News Today USA

news today usa

Major news in the United States today, Monday, February 16, 2026, is dominated by a partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the ongoing 2026 Winter Olympics.
Top National Stories
DHS Partial Shutdown: A partial government shutdown is in its second day, impacting over 260,000 workers across agencies including the TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard. Democrats are currently demanding reforms, such as body cameras for officers, as part of negotiations.
Nancy Guthrie Investigation: The FBI is analyzing a black glove found near the Arizona home of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TV icon Savannah Guthrie, who was abducted last week. DNA on the glove reportedly matches a suspect seen on doorbell camera footage.
Epstein Files Controversy: Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing criticism from lawmakers who argue that the Justice Department’s recent release of names from the Jeffrey Epstein files is “insufficient” and fails to meet legal requirements.
Mass Deportation Legal Battles: The Trump administration is facing legal pushback over its immigration enforcement. A court recently ordered the return of a college student deported over Thanksgiving, while ICE officers in Minneapolis are under investigation for allegedly lying about a shooting incident.
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2026 Winter Olympics (Milan-Cortina)
Men’s Hockey: Team USA defeated Germany 5-1 to remain undefeated, securing a bye into the quarterfinals on February 18. Auston Matthews scored two goals in the victory.
Figure Skating: In a major upset, favorite Ilia Malinin (the “Quad God”) failed to medal in the men’s singles after a disappointing performance.
Medal Count: Team USA’s medal count remains at 17 following recent events in speedskating and moguls.

Business & Technology
Bitcoin Record: Bitcoin has surpassed $118,000 for the first time.
Defense & AI: The Pentagon is reportedly threatening to cut off its relationship with AI firm Anthropic due to a dispute over military use safeguards.
Economic Trends: Recent data shows inflation cooled in January, hitting its lowest level in nine months, though consumers are seeing soaring prices for coffee and chocolate.