just want to join those ranks of performance artists... But the job entails a whole lot more than that.”
  — Ken Paxton, [01:42]
• “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”
  — Robert Duvall as Lt. Col. Kilgore, [02:48]
• “This torrent of travelers... has come to represent China’s rapid urbanization and the hard work of people who work far from home.”
  — Emily Feng, [04:31]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Minnesota police shooting investigation update: [00:15–01:14]
• Texas GOP Senate primary: [01:14–02:12]
• Robert Duvall obituary: [02:12–02:57]
• Atlanta Airport travel statistics: [03:03–03:23]
• NAACP/FBI voter data case: [03:23–04:02]
• China’s Lunar New Year migration: [04:02–04:39]
• Frederick Wiseman obituary: [04:39–04:57]

This episode delivers brisk, essential updates on topics of national and global significance, with pointed commentary and tributes highlighting the breadth of NPR’s journalistic reach.