NPR News: 02-22-2026 2PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: 02-22-2026 2PM EST

Summary & Key Takeaways

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Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode, hosted by Amy Held, delivers a concise roundup of the latest major news stories across the United States and internationally. The episode covers recent Supreme Court developments regarding presidential emergency powers, severe winter weather impacting the Northeast, a deadly attack in Ukraine, an avalanche tragedy in California, and new research on teen cannabis use and mental illness.

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Major News Stories and Key Insights

1. Supreme Court Ruling on Trump's Emergency Powers and Tariffs

• [00:17–01:13]
  • Supreme Court Decision: The court ruled President Trump does not have emergency powers to unilaterally impose sweeping global tariffs.
  • Trump’s Response: Despite the ruling, Trump immediately announced plans for tariffs under a different legal section, active for 150 days and requiring Congressional approval.
  • Impact on Republicans: Congressional Republicans now face increased political pressure, especially with upcoming midterms.
    • Notable insight: Republican hopes to avoid defending tariffs were dashed as they must now directly vote on them, risking political fallout.
      • “Now Republicans in Congress are going to have to show their loyalty to Donald Trump by voting to impose tariffs, taking personal responsibility for this. This is something they don't want to do.” (NPR Political Analyst, 00:48)
  • Refunds for Businesses: The Supreme Court gave no guidance on how U.S. companies might recover billions paid in now-illegal tariffs.

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2. Severe Winter Storm Paralyzes Northeast

• [01:13–02:17]
  • Extent of Storm: Blizzard brings potential for over two feet of snow in some areas; thousands of flights have been canceled across the U.S.
  • New York City Impact:
    • Mayor declares a state of emergency and imposes a city-wide travel ban.
      • “We are asking New Yorkers to avoid all non essential travel. Please, for your safety, stay home, stay inside and stay off the roads.” (Official statement, 01:47)
    • Meteorologists predict 18–24 inches in NYC, with heaviest snowfall overnight.
    • NYC public schools announce a rare snow day for 940,000 students.

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3. Deadly Terrorist Attack in Western Ukraine

• [02:17–03:05]
  • Incident in Lviv: Attack in city center kills one (23-year-old female police officer), wounds 25.
    • Police responded to a burglary; two explosions occurred on arrival.
  • Investigation: Several suspects already arrested.
  • Broader Conflict: Russian military launched approximately 50 missiles and 300 drones the night before, targeting vital infrastructure.
    • “President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on social media that the police have already arrested several suspects who may be involved in the attack...” (Official news, 02:25)

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4. Lake Tahoe Avalanche Recovery

• [03:05–03:40]
  • Avalanche Details: All nine bodies recovered after a deadly avalanche earlier in the week; rescue delayed due to recurring risk.
  • Local Impact: Community in mourning; vigil planned in Truckee, California.
  • Criminal Investigation: Officials are assessing whether organizers, a backcountry ski tour company, may face criminal negligence charges.
  • Quote: “While we wish we could have saved them all, we are grateful that we can bring them home.” (Nevada County Sheriff Shannon Moon, via NPR Health Reporter Ritu Chatterjee, 03:34)

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5. Teens, Cannabis Use, and Mental Illness—New Study Findings

• [03:40–04:54]
  • Study Details: Kaiser Permanente study followed 450,000 California teens into young adulthood.
  • Key Findings:
    • Teens who used cannabis in the previous year had double the risk of developing bipolar disorder and psychosis compared to non-users.
    • Risks also increased for depression and anxiety.
  • Expert Insight:
    • “And psychotic disorders means ones where you hear or see things that aren't real. Typically, it can be anything from an episode to actual schizophrenia.” (NPR Political Analyst, 04:37)
    • Dr. Lynn Silver (Public Health Institute, California): The doubled risk was specifically noted for services for psychosis and bipolar disorder.
  • Quote: “They found that teens who reported using cannabis in the past year were at twice the risk of developing bipolar disorder years later compared to those who didn't use cannabis.” (Ritu Chatterjee, 04:09)

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Tariffs and Republicans’ Dilemma:
  “Now Republicans in Congress are going to have to show their loyalty to Donald Trump by voting to impose tariffs, taking personal responsibility for this. This is something they don't want to do.” (NPR Political Analyst, 00:48)
• NYC Mayor’s Weather Warning:
  “We are asking New Yorkers to avoid all non essential travel. Please, for your safety, stay home, stay inside and stay off the roads.” (Official statement, 01:47)
• Ukraine Attack Report:
  “President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on social media that the police have already arrested several suspects who may be involved in the attack...” (02:25)
• Avalanche Recovery:
  “While we wish we could have saved them all, we are grateful that we can bring them home.” (Ritu Chatterjee quoting Sheriff Shannon Moon, 03:34)
• On Cannabis and Teen Mental Health:
  “They found that teens who reported using cannabis in the past year were at twice the risk of developing bipolar disorder years later compared to those who didn't use cannabis.” (Ritu Chatterjee, 04:09)
  “And psychotic disorders means ones where you hear or see things that aren't real. Typically, it can be anything from an episode to actual schizophrenia.” (NPR Political Analyst, 04:37)

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Segment Timestamps

• Supreme Court & Tariffs: 00:17–01:13
• Northeast Snowstorm: 01:13–02:17
• Ukraine Terror Attack: 02:17–03:05
• Avalanche in Lake Tahoe: 03:05–03:40
• Teen Cannabis Study: 04:09–04:54

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This summary captures all primary news content from the episode, highlighting critical facts, context, and impactful quotes to offer a comprehensive update for those who missed the broadcast.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Amy Held after the Supreme Court delivered a stunning decision against President Trump Friday saying he doesn't have the emergency powers to impose sweeping global tariffs. Trump says he's raising global tariffs by under a different section of the trade act. They'd only be good for 150 days. And NPR's Mara Liasson reports. The timing puts a spotlight on a hot button issue right around the midterm elections with congressional Republicans seeking to retain their majority.

[NPR Political Analyst]

They thought that they would no longer have to defend these unpopular tariffs and maybe prices would go down. But that optimism lasted about five minutes because Trump immediately said that not only was he going to put more tariffs on under a different authority, but that authority calls for congressional approval. So now Republicans in Congress are going to have to show their loyalty to Donald Trump by voting to impose tariffs, taking personal responsibility for this. This is something they don't want to do.

[NPR News Anchor]

The Supreme Court did not lay out a way for US Businesses to possibly get refunds from the billions in tariffs now deemed illegal. A major winter storm is hitting the Northeast with some areas expected to get more than two feet of snow. Thousands of flights canceled so far in the US In New York City, the mayor has declared a state of emergency and a travel ban beginning tonight. Steve Kestenbaum reports.

[NPR Field Reporter (Steve Kestenbaum)]

The snow started falling here around 11am and it's expected to continue through Monday morning, prompting Mirzaan Mamdani to declare a travel ban. It goes into effect later in the evening.

[Official/Authority (e.g., Mayor or President Zelenskyy)]

We are asking New Yorkers to avoid all non essential travel. Please, for your safety, stay home, stay inside and stay off the roads.

[NPR Field Reporter (Steve Kestenbaum)]

The latest forecast says that New York could receive between 18 and 24 inches of snow, with the heaviest accumulations happening overnight. The blizzard prompted the school's chancellor to issue a rare snow day for the city's 940,000 public school students. For NPR News, I'm Steve Kastenbaum in New York.

[NPR News Anchor]

At least one person was killed and 25 wounded in what authorities call a terrorist attack in western Ukraine. NPR's Polina Litvinova reports from Kyiv.

[Official/Authority (e.g., Mayor or President Zelenskyy)]

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on social media that the police have already arrested several suspects who may be involved in the attack. According to law enforcement agencies. After midnight, police received a call about a burglary at a store in the Lviv city center. When the patrols arrived at the scene, two explosions occurred. A 23 year old female police officer was killed in the attack. Meanwhile, according to Zelenskyy, last night Russia launched about 50 missiles and almost 300 drones on Ukraine, targeting energy, water supply and railway facilities. Polina Litvinova, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

Oman's foreign minister says the next round of talks between the US And Iran will be on Thursday in Geneva. And you're listening to NPR News. After an avalanche Tuesday buried skiers near Lake Tahoe. Rescue crews have recovered all nine bodies this weekend. They'd been delayed by the risk of another avalanche. Nevada County Sheriff Shannon Moon says she hopes the full recovery can help bring closure to loved ones.

[NPR Health Reporter (Ritu Chatterjee)]

While we wish we could have saved them all, we are grateful that we can bring them home.

[NPR News Anchor]

A vigil is set for tonight in Truckee, California. A backcountry ski tour company had organized the outing in the Sierra Nevadas when avalanche risk was considered high. Now authorities are weighing the possibility of criminal negligence. Teens who use cannabis are at a higher risk of developing mental illnesses. That's according to a new study published in JAMA Health Forum. It finds the risk is highest for psychosis and bipolar disorder. NPR's Ritu Chatterjee reports.

[NPR Health Reporter (Ritu Chatterjee)]

Researchers followed more than 450,000 teens in the Kaiser Permanente Health System in Northern California all the way into young adulthood. They found that teens who reported using cannabis in the past year were at twice the risk of developing bipolar disorder years later compared to those who didn't use cannabis. Pediatrician Dr. Lynn Silver is at the Public Health Institute in California and one of the authors of the study. She says the risk of psychotic disorders also doubled.

[NPR Political Analyst]

And psychotic disorders means ones where you hear or see things that aren't real. Typically, it can be anything from an episode to actual schizophrenia.

[NPR Health Reporter (Ritu Chatterjee)]

She says cannabis users were also at a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety. Read the tragedy, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

This is NPR News.

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