NPR News Now – February 19, 2026, 11PM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
News Highlights and Key Developments

Main Theme

This episode delivers a concise, five-minute roundup of key U.S. and international headlines, covering political, sports, business, and environmental news. The reporting reflects urgent global events and notable U.S. achievements.

Key Segments & Insights

1. U.S. Announces $10 Billion "Board of Peace" for Gaza

[00:16 – 01:17]

• President Trump presided over the inauguration of a new initiative called the "Board of Peace," committing $10 billion to the project.

• Other nations, including Gulf and Central Asian countries, pledged nearly $7 billion to help rebuild Gaza.

• Countries like Indonesia and Morocco are contributing peacekeeping troops and police.

• The Board of Peace will be chaired by Trump even after his presidency.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Donald Trump [00:58]:
    “We will help Gaza. We will straighten it out, we will make it successful, we will make it peaceful and we will do things like that in other spots.”

2. U.S. Women's Hockey Team Wins Olympic Gold

[01:17 – 02:12]

• The U.S. women’s hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime, clinching their third all-time Olympic gold.

• Veteran Hilary Knight and rising star Layla Edwards were instrumental.

  • Canada initially led after a defensive mistake by Edwards, but she later contributed to the tying goal.
  • In overtime, Megan Keller scored the game-winner.

• The match was notable for its intensity and turnaround.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Hilary Knight [01:58]:
    "Great patience and poise with the puck. And then as soon as it was going over to Layla, I was like I better get in front of that net.”

3. Alyssa Lu Breaks 24-Year Drought with Figure Skating Gold

[02:12 – 02:17]

• Alyssa Lu won gold in figure skating, ending a 24-year drought and posting a career-best points total.

4. Wall Street Rattled by U.S.-Iran Tensions

[02:17 – 03:13]

• U.S. stocks fell, with the Dow dropping nearly 270 points.

• The drop followed market anxiety over possible U.S. strikes against Iran, pushing oil prices up by nearly 2%.

• Walmart shares slid despite strong earnings, reflecting concerns about cautious spending by lower-income shoppers.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Rafael Nam [02:34]:
    “Concerns that the U.S. will conduct some kind of military strike against Iran sent jitters across Wall Street.”

5. Northern California Avalanche Recovery Delayed

[03:13 – 03:37]

• Eight skier fatalities confirmed after a Northern California avalanche; one more still missing and presumed dead.
• Recovery and rescue operations delayed due to safety concerns.
• Authorities are investigating potential criminal negligence.

6. D.C. Declares Emergency Over Historic Potomac Sewage Spill

[03:37 – 04:37]

• The mayor of Washington, D.C. declared an emergency after a record-breaking sewage spill into the Potomac River.

• The emergency declaration allows President Trump to allocate federal funds for water infrastructure repairs.

• Repairs are ongoing, with uncertain costs and a spill of 243 million gallons of raw sewage.

• The spill is reportedly contained to a canal, but full repairs remain weeks away.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Lindsay Appiah, Deputy Mayor [04:08]:
    “And we would all love to believe that in any repair it only costs the amount we budgeted or say. But I think that we've all been around long enough to know that there are always unanticipated costs.”

7. Exhibit on People Enslaved by George Washington to be Restored

[04:37 – 04:55]

• Restoration work will resume on a National Park Service exhibit about individuals once enslaved by President George Washington.
• A judge ordered reinstatement; the U.S. Attorney's Office is appealing.

Notable Quotes by Segment

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |---------|-------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:58 | Donald Trump | "We will help Gaza. We will straighten it out, we will make it successful..." | | 01:58 | Hilary Knight | "Great patience and poised with the puck...as soon as it was going over to Layla..." | | 02:34 | Rafael Nam | "Concerns that the U.S. will conduct some kind of military strike against Iran..." | | 04:08 | Lindsay Appiah | "...there are always unanticipated costs." |

Timestamped Important Segments

• 00:16: U.S. launches Board of Peace for Gaza
• 01:17: U.S. women’s hockey gold recap
• 02:12: Alyssa Lu wins figure skating gold
• 02:17: Stock market and oil price response to Iran tensions
• 03:13: Avalanche recovery in California
• 03:53: D.C. sewage spill and emergency declaration
• 04:37: George Washington slavery exhibit to be restored

Tone and Delivery

The reporting maintains a straightforward, fact-driven, and urgent tone, representing NPR’s signature news style. Quotes from officials and athletes add color and immediacy to the coverage.

This episode is an essential listen for those seeking a concise briefing on the day’s highest-impact stories in U.S. and world news.