NPR News: 02-21-2026 1PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: 02-21-2026 1PM EST

Date: February 21, 2026
Host: Amy Held

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Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update, anchored by Amy Held, delivers key U.S. and international news from the early afternoon of February 21, 2026. Major topics include President Trump’s shifting tariff strategy after a Supreme Court ruling, a powerful winter storm threatening the East Coast, the EPA’s rollback of pollution standards, heightened tensions with Iran, Olympic highlights featuring British curling excitement, and a record-breaking ski performance in Italy.

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Key News Stories and Insights

1. U.S. Trade Policy Turmoil: Trump Raises New Global Tariffs

• Background: President Trump announces a new set of temporary global tariffs at 15% just one day after the Supreme Court struck down most of his previous worldwide tariffs.
• Impacts: U.S. businesses and consumers face uncertainty over costs and pricing shifts.
• Small Business Perspective:
  • Paul Rogers, Owner of Cucina Bacci (00:57):

    "I'm hopeful that things will change for the better, but right now we're still stuck with the stock that we've paid high prices for. So it's going to be a long time before a small business like ours starts to see the benefits of the tariffs again."

• Future Steps: Trump’s administration aims to craft new tariffs that will be legally permissible following the Supreme Court's decision.

2. Blizzard Conditions Threaten the East Coast

• Severe Weather Alert: A major winter storm is forecasted to bring blizzard conditions from New Jersey into New England, affecting millions.
• Preparedness Advice (National Weather Service):
  • Stock up on essentials for at least three days—food, water, medications.
  • Charge devices and ensure access to warm clothing, blankets, and first aid supplies.
• Reporter Commentary (01:39):
  • Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR:
    "The winter storm that's brewing off the mid Atlantic coast will bring heavy wet snow that's expected to come down quickly for many hours, creating hazardous travel conditions. High winds are also expected, which increase the risk of power outages and coastal flooding."
• Timestamps: (01:16–02:21)

3. EPA Repeals Mercury & Air Toxics Standards

• Policy Reversal: The EPA rolls back 2024 standards that required coal-fired power plants to limit mercury, arsenic, and lead emissions.
• Rationale: The Trump administration cites cost savings for utility companies.
• Health Concerns:
  • Rob Byron, Montana Internist (02:55):

    "Repeal of these standards will result in many Americans dying needlessly from preventable causes related to air pollution."

• Locally Affected: Montana’s Colstrip plant is the nation's largest emitter of these air toxins.
• Legal Outlook: The rollback is expected to face judicial challenges.
• Timestamps: (02:21–03:16)

4. U.S.-Iran Tensions Escalate

• Military Developments: President Trump indicates uncertainty about a possible strike on Iran, despite significant military buildup in the Middle East.
• Diplomatic Stalemate: Both parties express willingness to negotiate but remain at odds, particularly over Iran’s nuclear program.
• No New Negotiations Planned
• Timestamps: (03:16–03:54)

5. British Curling Captivates the UK Amid Winter Olympics

• Olympic Fever: British men’s curling team vies for its first gold in over a century, sparking widespread interest in the sport.
• Pop Culture Note:
  • Vicki Gumley, Edinburgh Curling Club (04:12):

    "But the off peak times, like during the day when there's less people working and things, all those ice times at the moment are being filled up with people wanting to come and try."

• Challenges: High energy costs strain curling rinks, often leading to closures outside peak winter season.
• Reporter: Vicki Barker, London
• Timestamps: (03:54–04:38)

6. Olympic Record for Norway’s Johannes Clabo

• Sports Milestone: Clabo wins men’s 50k cross-country ski race in Italy, becoming the first athlete to secure six golds at one Winter Games.
• Upcoming Highlight: Men’s hockey gold medal match between the U.S. and Canada.
• Timestamps: (04:38–04:58)

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Notable Quotes

• Paul Rogers on Tariffs (00:57):
  "It's going to be a long time before a small business like ours starts to see the benefits of the tariffs again."
• Selena Simmons Duffin on the Storm (01:39):
  "Heavy wet snow that's expected to come down quickly for many hours, creating hazardous travel conditions."
• Rob Byron on Pollutant Rollback (02:55):
  "Repeal of these standards will result in many Americans dying needlessly from preventable causes."
• Vicki Gumley on Curling Craze (04:12):
  "All those ice times at the moment are being filled up with people wanting to come and try."

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Key Timestamps

• 00:19 – News begins with Trump’s tariff announcement and Supreme Court reaction.
• 00:57 – Small business angle on tariffs (Paul Rogers).
• 01:16–02:21 – Winter storm forecast and preparation guidance.
• 02:21–03:16 – EPA repeals pollution rules; health implications.
• 03:16–03:54 – Update on U.S.-Iran military and diplomatic tensions.
• 03:54–04:38 – Olympic curling enthusiasm in the UK.
• 04:38–04:58 – Clabo sets Olympic record; hockey final preview.

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Overall, this NPR News Now episode swiftly covers pressing national and global stories, providing listeners concise information and on-the-ground perspectives from business owners, medical professionals, and sporting enthusiasts.

Transcript

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[Amy Held]

live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Amy Held. President Trump, showing no signs of backing off a trade war, announcing today he is raising new temporary global tariffs to 15%. This a day after the Supreme Court struck a heavy blow to his agenda, striking down most of his worldwide tariffs imposed under an emergency statute. U.S. consumers and companies grappling with what this all means. Paul Rogers, owner of Cucina Bacci Italian Shop in Atlanta, has been paying Trump's tariffs on imported Italian goods. He says his customers may now see cost savings, but not anytime soon.

[Paul Rogers]

I'm hopeful that things will change for the better, but right now we're still stuck with the stock that we've paid high prices for. So it's going to be a long time before a small business like ours starts to see the benefits of the tariffs again.

[Amy Held]

After the Supreme Court ruling, Trump says his administration will now work on new legally permissible tariffs. A powerful winter storm is expected to bring blizzard conditions and power outages along the east coast starting tomorrow. NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin reports. The hardest hit areas predicted to stretch from New Jersey into New England.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for millions of residents in Long Island, New York City and southern Connecticut from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon. The winter storm that's brewing off the mid Atlantic coast will bring heavy wet snow that's expected to come down quickly from many hours, creating hazardous travel conditions. High winds are also expected, which increase the risk of power outages and coastal flooding. The National Weather Service is advising people who live in the path of the storm to stock up on three days worth of non perishable food, water and medications, charge phones and ensure there are warm clothes, blankets and a first aid kit available. Selena Simmons Duffen, NPR News.

[Amy Held]

Federal environmental regulators have repealed standards for limiting mercury and other air pollution from coal plants. Ellis Julin with Montana Public Radio reports. Montana is home to the country's biggest emitter.

[Ellis Julin]

The U.S. environmental Protection Agency finalized its repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air toxic standards. The policy would have required power plants to install filtration systems to capture pollutants like mercury, arsenic and lead. The Trump administration says the move will save utility companies money, but health professionals say the costs outweigh any savings. Rob Byron is an internist in rural Montana.

[Rob Byron]

Repeal of these standards will result in many Americans dying needlessly from preventable causes related to air pollution.

[Ellis Julin]

Montana's largest coal fired power plant, coal strip, is the highest emitter of these air toxins in the country. This Rollback is the EPA's latest deregulation. It is expected to draw legal challenges. For NPR News, I'm Ellis Julin in Missoula, Montana.

[Amy Held]

This is NPR News. President Trump says he hasn't decided yet whether he will launch a military strike on Iran. But a military buildup in the Middle east with an expansive naval and air presence suggests the US Is capable. Trump and Iran have said they remain open to negotiations. However, both sides seem far apart. Iran objects to Trump's demands that it give up its nuclear program. So far, no new talks are planned. Curling fever has swept the uk, where millions are watching the British men vie for their first Olympic gold in the sport in more than 100 years. Vicki Barker reports from London.

[Vicki Barker]

The strong Showings by the UK's Men and Women's curling teams in Milan have quickened British interest in this slowest moving of Olympic sports. Vicki Gumley of the Edinburgh Curling Club in Scotland told the BBC peak time slots are always booked whether the Olympics are on or not.

[Vicki Gumley]

But the off peak times, like during the day when there's less people working and things all those ice times at the moment are being filled up with people wanting to come and try.

[Vicki Barker]

But high energy costs required to keep the sheet frozen mean most curling rinks are closed during the spring and summer months. So all that newfound Olympic curling fever may melt along with the ice. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.

[Amy Held]

In Italy today, Norway's Johannes Clabo won the men's 50k cross country ski race to become the first ever athlete to take six golds at a single Winter Games. Tomorrow, competition ends with the highly anticipated men's hockey game. The U.S. takes on Camp Canada for gold. You're listening to NPR News.

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