NPR News Now - February 17, 2026, 7AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced roundup of overnight headlines including the passing of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, international negotiations in Geneva, ongoing debates over artificial intelligence in newsrooms, a lawsuit over AI voice mimicry, the resignation of Hyatt Hotels' executive chair, and a federal ruling on a Philadelphia historical exhibit.

1. Passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson

[00:18 – 01:23, 04:37 – 04:57]

• Key Points:

  • Reverend Jesse Lewis Jackson, influential civil rights leader and activist, has died at the age of 84.
  • Jackson’s work began in the 1960s as an aide to Martin Luther King Jr., later founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
  • He ran for U.S. president twice in the 1980s and delivered a memorable speech at the 1988 Democratic National Convention.
  • Jackson had international influence, mediating disputes globally and being seen as a “political Muhammad Ali” by some.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “America will get better and better. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive.”
    — Jesse Jackson, 1988 DNC Speech [00:51]
  • “He was kind of a political Muhammad Ali to many people around the world.”
    — Clarence Lusane, Howard University Professor [01:06]
  • “While other civil rights activists died young martyrs, he was blessed to be a long distance runner.”
    — Jesse Jackson, reflecting in a 2016 NPR interview [01:12]

• Memorable Moment:

  • The recap at the episode’s end, underscoring Jackson’s legacy as “a civil rights leader, a social activist and twice a presidential candidate.” [04:37 – 04:57]

2. Diplomatic Negotiations in Geneva

[01:23 – 02:09]

• Key Points:
  • Two sets of high-profile talks occur in Geneva:
    • U.S.-Iran Negotiations: Indirect talks over Iran’s nuclear program, with potential for Iranian concessions; U.S. also pushing on ballistic missiles and regional militant support.
    • Ukraine-Russia Talks: U.S. envoys join ongoing Ukraine-Russia negotiations, with President Trump pressuring Ukraine for concessions.

3. Artificial Intelligence Debates in American Newsrooms

[02:09 – 02:51]

• Reporter: David Folkenflick

• Key Points:

  • Adoption and controversy around AI in journalism are growing.
  • The Baltimore Sun: An AI-generated analysis misidentified President Trump as “former president.” The News Guild denounced it as “slop.”
  • The Sun’s publisher/editor affirmed the need for careful review but said, “To ignore this powerful tool would be a mistake.”
  • The Plain Dealer (Cleveland): Editor expects job applicants to use AI to draft articles, allowing reporters to focus on newsgathering; all AI content is human-edited.
  • Ars Technica: Retracted an article for undisclosed AI use and fabricated quotations.

• Notable Quote:

  • “To ignore this powerful tool would be a mistake.”
    — Trif Alatsis, Publisher and Editor, The Baltimore Sun [02:23]

4. Lawsuit: AI Voice Mimicry

[02:51 – 03:09]

• Key Points:
  • Former NPR host David Green is suing Google, claiming its AI-generated podcast voice mimics him without permission.
  • Google claims the AI voice is based on a professional actor.

5. Tom Pritzker Retirement and Epstein Files

[03:09 – 03:23]

• Key Points:
  • Tom Pritzker, Hyatt Hotels executive chair, announces retirement.
  • His name surfaced in Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein; Pritzker calls his association with Epstein “terrible judgment.”

6. Court Orders Restoration of Philadelphia Slavery Exhibit

[03:23 – 04:28]

• Reporter: Susan Phillips (WHYY)

• Key Points:

  • Federal Judge Cynthia Roof orders the Trump administration to restore the exhibit about enslaved people at President’s House site, Philadelphia.
  • Judge Roof’s decision references Orwell’s 1984, warning against erasing historical truth.
  • National Park Service removed the exhibit the previous month; the government may still appeal.
  • Local visitor Yolanda Parks reacts positively to the decision.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “The federal government does not have the power to disassemble historical truths.”
    — Judge Cynthia Roof, referencing 1984 [03:57]
  • “How will we know where we came from if the history doesn’t remain? You can’t change history just because right now you’re feeling some type of way. I’m glad that we’re putting it back up.”
    — Yolanda Parks, visitor [04:20]

7. Top Story Recap

[04:37 – 04:57]

• The episode concludes by repeating the news of Reverend Jesse Jackson’s passing and his significant impact as a national leader.

Key Timestamps

• Reverend Jesse Jackson's Death Announced: [00:18 – 01:23, 04:37 – 04:57]
• Diplomatic Talks in Geneva: [01:23 – 02:09]
• AI in Newsrooms: [02:09 – 02:51]
• David Green Sues Google: [02:51 – 03:09]
• Tom Pritzker Retirement & Epstein Files: [03:09 – 03:23]
• Court Ruling on Historical Exhibit: [03:23 – 04:28]

Tone:
Concise, sober, and focused on delivering news with clarity and directness—typical for NPR's news coverage.