NPR News: 02-18-2026 8PM EST

Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Ryland Barton
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise roundup of major national and international news stories as of February 18, 2026. The five-minute bulletin covers U.S. military movements in the Middle East, the impact of expiring health insurance subsidies, President Trump’s Black History Month event in the context of recent controversy, developments in Russia’s war on Ukraine, UN Security Council actions regarding Gaza, and a quirky story about Reese’s ingredients.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Buildup in the Middle East

[00:17]

• Details:
  The U.S. is reportedly sending around 50 additional fighter jets and a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid ongoing discussions with Iran over a possible nuclear deal.

• U.S. Administration’s Position:
  President Trump is vague on intentions, stating support for a nuclear deal but also mentioning regime change in Iran, suggesting conflicting strategies.

  “Trump is intentionally vague about what he wants to achieve. He says he favors a nuclear deal with Iran, which would necessitate more negotiations. Yet he’s also voiced support for regime change in that country, which would likely require a major U.S. military operation.”
  — Greg Meyer ([00:32])

• Iran’s Response:
  Iran warns it is prepared to retaliate if attacked by the U.S. or Israel.

2. Expiration of Expanded ACA Premium Tax Credits

[01:11]

• Study Findings:
  A new Johns Hopkins University study shows that temporary, expanded premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act led to a 7% increase in health insurance enrollment, especially among children, Black and Hispanic people, and rural residents.

  “Effectively with these enhanced tax credits, we ran a five year natural experiment on what happens when you make insurance affordable and it shows that it works. You know, you lower the price and people will take up that coverage.”
  — Paul Jacobs, health policy scientist, JHU ([01:46])

• Expiration Impact:
  The subsidies have ended, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that about 4 million people will lose coverage as a result.

3. President Trump’s Black History Month Event

[02:10]

• Context:
  President Trump hosted a White House reception for Black History Month, amid controversy over a previous racist social media post depicted and later deleted.

• Honoring Jesse Jackson:
  Trump honored the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader who died this week.

  “Jesse was a piece of work, I want to tell you. He was a piece of work, but he was a good man. He was a real… he was a real hero. And I just want to pay my highest respects to Reverend Jesse Jackson.”
  — Attendee at White House Event ([02:28])

• Backlash:
  President Trump was criticized for ‘whitewashing’ African American history and for an offensive social media post involving the Obamas.

4. Russia’s War on Ukraine Enters Fifth Year

[03:11]

• Conflict Outlook:
  Few Ukrainians expect the war to end soon, believing President Putin will only stop if forced. Ukrainian opposition parliamentarian Inna Sovsun critiques President Trump’s approach to Russia and Ukraine:

  “He has no real plan to stop this war.”
  — Inna Sovsun ([03:35])

  “We are the ones bearing the cost, the burden of this war. We are the ones seeing our citizens, our friends, our family members being killed. We are the ones who are freezing here in Kyiv and other cities.”
  — Inna Sovsun ([03:44])

• U.S. Policy Critique:
  Sovsun argues the Trump administration pressures Ukraine, not Russia, even suggesting elections and territorial concessions while war continues.

  “There are 200,000 people living on those territories.”
  — Inna Sovsun ([04:08])

5. UN Security Council on Gaza and West Bank

[04:17]

• Diplomatic Tension:
  The UN Security Council is meeting on the Gaza ceasefire and Israel’s actions in the West Bank, just before the Trump administration’s Peace Board convenes. This highlights potential conflict between U.S. and international approaches.

6. Reese’s Ingredient Change Controversy

[04:40]

• Allegations:
  Brad Reese, grandson of the inventor, claims Hershey’s is using less expensive ingredients, such as “compounds” instead of milk chocolate, and “peanut cream” rather than peanut butter.
• Hershey’s Response:
  The company acknowledges recipe changes but attributes them to innovation and meeting consumer demand.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Trump is intentionally vague about what he wants to achieve...”
  — Greg Meyer ([00:32])
• “Effectively with these enhanced tax credits, we ran a five year natural experiment… and it shows that it works.”
  — Paul Jacobs ([01:46])
• “He has no real plan to stop this war.”
  — Inna Sovsun ([03:35])
• “We are the ones seeing our citizens, our friends, our family members being killed.”
  — Inna Sovsun ([03:44])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Middle East U.S. Military Buildup: [00:17] – [01:11]
• ACA Premium Subsidies Study: [01:11] – [02:10]
• Trump’s Black History Month Event & Jesse Jackson: [02:10] – [03:11]
• Ukraine War Update & U.S. Policy Critique: [03:11] – [04:17]
• UN/Israel-Gaza & Reese’s Ingredient Story: [04:17] – [04:57]

This rapid-fire newscast provides clarity on developing stories with direct reporting, policy context, and firsthand perspectives.