NPR News Now: February 18, 2026, 2PM EST – Episode Summary
Episode Overview
This five-minute news roundup, hosted by Lakshmi Singh, delivers key national headlines of the hour, ranging from a high-stakes social media trial involving Meta's CEO, to media upheaval at CBS, major infrastructure funding news, and breakthroughs in maternal health. The episode is brisk, direct, and information-packed, reflecting NPR’s signature objective tone.
Key News Segments and Discussion Points
1. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Testifies in Landmark Social Media Trial
- [00:14 – 01:05]
- Main Point: Mark Zuckerberg takes the stand in a trial scrutinizing Instagram's design and its alleged impact on youth mental health.
- Core Legal Debate:
- Whether social media platforms, such as Instagram, are “defective products” intentionally designed with addictive qualities harmful to users.
- The usual legal cover under Section 230 (which protects platforms from liabilities related to user-posted content) is challenged here by reframing harm as a product liability issue.
- Wider Impact: The trial could set precedent for 1,600 similar social media addiction cases pending in courts.
- Notable Quote:
- Bobby Allen: “This trial is framing social media platforms as a defective product designed knowing the harms they could cause. The outcome of this trial could shape 1600 other social media addiction cases still pending.” [00:51]
2. CBS Faces Backlash and Internal Shake-Ups Amid Corporate Drama
- [01:05 – 02:04]
- Recent Controversies at CBS:
- Stephen Colbert publicly confronts network lawyers for allegedly blocking his interview with Senate candidate James Talarico due to FCC concerns.
- Departure of veteran journalist Anderson Cooper from CBS’s “60 Minutes.”
- Editorial discord under Bari Weiss, facing resistance from experienced journalists.
- Broader context: Ongoing Paramount Skydance attempts to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, CBS’s parent company, currently controlled by the Trump-allied Ellson family.
- Political Concerns:
- Democratic Representative Sam Licardo warns of growing media consolidation and politically close ties between media CEOs and the presidency.
- Notable Quote:
- Rep. Sam Licardo: “It's certainly concern enough if you have oligarchical control of major broadcast TV news sources that the American public relies upon. But it's even more problematic when you have a very cozy relationship between that CEO and the president.” [01:46]
- Recent Controversies at CBS:
3. Trump Administration Releases Funds for Hudson River Tunnel Project
- [02:04 – 03:04]
- Background: Over $200 million in previously frozen federal funds is released for the Gateway Hudson River Tunnel project between NY and NJ.
- Project Status: Construction had halted due to funding issues, with President Trump withholding funds over financial concerns and reportedly seeking to name Penn Station after himself in exchange for funding.
- Resolution: Attorneys general from NY and NJ sued; a federal judge sided with the states, unlocking crucial infrastructure funding.
- Notable Details: The tunnel, vital for Northeast transit, has suffered from age and damage (notably from Hurricane Sandy).
- Notable Quote:
- Walter Wuthman: “President Trump had frozen money for the new train tunnels under the Hudson river in late September, saying the project would be, quote, financially catastrophic for the region.” [02:38]
4. Settlement in New Jersey Catholic Diocese Sex Abuse Case
- [03:04 – 03:24]
- News Brief: South Jersey’s Catholic diocese agrees to pay $180 million to resolve clergy sex abuse allegations.
- Comments: Bishop Joseph A. Williams describes the settlement as “long overdue for survivors.”
5. Lake Tahoe Avalanche: Rescue Efforts Ongoing
- [03:24 – 03:44]
- Situation Update: Nine skiers remain missing following an avalanche near Lake Tahoe.
- Rescue Status: Six people rescued, two hospitalized after extensive rescue operations.
6. Experimental Drug for Preeclampsia in South Africa
- [04:06 – 04:43]
- Medical News: Early-stage trials of a new drug for preeclampsia—a dangerous pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure—show promise.
- Study Leader: Professor Kathy Kluver, Stellenbosch University.
- Drug Potential: The drug may lower maternal blood pressure and improve uterine blood flow, offering hope for extending pregnancies safely.
- Reactions:
- Ari Daniel: “We were like, we don't believe this, like, this is impossible.” [04:31]
- Kathy Kluver: “The researchers say there's still more to learn about how the drug works and whether it can keep mothers pregnant for longer.” [04:35]
7. Market Update
- [03:44 – 03:54; 04:43 – 04:53]
- Stock Market: Dow up over 300 points; Nasdaq and S&P 500 show healthy gains.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Social Media Liability:
“This trial is framing social media platforms as a defective product designed knowing the harms they could cause.”
— Bobby Allen [00:51] -
On Media Consolidation:
“It's even more problematic when you have a very cozy relationship between that CEO and the president.”
— Rep. Sam Licardo [01:46] -
On Funding the Hudson Tunnel:
“President Trump had frozen money for the new train tunnels...saying the project would be, quote, financially catastrophic for the region.”
— Walter Wuthman [02:38] -
On the Promise of a Preeclampsia Drug:
“We were like, we don't believe this, like, this is impossible.”
— Ari Daniel [04:31]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Meta Social Media Trial: [00:14 — 01:05]
- CBS Backlash & Media Consolidation: [01:05 — 02:04]
- Gateway Tunnel Project Funding: [02:04 — 03:04]
- NJ Diocese Settlement: [03:04 — 03:24]
- Lake Tahoe Avalanche Update: [03:24 — 03:44]
- Preeclampsia Drug Trial: [04:06 — 04:43]
- Stock Market Update: [03:44 – 03:54; 04:43 – 04:53]
Overall Tone & Style
True to NPR’s direct and impartial style, this rapid-fire bulletin delivers authoritative reporting, brief expert comments, and relevant sound bites. Each segment is concise yet informative, with an even-handed tone and a focus on public interest.