NPR News: 02-21-2026 8PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: February 21, 2026, 8PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: February 21, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on the day’s major headlines, including President Trump’s latest tariff decision and Supreme Court response, US military posturing in the Middle East, a record-breaking avalanche tragedy in California, a looming East Coast snowstorm, and the outcome of the women’s curling medal round at the Winter Games.

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Key News Segments & Insights

1. President Trump Raises Temporary Global Tariffs (00:15 - 01:21)

• Summary:
  President Trump has raised temporary global tariffs from 10% to 15%, reacting to a Supreme Court ruling that found he had exceeded his authority regarding import taxes.
• Details:
  • The Supreme Court struck down Trump’s use of an emergency statute for such tariffs (6-3 decision, with two Trump-appointed justices in the majority).
  • The Court ruled he cannot impose tariffs without Congressional authorization.
  • Trump responded quickly, using a different presidential power to set a new tariff (limited to 150 days unless Congress extends it).
  • Trump criticized the Court’s decision as “ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti American.”
• Notable Quote:

  “President Trump made the latest announcement in a post on social media, once again deriding the Supreme Court ruling, saying it was, quote, ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti American.”
  — Alina Selyuk (00:40)

• Attribution: Alina Selyuk, NPR News, Washington

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2. US Considers Military Strike on Iran, No Clear Plans Yet (01:21 - 02:17)

• Summary:
  Despite speculation, President Trump has yet to decide on military action against Iran. US forces have built up significantly in the Middle East but Trump remains publicly non-committal.
• Details:
  • Trump hasn’t addressed the nation about potential war or laid out specific plans.
  • His administration hasn’t sought Congressional approval or UN support; Israel is the only noted ally involved.
  • Trump’s approach contrasts with previous presidents in the lead-up to war.
  • State of the Union is scheduled for Tuesday, possibly offering more clarity.
• Notable Quote:

  “Trump, for example, hasn't made a major speech to the American people about the prospect for a new Middle east war, though his State of the Union address is on Tuesday. His administration hasn't sought support from Congress or made the case at the United Nations.”
  — Greg Myhre (01:49)

• Attribution: Greg Myhre, NPR News

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3. California Avalanche: Victims Identified (02:17 - 03:13)

• Summary:
  All nine victims of California’s deadliest recorded avalanche have been identified; six survived after being rescued.
• Details:
  • The victims were announced by Nevada County Sheriff Shannon Moon.
  • The deceased include three Blackbird mountain guides and six clients from various locations.
  • The avalanche struck on the last day of a three-day Frog Lake huts backcountry trip.
  • Six survivors were rescued that night.
• Notable Quote:

  “While we wish we could have saved them all, we are grateful that we can bring them home.”
  — Sheriff Shannon Moon (02:37–02:40)

• Attribution: Greg Mechak, Cap Radio (reporting), Sheriff Shannon Moon

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4. Major Winter Storm Approaching East Coast (03:13 - 03:57)

• Summary:
  A rapidly intensifying storm is expected to bring blizzard conditions, heavy snow, and strong winds from the Mid Atlantic to the Northeast.
• Details:
  • Blizzard warnings issued for New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut.
  • New York City expects over a foot of snow; first blizzard since 2016.
  • Warning for dangerous refreezing conditions: snow will melt during daytime above-freezing temperatures and refreeze overnight.
• Notable Quote:

  “Combined with daytime temperatures slipping above freezing and overnight lows dropping to the low 20s, the snowfall will melt, then refreeze, resulting in dangerously icy sidewalks and streets.”
  — Weather Reporter (03:43)

• Attribution: National Weather Service, NYC Mayor Zoran Mandani

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5. Canada Defeats US in Women’s Curling – Bronze Medal Match (03:57 - 04:50)

• Summary:
  Canada claimed the bronze, ending a historic run for the US women’s curling team.
• Details:
  • US captain Tabitha Peterson and teammate Corey Tiesse reflected on the team’s journey and unity.
  • The US women reached their first medal round in 20 years.
  • Corey Tiesse previously became the first US woman to win a curling medal (silver in mixed doubles).
• Notable Quote:

  “US Team captain Tabitha Peterson proudly hung in through the games, sad about the results. And Corey Tiesse reflecting on how hard they've worked over the past four years to be here and how much she loves her teammates.”
  — Ping Huang (04:13)

• Attribution: Ping Huang, NPR News, Cortina, Italy

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Noteworthy Quotes by Segment

• On Supreme Court Ruling and Tariffs:
  “Ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti American.”
  — President Trump, via Alina Selyuk (00:40)

• On US Military Options:
  “Trump… hasn't made a major speech to the American people about the prospect for a new Middle East war…”
  — Greg Myhre (01:49)

• On Avalanche Recovery:
  “While we wish we could have saved them all, we are grateful that we can bring them home.”
  — Nevada County Sheriff Shannon Moon (02:40)

• On Blizzard Conditions:
  “The snowfall will melt, then refreeze, resulting in dangerously icy sidewalks and streets.”
  — Weather Reporter (03:43)

• On US Curling Team’s Journey:
  “How hard they've worked over the past four years to be here and how much she loves her teammates.”
  — Ping Huang relaying Corey Tiesse’s remarks (04:13)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |---------|-----------------------------------------------| | 00:15 | Trump raises global tariffs following court ruling | | 01:21 | US-Iran military tensions; Trump’s options | | 02:17 | California avalanche: victims identified | | 03:13 | Blizzard warnings for the Northeast | | 03:57 | Canada defeats US for curling bronze |

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Episode Tone and Delivery

As expected for NPR News Now, the reporting is clear, measured, and fact-focused—delivering significant stories with context and brevity, letting the voices of reporters, officials, and affected individuals provide resonance.

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This episode delivers a snapshot of significant, fast-moving events in politics, international relations, public safety, weather, and sports, keeping listeners informed in a short, impactful format.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

See Terms Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump says he's increasing his new temporary global tariffs from 10% he announced yesterday to 15%. This in response to yesterday's supreme that found he overstepped his authority on double ditch taxes on virtually all imports into the U.S. nPR's Alina Selyuk has more.

[Alina Selyuk]

President Trump made the latest announcement in a post on social media, once again deriding the Supreme Court ruling, saying it was, quote, ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti American. The high court had ruled with a notable majority of six to three, including two justices appointed by Trump. And they had struck down Trump's use of an emergency statute for his tariffs, saying the president could not rely on Senate to impose taxes without specific authorization from Congress. Trump quickly used another presidential authority to set a new universal tariff which is limited to 150 days unless extended by lawmakers. And he has vowed to find a way to set more. Alina Seluk, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President Trump says he hasn't decided on whether the US Will launch military strikes on Iran. But while he weighs his options, the the military buildup in the Mideast over the past few months means the US has an expansive naval and air presence in the area. NPR's Greg Myhre says Trump has a range of options now that US Forces reached a critical mass in the region. But Trump so far hasn't outlined his plans on a possible attack.

[Greg Myhre]

This has been a very different approach than we've seen from other presidents in the run up to wars. Trump, for example, hasn't made a major speech to the American people about the prospect for a new Middle east war, though his his State of the Union address is on Tuesday. His administration hasn't sought support from Congress or made the case at the United Nations. And aside from Israel, the president hasn't sought to bring in U.S. allies or build an international coalition.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Greg MyReporting authorities in Northern California have identified all of the victims of Tuesday's deadly avalanche near Donner Summit. It's the deadliest avalanche in California's modern history. Cap Radio's Greg Mechak has more.

[Greg Mechak]

Nevada County Sheriff Shannon Moon released the names at a press conference and confirmed all nine victims were recovered.

[Weather Reporter]

While we wish we could have saved them all.

[Nevada County Sheriff Shannon Moon]

We are grateful that we can bring them home.

[Greg Mechak]

The three Blackbird mountain guides who died were Andrew Alessandros of Verde, Nevada, Nicole Chu of South Lake Tahoe and Michael Henry of Soda Springs. The six clients were Elizabeth Clabaugh of Boise, Idaho, Katherine Vitt of Greenbrae and Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse and Kathryn Sekar of Soda Springs. The group was in the final day of a three day trip to the Frog Lake huts when the avalanche struck on Tuesday morning. Six survivors were rescued that night. For NPR News, I'm Greg Mechek in Rocklin.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A quickly intensifying major winter storm is threatening the east coast from the Mid Atlantic to the Northeast starting tomorrow west with heavy snow and strong winds along with possible power outages in the Northeast. The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for parts of several states, including New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut. New York City Mayor Zoran Mandani says the city is expecting more than a foot of snow.

[Weather Reporter]

Combined with daytime temperatures slipping above freezing and overnight lows dropping to the low 20s, the snowfall will melt, then refreeze, resulting in dangerously icy sidewalks and streets.

[Jeanine Herbst]

It's the city's first Blizzard since 2016 and the second snowstorm in less than a month. Canada beat the U.S. in women's curling today, earning the bronze medal. NPR's Ping Huang reports. It's been a historic run for America's women curlers.

[Ping Huang]

There were tears in the press zone after the match. US Team captain Tabitha Peterson proudly hung in through the games, sad about the results. And Corey Tiesse reflecting on how hard they've worked worked over the past four years to be here and how much she loves her teammates. The U.S. women's team made it to their first medals round in more than 20 years, but they were bested by Canada, widely considered one of the best women's teams in play. Earlier in the Games, Corey Tiesi made history as the first US Woman to win a medal in curling when she won a silver medal in the mixed doubles event. It's a title she'll hold herself for the time being. Ping Huang, NPR News, Cortina, Italy.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And I'm Jeanine Herbst. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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