NPR News Now – February 19, 2026, 7PM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston, NPR

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on top stories including Prince Andrew’s release in connection to the Epstein investigation, President Trump’s economic remarks, a historic sewage spill emergency in Washington D.C., the U.S. women’s hockey gold at the Winter Olympics, groundbreaking research on ancient medicines, and major auto recalls.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Prince Andrew Released After Epstein Investigation

[00:17 – 01:23]

• Lead Story: Former Prince Andrew released from jail, under investigation for sharing sensitive UK government information with Jeffrey Epstein.
• Background (Lauren Frayer): Andrew had been stripped of his royal title and evicted from Royal Lodge due to Epstein ties.
  • He had settled a lawsuit with one of Epstein’s underage victims but maintained innocence.
  • DOJ files showed Andrew, as UK trade envoy, allegedly shared government itineraries and investment plans with Epstein in the early 2000s.
  • British police suspect him of “misconduct in public office;” potential life sentence.
• Notable Quote:
  • Lauren Frayer (01:10):
    “Police say he's suspected of misconduct in public office, a crime that carries up to life in prison.”

2. President Trump on the Economy and Tariffs

[01:23 – 02:05]

• Trump’s Statement (in Georgia): Says his administration’s tariffs and policies are “easing high prices” and boosting U.S. manufacturing.
  • Highlights a large steel order as evidence of economic improvement.
• Notable Quote:
  • Donald Trump (01:42):
    “Thanks to the fact that we got elected on November 5th and thanks to what I call the Trump tariffs, business at Coosa Steel is booming again... And in October, you received your first large order for Thai Iraq since 2014. It was a big, massive order.”
• Context: Aimed at countering public frustration over the cost of living ahead of the November election.

3. Potomac River Sewage Spill Emergency

[02:05 – 03:08]

• Crisis: D.C. mayor declares emergency after a historic sewage spill.
  • Enables President Trump to direct federal funds for repairs.
  • Emergency impacts D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
• Repair Costs & Status:
  • Lindsay Appiah, D.C. Deputy Mayor:
    • Cites uncertainty over repair costs due to ongoing work.
    • Notable Quote (02:41):
      “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.”
  • One month since the pipe burst. Over 243 million gallons of sewage spilled; repairs weeks away.
• Update: Spill contained to a canal, but major infrastructure work remains.

4. Business Update – Wall Street Close

[03:08 – 03:15]

• Market News: Dow closes down 267 points.

5. U.S. Women’s Hockey Wins Olympic Gold

[03:15 – 03:31]

• Olympic News: The U.S. Women's Hockey Team beats Canada 2-1 in overtime for their third Olympic gold.
  • Megan Keller scored the winning goal.

6. Ancient Medicine Findings: Feces in Roman Bottles

[03:31 – 04:29]

• Scientific Discovery: Researchers analyze residues in ancient Roman medicine bottles.
  • Rana Chelabi and team find one bottle containing human feces—used to treat infections historically.
  • Aromatic compounds may have masked the odor.
• Modern Parallel: Similar fecal treatments now used for difficult gastrointestinal infections (“resetting” the gut microbiome).
• Notable Quotes:
  • Lindsay Appiah (read by Ari Daniels at 03:57):
    “One of them ended up revealing something even more surprising and medically significant. It turned out to be feces, human feces.”
  • Ari Daniels (04:13):
    “The use of especially animal fecal matter was once considered a potent treatment for infections and inflammation.”

7. Nissan Recalls Over Half a Million Vehicles

[04:29 – 04:57]

• Consumer Safety: Nissan recalls over 500,000 Rogue cars due to engine and transmission defects.
  • Risk: Sudden loss of power and increased crash potential.

Memorable Moments

• Hard-hitting international update:
  The seriousness of the Prince Andrew allegations and the potential for a life sentence.
• Trump on tariffs and economic optimism:
  His direct attribution of revived manufacturing to his policies.
• Science surprise:
  The discovery of fecal matter as ancient medicine and its parallel to modern treatments.

Episode Flow & Tone

• Concise, authoritative headlines with direct reporting.
• Matter-of-fact, but breaks for human interest—especially in scientific and sports segments.
• No commentary or extended analysis; information-dense and strictly news-driven.

Timestamps for Quick Navigation

• Prince Andrew/Epstein Update - [00:17]
• Trump’s Economic Remarks - [01:23]
• Potomac River Sewage Spill - [02:05]
• Dow Close - [03:08]
• Olympic Gold – Women’s Hockey - [03:15]
• Ancient Medicine Discovery - [03:45]
• Nissan Recalls - [04:29]

This summary excludes all sponsor/advertisement content and only covers core news segments.