NPR News Now: 02-22-2026 5AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Date: February 22, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This tightly packed episode delivers the top headlines affecting the U.S. and beyond as of February 22, 2026. The focus ranges from the ongoing impacts of the partial government shutdown, new tariff developments, a major winter storm in the Northeast, a widespread ransomware attack, anticipation for an Olympic hockey final, and the latest on NASA's Artemis II lunar mission.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ongoing Government Shutdown Impacts Travel Security

[00:16 – 01:18]

• TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Suspended

  • Homeland Security announces the suspension due to the partial government shutdown now entering its second week.
  • Secretary Kristi Noem attributes the shutdown to lawmakers’ failure to reach a deal on DHS funding, blaming Democrats for stalling over immigration changes.
  • DHS will refocus efforts on general travel and disaster response.
  • House Democrats criticize the move, accusing the Trump administration of punishing travelers.

  “Shutdowns have serious real world consequences…”
  — Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary (00:36)

2. Trump Raises Global Tariffs Amid Supreme Court Ruling

[01:18 – 01:49]

• New 15% Global Tariff Announced

  • President Trump raises tariffs just a day after the Supreme Court rules he exceeded his authority with earlier tariffs.
  • Trump threatens additional import taxes via other means.
  • Yale Professor Natasha Sarin, speaking to ABC, warns that market uncertainty will continue and costs may not decrease.

  “That uncertainty is here with us and likely to stay for quite some time.”
  — Natasha Sarin, Yale Professor (01:39)

• Market and Consumer Impact

  • Tariffs destabilize global markets.
  • U.S. businesses and consumers expected to carry some of the added costs.

3. Major Northeast Blizzard and City Response

[01:49 – 03:13]

• Blizzard Warnings in the Northeast

  • Storm targets major cities from Philadelphia to Boston, including NYC.
  • Second major snowstorm for New York City in a month, with predictions of up to 18 inches of snow.
  • Mayor Zoran Mamdani voices concern for even more hazardous conditions than the previous storm.

  “... even more hazardous conditions than we faced the last time around.”
  — Mayor Zoran Mamdani (02:42)

• Homeless Outreach Priority

  • Protection for the homeless is a key focus; plans include shelters and warming buses.

  “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.”
  — Zoran Mamdani, NYC Mayor (02:54)

• Travel Disruptions

  • Airlines cancel hundreds of flights in advance.

4. Ransomware Attack on Mississippi Medical Clinics

[03:13 – 03:49]

• Statewide Medical Disruption
  • University of Mississippi Medical Center clinics suffer a ransomware attack, shutting down nearly three dozen locations.
  • Treatments from chemotherapy to elective surgeries disrupted.
  • Uncertainty remains about the duration of the outage.

5. U.S. vs. Canada: Olympic Men’s Hockey Showdown

[03:49 – 04:32]

• Preview of Today’s Gold Medal Game
  • Both teams are “stacked with NHL talent” as pros return to the Olympics after more than a decade.
  • Canada’s roster boasts Connor McDavid, Nathan McKinnon, and rising star Macklin Celebrini.
  • U.S. features five NHL team captains, including Auston Matthews and top goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
  • Reference to last year’s dramatic games and the U.S. looking to avenge their loss.

6. Further Artemis II Lunar Mission Delay

[04:32 – 04:54]

• Technical Setback for NASA
  • Artemis II mission delayed yet again due to issues with helium flow to the rocket’s upper stage.
  • Officials emphasize that this latest problem is unrelated to previously reported hydrogen leaks.

Memorable Quotes

• “Shutdowns have serious real world consequences…”
  — Kristi Noem (00:36)

• “That uncertainty is here with us and likely to stay for quite some time.”
  — Natasha Sarin (01:39)

• “... even more hazardous conditions than we faced the last time around.”
  — Mayor Zoran Mamdani (02:42)

• “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.”
  — Zoran Mamdani (02:54)

Important Timestamps

• 00:16–01:18: TSA and Global Entry suspension amid shutdown
• 01:18–01:49: Trump increases global tariffs, expert analysis
• 01:49–03:13: Northeast blizzard, New York City’s response, flight impacts
• 03:13–03:49: Ransomware attack on Mississippi Medical Center
• 03:49–04:32: Preview of U.S. vs. Canada men’s hockey gold medal game
• 04:32–04:54: NASA Artemis II mission delay update

Tone & Style

The reporting is crisp, fact-based, and urgent—matching the brisk, informative NPR News Now style—delivering complex developments with clarity and balance in just five minutes. Speaker language remains direct and measured, as exemplified in the officials’ statements and expert commentary.

This summary covers all essential topics, quotes, and timestamps for easy reference and a clear understanding of the day’s key news—even if you didn’t listen to the full episode.