Latest News Digest - February 14, 2026

National News

U.S. Redirects Second Aircraft Carrier to Middle East Amid Iran Tensions - The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group is being redeployed from other operations to the Middle East, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln to bolster presence amid escalating pressure on Iran over its nuclear program. This extension could set deployment records and signals stronger U.S. military posture in the region. The move comes as the Trump administration seeks to curb Iranian ambitions. - yahoo.com

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics U.S. Medal Count As of Day 8 - The U.S. added three more medals on Saturday, bringing their total to 17. Norway currently leads with 20 medals (10 Gold), followed by Italy with 18 (6 gold) and the U.S. with 17 (5 gold) medals. - nbcnewyork.com

Levels of Glyphosate Found Are in Parts Per Billion and Are Well Under the EPA Tolerance of 30 Parts Per Million

Florida Health Officials Report Glyphosate Detected in Popular Bread Brands - Testing under Florida's Healthy Florida First initiative revealed trace levels of glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) in several commonly purchased bread products. Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo highlighted concerns over chronic exposure risks, including potential effects on gut health, prompting public warnings. The tested breads had glyphosate levels well within federal safety limits and are not considered dangerous for consumption. - heraldtribune.com, bakeryandsnacks.com

Ongoing Investigation into Nancy Guthrie Disappearance - Authorities executed search warrants and recovered unidentified DNA evidence in the case of Nancy Guthrie, who went missing earlier in February, with no arrests made despite SWAT-assisted operations. The Pima County Sheriff's Department is processing thousands of tips while disputing claims of withholding evidence from federal partners. The case continues to draw widespread attention as searches intensify. - foxnews.com

U.S. Conducts Airstrikes Against Islamic State Targets in Syria - The U.S. military conducted a series of airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria in early February 2026 as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, an ongoing retaliatory campaign launched after a December 2025 ISIS ambush in Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers (Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard) and a civilian interpreter (Ayad Mansoor Sakat).

• January 27–February 2: U.S. forces executed 5 strikes with about 50 precision munitions from fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and drones, destroying an ISIS communication site, logistics node, and weapons storage facilities.

• February 3–12: 10 more strikes targeted over 30 sites, focusing on infrastructure and weapons storage to sustain pressure on ISIS remnants. - theguardian.com

  
  

  

  Marco Rubio

Munich Security Conference Features U.S. Political Figures - International leaders gathered in Munich, Germany, for the 62^nd Munich Security Conference, with discussions on global security, trade, and climate amid U.S. policy shifts under Trump. U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, delivered a speech, stating “We want allies who are proud of their culture and of their heritage, who understand that we are heirs to the same great and noble civilization, and who together with us are willing and able to defend it.” Vice President J.D.Vance also spoke during the conference stating that mass migration is the #1 problem facing Europe and is the result of “conscious decisions” by its politicians.  California Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Congressional Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, all prominent Democrats, were privately invited by the MSC organizers (a non-governmental forum that includes officials, experts, and private figures alongside government delegations). They were not part of the official U.S. government delegation. Their attendance reflected efforts to reassure allies, counter Trump’s policies, and engage on issues such as climate, populism, and alliances. - securityconference.org

Bill in U.S. Congress to Require Voter ID Gains Support of More Senators - As of February 14, 2026, recent reports and public statements indicate that 50 U.S. Senators (out of 53 Republicans in the majority) support the SAVE America Act. This Trump-backed bill would require photo ID and documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration and voting. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is among the latest to publicly express support, though she opposes changing filibuster rules to force a vote. No Democratic senators have announced support, and a few Republicans (e.g., Sen. Lisa Murkowski) have spoken against it. The bill recently passed the House and is now under consideration in the Senate.  National polls consistently show strong public support (75-90%) for requiring photo ID and/or proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. President Trump announced that he will require voter ID for the upcoming midterm elections, “whether approved by Congress or not.” - abcnews.com

Backlash Over Super Bowl LX Halftime Show - The NFL is facing significant backlash and calls for federal investigation over Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime show (February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California), with critics—primarily Republican lawmakers like Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) and Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL)—labeling it "indecent," "vulgar," "pure smut," and potentially violative of FCC broadcast rules due to sexually explicit lyrics and performance elements. The FCC is reportedly scrutinizing the Apple Music-sponsored show for possible obscenity/indecency violations. - nypost.com

Death of Baseball Legend ElRoy Face - ElRoy Face, pioneering relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates known for his forkball, passed away at 97, marking the end of an era in MLB history.  - nytimes.com

Continued Coverage of Epstein File Implications - Media outlets provided visual guides and breakdowns of the newly released Epstein documents, emphasizing their scale and notable names.  The growing number of prominent individuals connected to Epstein is being felt worldwide and has led to resignations and public scrutiny. (An in-depth article will follow on SHASTA UNFILTERED soon.)  The Epstein files can be accessed directly at www.justice.gov.

Homeland Security/ICE Involvement in Minnesota: White House border czar Tom Homan and Rep. Tom Emmer claimed that a federal ICE-led "Metro Surge" operation in the Minneapolis area located 3,364 missing migrant children who had lost contact after being released to sponsors. Tom Homan announced the surge's end on February 12, with a significant drawdown of agents already underway, returning to a normal footprint of about 150 officers. This follows months of tension, with no immediate plans for similar city-specific surges elsewhere. - yournews.com, cbsnews.com

Westchester County, New York Operation: A multi-agency effort recovered 43 missing children over a three-day period, described as focused exclusively on missing children cases, involving local law enforcement, state offices, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. No direct Homeland Security involvement was specified in reports. - criminaljustice.ny.gov

California News

Steve Hilton Alleges Major Fraud in Cannabis Tax Revenue Distribution  - Former Fox host and gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton posted on X about a CAL DOGE report claiming $370 million in cannabis tax funds—intended for substance abuse prevention—were diverted to left-wing activism, voter registration, and NGOs via a nonprofit pipeline. The funds allegedly enriched The Center at Sierra Health Foundation while supporting political organizing unrelated to drug prevention. Hilton called it taxpayer-funded corruption by the Democrat machine. Hilton has also recently highlighted California's $800 annual tax on all small businesses—regardless of profit—and pledged, as governor, to scrap it to support entrepreneurs. - X Post of Steve Hilton

Powerful Winter Storm To Impact California- A powerful winter storm system is impacting California starting this weekend, bringing widespread rain to coastal and valley areas, strong winds, and exceptionally heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada. Expect major travel disruptions, especially in the mountains, with chain controls and potential road closures. - msn.com, rgj.com