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The Story Is with Elex Michaelson
Officials Ask Guthrie's Neighbors for Surveillance Videos; Ukrainian Skeleton Racer Appeals Disqualification Over Helmet; Border Czar: ICE Surge in Minneapolis is Ending; Trump Revokes EPA Authority to Regulate Pollution; NY Fed: U.S. Consumers & Business Paying for Tariffs; Nick Viall Weighs in on Winter Olympics; Events Company Wants People to Ditch Dating Apps. Aired 12-1a ET
Aired February 13, 2026 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Elex Michaelson, live in Los Angeles. Here's what's coming up on THE STORY IS.
[00:00:29]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON (voice-over): THE STORY IS suspect description. The FBI releases new information about the man they're looking for in the Guthrie kidnapping case. CNN is at the crime scene. Plus, Laura Coates joins me live.
THE STORY IS gut punch for the environmental movement. President Trump goes after his so-called climate change hoax. Political analyst Frank Luntz here, live, to talk about what's next.
NICK VIALL, ACTOR/MODEL/PODCASTER: This is my first Olympics being a girl dad.
MICHAELSON (voice-over): And THE STORY IS reality star turned podcaster Nick Viall here to break down a big moment for women's sports.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Live from Los Angeles, THE STORY IS with Elex Michaelson.
MICHAELSON: And we begin tonight with new developments in the apparent abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the FBI sharing new details about the suspect.
The person seen in images and video from Guthrie's doorbell camera, described as 5'9" to 5'10" with an average build. He was seen in the video wearing a black backpack like this one that you see here.
Authorities hope that these new descriptions will help narrow the thousands of tips they're receiving from the public. The FBI also increased the reward for information that helps find
Guthrie, or leads to an arrest or conviction, from 50,000 to now, $100,000.
Meanwhile, "Today Show" host Savannah Guthrie shared some home video and photos on social media as a tribute to her missing mother, writing that the family will, quote, "never give up on her."
Authorities are asking neighbors to submit any footage they may have from the days and weeks leading up to Guthrie's disappearance.
CNN's Ed Lavandera once again in that Tucson neighborhood for us to start things off.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: To reach Nancy Guthrie's home in this neighborhood, the suspect had to take a series of windy roads to get there. It's not super easy. The culprit would have to study or be familiar with the area to navigate the spider web of roads to get to her home, especially in the pitch dark.
We've learned that investigators are expanding their call for video evidence in hopes of finding any suspicious vehicles or people that were in the area that night.
One of the alerts is asking residents who live along this specific road, which we're not going to name for the safety of the residents who live here, to look for videos on January 11th between 9 p.m. and midnight. That's almost three weeks before Nancy Guthrie was abducted. And video on January 31st, between 9:30 and 11 a.m. That's about 16 hours before Guthrie was taken against her will, as authorities have said.
This roadway is one of the main entryways to reach Nancy Guthrie's home in this neighborhood, so it's significant that investigators are asking neighbors, and specifically neighbors along this street, whether or not they could have captured video of a suspicious vehicle in these new time frames.
Pima County sheriffs acknowledged the dates and times are accurate, but FBI authorities aren't commenting.
In the last day, we've witnessed FBI agents walking this road, looking through the desert brush, and spotting cameras on homes along the route.
But this isn't the only area that investigators are trying to crowdsource video from. Authorities have also put out a call for video from anyone who lives within a two-mile radius of Nancy Guthrie from January 1 to February 2. That is a massive amount of video to process, hunting for a clue.
Elex, FBI authorities say they have received more than 13,000 tips since Nancy Guthrie went missing, and that one of the tips includes information about a white van seen in the neighborhood. And that is one of the things that investigators are asking the public to -- to be aware of as they look through all of this video that they're calling for -- Elex.
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MICHAELSON: Ed Lavandera for us in Tucson.
Joining me now live here in Los Angeles, CNN anchor and chief legal analyst Laura Coates, host of LAURA COATES LIVE every night right before this show.
Laura, good to see you in person.
LAURA COATES, CNN ANCHOR/CHIEF LEGAL ANALYST: Good to see you.
MICHAELSON: What do you think, of all these developments today, is most significant?
COATES: You know, to me what is most significant is the increased need for the crowdsourcing. Having that reward increased to the double amount now tells you that they are really leaning on the public for support here and any information. Thousands of tips have also come in.
[00:05:06]
But I think it's also what we have not been hearing about that is really interesting. You know, we had gone from multiple press conferences to now, suddenly, not a lot of press conferences. There's a lot of insight as to perhaps is this a sign that they don't know what they're doing? They have no information to give? Or something else.?
MICHAELSON: And what do you -- what do you think it is?
COATES: You know, I think it's in, sometimes, the best interest of an overall investigation, certainly in a prosecution down the line should they come to that, to have some things close to the vest.
It might seem, at first blush, as a matter of floundering, but sometimes you're going to keep information out of the public space because you really want to, in the event you identify a suspect, you have to have something that confirms that this person knows something that nobody else could have known, but for their involvement.
You know everyone can almost by rote, recite the -- you know, the Miranda warnings. They know to lawyer up. They know to have a feeling, perhaps, of that right to remain silent.
But they might also be inadvertently walking into a kind of open trap by suggesting and confirming a detail that they thought was in the public space that is actually not.
And those ransom notes, if they, in fact, are verifiable, might give some good fertilizer for that conversation. But I think that there is some strategy in saying everything can't be known. MICHAELSON: Yes. And maybe a different strategy when the FBI is
involved, as compared to just the sheriff on their own. Technically, the sheriff still in charge.
COATES: Yes.
MICHAELSON: But it's clear the FBI has a lot of influence in terms of what's happening right now.
COATES: Obviously.
MICHAELSON: It's interesting the pacing of this. Because two nights ago it seemed like, are we about to have our suspect?
COATES: Right.
MICHAELSON: I mean there was the new video that came out, and then the bitcoin news, and then the search. And the -- and the person was stopped in the traffic stop and everything. In the last few days, it's felt like it's really slowed down.
COATES: We were drinking from a fire hose two nights ago, thinking about all of the fast pace. You had somebody who was the purported -- the mother-in-law of somebody who had been detained.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
COATES: You wondered whether the person was in custody or not, what questions they were asked.
It came on the heels of having that video surveillance footage out there, but it also told you how fragile information really can be in these instances.
And although many would say, if you're talking about a kidnapping case, those first 48 hours so crucial, and every hour that goes by, your likelihood of being able to have that same pace and speed goes down exponentially.
But here we are with all this information and momentum of a high- profile case, thousands of tips coming in. You have to wonder, though, will they be using biometric data and other areas in ways to try to figure out what's behind the mask that you see?
There was that tent that was pitched today outside of the home and front door of Nancy Guthrie. What's going on inside the tent? Is it a way of trying to keep, again, close to the vest a re-examination of evidence on that porch? Were they looking for blood splatter in other -- other areas? Were they trying to mirror the conditions of darkness, to then make it easy to figure out what type of data to gather? There's a lot of questions that are still looming out there.
But you're right, the pacing of it. Can you imagine how agonizing it must be for the family?
MICHAELSON: Yes. COATES: And really, law enforcement gets deeply invested, as well.
MICHAELSON: Right. And, you know, in the last hour, I was on your show doing a story about the sheriff.
COATES: Yes.
MICHAELSON: And there's been some critics of him, especially for the fact that he released the crime scene initially pretty quickly and then had to reclaim the crime scene.
As a prosecutor who has experience prosecuting cases, are you concerned that the evidence here may have been tainted and that they've really complicated the job of a potential prosecutor?
COATES: I, in trying to prove a case, have to worry about chain of custody: where my evidence goes from person to person. I have to worry about trying to make sure I eliminate, or unseed, any seed of reasonable doubt.
Any evidence that suggests there are more than one person who was on a particular scene, and I can't eliminate the greater public, the worse it is for me to prove my substantial burden of proof.
So, as a prosecutor, I want my crime scenes closed completely, to the point where it might inconvenience the family to say I want it reopened, I -- please let me have it open. But if it can compromise a case down the line, you have to hold fast and true to the idea of I've got to close it.
Now, the idea of reexamining a space multiple times, that's not unheard of. But normally, it's you're reexamining a closed space. But the more you have other people infiltrating -- footprints, tire tracks, samples, hair that might come off. You know what I mean? People can be careless.
If you're inviting the media to be there, their indicate -- their goal is to get as much information out there as possible. They're not trained with an eye towards how to protect a crime scene or what they're looking for.
[00:10:02]
Are they sitting in a chair, all of a sudden, that someone said that person may have been? And have they touched something, smearing a fingerprint?
MICHAELSON: Yes.
COATES: That's all very, very unfortunate to take place. I'd be concerned about the speed in which they reopened it.
MICHAELSON: And lastly, just the unbelievable public fascination --
COATES: Yes. MICHAELSON: -- for this particular case. I mean, you're doing prime time hour-long specials on this every night. We've seen ratings through the roof, you know, digital clicks through the roof.
What is it about this particular case, do you think, has America and the world so transfixed?
COATES: On the one hand, "The Today Show" has a unique space in our American pop culture and -- and world, where we feel so close to the anchors that are there.
You know, it's kind of like in prime-time spots, people are in bed watching us. They're -- in the morning, they're getting dressed or starting their day. They feel like they know the people who are there.
Her mother was a big part of different segments on that show, as well, and they feel a closeness to her. That's one.
On the other side of it, there is something so eerie and scary about a 84-year-old woman being taken out of her home with no viable explanation and no suspect identified.
People feel scared. They feel as though you ought to have earned a safe space in your life after 84 years on this earth. That you can have the sanctity of your home. And people, I think, are very, very scared and also worried about her.
And I also think that people are dying to understand the "why."
MICHAELSON: Yes.
COATES: The motivation of why someone would do this. And without that motive apparent and without the law enforcement publicly disclosing what they might know --
MICHAELSON: Yes.
COATES: -- it's a very unsettling feeling.
MICHAELSON: And it's such a mystery still.
COATES: Such a mystery.
MICHAELSON: Such a mystery. Laura Coates, always great to see you. Sorry to see you under these circumstances.
COATES: Yes.
MICHAELSON: But we appreciate your insight always.
And of course, you can check out Laura every night for the hour before this show on LAURA COATES LIVE.
COATES: Thanks.
MICHAELSON: It has been a day of mourning across British Columbia after Canada's worst school shooting in decades. We're learning more about the six people fatally shot in the tiny mountain town of Tumbler Ridge.
Five were students, including 12-year-old Kyle [SIC] Smith, who is pictured on the bottom row, second from the left. Her father spoke out about the loss of his daughter and urged parents to hold their kids tight and tell them you love them every day.
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LANCE YOUNGE, FATHER OF KYLIE SMITH: She was just a beautiful soul. She's a light in her family. She loved art and anime. She wanted to go to school in Toronto. And we just loved her so much.
She was thriving in high school. She never hurt her soul she was a supporter, LGBTQ supporter. And she -- she just --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She was an amazing person.
YOUNGE: She was the last person who ever deserved this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Police say the shooter killed their mother and stepbrother at home before going to the secondary school. They identified the shooter as an 18-year-old woman who dropped out of school around four years ago. Still no word on a motive.
Dozens of others were injured in the shooting, including a 12-year-old girl who remains in critical condition.
The American energy secretary says the U.S.. cannot wait for elections in Venezuela to start investing in its oil industry. He says those investments will help its people.
Chris Wright is the highest-ranking U.S.. official to visit Venezuela in almost 30 years. He and acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez visited an oil facility on Thursday.
President Trump has been pushing for investment in Venezuela's oil industry since last month, following the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro.
But any path to democracy is still unclear, and some oil executives still consider the country too risky for investments. Wright says it's on the right track.
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CHRIS WRIGHT, U.S. ENERGY SECRETARY: The U.S. government is not going to offer physical security or economic security. American businesses and international businesses, they do country -- they do business all around the world in all different political and risk environments. Venezuela is no different in that.
It's just it was one of the absolute riskiest, worst business environments there was two months ago. Today, it's meaningfully better. You know, is it Norway? Of course not. That's going to take time. But it's moving that direction.
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MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, Rodriguez tells NBC News she believes Maduro is innocent of the charges he's facing in the U.S. and remains Venezuela's legitimate president.
She also says she's been invited to visit Washington.
To the Olympics now, Ukrainian athlete is appealing his disqualification for wearing a helmet with images of athletes killed in the war with Russia.
The International Olympic Committee says skeleton racer refused to adhere to their rules that prevent athletes from making political statements.
CNN's Amanda Davies has more from Milan.
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AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT: Is remembering the victims of a war, fellow athletes who've lost their lives, a demonstration of political propaganda? That's what we've been talking about with this story over the last few days.
[00:15:09]
After four years of training, 15 minutes ahead of the start of the race this morning. Vladyslav Heraskevych sent us at CNN the letter he received from the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, informing him of the decision that he was disqualified from today's competition.
Ukraine's flag bearer at the opening ceremony on Friday, he's been very open that this games was about more than simply the Quest for medals.
And the 27-year-old has been determined that he would wear what he and his team describe as the Helmet of Remembrance for his competition.
It features pictures of 24 athletes out of more than 500 killed since the start of the war in Ukraine.
VLADYSLAV HERASKEVYCH, UKRAINIAN SKELETON OLYMPIC RACER: And I believe it's important to keep memory about these athletes and memory about their sacrifice.
Some of them was also part of Olympic family, and I believe they deserve to be at the Olympic arenas. And they deserve to be at the start with me.
DAVIES: The International Olympic Committee have said the helmet breaches what's known as Article 50 of the Olympic charter, prohibiting the demonstration of political, religious, or racial propaganda in any Olympic site.
They conceded that no one disagrees with the message of the helmet, but after multiple meetings over the last few days, including first thing this morning between the IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, and Heraskevych, they couldn't find a compromise.
As he put it he wouldn't betray the athletes that have lost their lives since the start of the war.
KIRSTY COVENTRY, IOC PRESIDENT: I really wanted to see him race today. It's been an emotional morning.
So, yes. You know, I think for me, yes -- I think -- I don't think we were in tears, but it was -- he is an athlete. And for me, I was not speaking to him in that room as a president. I'm speaking to him as an athlete.
We -- we have these rules in place to try and be fair and also to try and allow for us to do both things right, to allow for athletes to express themselves but also to allow for athletes to be safe.
DAVIES: Vladislav's father and coach, Mykhailo, was pictured looking incredibly upset in the aftermath of the decision.
The Ukrainian president, Zelenskyy, has reacted on social media, criticizing the IOC for contradicting the spirit of the game, saying sport shouldn't mean amnesia. And the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors.
Heraskevych has long said some things are more important than medals, but he was hoping at least he'd get the chance to try for both.
Amanda Davies, CNN, Milan.
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MICHAELSON: Thanks to Amanda.
It is unclear when the Court of Arbitration for Sport will decide on possible reinstatement. The skeleton racer told reporters on Thursday is hoping for another, quote, "miracle on ICE."
The court hearing expected to take place in the coming hours.
Well, the largest immigration operation in U.S. history is ending. This as Trump administration officials and Minnesota leaders face off in a contentious hearing in Washington. That's just ahead.
Plus, the Trump administration ends the EPA's ability to regulate climate pollution. What that could mean for the country's health and economy. Legendary political analyst and pollster Frank Luntz, who knows words as bad -- as good as anybody, is with us, live next.
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[00:23:13] MICHAELSON: The White House border czar says he is ending the federal crackdown on immigration in Minneapolis.
The massive operation began more than two months ago. At its height, some 3,000 federal officers were deployed to the city.
CNN's Brian Abel has more, but a warning that some of the videos in his report are disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM HOMAN, WHITE HOUSE BORDER CZAR: I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation concludes.
BRIAN ABEL, CNN ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota coming to an end as U.S. border czar Tom Homan announces agents are leaving the state.
TOM HOMAN, WHITE HOUSE BORDER CZAR: A significant drawdown has already been underway this week.
ABEL (voice-over): The aggressive surge that began in December, called the largest immigration operation ever by DHS, was met with fierce criticism and resistance by Minnesotans almost instantaneously, with clashes between protesters and agents in Minneapolis and residents becoming observers, filming immigration enforcement actions in real time, leading to the first major flashpoint.
(GUNSHOTS)
ABEL (voice-over): The killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent. Her death sparking at times violent confrontations between protesters and federal agents.
Tensions exacerbated by a second U.S. civilian killed in Minneapolis by a federal agent: Alex Pretti. The deaths, upping pressure on the White House to end the operation as protesters mobilize and Democratic lawmakers threaten to withhold DHS funding unless ICE reforms happen.
The Minnesota A.G. saying this about the crackdown as senators on Capitol Hill the day Homan announced the end of the enforcement operation.
KEITH ELLISON, MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL: The surge is contributing to violent crime, members. It's contributing to violent crime. Two of the three homicides committed in Minneapolis in 2026 have come at the hands of federal immigration agents.
ABEL (voice-over): In Washington, Brian Abel reporting.
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MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, President Trump has stripped the Environmental Protection Agency of its most powerful tool to regulate air pollution and greenhouse gases.
The president announced Thursday that he is rolling back what is known as the Endangerment Finding. The Obama-era ruling determined that six specific greenhouse gases could be categorized as dangerous to public health. It has been the basis of the EPA's authority to create climate policy.
President Trump also announced the end of regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
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DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: That is why, effective immediately, we are repealing the ridiculous Endangerment Finding and terminating all additional green emission standards imposed unnecessarily on vehicle models and engines between 2012 and 2027 and beyond.
This action will save American consumers trillions of dollars and will lower the average cost of a new vehicle by close to $3,000.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: That repeal will likely end up in the courts, and litigating it could take years.
Critics say the changes threaten public health and accuse the president of pandering to polluters. President Trump denies that, calling the Endangerment Finding a scam.
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TRUMP: It has nothing to do with public health. This is all a scam, a giant scam. This was a rip-off of the country by Obama and Biden.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: With me here in Los Angeles, pollster and communications strategist Frank Luntz, who's also a senior fellow at West Point, teaching the cadets there.
Frank, welcome back to THE STORY IS. The significance of this moment?
FRANK LUNTZ, POLLSTER AND COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST: It could not be greater in environmental policy.
The public, to be clear, the public believes that climate change is real. They believe that it's manmade, and they believe it must be addressed.
But to be equally clear, the public does not want to see the economy destroyed in an effort to address climate.
And in fact, starting off, it should not be called climate change, because that immediately politicizes the issue. And it is not about sustainability, because that is the status quo. The public wants the environment to be cleaner, safer, and healthier, which means better. MICHAELSON: And climate change was your term -- right? -- which you've
expressed regret for helping to create years ago.
LUNTZ: Twenty-five years ago.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
LUNTZ: It's hard to believe. And it's probably the thing that I regret the most in my professional career. Because at the time that I dealt with it, it was not clear. But it is clear now.
And so, what we're looking for is a common-sense, balanced approach --
MICHAELSON: Yes.
LUNTZ: -- that addresses the challenge that climate raises for the world. But doesn't destroy the economy in the process.
MICHAELSON: You're the word guy. You're paid a whole lot of money by folks to tell them what words work.
On these issues, these environmental, climate, pollution issues, whatever. What are the words that Democrats, environmentalists, moderate Republicans, others should use to try to convince people that may be persuadable?
LUNTZ: Well, the best language of all is cleaner, safer, healthier. Because that suggests that you're going to go beyond the status quo, and you're going to do something that makes your environment a better place to live.
Second thing is that something the public really believes in is that it does not want climate or the environment in general to be addressed over 10 or 20 years.
This is a 100- or 200-year effort. This is not for your children, but for their children. So, whatever you do needs to have an impact that's long term, not just something over a few years.
MICHAELSON: And Arnold Schwarzenegger often talks about the fact that we should say, terminate pollution because people don't like pollution. But when you talk about climate or climate change, people are confused on what you're talking about.
LUNTZ: You're exactly right. And that's why the combination of climate, pollution is the strongest word or phrase to use in a situation like this.
MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, let's talk about what's going on with immigration right now. It looks like we're going to have a partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, about 24 hours from right now. We see the troops heading out of Minneapolis.
Where is the public on this issue?
LUNTZ: It's a good question. They support efforts to address the illegality of immigration.
The public believes in tall fences and wide gates, which is come here legally. Come here the right way. Participate in the economy, be part of America. But the illegality of it is unacceptable.
And that's the challenge right now, which is that the administration was correct in addressing this issue as strongly as they did but incorrect in how they communicated it and how they enforced it.
[00:30:04]
MICHAELSON: Meaning some of those images that we've seen in Minnesota.
LUNTZ: There's no reason -- there's no reason for people to die in a protest. None at all.
MICHAELSON: And so, now the Democrats are saying were going to shut down the Department of Homeland Security, or part of it, over this issue. Is there some danger for them of them overplaying their hand?
LUNTZ: The Republicans have been punished when the public believes that the actions don't match the rhetoric. Democrats will be punished for the same thing.
Right now, both political parties are hurting. The numbers for the GOP are down from what they were over the last six months, and Democrats still suffer from the public scorn, because Democrats don't even like what Democrats in Congress are doing.
We are rejecting the political system. We are rejecting the institutions and the people who occupy it.
I have the opportunity to make a presentation to governors in about a week's time. And I have to tell them that never have we seen institutions with this little credibility, trust, and confidence as we have right now. Both sides need to cut it out.
MICHAELSON: Yes, and governors have the ability to actually lead in their own states and do executive actions, as compared to the Congress members and senators. Real quickly, because we're out of time.
LUNTZ: The public believes that governors are the people to lead. And so, if a governor is watching right now, get your act together, go out in front, and lead.
MICHAELSON: And it's why you see the governors as the presidential frontrunners right now, as well.
LUNTZ: Exactly.
MICHAELSON: Frank Luntz, thank you so much always appreciate it. And thanks for your service to our country, teaching the folks at West Point. Appreciate that, as well.
LUNTZ: Thank you very much. MICHAELSON: All right. World leaders are about to kick off a major
security conference in Munich. But the White House message may not be the only one coming from the U.S., courtesy of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Speaking of some governor that's stepping up on the world stage, like it or not. We'll explain, just ahead.
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[00:36:39]
MICHAELSON: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is headed to the Munich Security Conference, which gets underway just hours from now.
It's an annual gathering of world leaders where they debate international security policies.
But European officials are bracing for what could come from the White House this time around. Last year, Vice President J.D. Vance castigated European nations, claiming they were losing control of immigration and backsliding on democracy. But Rubio left for Europe on a more positive note.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARCO RUBIO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Europe's important to us. We're very tightly linked to Europe. I think most people in this country can trace both -- either their cultural or their personal heritage back to Europe. So, we're deeply tied to Europe, and our futures have always been linked and will continue to be. So, we've just got to talk about what that future looks like.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: U.S. officials may not speak with one voice in Munich. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who, of course, has been a thorn in the eye of the Trump administration, says he's also headed there.
He says he wants to show California is a reliable partner on climate, green energy and innovation.
A live look at Capitol Hill, where a partial U.S.. government shutdown less than 24 hours away. That is, after Congress once again failed to pass a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security.
Money for the agency was held up after Democrats demanded reforms to immigration enforcement operations. Democrats dug in after two American citizens were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis last month.
Here's what House leaders had to say about the status of the negotiations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Funding for ICE and the Department of Homeland Security should not move forward in the absence of dramatic changes that are bold, meaningful, and transformational. Period. Full stop.
That's the House Democratic Caucus position, and that's the Senate Democratic Caucus position.
REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA): It seems to me the appearance here is that some Democrats, House and Senate, want a government shutdown. They want to impose more pain on the American people. For what, I have no idea.
The ICE funding is already done for the -- for the entirety of the Trump administration. So, they're not affecting that in any way. What they're going to do is shut down FEMA, Coast Guard, TSA and things that hurt real people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Nearly all DHS workers will remain on the job. But about 90 percent of them will not get paid until a funding bill is passed.
Lawmakers have left Washington and are on recess next week. So this thing is going to happen, again about 24 hours from now.
It should be pointed out that this isn't the full government shutdown. This will only affect the Department of Homeland Security. So, some of the other agencies involved in the last government shutdown will remain open.
Well, it is official. Americans are paying for President Trump's tariffs. According to a new report from the Federal Reserve bank of New York nearly 90 percent of last year's tariffs were paid by U.S. consumers and businesses.
The nonpartisan tax foundation says this amounts to roughly a $1,000 tax increase for every single household in the country. CNN's Richard Quest breaks down that report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS EDITOR-AT-LARGE: It is official. This comes from the New York Fed: "We find that nearly 90 percent of the tariffs' economic burden fell on U.S. firms and consumers."
It's what's known as the incidence. The tariff incident. Who bears the cost.
There's only so many times that you can tell people that, no, no, the exporter pays it. No, no. The foreign country pays it. Now it's -- we've always known.
But now it's -- it's been confirmed again that the you or me, those of us in the United States, pay the cost of the increased tariff.
And by the way, the average tariff in the United States, overall, went from 2.6 percent to 13 percent. So, this idea that somehow, the Trump administration's tariff policy has been whittled down, it's still vast. It is still bringing in a huge amount of money, yes. But it is also costing U.S. consumers also a great deal of their salaries, wages, and pay, as they have to pay for the extra costs in the shops.
Whether or not anybody will ever admit this officially in the administration I wouldn't put money on it. But if anybody wants to know who pays for the tariff, the New York Fed has told us exactly that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: I wouldn't put money on that either. Richard Quest, our thanks to you.
Switzerland is set to hold a landmark vote to cap its population at 10 million. The proposal is being put forward by the right-wing Swiss People's Party.
Switzerland's current population is 9.1 million. If the proposal passes, the government would have to refuse entry to any newcomers, including asylum seekers once the population reaches 9.5 million.
If it hits 10 million, the government would be forced to end its free movement agreement with the European Union. Wow.
The vote on that is scheduled for mid-June.
Just ahead, change things up. Podcaster Nick Viall standing by live. You see him there? He's talking about watching the Olympics with his daughter, his new Netflix series, and a whole lot more. Nick next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:46:39]
MICHAELSON: A sort of bittersweet win for Team USA snowboarder Chloe Kim in Milan, Italy. The 25-year-old failed to win the gold medal in women's snowboard halfpipe after she fell on the third and final run on Thursday.
She could have become the first snowboarder to win gold at three consecutive Olympics, while also have tying Shaun White for the most snowboarding golds. Listen to what Kim, though, said about winning the silver.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHLOE KIM, WOMEN'S SNOWBOARD HALFPIPE SILVER MEDAL WINNER: A month ago, I wasn't even sure if I would be here. And so, I thought I could get emotional thinking about it, but I really worked so hard to get here. And so, this medal means so much to me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Someone paying especially close attention to the Olympics is reality show star and podcast host Nick Viall. Listen to him explain why.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) VIALL: This is my first Olympics being a girl dad. And so, now I'm very tuned in to many of the ladies' events.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Like, what can you put River in?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
VIALL: As a girl dad, I want my daughter. You know, these are going to be her heroes to and be inspired by. And I'm way more tuned in to the women events this Olympics.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Nick and his wife, Natalie Joy, who you just saw there, have a daughter named River. The couple recently announced that they are expecting twins.
Nick turned his fame as a reality show star on "The Bachelor" into a multimillion-dollar podcast empire. Hugely successful show, "The Viall Files."
Nick joins me now, live here in Los Angeles. Welcome to THE STORY IS for the first time. Congrats on all the success.
NICK VIALL: Good to be with you.
MICHAELSON: Very cool. So, what is it about the Winter Olympics that's capturing your heart?
NICK VIALL: It brings everyone together. Its, you know, kind of on throughout the day. You know, a lot of my employees at work have it on while they're editing the podcast.
And I think, you know, especially in a time, a lot of divisive times, it brings a lot of unity. Always interesting stories come from it. You know, the Olympians, they're -- they're very interesting people, very competitive people. And a lot of inspirational, great moments.
MICHAELSON: And great attitude from Chloe Kim there, too.
NICK VIALL: Absolutely. Yes. And that's what I like about it. I mean, obviously it's great to, you know, see the winners and root for the gold.
But like, even like Lindsey Vonn. So many opportunities of people overcoming adversity. And like, when you saw that clip talking about my daughter. And yes, there -- I think there's a lot of teachable moments with your kids: getting back up, you know, going through adversity. I think there's a lot of great lessons to be learned and a lot of entertainment while watching the Olympics.
MICHAELSON: Yes. And so Chloe Kim is in a relationship with Myles Garrett, who's a great football player, who flew there to be with her and was cheering -- cheering her on. That is a big man. Good luck to her.
NICK VIALL: He's incredible.
MICHAELSON: And meanwhile, there is this other story that came out of a guy who hasn't been as lucky when it comes to love. This is this Norwegian Olympian who won bronze.
During his interview afterwards, said that he had cheated on his girlfriend and that he regretted that, and that he was so emotional about it. That kind of went viral.
A Norwegian outlet spoke to the girlfriend -- former girlfriend -- who said we've had contact. He's aware of my opinion of that.
Which did not exactly sound like --
NICK VIALL: She's going to be, like, no thanks.
MICHAELSON: Yes. What do you make of that?
NICK VIALL: An incredible story. I mean, again, speaking to, like, you know sports, in so many ways, has become a part of pop culture. But really fascinating.
[00:50:06]
We talk a lot of relationships on "The Viall Files." I think lesson learned here. Maybe not have a confession like that while feeling so much adrenaline.
I think what's so fascinating about the story, you come to find out that they had been only dating for three months. And --
MICHAELSON: What? Three months?
NICK VIALL: In 2026 terms, that's like hardly a relationship. That's more like, I think they call it like a situationship these days.
MICHAELSON: Right.
NICK VIALL: But she doesn't seem interested. I'm sure the -- the -- the group chat with her friends is probably popping off and really entertaining. Maybe they'll make a movie about it.
But it's -- it's -- it was really incredible. I'm sure his parents are probably, like, wait. What about -- what about -- where's the "thank you," you know?
MICHAELSON: What about us?
NICK VIALL: You brought up a woman that you -- you knew for three months.
MICHAELSON: Right.
NICK VIALL: I don't know if she's your -- the one.
MICHAELSON: Do you think he ends up on a reality show? NICK VIALL: I'm sure he'll have the opportunity. He will be asked.
MICHAELSON: Somebody's going to pick him up.
You've got a new show coming to Netflix.
NICK VIALL: Absolutely.
MICHAELSON: Which is about age gaps in relationships.
NICK VIALL: Yes.
MICHAELSON: Because you've got an age gap in your relationship.
NICK VIALL: We like to call it age differences.
MICHAELSON: Age difference.
NICK VIALL: "Age of Attraction" is the show, and my wife, Natalie, and I are hosting it. We're really excited about it. I think it's going to be a really entertaining show and it --
MICHAELSON: We've got a clip of it. Let's show it and show this right now. And listen in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NATALIE JOY VIALL, CO-HOST, "AGE OF ATTRACTION": Here, age is just a number. You'll be dating without ever knowing how old your partner is.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know if these guys are my age, my dad's age, my grandpa's age.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm getting nervous.
NATALIE VIALL: Good luck.
MICHAELSON: So, what's the premise?
NICK VIALL: Well, the premise, really, is there really are no rules. It's very, in a lot of ways, other than a lot of reality TV shows like the bachelor, there's a lot of structure. This was a very realistic dating environment, where we have 40 singles, half women, half men. The only rule is you can't reveal your age until a certain part of the journey, so to speak.
And really, just the idea is, you know, like with my wife, a lot of people, you know nowadays are having so many difficult time meeting the right person. And sometimes, like with my wife, you meet someone, you're surprised by the compatibility.
MICHAELSON: Yes. Because you guys are 18 years apart.
NICK VIALL: Eighteen years apart.
MICHAELSON: How do you make it work? NICK VIALL: Well, again, we just focus on our compatibility. You know,
she is someone that I realized that I really, you know, trusted and admired; went to her for her opinion.
And we realized that we actually had so much in common, and there was a great connection there.
And for me, I was a little reluctant at first, you know, kind of worried about what my friends would say, and things like that. But I got out of my head and realized, I bet -- met the best person in my life. My -- my world has opened up in so many amazing ways, because I kind of, like, stopped listening to the critics.
And it's been an incredible journey. And that's what we hope to bring to the cast and the audience and maybe give people a little more encouragement about, you know, the right person can still be out there for you.
MICHAELSON: All right. Well, the show coming to Netflix. Congratulations on that.
VIALL: Thank you.
MICHAELSON: And people can listen to "The Viall Files" right now wherever you get your podcasts.
VIALL: Wherever you get your podcast.
MICHAELSON: Thanks, Nick, for coming in.
VIALL: Appreciate you. Thanks for having me.
MICHAELSON: We'll be back with more of THE STORY IS right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:57:54]
MICHAELSON: Peru's capital city of Lima is celebrating Valentine's Day a few days early with one giant wedding ceremony.
More than 100 couples tied the knot at the Magic Circuit of Water, a popular tourist attraction.
And speaking of love, a U.K. company wants people to put down their phones and try an old-fashioned way of meeting their matches. CNN's Anna Cooban has our story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right, all right, all right. Firstly, thank you guys so much for coming tonight.
ANNA COOBAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's after hours at a comedy club in central London. Except tonight, this audience is engaged in a far more serious pursuit: finding love. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Best case, my husband's here, and the love of my
life, and it's great.
Worst case, I met some -- made some new friends.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Really chill. I'm just hoping to have a couple of drinks, talk to a couple of people.
COOBAN (voice-over): Weary and worn down by dating apps, these singles are banking on some real-life connection.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm a romantic. I'm -- I want to be with a pirate. I want to be with someone who's, like, big and bold. And I feel like people in London are very nonchalant and very cool, and they want to, like, lay their heart on the line.
COOBAN (voice-over): Assisting tonight is an algorithm.
COOBAN: Do you fall in love quickly?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. I'm love at first sight.
COOBAN (voice-over): Ellen fills out a questionnaire by Matchbox, a software that claims to pair people based on their values.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved. Yes. Submit.
COOBAN (voice-over): With answers submitted, it's now time to mingle before these singles meet their match.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My worst nightmare is saying like, yes, I met my husband on Hinge.
COOBAN (voice-over): Hosting tonight is Thursday, a dating company that used to match people via, you guessed it, an app until they dumped it last year.
JAMES ORMEROD, HEAD OF LONDON EVENTS, THURSDAY: Everyone sit with the swiping endlessly only to get maybe a couple responses. The dating events is basically taking it back to basics. You have to make those in real life connections, and people are literally -- I can't produce enough events to -- for the demand that's out there.
COOBAN (voice-over): Thursday says it's made more than 20,000 matches using this algorithm.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Made my match. We'll find out. Here it is.
