NPR News: 02-18-2026 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: 02-18-2026 7AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This fast-paced episode of NPR News Now delivers the top news stories in just five minutes, covering global diplomacy, US domestic policy, severe weather events, changes in sports regulations, and highlights from the Winter Olympics. Korva Coleman anchors concise reports from NPR correspondents, with notable updates from Geneva, Gaza, California, Oklahoma, and the international sporting world.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US, Ukraine, and Russia Talks in Geneva

Main Story:

• Second day of diplomatic talks between the US, Ukraine, and Russia has ended abruptly.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the process, calling the talks "hard" and accusing Russia of stalling the proceedings.

Notable Quote:

• “Yesterday’s talks were hard and that Russia is dragging them out.” — Korva Coleman [00:24]

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2. Indonesia Offers Peacekeepers for Gaza Ceasefire

Main Story:

• Indonesia is preparing to deploy up to 8,000 peacekeeping troops to support President Trump’s Board of Peace and ceasefire plans in Gaza, with 1,000 troops potentially entering Gaza as early as April.
• Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is in Washington and will attend the Board of Peace summit.
• Human rights groups are concerned this move could weaken Indonesia's traditional support for Palestinian independence.

Notable Quote:

• “Indonesia’s involvement in Gaza has faced criticism from human rights groups, saying this could undermine the country’s long standing support of Palestinian independence.” — Katarina Barton [01:00]

Timestamps:

• [00:48–01:19] — Full segment coverage

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3. Surge of 287(g) Local Police-ICE Agreements

Main Story:

• The federal 287(g) program allows local police to partner with ICE for immigration enforcement. Usage has risen dramatically under President Trump’s second term.
• Over 1,400 agreements now exist, up from just 45 in 2019.
• Critics warn of increased racial profiling and civil rights concerns due to insufficient training for local officers in immigration law.

Notable Quote:

• “The Trump administration sees it as a major tool in its immigration agenda. Critics of the program are warning that 287g powers heighten the risk of racial profiling and civil rights violations by local police who get little training in complex immigration law.” — Jacqueline Diaz [01:51]

Timestamps:

• [01:19–02:14] — Full segment coverage

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4. Northern California’s First Major Winter Storm

Main Story:

• The first significant winter storm of the season brings heavy snow to higher elevations, rain to lower regions, and various warnings/advisories.
• Snowfall this season remains below average, making this storm particularly notable.

Notable Quote:

• “It’s particularly notable just because we’ve had so few this year.” — James White, National Weather Service [02:38]

Timestamps:

• [02:14–02:50] — Full segment coverage

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5. Avalanche Catches Skiers in Northern California

Main Story:

• Avalanche reported; nine skiers went missing, six rescued, two hospitalized.
• Rescue efforts were hampered by severe weather conditions.

Timestamps:

• [02:56–03:18] — Combined coverage with general weather update

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6. Oklahoma Wildfire Spreads into Kansas

Main Story:

• The Ranger Road Fire has crossed from Oklahoma into Kansas, burning an estimated 145,000 acres.
• Critical fire weather expected due to gusty winds and low humidity in the central and southern plains.

Timestamps:

• [03:18–03:35] — Brief coverage

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7. Push for Same-Sex Couples in Olympic Ice Dance

Main Story:

• Olympic figure skaters advocate for allowing same-sex couples in ice dancing events; current International Skating Union rules require one man and one woman per team.
• Advocates argue this change would make the sport more accessible and equitable, given the gender imbalance in talent pools.
• Some countries have adopted inclusive rules domestically, but international change faces resistance from conservative members.

Notable Quotes:

• “If you had more availability, perhaps you could find your perfect partner without having to represent Azerbaijan.” — Caitlin Weaver, Olympic Ice Dancer [04:13]
• “Getting the rule change internationally requires approval by conservative member countries who see two women or two men dancing together as socially progressive.” — Lillian Karabic [04:19]

Timestamps:

• [03:55–04:40] — Full segment coverage

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8. Olympic Slalom Preview: Mikaela Shifrin Competes

Main Story:

• American skier Mikaela Shifrin is set to compete in the slalom; she’s dominated World Cup races this season but has not yet medaled at these Olympics.

Timestamps:

• [04:40–04:56] — Brief mention

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Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode maintains a brisk and factual tone, consistent with NPR’s concise news format.
• Human rights and social equity topics feature prominently, from peacekeeping critiques to gender balance in sports.
• Weather emergencies — from avalanches to wildfires — highlight climate and safety concerns.

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Notable Quotes

• “Yesterday’s talks were hard and that Russia is dragging them out.” — Korva Coleman [00:24]
• “Indonesia’s involvement in Gaza has faced criticism from human rights groups, saying this could undermine the country’s long standing support of Palestinian independence.” — Katarina Barton [01:00]
• “The Trump administration sees it as a major tool in its immigration agenda. Critics of the program are warning that 287g powers heighten the risk of racial profiling and civil rights violations by local police who get little training in complex immigration law.” — Jacqueline Diaz [01:51]
• “It’s particularly notable just because we’ve had so few this year.” — James White [02:38]
• “If you had more availability, perhaps you could find your perfect partner without having to represent Azerbaijan.” — Caitlin Weaver [04:13]

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Summary Table of Segments & Timestamps

| Topic | Speaker/Reporter | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------| | Geneva US/Ukraine/Russia Talks | Korva Coleman | 00:18–00:48 | | Indonesia’s Gaza Peacekeepers | Katarina Barton | 00:48–01:19 | | Surge in ICE-Local Police Agreements (287g) | Jacqueline Diaz | 01:19–02:14 | | Northern California’s Winter Storm | Jane Vaughn, James White | 02:14–02:50 | | Avalanche in Northern California | Korva Coleman | 02:56–03:18 | | Oklahoma-Kansas Wildfire | Korva Coleman | 03:18–03:35 | | Olympic Figure Skating: Same-Sex Couples Advocacy | Lillian Karabic, Weaver | 03:55–04:40 | | Olympic Slalom: Mikaela Shifrin | Korva Coleman | 04:40–04:56 |

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This NPR News Now episode efficiently covers urgent global and domestic developments, with sharp, concise reporting and a focus on both immediate crises and evolving social issues.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Officials say a second day of Talks among the U.S. ukraine and Russia has ended abruptly in Geneva, UK Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had criticized the discussions earlier. He said yesterday's talks were hard and that Russia is dragging them out. Indonesia says it's preparing to deploy peacekeeping troops to Gaza as part of President Trump's board of peace. NPR's Katarina Barton reports. Indonesia is the only country to publicly commit peacekeepers to the effort.

[Katarina Barton]

Indonesia's military says it is offering up to 8,000 peacekeeping troops to support Trump's ceasefire plans in Gaza, and a thousand among them could enter the war torn area as soon as early April. The Indonesian President Praboyo Subianto is in Washington this week. He's expected to meet with Trump at the inaugural Board of Peace summit on Thursday. Indonesia's involvement in Gaza has faced criticism from human rights groups saying this could undermine the country's long standing support of Palestinian independence. Katerina Barton, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

A federal law allows local police to be deputized for immigration enforcement duties that they're partnered with ICE officials. The use of these agreements has soared in President Trump's second term. NPR's Jacqueline Diaz has more.

[Jacqueline Diaz]

Under the 287 program, state or local police can get the power to question, investigate or arrest people for civil immigration violations. Data reviewed by NPR shows that as of February 13, Immigration and Customs Enforcement had reported more than 1400 such agreements with police. In 2019, there were just 45 such deals. The Trump administration sees it as a major tool in its immigration agenda. Critics of the program are warning that 287g powers heighten the risk of racial profiling and civil rights violations by local police who get little training in complex immigration law. Jacqueline Diaz, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Parts of Northern California are getting their first big winter storm of the season. From Jefferson Public Radio, Jane Vaughn reports. It's bringing snow and some hail.

[Jane Vaughn]

Heavy snowfall has mainly impacted higher elevations across the region, while lower areas are getting hit with rain. James White is a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Eureka. He says this storm signals the return of winter.

[James White]

We're far below average for snowfall across most of Northern California, so this would be kind of more of a moderate, typical winter storm. It's particularly notable just because we've had so few this year.

[Jane Vaughn]

The region is facing a variety of weather warnings and advisories. For NPR News, I'm Jane Vaughn.

[Korva Coleman]

Meanwhile, authorities in Northern California say an avalanche has caught a party of skiers. Officials are looking for nine missing skiers. Six have been rescued and two of them were hospitalized. The weather is so difficult it took hours for help to reach them. You're listening to npr. Authorities say an Oklahoma wildfire has crossed into southern Kansas, the Ranger Road fire. The tracking site watch duty says the fire has been estimated at 145,000 acres. Weather forecasters say gusty winds and low humidity will bring more critical fire weather to the central and Southern Plains. Today. Olympic figure skaters are pushing for a rule change to allow same sex couples in ice dancing. The International Skating Union currently only allows a team consisting of one man and one woman to compete. Oregon Public Broadcasting's Lillian Karabic reports.

[Lillian Karabic]

Two time Olympian Caitlin Weaver said open gender ice dance might broaden the sport's appeal and fix one of its deepest structural problems. Qualified women greatly outnumber qualified men. This can lead to young athletes relocating internationally and a power imbalance between partners.

[Caitlin Weaver]

If you had more availability, perhaps you could find your perfect partner without having to represent Azerbaijan.

[Lillian Karabic]

Finland, Canada and the United Kingdom have modified their rules to allow for same sex couples at domestic competitions. Weaver says getting the rule change internationally requires approval by conservative member countries who see two women or two men dancing to together as socially progressive. For NPR News, I'm Lillian Kirby.

[Korva Coleman]

American skier Mikaela Shifrin competes soon in the slalom at the Winter Olympics. This season, Shifrin has won seven of eight World cup races, but she has yet to reach the medal podium in these Olympics. This is npr.

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