NPR News Now – Summary

Episode: NPR News: 02-20-2026 12PM EST
Date: February 20, 2026
Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise midday news episode covers major national and international stories, including a Supreme Court ruling on President Trump’s tariff policy, a high-profile special election in Georgia, new developments involving former Prince Andrew and the Epstein case, Ukraine’s boycott of the Paralympic opening, and fresh research on clownfish coloration.

Key Headlines & Discussion Points

1. Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Global Tariffs

• [00:14] The Supreme Court rejected President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to establish global tariffs, ruling it an overreach of presidential authority.
• The decision is a direct rebuke of a central part of Trump’s trade agenda, which had caused turmoil among U.S. businesses.
• Expert analysis:
  • Diane Swonk (KPMG Chief Economist):

    “We expect an executive order using other levers that the White House has that it can raise tariffs to reinstate any…”
    (00:50)

• The ruling may not end Trump’s tariffs altogether, as alternative executive actions remain possible.

2. Trump Campaigns in Georgia Amid Special Election

• [00:58] President Trump visited Rome, Georgia, campaigning for his economic policies at a steel processing plant and rallying support ahead of a special House election.
• The seat was vacated by Marjorie Taylor Greene after her resignation during disputes with Trump over the Epstein investigation.
• Reporting from Raul Bally:
  • Trump touted economic wins, claiming he has solved “affordability.”
  • Notable quote by Steve Futterman (reporter):

    “What word have you not heard over the last two weeks? Affordability.”
    (01:30)

  • Trump criticized mail-in ballots and voter ID opposition.
  • The special election is crucial as Trump works to consolidate his narrow House majority.
  • Georgia also features Senator Jon Ossoff, the only Democratic incumbent on the ballot in a Trump-carried state.
  • [01:35] Trump: “Because I’ve won, I’ve won affordability.”

3. Prince Andrew Arrested in Epstein Probe

• [02:08] British police have searched former Prince Andrew’s residence and held him for 11 hours regarding alleged misconduct in public office tied to his connection with Jeffrey Epstein.
• Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is the first senior royal arrested in centuries; released but remains under investigation.
• Reporting from Fatima Alkasar:
  • Andrew allegedly abused his role as UK Trade envoy by passing confidential information to Epstein.
  • Fatima Alkasar:

    “Photos of the former prince leaving a police station in the back of a car are plastered all over the British newspapers.”
    (02:28)

  • Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne and denies wrongdoing.

4. Ukraine to Boycott Paralympic Opening Ceremony

• [03:10] Ukraine’s Paralympic committee announced a boycott of the Milan opening ceremony in protest.
• Reporting from Steve Futterman:
  • Russian and Belarusian athletes, previously required to compete neutrally at the Olympics, will now appear under their national flags at the Paralympics.
  • Ukraine calls this “a cynical decision” and expresses outrage, seeing it as undermining international sanctions after Russia’s invasion.
  • Steve Futterman:

    “Ukraine officials call this latest move a cynical decision. They say they are outraged.”
    (03:38)

5. Research Update: Clownfish Coloration

• [04:00] New research investigates why clownfish change stripe patterns as they grow.
• Reporting from Ari Daniel:
  • Juvenile tomato clownfish have more white stripes, which fade as they integrate into the social order on an anemone.
  • Lori Mitchell (Marine Biologist, Okinawa Institute):

    “That’s when they first have to interact with others of their own kind to form a functioning group.”
    (04:28)

  • Multiple stripes on juveniles may signal they’re not a threat, with the coloration changing after social integration.
  • Ari Daniel:

    “The loss of these stripes is accelerated when young fish settle on an anemone for the first time…”
    (04:09)

Notable Quotes

• Diane Swonk, KPMG: “We expect an executive order using other levers that the White House has that it can raise tariffs to reinstate any…” (00:50)
• Steve Futterman, Reporter (paraphrasing Trump’s economic claims): “What word have you not heard over the last two weeks? Affordability.” (01:30)
• Fatima Alkasar, NPR (on Andrew): “Photos of the former prince leaving a police station in the back of a car are plastered all over the British newspapers.” (02:28)
• Steve Futterman, NPR (on Ukraine boycott): “Ukraine officials call this latest move a cynical decision. They say they are outraged.” (03:38)
• Lori Mitchell, Marine Biologist: “That’s when they first have to interact with others of their own kind to form a functioning group.” (04:28)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:14 — Supreme Court ruling on tariffs
• 00:58 — Trump campaigns in Georgia special election
• 02:08 — Former Prince Andrew’s arrest and Epstein investigation
• 03:10 — Ukraine’s Paralympic boycott
• 04:00 — Clownfish coloration research

This episode delivers rapid updates on legal, political, global, and scientific fronts, offering depth and key voices for each story in NPR’s signature tone.