NPR News: 02-22-2026 8AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: February 22, 2026, 8AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced roundup of major news stories, including a severe nor’easter disrupts the East Coast, government shutdown impacts travel, President Trump’s new global tariffs, a ransomware attack on Mississippi hospitals, preview of the US vs. Canada men’s ice hockey gold medal game, and a new delay for NASA’s Artemis II mission.

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Top Story: Nor’easter Slams the East Coast

[00:15–01:03]

• A powerful nor’easter is expected to hit from the Mid Atlantic to New England:

  • Tens of millions are under blizzard warnings with intensifying snow and winds.
  • Power outages, heavy and wet snow that "comes in sideways" are expected.

• Expert insight:

  “Blizzard conditions are high winds associated with heavy snowfall that really reduces visibility. It's the most impactful type of winter storm. The snow comes in sideways. In this case, it's going to be heavy, wet snow. It's going to stick to a lot of things. The winds will really increase tonight. We expect power outages to develop. This really will be an impactful storm.”
  — Brian Jackson, National Weather Service meteorologist [00:40]

• States of emergency declared, air travel in chaos:

  • Several governors respond proactively.
  • Thousands of flights canceled across the country.
  • Utility companies prepare for widespread outages.

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Government Shutdown Halts TSA Precheck & Global Entry

[01:03–02:17]

• Air travelers hit with dual problems: Weather and government shutdown combine to cause turmoil.

• TSA Precheck and Global Entry temporarily suspended as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reallocates resources.

• Explanation and political tension:

  “Shutdowns have serious real world consequences. The current partial government shutdown has lasted more than a week as lawmakers have failed to reach a deal on funding for DHS. Democrats have been demanding changes to federal immigration operations.”
  — Matt Bloom, NPR reporter summarizing Secretary Kristi Noem’s statement [01:35]

• Political blame game:

  • Secretary Noem blames Democrats; House Committee Democrats accuse the Trump administration of “punishing travelers.”

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Trump Presses Ahead with New Tariffs Despite Supreme Court Ruling

[02:17–03:10]

• President Trump raises global import tariffs to 15% (from the originally announced 10%) a day after the Supreme Court ruled he exceeded his authority under existing trade law.

• Presidential response to Supreme Court defeat:

  “His decision to impose a new 15% tariff on goods from around the world is based on, quote, a thorough, detailed and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti-American decision on tariffs.”
  — Kristen Wright, NPR reporter quoting Trump’s Truth Social post [02:44]

• Policy impact:

  • Friday’s ruling is “a major blow to Trump’s economic policy agenda.”

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Ransomware Attack Cripples Mississippi Healthcare

[03:10–03:48]

• University of Mississippi Medical Center shuts down nearly three dozen clinics statewide.
  • Treatments from chemotherapy to elective surgeries disrupted.
  • No timeline given for restoration.

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Winter Olympics: Anticipation Builds for US vs. Canada Men’s Hockey

[03:48–04:33]

• Immediate pre-game atmosphere in Milan:

  • Fans gather outside the arena hours before puck drop.

• Fan voices, friendly rivalry:

  “I think it's USA all day. No doubt at all. Not a doubt in my mind.”
  — Matt Schwartz, USA fan [03:53]
  “This guy is wrong, completely wrong. I can’t be more wrong... it's Canada all the way. No doubt, no doubt, zero doubt.”
  — Scotty Williams, Canada fan [03:57]

• Historical context:

  • Both countries have met twice before in gold medal games (Canada won both: 2010 & 2002).
  • Notable mention of Sidney Crosby’s “famous overtime goal” in 2010.

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Artemis II Lunar Mission Postponed Again

[04:33–04:55]

• NASA delays next crewed Moon mission after a helium flow problem in the rocket’s upper stage.
  • Issue is unrelated to previous hydrogen leaks.
  • Officials stress the importance of proper pressurization for fuel tanks.

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Notable Quotes

• “Shutdowns have serious real world consequences.” — Kristi Noem, summarized by Matt Bloom [01:35]
• “It's the most impactful type of winter storm. The snow comes in sideways... It’s going to stick to a lot of things.” — Brian Jackson [00:40]
• “A thorough, detailed and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti-American decision on tariffs.” — Donald Trump, via Kristen Wright [02:44]
• “I think it's USA all day. No doubt at all.” — Matt Schwartz, USA fan [03:53]
• “It's Canada all the way. No doubt, no doubt, zero doubt.” — Scotty Williams, Canada fan [03:57]

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This concise news roundup delivers urgent updates on weather, politics, public safety, international sport, and space exploration, offering a snapshot of the turbulent and momentous events shaping February 22, 2026.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. A powerful nor' easter is forecast to slam parts of the east coast from the Mid Atlantic into New England. Tens of millions of people are under blizzard warnings at this hour, with heavy snow and winds expected to intensify tonight. National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Jackson says conditions will worsen throughout the day.

[Brian Jackson]

Blizzard conditions are high winds associated with heavy snowfall that really reduces visibility. It's the most impactful type of winter storm. The snow comes in sideways. In this case, it's going to be heavy, wet snow. It's going to stick to a lot of things. The winds will really increase tonight. We expect power outages to develop. This really will be an impactful storm.

[Windsor Johnston]

Several governors have declared states of emergency. Utility companies are bracing for widespread power outages as winds increase. The storm is also disrupting air travel, with thousands of flights canceled nationwide. Weather isn't the only challenge facing air travelers today. The Department of Homeland Security says it's temporarily suspending TSA Precheck and global entry. NPR's Matt Bloom reports the programs are being halted as the partial government shutdown enters its second week.

[Matt Bloom]

In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, quote, shutdowns have serious real world consequences. The current partial government shutdown has lasted more than a week as lawmakers have failed to reach a deal on funding for dhs. Democrats have been demanding changes to federal immigration operations. Noem blamed Democrats for the partial shutdown and said DHS would put resources towards serving the general traveling public and disaster response. Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security criticized the decision to pause special TSA programs, saying on social media that the Trump administration is punishing travelers. Matt Bloom, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

President Trump is moving ahead with tariffs despite a major legal setback from the US Supreme Court. On Friday, Trump announced plans to raise the new tariff on global imports to 15% on Saturday. That's up from the 10% rate he unveiled shortly after the court ruled that he had exceeded his authority under the trade law he used to impose them. NPR's Kristen Wright reports.

[Kristen Wright]

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said his decision to impose a new 15% tariff on goods from around the world is based on, quote, a thorough, detailed and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti American decision on tariffs. The Supreme Court struck down the president's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers act to impose certain tariffs. Friday's ruling is a major blow to Trump's economic policy agenda. Kristen Wright, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The University of Mississippi Medical center has shut down clinics statewide after a ransomware attack. Nearly three dozen locations have been affected. Officials say treatments ranging from chemotherapy to elective surgeries have been disrupted. It's unclear how long the outage will last at the Winter Olympics. The much anticipated gold medal match in men's ice hockey between the US And Canada gets underway in just a few minutes. Steve Futterman is at the game and spoke to some very excited fans.

[Steve Futterman]

Even before the game began, there were fans outside the arena for hours getting ready to go inside wearing jerseys for their particular favorites. With me right now, Matt Schwartz. He's a USA fan who's going to win? I think it's USA all day. No doubt at all. Not a doubt in my mind. Okay. Let's talk to Scotty Williams. You're from Alberta. I have a feeling you have a different point of view. You betcha I do. This guy is wrong, completely wrong. I can't be more wrong. So we're going to see. We might do a side bet and see what happens, but it's Canada all the way. No doubt, no doubt, zero doubt. These two teams have met twice before in gold medal olympic matches. In 2010 in Vancouver, that was the famous Sidney Crosby overtime goal. And then in 2002 in Salt Lake City, the Canadians also won that game. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.

[Windsor Johnston]

NASA has delayed the Artemis II lunar mission again after a problem with helium flow to the rocket's upper stage. Officials say steady helium flow is needed to pressurize the fuel tanks. They say the issue is not related to the hydrogen leaks that scrubbed a dress rehearsal earlier this month. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

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