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Suzanne Nuyen
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White House border czar Tom Homan announced yesterday that the Trump administration will end the immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota. The immigration activity in the state prompted widespread protests and led to the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal agents. Homan said cooperation with local law enforcement has improved, allowing for more immigration detentions to occur at jails rather than on the street.
White House border czar Tom Homan holds a news conference at the Bishop Whipple Federal building on Feb. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis. Steve Karnowski/AP hide caption
The end of the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota comes as funding for the Department of Homeland Security expires later today. Congress failed yesterday to advance a spending bill that would fund the department through the end of September, and Democrats have vowed not to support any bill without major changes to immigration enforcement.
The first full week of the Milano Cortina Olympics is coming to an end. Athletes from all over the world have seen their fair share of drama, stunning upsets and emotional moments. You can catch the biggest moments of the Olympics every afternoon on Up First Winter Games. Here are a few highlights:
Hi! My name is Lauren, and I'm one of the writers of NPR's Pod Club newsletter. To celebrate Valentine's Day this year, I made you a mixtape. I wanted to re-create that middle school feeling, only now I'm passing out pods instead of candy and cards.
Whatever you're looking for this holiday, there's a podcast that is sure to warm your heart.
💏 If you're yearning for a Hallmark-worthy romance, tune in to Wild Card for your pick of meet-cutes and grand gestures. Highlights include actor Nick Offerman gushing about his wife, Megan Mullally, and actor Jamie Lee Curtis reflecting on what age has taught her about love.
💔 Broken-hearted? Then you may be entitled to compensation. Tune in to Planet Money's explainer on the heart-balm tort, a type of lawsuit reserved for economic entanglements of the heart. Revenge is a dish best served in court.
👀 If you have a crush, this Life Kit episode offers tips on how to approach a cute stranger with ease — and respect! For an extra dose of confidence, All Songs Considered offers a playlist of songs that'll help you channel your inner John Cusack from Say Anything.
🥰 Whether you're single, taken or somewhere in between, celebrate love in all forms on this episode of Essential Salt from Maine Public Radio. Learn about Portland's Valentine bandit, an anonymous citizen who covered the city in paper-shaped hearts for more than four decades.
For more of the very best from NPR podcasts, subscribe to NPR's Pod Club newsletter!
Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie play Heathcliff and Catherine in Wuthering Heights. Warner Bros. Pictures hide caption
Check out what NPR is watching, reading and listening to this weekend:
🍿 Movies: Critic Justin Chang says Emerald Fennell's newest movie, "Wuthering Heights," could be the "most reductive" version of Emily Brontë's beloved classic ever made. But he can't say he was ever bored. If that's not the ringing endorsement you need to head to the theaters, check out this weekend's other new releases.
📺 TV: The Simpsons will air its milestone 800th episode this Sunday. The titular family finds themselves in Philadelphia for this episode, but much of the show's true DNA is rooted thousands of miles west in Portland, Ore.
📚 Books: February may be the shortest month of the year, but it's not lacking in new book recommendations. Dive into the list of new releases, which includes highly anticipated books from Michael Pollan, Tayari Jones and the late Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa.
🎵 Music: Bad Bunny lept up the Billboard charts after his historic Super Bowl halftime performance. But it wasn't enough for him to reclaim the Billboard 200 top spot.
🍰 Food: Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is next week on Feb. 17. In New Orleans, you won't see a celebration without king cake on the table. Students at New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute are learning the art of making the perfect one.
❓Quiz: How closely have you been following the Olympics this week? You'll need to brush up on your knowledge if you want a gold medal score on this week's quiz.
Stars in the Andromeda Galaxy, pictured here, were being studied by scientists who noticed that one particular star suddenly faded away and disappeared. NASA/JPL-Caltech hide caption
This newsletter was edited by Yvonne Dennis.
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