Saturday, February 14, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 5 A.D., by order of Pope Gelasius I, the first feast day celebration for Saint Valentine took place. Although the date originally commemorated Saint Valentine, a Christian who was martyred in 3 A.D., by the Middle Ages it had become linked to romance.

Speaking of Saint Valentine, data shows that Americans will spend more this year than ever before on romantic gifts and experiences, in part because we've not only added friends to the list, but also our four-legged companions. Fluffy and Fido may not want a Hallmark card, but they certainly appreciate a nice treat and some kind words. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

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Homeland Security Girds for Shutdown

The Senate broke for a weeklong recess Friday without an agreement to keep the Department of Homeland Security funded, putting the agency on track for a shutdown beginning at 12:01 a.m. ET Saturday.

A House-passed bill to fund DHS through Sept. 30 stalled in the Senate after failing a procedural vote, and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., blocked an effort to take up another temporary two-week stopgap.

Officials say core DHS missions, including immigration enforcement, would continue during this shutdown because most workers will be deemed essential, though many could work without pay. The impact will fall primarily on TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and cybersecurity operations rather than ICE.

Democrats are pushing the White House for limits on immigration enforcement, including seeking measures like body cameras, a mask ban, and warrants in return for funding DHS.

Inflation Eases in January

U.S. inflation cooled in January, with the Consumer Price Index rising 2.4% from last January, down from 2.7% the year before, below forecasts and signaling an easing of inflation.

Core inflation, excluding food and energy, fell to 2.5%—its lowest level since March 2021. Housing and grocery costs remained elevated, while gasoline prices dropped 7.5% and egg prices fell sharply.

Housing and food remained key drivers of monthly increases, but falling energy costs helped offset them. Gasoline prices were down sharply from a year earlier, while some grocery staples stayed elevated.

Valentine's Day Headed for Spending Record

Americans are expected to set a new Valentine's Day spending record in 2026, even as staples like chocolate and flowers stay pricey. Shoppers plan to spend about $200 on average, up from $188.81 last year.

The National Retail Federation projects $29.1 billion in total spending this year, topping $27.5 billion in 2025, driven by shoppers expanding gifts beyond romantic partners.

Gifts for significant others still dominate at an expected $14.5 billion, with another $4.5 billion earmarked for other family members.

But the circle is widening: spending is projected at $2.4 billion for friends and $2.1 billion for pets (up from $1.7 billion last year), as consumers look for more people—and animals—to include.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to leave the Caribbean and travel to the Middle East as negotiations continue with Iran. (Hear Details)

➤ CBS News has scheduled a Things That Matter town hall featuring Vice President JD Vance. (Podcast Available)

➤ The U.S. Army is researching ancient Alaskan permafrost microbes for new extreme-cold survival tech. (Hear Story)

➤ Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was formally arraigned in court on Friday, pleading not guilty to charges tied to interference with religious worship by anti-ICE protestors at a St. Paul, Minnesota, church. (More)

➤ A coalition of more than 50 leaders of conservative and free-market organizations signed a letter to Congress opposing codifying the administration's "most favored nation" drug pricing policy model into law, saying it would "import socialist price controls and values into our country." (More)

➤ Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., asked the Supreme Court to stop her state judiciary from ordering a redraw of her Staten Island/Brooklyn congressional district ahead of the midterms, casting it as unconstitutional. (See Details)

➤ Developer Karrin Taylor Robson, a Republican, announced Thursday that she's dropping her bid for Arizona governor, expressing concerns over a divisive GOP primary heading into November. (More)

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➤ The Golden State Warriors topped CNBC's list of the most valuable NBA franchises with a $10.8 billion valuation, followed by the New York Knicks ($10.1B), Los Angeles Lakers ($10B), and Los Angeles Clippers ($6.9B). (See Full List)

➤ President Trump pardoned five former NFL players for crimes ranging from counterfeiting to drug trafficking. (More)

➤ A state judge granted Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss an injunction against the NCAA, which will allow him to return to school for a sixth season of college football. (More)

➤ The MLB released details about their new pitch-challenging system, which will allow teams two chances per game to check with a computer as to whether the pitch was a ball or strike. (More)

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2026 Winter Olympics is brought to you by:

The U.S. women's curling team defeated top-ranked Canada 9-8 yesterday for the first time in Winter Olympics history. (See Highlights)

Norwegian skier Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo won his eighth gold medal of the 2026 Games yesterday, tying an all-time Winter Olympics record. He's scheduled to compete in three more events, so he's got three shots to break the record. (More)

The International Skating Union backed a French judge's controversial decision to award French ice dancers nearly eight points more than the three-time world champion U.S. dancers. (More)

Yesterday's Results: Daily Events | Global Medal Tracker

Yesterday's U.S. Medal Count: 🥇4 | 🥈7 | 🥉3

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Daily Market Report 02/13/2026

▼	NASDAQ National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations	22,546.67	-0.22%
▲	SPX S&P 500	6,836.17	0.05%
▲	DJI Dow Jones Industrial Average	49,500.93	0.10%
▲	BTC Bitcoin	$68,698.01	3.74%
▲	GOLD Per Ounce	$5,048.70	2.54%
▲	SILVER Per Ounce	$76.73	1.57%
▼	OIL West Texas Intermediate Crude	$62.63	-0.33%

Bitcoin, gold, silver, and oil are traded 24 hours a day.

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➤ Nearly 75% of Venezuelans say the country is moving in a positive direction after Nicolás Maduro's ouster, reflecting strong approval and optimism following his removal by U.S. forces and arrest. (More)

➤ The European Union on Thursday agreed to present an economic plan in March to restructure the 27-nation bloc's economy, upgrade energy grids, deepen integration, and loosen merger rules to boost competitiveness. (More)

➤ President Trump on Friday endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's reelection bid, praising his economic and immigration record as polls show his party trailing the opposition by 10 points. (More)

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➤ SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station on Friday, sending Crew-12 into orbit to replace crew members who returned early last month because of a medical issue. (See Crew-12)

➤ Wendy's confirmed Friday that it will close about 300 U.S. locations in the first half of 2026, citing declining revenue and profits as consumers cut spending. (More)

➤ A former professional figure skater remains active in the sport by designing competition costumes for top athletes, including U.S. skaters Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. (See Photos)

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Which Valentine's Day gift do you prefer?

Yesterday's Results:

What's your most forgotten item when leaving home?

Phone: 27%
Different every time: 23%
Other: 16%
Glasses: 14%
Wallet: 11%
Keys: 9%

Daily Quote

"Whether it's a dog, cat, or other animal, consumers are looking to celebrate their pets this Valentine's Day with a special toy, accessory, or treat."

— Prosper Insights & Analytics executive Phil Rist on the record level of Valentine's Day spending expected this year