NPR News Now: 02-23-2026, 12PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: February 23, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise coverage of major national and international news stories, emphasizing severe winter weather in the Northeast U.S., a pivotal cartel leader's death in Mexico, significant tariff refund questions following a Supreme Court ruling, judicial action regarding classified documents, proposed FDA policy changes for rare disease treatments, and a public apology from the BBC over a broadcast incident.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Blizzard Paralyzes the Northeast (00:20–01:22)

• Summary:
  Lower Manhattan and much of the Northeast experience quiet streets under heavy snowfall and strict travel bans. An official state of emergency spans multiple states as a powerful nor’easter results in severe disruptions.
• Details:
  • New York City and neighboring states blanketed with over 22 inches of snow.
  • Wind gusts over 35 mph worsen conditions.
  • State of emergency declared in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
  • Widespread power outages and thousands of flight cancellations.
  • Officials urge citizens to stay off roads due to deadly hazards.
• Notable Quote:

  "As of this morning, some parts of New York got over 22 inches of snow... New York officials say it could be one of the worst storms in the last 150 years."
  — Jasmine Garris, [00:41]

2. Death of Mexico’s Most Powerful Drug Lord (01:22–01:58)

• Summary:
  Mexican authorities confirm that Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, died from injuries sustained in a firefight, triggering violent reprisals across the country.
• Details:
  • "El Mencho" was regarded as a global organized crime leader.
  • His death prompted cartel attacks: arson of banks and gas stations, blockading roads, and burning vehicles.
  • Cartel’s reach spans across Mexico and internationally.
• Notable Quote:

  "He was 59 years old, and within the past 10 years, this man allegedly built one of the most powerful organized crime groups in the world."
  — Zeta Peralta, [01:34]

3. Supreme Court Ruling on Trump-Era Tariffs (01:58–03:11)

• Summary:
  The Supreme Court rules half of President Trump’s tariffs were collected illegally, yet provides no guidance for refunding billions to affected businesses, sparking uncertainty and concern among business owners.
• Details:
  • Over $200 billion in tariffs collected; half now considered illegally imposed.
  • Small businesses like Sarah Wells’ are concerned about refund processes.
  • Business owners express a strong desire for straightforward, accessible refund mechanisms, avoiding legal complexities.
• Notable Quotes:

  "Ask anyone who sells anything in the US what's on their mind and they'll probably say tariff refunds."
  — Narrator, [02:27]
  "...We not only need the money back, but we need a process to get the money back."
  — Sarah Wells (via Jasmine Garris), [02:58]

4. Judicial Action on Trump Classified Doc Report (03:11–03:43)

• Summary:
  A federal judge grants a permanent block on the release of a report related to President Trump’s handling of classified information, complicating public oversight of an ongoing high-profile case.

5. FDA Proposes New Policy for Rare Disease Treatments (03:43–04:29)

• Summary:
  The FDA announces a policy proposal aimed at expediting access to advanced therapies for patients with exceedingly rare diseases, allowing for conditional approval without initial efficacy studies.
• Details:
  • Applies to treatments like gene editing.
  • Intended for diseases so rare that clinical trials are unfeasible.
  • Approval based on "plausible evidence" with required follow-up studies.
• Notable Quote:

  "The FDA says the policy would allow the agency to approve new treatments in some cases without requiring a study be done first to demonstrate that therapy works."
  — Rob Stein, [03:50]

6. BBC Apologizes for Racial Slur at BAFTAs (04:29–04:57)

• Summary:
  The BBC issues a public apology for not censoring a racial slur uttered during the BAFTA Awards broadcast. The outburst originated from a Tourette Syndrome awareness activist, prompting discussion around the nature of the disorder and representation in media.
• Details:
  • The incident occurred while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage.
  • The BBC acknowledges its failure to edit the delayed broadcast appropriately.
  • Distinction made between involuntary outbursts and actual intent due to Tourette Syndrome.

Market & Policy Updates

• Stock Market:
  "U.S. stocks are trading lower this hour. The Dow is down 1.5%." — Lakshmi Singh, [03:11]

Memorable Moments

• Vivid depiction of Manhattan subdued by historic snowfall; city compared to other major U.S. blizzards, intensifying the storm's significance.
• Immediate, violent cartel response in Mexico highlights ongoing instability post-leader’s death.
• Business owner Sarah Wells’ practical concern about the tariff refund process encapsulates small business anxieties.

Additional Resources

• Entire episode and past hourly updates available via NPR News Now.