NPR News Now: February 17, 2026, 11AM EST – Detailed Summary

Episode Overview

This five-minute newscast delivers the latest headlines, presenting a snapshot of key political, business, and cultural events making news on February 17, 2026. Highlights include the death of civil rights figure Jesse Jackson, ongoing government funding stalemate, a blockbuster entertainment merger, weather alerts, major religious observances, and a viral manufacturing mishap in China.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. The Death of Jesse Jackson (00:19 – 01:21)

• Civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson has died at 84.

  • Announcement made by the Jackson family and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

• President Trump's Response

  • Trump issued a public statement characterizing Jackson as "a good man with lots of personality, grit and street smarts" (00:39).
    • Quote:

      “A good man with lots of personality, grit and street smarts.”
      — President Trump, via NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben (00:40)

  • However, Trump’s post pivoted into a self-focused argument, highlighting his own record on criminal justice reform and HBCU funding.
  • He lamented his portrayal by critics:
    • Quote:

      “… falsely and consistently called a racist by the scoundrels and lunatics on the radical left.”
      — President Trump (00:55)

  • Trump also swiped at former President Obama in his post.

• Recent Context

  • Two weeks prior, Jesse Jackson’s son, Rep. Jonathan Jackson, led a prayer at the National Prayer Breakfast, subtly criticizing Trump’s policies.

2. Partial DHS Shutdown & Congressional Stalemate (01:21 – 02:06)

• Department of Homeland Security remains partially shut down.
  • Quote:

    “Congress has yet to pass a funding bill.”
    — Korva Coleman (01:21)

• Updates from Washington
  • Democrats presented a counteroffer to the White House last night, but negotiations remain mostly undisclosed.
  • Democrats reject the Administration’s plan as insufficient.
  • In the wake of two fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis, Democrats are pushing for significant changes to DHS, especially around immigration enforcement.
  • Notably, “both chambers of Congress are out this week on recess.” (01:53)

3. Warner Bros. Discovery Sale & Paramount Bid (02:06 – 03:09)

• Warner Bros. Discovery Board Backs Netflix Deal

  • Board recommends shareholders approve sale of studio and streaming assets to Netflix ($83B).
  • Shareholder vote scheduled for March 20.

• Competing Paramount Offer

  • Paramount, led by David Ellison (with the backing of his father, Larry Ellison, and advice from President Trump), has bid $108B for the entire company.
  • Paramount’s offer includes CNN, TBS, Discovery, sports, and news assets.
    • Quote:

      “Paramount has bid $108 billion for the whole shebang…”
      — David Folkenflick (02:28)

  • Warner has resisted Paramount’s advances, despite the higher bid.
    • Ellisons claim they can circumvent antitrust issues in the US and Europe.
    • Trump “says he won’t play a role,” but the Ellisons have “privately suggested” otherwise (02:49).
  • Netflix holds a right to match the Paramount offer but seems uninterested in cable TV properties.

4. Market & Weather Updates; Major Religious Observances (03:09 – 04:08)

• Market Update

  • “On Wall Street, stocks are lower. The Dow Jones industrial average is down more than 120 points.” (03:09)

• Weather Alert

  • Winter storm warnings across the West.
  • Avalanche warnings in Idaho and Montana; heavy snow in California, Nevada, and Utah.

• Religious Calendar

  • Ramadan begins tomorrow. Saudi officials announced the crescent moon was sighted.
    • Quote:

      “Ramadan is marked with fasting, prayer and good works for others. This year, Ramadan coincides with the start of the Christian season of Lent.” — Korva Coleman (03:39)

  • Today is also the start of the Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse) for many in Asia.

5. Viral Plush Toy Mishap in China (04:08 – 04:55)

• A Manufacturing Error Brings Unexpected Laughter
  • Plush horse toys intended to be smiling (celebrating the Lunar New Year) were sewn with upside-down smiles, appearing sad.
    • Quote:

      “A sad looking plush toy has gone viral in China… making them crying instead of smiling.”
      — Ashish Valentine (04:10)

  • The hashtag related to the toy horses has garnered over 100 million views.
  • Internet humor draws on work-life frustration:
    • Quote:

      “The horse looks so sad and pitiful, just the way I feel at work.”
      — User comment, via Ashish Valentine (04:34)

  • The term “Nioma” (cattle horse) is slang among Chinese youth for being overworked and undervalued.
  • Many hope the horse will bring both humor and luck this year.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump on Jesse Jackson:

  “A good man with lots of personality, grit and street smarts.” (00:40)

• Trump’s criticism of opponents:

  “…falsely and consistently called a racist by the scoundrels and lunatics on the radical left.” (00:55)

• Warner Bros. Discovery sale coverage:

  “Paramount has bid $108 billion for the whole shebang…” — David Folkenflick (02:28)

• China’s sad horse toy:

  “The horse looks so sad and pitiful, just the way I feel at work.” (04:34)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:19 | Announcement of Jesse Jackson’s death | | 00:39 | Trump’s response and context about Jackson’s legacy | | 01:21 | DHS shutdown, congressional negotiation stall | | 02:06 | Warner Bros. Discovery–Netflix deal & Paramount competing bid | | 03:09 | Stock market and winter weather updates | | 03:39 | Ramadan & Lent, Lunar New Year begins | | 04:08 | Sad horse plush toy goes viral in China |

Episode Tone & Style

The news report is brisk, factual, and clarifies complex stories succinctly, balancing major U.S. political developments with international cultural human-interest stories. Personality comes through in the quoted remarks—especially Trump’s self-referential tone and Chinese netizens’ dry workplace humor.

This episode offers a concise but multifaceted snapshot of events shaping the news landscape on February 17, 2026, from major political developments and business deals to culture and viral phenomena.