NPR News Now – February 23, 2026, 1AM EST

Main Theme:
A fast-paced news roundup highlighting a severe blizzard in the Northeast, the Supreme Court’s reversal of Trump-era tariffs, upcoming US-Iran nuclear talks, a major land transfer in Alaska, and the US men’s hockey team’s Olympic gold.

Major Stories & Discussion Points

1. Blizzard Warnings Across Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

[00:16–01:22]

• Scope of Storm: Tens of millions under blizzard warnings; forecast calls for up to two feet of snow in some areas, including Connecticut.
• Connecticut Braces: State of emergency declared. Officials warn this storm could be worse than the recent one that dropped nearly 20 inches of snow.
  • Governor Ned Lamont (Connecticut):

    “This is not our first snowstorm. We’re New England, but this is going to be a bad one, probably the worst storm we’ve seen since 2013.” ([00:44])

  • William Turner (State Emergency Management Director):

    “It is going to be a very dangerous storm. We’re looking at a multi hazard event. We’re not only talking heavy, wet snow, but also the potential for coastal flooding and very high winds. It’s been many years since the entire state was under a blizzard warning like we’re under now.” ([00:56])

• Precautions: Residents asked to stay off roads; commercial travel banned; warnings of power outages that could last days.
  • 60,000 power outages already reported in New Jersey ([01:22])

2. Supreme Court Rejects Trump-Era Tariffs

[01:22–01:57]

• Summary: The Supreme Court invalidated about half of President Trump’s tariffs from 2025. American businesses are demanding refunds, arguing at least $100 billion is owed.
  • Alina Selyuk (NPR):

    “What we know for now is that the Supreme Court says about half of President Trump’s tariffs from last year were unlawfully collected. So whoever paid those tariffs is owed their money back. We’re talking altogether more than $100 billion in tariffs, and how that money gets returned is unclear.” ([01:39])

• Aftermath: President Trump imposed a temporary 15% global tariff on most products using other executive authority.

3. Upcoming US–Iran Nuclear Talks in Geneva

[01:57–03:12]

• Context: Talks aimed at preventing a regional war; set for Thursday in Geneva.
• Details:
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Sarkji and US Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet.
  • Oman confirms its role as facilitator.
  • Sarkji expresses optimism:

    “There was a good chance for a diplomatic solution on the issue.” (from CBS interview, paraphrased) ([02:20])

• Military Backdrop:
  • US has the largest Middle East military presence in decades, threatening to strike if talks fail.
  • The US demands Iran halt uranium enrichment; Iran claims its program is peaceful.
  • International nuclear watchdog states there’s no evidence of bomb-making.
  • Dana Raf (NPR):

    “Iran says the program is for peaceful purposes, while the international nuclear watchdog says it has not seen evidence that Iran is building a bomb.” ([03:00])

4. Alaska Land Transfer and Local Concerns

[03:12–04:16]

• Change Announced: Department of the Interior will transfer over 2 million acres of public land to Alaska.
• State/Federal Viewpoint: Path cleared for energy and mineral development after 50+ years of federal control.
• Local Concerns: Environmental impacts, loss of subsistence rights for residents, especially affecting small and marginalized communities.
  • John Gaedeke (local activist):

    “From a federal standpoint, it changes how people can get food on the table, and that is not going to be good for small, marginalized communities.” ([04:01])

• Looking Ahead: Interior to formalize order in Federal Register this week.

5. US Men’s Hockey Wins Gold; Box Office Report

[04:16–04:55]

• Olympic Hockey: USA beats Canada 2–1 for gold (first win since 1980).
• Box Office:
  • Goat leads for second weekend with $17 million.
  • Wuthering Heights second with $14.2 million.
  • I Can Only Imagine 2 debuts with $8 million.

Notable Quotes

• Ned Lamont (Governor, CT):

  “...probably the worst storm we’ve seen since 2013.” ([00:44])

• William Turner (State Emergency Director):

  “We’re looking at a multi hazard event... very high winds.” ([00:56])

• Alina Selyuk (NPR):

  “...about half of President Trump’s tariffs... unlawfully collected...” ([01:39])

• Dana Raf (NPR):

  “...no evidence that Iran is building a bomb.” ([03:00])

• John Gaedeke (Alaska local activist):

  “...it changes how people can get food on the table, and that is not going to be good...” ([04:01])

Key Segment Timestamps

• Blizzard and Weather Warnings: [00:16–01:22]
• Supreme Court/Trump Tariffs: [01:22–01:57]
• US–Iran Nuclear Talks Preview: [01:57–03:12]
• Alaska Land Decision: [03:12–04:16]
• Olympic Hockey and Box Office: [04:16–04:55]

For the most up-to-date coverage, tune in at the top of each hour.