NPR News Now – February 21, 2026, 6PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a succinct update on major national and international developments in politics, public health, weather, sports, and science, taking listeners through top stories of the day in under five minutes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Pushes Ahead With Tariffs Despite Supreme Court Setback

• [00:15–01:15]

  • President Trump is moving forward with a new 15% global tariff, despite a Supreme Court ruling limiting his authority.
  • In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized the court, calling their decision, quote, "ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti American."
  • Trump has invoked the Trade Act of 1974 for the new tariffs, but they can remain in place only for 150 days unless Congress extends them.
  • Insight: The ruling is a significant blow to Trump’s economic agenda and could set up further confrontations between the executive branch and Congress.

  Kristen Wright [00:36]: "Friday's ruling is a major blow to Trump's economic policy agenda."
  Kristen Wright [00:41]: "[Trump] cited the Trade Act of 1974 as authorization, but [the tariffs] can only be in place for 150 days unless Congress acts."

2. Ransomware Attack Shuts Down Mississippi Medical Clinics

• [01:15–02:05]

  • University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) forced to close 35 facilities due to a ransomware attack.
  • Interruptions affected procedures ranging from chemotherapy to elective surgeries.
  • Medical staff are reverting to paper documentation.
  • The extent of patient-data compromise is still unknown; law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are involved.

  Elana Wise [01:29]: "For now, medical staff were relying on paper notes to document patient statuses while electronic portals were down."

3. Major Winter Storm to Hit the U.S. East Coast

• [02:05–03:12]

  • A severe winter storm is approaching, prompting blizzard warnings from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast, including New York City (first blizzard warning since 2016).
  • NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani emphasized the heightened danger and prioritizing care for the homeless.
  • Airlines have already canceled many flights pre-emptively.

  Mayor Zoran Mamdani [02:41]: "These have the potential to be even more hazardous conditions than we faced the last time around..."
  Mayor Zoran Mamdani [02:53]: "Our focus is going to be utilizing every tool that we have to connecting homeless New Yorkers with a safe haven, with a shelter, with a warming bus."

4. Record-breaking Performance for U.S. at Winter Olympics

• [03:12–04:19]

  • The U.S. sets a new gold medal record at the Winter Olympics in Milan, winning its 11th gold—breaking its previous record of 10 (Salt Lake City, 2002).
  • The record-breaking gold came in freestyle skiing, mixed aerials.
  • Athlete Kayla Kuhn reflects on the team’s effort and resilience.

  Kayla Kuhn [04:00]: "To put things down when it really, truly matters, especially during the team event—it has not been easy, and we've all had our falls."

5. Delay in NASA’s Artemis 2 Lunar Mission Launch

• [04:19–04:56]
  • Artemis 2 launch is postponed due to an interruption in the helium flow to the rocket’s upper stage.
  • Helium is essential for engine purging and pressurizing the fuel tanks.
  • This delay is unrelated to prior hydrogen-related issues; next launch window is April.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Presidential Defiance:

  "A thorough, detailed and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti American decision on tariffs."
  — Donald Trump’s post, quoted by Kristen Wright [00:37]

• Olympic Determination:

  "It has not been easy and we've all had our falls."
  — Kayla Kuhn, U.S. Olympic Freestyle Ski Team [04:00]

• Human Impact of Weather:

  "Our focus is going to be utilizing every tool that we have to connecting homeless New Yorkers with a safe haven, with a shelter, with a warming bus."
  — Mayor Zoran Mamdani [02:53]

Notable Timestamps

• 00:15–01:15: Trump’s global tariff announcement and legal battle
• 01:15–02:05: Ransomware impact on Mississippi healthcare system
• 02:05–03:12: Major winter storm, NYC response, and travel disruption
• 03:12–04:19: U.S. sets Winter Olympics gold record; athlete commentary
• 04:19–04:56: NASA’s Artemis 2 lunar mission faces new delay

Summary:
This episode delivers concise yet detailed coverage of the day’s headlines — from presidential economic maneuvers and cybersecurity crises to extreme weather preparation, Olympic triumphs, and space exploration setbacks — with direct quotes and clear insight into each developing story.