The NewsWorthy Podcast Summary Episode: MN ICE Withdrawal, Climate Protection Erased & True Love Tested – Friday, February 13, 2026
Host: Lacie Evans in for Erica Mandy
Date: February 13, 2026

Episode Overview

The episode delivers a concise, balanced recap of the day's major news stories, spanning politics, policy changes, current events, and a heartwarming Valentine’s Day feature. With characteristic clarity and empathy, the host navigates topics from the conclusion of a historic immigration operation in Minnesota, government shutdown drama, and climate policy rollbacks, to Olympic highlights and an inspiring senior love story.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. End of Largest U.S. Immigration Enforcement Operation (00:21)

• Summary: Minnesota sees the conclusion of the largest federal immigration enforcement deployment in U.S. history, with 4,000 arrests reported.
• Controversy:
  • Tom Homan (White House border czar) calls it “a success” due to high arrest numbers.
  • Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) describes “deep damage, generational trauma and economic ruin,” (00:56) pointing to lasting negative community impacts.
  • Operation sparked intense backlash after two deadly shootings involving federal agents.
• Next Steps: A reduced federal presence remains; critics continue to call for accountability and policy review.

Notable Quote:

• “The operation left Minnesotans with, as he put it, deep damage, generational trauma and economic ruin.” – Lacie Evans, quoting Gov. Tim Walz (00:56)

2. DHS Shutdown Looms (02:00)

• Legislative Stalemate: Senate fails to pass a bill to fund the Homeland Security Department, risking a shutdown at midnight.
  • Most Democrats opposed the bill, citing insufficient concessions on immigration enforcement restrictions.
  • Republicans claim they met Dems “halfway,” but negotiations stalled.
• Impact:
  • Most DHS employees are considered essential and keep working, but could miss paychecks if the shutdown persists.
  • Direct public impact possible for TSA operations (potential airport delays) and FEMA disaster relief.

3. Senate Hearings on Immigration-Related Deaths (01:32)

• Focus: Deaths of Reneé Goode and Alex Preddy in federal custody; scrutiny on use of force and de-escalation training.
• Transparency: Senators watched frame-by-frame video; officials promise eventual release of body cam footage.

4. Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Still Missing (03:43)

• Investigation Update:
  • New surveillance shows a man in a gray jacket and backpack scaling a wall near Nancy Guthrie’s property.
  • Connection to previous suspect footage uncertain; FBI ups reward to $100,000 for information.
• Savannah Guthrie’s Response:
  • Grateful for public support; maintains hope for her mother’s return.

Notable Quote:

• “I will never give up on my mom.” – Savannah Guthrie (Quoted by Lacie Evans at 04:32)

5. Epstein Files Fallout: Goldman Sachs Lawyer Steps Down (04:50)

• Kathryn Ruemmler’s Resignation:
  • Longtime attorney leaves after reports detail extensive personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Documents reveal gifts and personal interactions; Ruemmler insists it was a professional relationship and denies wrongdoing.
  • Goldman Sachs supported her but accepted resignation as backlash grew.

6. Major Weather Update (05:54)

• Severe Storms Expected:
  • Region: Texas to Carolinas.
  • Pros: Could alleviate dry winter conditions.
  • Cons: Risk of flash floods, hail, strong winds, isolated tornadoes.
  • Timeline: Starts today, lasts through the weekend (until Monday).

7. Rollback of Key U.S. Climate Protection (07:34)

• Action:
  • Trump administration revokes the 2009 finding that designated greenhouse gases as a threat to health and welfare—the foundational legal basis for EPA regulation.
• Justification:
  • White House claims massive savings in regulatory costs, boosts affordability.
• Criticism:
  • Environmental and health risks, with likely legal battles ahead.

Notable Quote:

• “Without it, it’s expected to be difficult for the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases at all.” – Lacie Evans (07:50)

8. New U.S.–Taiwan Trade Deal (08:24)

• Highlights:
  • U.S. gets lower tariffs for its goods; most Taiwanese exports taxed at 15%.
  • Encourages further Taiwanese investment in U.S. computer chip manufacturing—crucial for tech supply chains.
  • Example: Nvidia to build headquarters in Taipei.
• Strategic Impact: Helps solidify U.S. access to vital tech, especially semiconductors.

9. Winter Olympics Highlights (09:01)

• Memorable Moments:
  • Breezy Johnson (alpine skier) gets engaged at finish line.
  • Rich Rouenen becomes the oldest American Winter Olympian (men’s curling).
  • Jessie Diggins wins bronze despite injury, becoming most-decorated U.S. cross-country skier.
  • Chloe Kim takes silver in women’s halfpipe; gold won by her 17-year-old South Korean mentee.
  • Men’s hockey team dominates Latvia, sparking optimism for a first hockey gold since “Miracle on Ice.”
• Upcoming:
  • Spotlight on figure skater Ilya Malinin (“Quad God”).
  • More competitions in various winter sports scheduled over the weekend.

10. NBA All-Star Weekend & Valentine’s Day Specials (10:41)

• NBA:
  • Three-day All-Star extravaganza: celebrity game, skills contests, and Sunday’s star-studded game.
• Valentine’s Day:
  • Promotions at chains: White Castle (“Love Castles”), Burger King, Shake Shack, Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’, 7-Eleven.
• President’s Day Reminder:
  • Federal holiday on Monday = government office closures, extended retail sales, three-day weekend for many.

Feel Good Friday: Love That Endures (13:05)

True Love Tested: Michael O’Reilly & Linda Feltman

• Their Story: Married for 39 years, facing the challenge of Michael’s dementia, which sometimes erases Linda from his memory.
• Heartwarming Moment:
  • Michael proposes to Linda (again) during a memory lapse at his care facility; she accepts, just as she did nearly 40 years ago.
  • Staff arrange a repeat wedding; couple remarries in an intimate ceremony with friends, family, and caregivers.
  • Original wedding album featured at the celebration.
• Message: Despite dementia’s hardships, the couple repeatedly “fall in love over and over again.” Their resilience and joy inspire others—a true celebration for Valentine’s Day weekend.

Notable Quote:

• “Even though the fairytale was different than the one they dreamed of, they still have a lot to celebrate.” – Lacie Evans (14:13)

Notable Quotes

| Quote | Speaker | Timestamp | |------|---------|----------| | “The operation left Minnesotans with, as he put it, deep damage, generational trauma and economic ruin.” | Lacie Evans (quoting Gov. Tim Walz) | 00:56 | | “I will never give up on my mom.” | Savannah Guthrie (via Lacie Evans) | 04:32 | | “Without it, it’s expected to be difficult for the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases at all.” | Lacie Evans | 07:50 | | “Even though the fairytale was different than the one they dreamed of, they still have a lot to celebrate.” | Lacie Evans | 14:13 |

Important Timestamps & Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------|-----------| | Immigration Enforcement Operation Ends, Shutdown Looms | 00:21 – 02:51 | | Senate Hearings & Guthrie Investigation | 01:32 – 04:32 | | Epstein Fallout & Weather Update | 04:50 – 05:54 | | Key Climate Policy Rollback | 07:34 – 08:24 | | U.S.–Taiwan Trade Deal, Olympics, NBA, Holidays | 08:24 – 11:45 | | Feel Good Friday: Enduring True Love | 13:05 – 14:25 |

Tone & Delivery

The episode maintains The NewsWorthy’s signature fast, clear, and balanced style. The tone is empathetic and upbeat, particularly during human-interest stories, with a fair approach to contentious news. The host emphasizes context and impact, offering both immediate effects and broader implications for listeners.

For Those Who Haven’t Listened:
This episode swiftly covers the top headlines of the day, wrapping serious policy issues and real-life drama with feel-good stories and practical reminders for the weekend ahead. It’s engaging, digestible, and ends on a note that’s sure to warm hearts.