NPR News Now – February 17, 2026, 10AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: Breaking and developing national and international news.

Main Theme of the Episode

This episode delivers a rapid roundup of the day's most pressing headlines, ranging from the passing of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and major diplomatic talks involving the U.S., Iran, Russia, and Ukraine, to a lawsuit alleging AI voice theft, government funding debates, concerns about religious rights in detention centers during Ramadan, tech and financial news, and an experimental military micronuclear reactor transport.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson (00:15–01:16)

• Cheryl Corley reports the death of influential (and sometimes controversial) American leader Reverend Jesse Jackson.
• Jackson’s legacy:
  • 1960s: Active in the civil rights movement, aide to Martin Luther King Jr.
  • 1970s–1980s: Founded Rainbow PUSH Coalition; ran for president twice.
  • Democratic National Convention 1988: Renowned for his uplifting speech.
• Jackson's global impact highlighted by Howard University Professor Clarence Lusane.
• Memorable quote (archive, Jesse Jackson, 00:43):
  “America will get better and better. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive.”
• During a 2016 NPR interview, Jackson reflected:
  • He survived to be a “long distance runner,” unlike civil rights martyrs.

2. International Diplomacy: U.S., Iran, Russia, and Ukraine Talks (01:16–01:23)

• U.S. envoys led two rounds of high-level discussions:
  • Morning: Indirect talks with Iranian officials concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
  • Now: Three-way discussion in Geneva with Russia and Ukraine regarding the ongoing war.

3. Business & Tech News (01:23–02:23)

• Warner Bros. Sale Saga:
  • Rival bid update: Warner Bros. favors sale to Netflix, but provides Paramount/Skydance extra time to make a new offer.
  • Market reaction: Dow Jones down ~170 points.
• General Mills Forecast:
  • Lowered forecast due to reduced consumer spending on cereals, snacks, and dog food.
• AI Investment Skepticism:
  • Fund managers (Bank of America survey): Optimism on tech, concern over excessive AI investment.
• Scott Horsley (01:55):
  “Paramount people are not eating their Wheaties as much as the cereal's maker would like.”

4. David Green’s AI Voice Lawsuit Against Google (02:23–02:59)

• David Green (former NPR host) sues Google:
  • Allegation: Google’s Notebook LM AI voice tool replicates his own voice.
  • Emotional impact:
    • David Green (02:41):
      “The only tool that I felt like I brought into the room was myself, you know—expressing empathy, curiosity, respect with my voice, and just the idea that that can somehow be stolen is something that I couldn't live with if I didn't at least see where the courts could take this.”
• Google denies the claim; says the AI voice is based on a professional actor.
• Note: Google is a financial supporter of NPR.

5. Department of Homeland Security Funding and Ramadan Concerns (02:59–04:25)

• Partial DHS Shutdown: Ongoing due to congressional disagreements:
  • Democrats push for changes (e.g., ban on agents wearing masks during operations).
  • Republicans have not agreed.
• Rights of Muslim Detainees (Jason DeRose, 03:40):
  • Muslim detainees at multiple ICE facilities report inadequate provision for religious practices, particularly for Ramadan.
    • Lack of prayer mats, Korans, prayer beads.
    • Advocacy for meal service adjustments to accommodate fasting.
  • NJ chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations:
    • Urges government to meet “legal and moral” obligations.
    • Working to provide religious items and access to imams.
  • DHS has not commented.

6. Micronuclear Reactor Transport (04:25–04:55)

• Defense Department: Recently moved a small micronuclear reactor from California to Utah via cargo plane.
• Purpose: To demonstrate rapid deployment capability of nuclear power tech for military and civilian purposes.

Notable Quotes

• Jesse Jackson (archive, 00:43):
  “America will get better and better. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive.”
• Professor Clarence Lusane (paraphrase, 01:00):
  “He was kind of a political Muhammad Ali to many people around the world.”
• David Green (02:41):
  “The only tool that I felt like I brought into the room was myself... just the idea that that can somehow be stolen is something that I couldn't live with if I didn't at least see where the courts could take this.”
• Scott Horsley (market commentary, 01:55):
  “Paramount people are not eating their Wheaties as much as the cereal's maker would like.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:15 — Death of Jesse Jackson; career overview
• 01:16 — U.S.–Iran–Russia–Ukraine diplomatic talks; business headlines start
• 01:43 — Warner Bros./Netflix/Paramount acquisition struggle; Dow, AI skepticism
• 02:23 — David Green AI voice lawsuit against Google
• 02:59 — DHS shutdown and immigration oversight; Ramadan issues for ICE detainees
• 04:25 — Pentagon’s experimental micronuclear reactor transport

This summary captures the serious, brisk tone familiar to NPR: an urgent but composed delivery of significant news, punctuated by archive audio and direct quotes from key figures.