NPR News Now: 02-22-2026 12PM EST

Episode Overview
This NPR News Now episode, hosted by Amy Held, delivers a concise roundup of major national and international news stories as of February 22, 2026. Topics include the ongoing DHS partial government shutdown and its impact, a major security incident at Mar-a-Lago, updates from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and highlights from the Winter Olympics and Texas history.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Department of Homeland Security Shutdown & Airport Impact

Timestamps: 00:36 – 01:17

• Context: Nine days after a congressional failure to fund DHS, the agency is enforcing emergency cost-cutting measures.
• Traveler Impact: DHS instructs TSA to end PreCheck lanes; however, TSA clarifies that “Precheck remains open and operational and they will evaluate service on a case by case basis.” — Luke Garrett (00:42)
• Political Blame Game: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blames congressional Democrats for the shutdown’s consequences, stating efforts are being made to "mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians." (00:52)
• FEMA Suspensions: All non-disaster FEMA funding suspended, coinciding with an incoming winter storm in the Northeast.
• Stalemate: No agreement on DHS funding has been reached; White House and congressional Democrats are at an impasse.
• Inciting Event: The shutdown follows a high-profile incident involving the deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal agents.
• Notable Quote:
  • “DHS is working to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians." — (Kristi Noem statement, reported by Luke Garrett, 00:52)

2. Security Incident at Mar-a-Lago

Timestamps: 01:17 – 01:44

• Event: Secret Service agents shot dead a man in his early 20s who breached the Mar-a-Lago perimeter with a shotgun and a fuel can.
• Official Account:
  • “Only words that we said to him was drop the items, which means the gas can and the shotgun. He put the gas can down and pointed the shotgun at officers.” — Rafael Barros, Secret Service (01:33, 01:39)
• President’s Whereabouts: President Trump was in Washington, not Florida, during the breach.

3. Ukraine Crisis: Terrorist Attack & Russian Strikes

Timestamps: 01:44 – 02:43

• Attack in Lviv: 1 person killed (23-year-old police officer), 25 wounded in what authorities call a terrorist attack.
• Details:
  • Suspects arrested after explosions during a police response to a reported burglary.
• Concurrent Russian Strikes:
  • “Last night Russia launched about 50 missiles and almost 300 drones on Ukraine targeting energy, water supply, and railway facilities.” — Polina Litvinova (02:19)
• Leadership Response: President Zelenskyy reports swift law enforcement action on social media.

4. U.S. Submarine Medical Evacuation off Greenland

Timestamps: 02:43 – 03:23

• Incident: Denmark’s Arctic Command evacuated a U.S. submarine crew member for urgent medical care off Greenland.
• Political Dimension: President Trump had proposed sending a “great hospital boat” to Greenland; Denmark’s defense minister rejected this.
• Ongoing Tension: This incident underscores continued U.S. interest in Greenland, a Danish territory.

5. Winter Olympics: U.S. Wins Gold in Men’s Hockey

Timestamps: 03:23 – 04:02

• Historic Win:
  • “For the first time in 46 years, the U.S. wins gold at the Winter Olympics in men’s hockey.” — Steve Futterman (03:25)
• Game Recap:
  • U.S. led 1-0, Canada tied, game went to overtime.
  • Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal 1:41 into overtime.
  • Last gold in men’s hockey: 1980, “Miracle on Ice.”
• Notable Quote:
  • “Then it went to overtime. And just 1 minute, 41 seconds into the overtime, Jack Hughes had an open net from the left side. He put it in and a celebration began on the ice.” — Steve Futterman (03:41)

6. Restoration of a Historic Alamo Artifact

Timestamps: 04:02 – 04:54

• Artifact: Restoration of a cannon from the Battle of the Alamo, discovered in 1852.
• Background:
  • “The cannon was located on a ranch near Corpus Christi and was previously at another ranch near San Antonio where it was used as the base of a bird bath.” — Colby Lanham, researcher (04:36)
• Personal Resonance:
  • “I about fell over. I think he could have knocked me over with a feather. I was so excited. And I had wrote about that cannon in my master's thesis.” — Colby Lanham (04:29)
• Restoration Details: The three-foot, ninety-pound cannon is being restored at Texas A&M.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• DHS Shutdown Impact:

  • “DHS is working to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians.” — Kristi Noem (00:52)

• Mar-a-Lago Intruder:

  • “Only words that we said to him was drop the items, which means the gas can and the shotgun. He put the gas can down and pointed the shotgun at officers.” — Rafael Barros, Secret Service (01:39)

• Ukraine Under Fire:

  • “Last night Russia launched about 50 missiles and almost 300 drones on Ukraine targeting energy, water supply, and railway facilities.” — Polina Litvinova (02:19)

• Olympic Triumph:

  • “For the first time in 46 years, the U.S. wins gold at the Winter Olympics in men’s hockey... The last time the U.S. won gold in men’s hockey at the Olympics was 1980. That was the year of the miracle on ice.” — Steve Futterman (03:25, 03:50)

• Artifact Joy:

  • “I about fell over. I think he could have knocked me over with a feather. I was so excited. And I had wrote about that cannon in my master's thesis.” — Colby Lanham (04:29)

Summary Table of Segments

| Topic | Timestamps | Key Speakers/Reporters | |---------------------------------- |------------------ |--------------------------| | DHS Shutdown & Airport Impact | 00:36 – 01:17 | Luke Garrett | | Mar-a-Lago Security Incident | 01:17 – 01:44 | Rafael Barros | | Ukraine Crisis | 01:44 – 02:43 | Polina Litvinova | | U.S. Submarine MedEvac | 02:43 – 03:23 | Amy Held | | Winter Olympics Hockey Gold | 03:23 – 04:02 | Steve Futterman | | Alamo Artifact Restoration | 04:02 – 04:54 | Jerry Clayton, Colby Lanham|

Overall Tone

The episode maintains NPR’s signature neutral and precise news tone, blending hard political, international, and cultural news. Human interest is strongly present in the Olympics and history segments, while government malfunctions and international crises set an urgent backdrop.