NPR News: 02-22-2026 9AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – 9AM EST, February 22, 2026

Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme:
This episode delivers a concise roundup of current national and international news, covering a powerful winter storm in the Northeast, a major Supreme Court decision affecting tariffs, political fallout from controversial US diplomatic remarks, cultural news from Brazil, and a patriotic programming initiative ahead of a national milestone.

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Key Stories & Insights

1. Nor’easter Pounds the East Coast

• [00:15–01:15]
  • Over 50 million Americans are in the path of a severe nor’easter targeting the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast.
  • Bruce Kanviser (from New Jersey): Reports that blizzard warnings are in effect for 17 out of 21 New Jersey counties, with expectations of at least a foot of snow statewide. Strong winds (gusts up to 50 mph) could cause power outages by downing lines, and tidal surges may trigger coastal flooding.
  • Impact: Governor Mikey Sherrill has declared a state of emergency; significant air travel disruptions (1,600+ flights canceled at New York City area airports).
  • Quote: “Blizzard warnings are in effect…The entire state is forecast to receive at least a foot of snow.” — Bruce Kanviser, [00:41]

2. Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump-Era Tariffs

• [01:15–02:03]
  • Supreme Court overturns emergency tariffs imposed by President Trump.
  • Alina Selyuk: Trump responded by reimposing a global tariff (initially 10%, then promising to increase to 15%), seeking alternative legal avenues, though these are time-limited without Congressional action.
  • Uncertainty: Importers and retailers face renewed volatility in costs and logistics.
  • Quote: “Importers and retailers are once again riding that roller coaster, trying to guess how much it will cost to get their shipments through U.S. customs.” — Alina Selyuk, [01:48]

3. Outcry Over US Ambassador’s Remarks in Israel

• [02:03–03:09]
  • Fourteen Arab and Muslim-majority nations, including US allies, condemn a comment by US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, suggesting Israel has a biblical right to expand into other Middle Eastern countries.
  • Daniel Estrin (from Tel Aviv): Details an interview with Tucker Carlson, where Huckabee said it would be “fine if they took it all,” referencing biblical land claims, but also acknowledged current Israeli territory as legitimately held.
  • Regional Response: Strong backlash from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and others; the US Embassy states there’s no change to official policy.
  • Quote: “He said it would be fine if they took it all.” — Daniel Estrin (on Huckabee’s remarks), [02:37]

4. Bad Bunny Finds Success in Brazil

• [03:09–04:20]
  • Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny performs two sold-out shows in Brazil, breaking into a notoriously insular music market.
  • Kerry Kahn (from Rio): Notes Brazil’s strong preference for homegrown music and general resistance to Spanish-language Latin artists. However, local media is raving about Bad Bunny’s performances, highlighting his charisma and range.
  • Quote: “One critic gush[ed] over Bad Bunny’s charisma, show performance, and range, writing, ‘perhaps Brazil will finally open its ears and hearts to what its neighbors have to say.’” — Kerry Kahn, [04:01]

5. FCC Urges Patriotic Programming for US Semiquincentennial

• [04:20–04:55]
  • FCC Chairman Brendan Carr launches “Pledge America Campaign,” encouraging broadcasters to feature programs about US history and accomplishments ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
  • Participation by broadcasters is voluntary.
  • Quote: “He encouraged stations to highlight the nation’s history and achievements. The FCC says participation is voluntary.” — Windsor Johnston, [04:41]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bruce Kanviser ([00:41]):
  “Blizzard warnings are in effect for 17 of 21 counties in the Garden State, and the entire state is forecast to receive at least a foot of snow.”

• Alina Selyuk ([01:48]):
  “Importers and retailers are once again riding that roller coaster, trying to guess how much it will cost to get their shipments through U.S. customs.”

• Daniel Estrin ([02:37]):
  “He said it would be fine if they took it all.” (on Ambassador Huckabee’s statement about Israeli territorial rights)

• Kerry Kahn ([04:01]):
  “One critic gush[ed] over Bad Bunny’s charisma, show performance, and range, writing, ‘perhaps Brazil will finally open its ears and hearts to what its neighbors have to say.’”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Nor’easter impacts & travel disruptions: [00:15–01:15]
• Supreme Court tariffs decision & Trump response: [01:15–02:03]
• Ambassador Huckabee remarks controversy: [02:03–03:09]
• Bad Bunny’s breakthrough in Brazil: [03:09–04:20]
• FCC’s patriotic programming campaign: [04:20–04:55]

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This concise but thorough NPR News Now episode captures critical developments in weather, politics, international relations, culture, and upcoming patriotic milestones, informed by on-the-ground reporting and a range of expert voices.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. More than 50 million Americans are in the path of a powerful nor' easter that's taking aim at the Mid Atlantic region and east coast today. The National Weather Service says some areas are predicted to get more than a foot of snow. Bruce Kahnbizer reports from New Jersey, where emergency preparations are underway.

[Bruce Kanviser]

Blizzard warnings are in effect for 17 of 21 counties in the Garden State, and the entire state is forecast to receive at least a foot of snow. Forecasters warn the heavy snow combined with strong winds and gusts topping 50 mph could bring down power lines. Tidal surges may also cause coastal flooding. New Jersey Governor Mikey Sherrill has declared a state of emergency. The storm is already wreaking havoc on air travel. More than 1,600 flights out of Newark, JFK and LaGuardia have already been canceled. That figure will almost certainly rise. For NPR News, I'm Bruce Kanviser in Greenbrook, New Jersey.

[Windsor Johnston]

FlightAware.com is reporting that roughly 3,000 flights have been canceled now. In the U.S. businesses are facing new uncertainty after the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's tariffs imposed under an emergency powers. NPR's Alina Selyuk reports. Trump says he'll work around the ruling to keep the duties in place.

[Alina Selyuk]

Trump has vowed to get his tariffs back. It was a matter of hours after the Supreme Court ruling that he reimposed a global tariff at 10%. A day later, he posted online, it's going to be 15%. He's finding new legal avenues which do come with caveats like these tariffs can only be temporary for about five months unless Congress extends them. Importers and retailers are once again riding that roller coaster, trying to guess how much it will cost to get their shipments through U.S. customs.

[Windsor Johnston]

That's NPR's Alina Selyuk reporting. Fourteen Arab and Muslim majority countries are condemning a remark by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. He said Israel has a biblical right to take over land in other Middle Eastern countries. NPR's Daniel Estrin has more from Tel Aviv.

[Daniel Estrin]

Talk show host Tucker Carlson asked Ambassador Huckabee, who has also served as a pastor, about the Bible in which God promises Abraham land from the Nile to the Euphrates river, and whether Israel Israel has a right to lands in Arab countries. Huckabee said it would be fine if

[Windsor Johnston]

they took it all.

[Daniel Estrin]

Huckabee also said they're not asking to

[Windsor Johnston]

go back to take all of that,

[Bruce Kanviser]

but they are asking to at least take the land that they now occupy. They now live in.

[Daniel Estrin]

They now own legitimately 14 Arab and Muslim majority countries, including US allies Saudi Arabia and Qatar, condemned Huckabee's remark and said he seemed to endorse Israeli control of lands in Arab countries and the occupied West Bank. The US Embassy said there was no change in US Policy. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Windsor Johnston]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Music superstar Bad Bunny is facing one of his toughest tests in perhaps one of the most challenging markets, Brazil. Despite Brazilians famous preference for native musicians, the Puerto Rican artist is racking up rave reviews in his first appearance there. NPR's Kerry Kahn reports from Rio de Janeiro.

[Kerry Kahn]

After the first of two sold out concerts, Bad Bunny has broken into Brazil. While his music dominates Spotify worldwide, last year it was absent among the most streamed here. Brazil is well known as the country that most listens to its own artists. With so many Brazilian genres, many say they don't have to look beyond their own borders. Spanish speaking Latin American artists have long struggled here. With a few exceptions, however, reviews in Brazil's biggest media are raving over the show, a solo performance. One critic gush over Bad Bunny's charisma, show performance and range, writing, perhaps Brazil will finally open its ears and hearts to what its neighbors have to say. Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

[Windsor Johnston]

The Federal Communications Commission is urging broadcasters to air more patriotic programming ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says the effort, called the Pledge America Campaign, is meant to align with a federal task force overseeing the celebrations. He encouraged stations to highlight the nation's history and achievements. The FCC says participation is voluntary. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

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