NPR News Now – February 23, 2026, 3AM EST

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode, hosted by Dale Willman, delivers a five-minute roundup of top global and U.S. news stories. Highlights include a massive blizzard striking New York City, a Secret Service shooting at Mar-a-Lago, Nvidia’s anticipated earnings, the killing of Mexico’s major cartel leader, deadly airstrikes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, YouTube history being immortalized in a British museum, and a historic U.S. Olympic hockey win.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Northeastern Blizzard and New York City Response

[00:17–01:17]

• Tens of millions are under blizzard warnings as a severe winter storm hits the Northeast.
• Reporter Steve Kastenbaum describes New York City:
  • "The sound of snow blowers echoed across the city as the sun fell. The snow accumulation increased and winds picked up here." (Steve Kastenbaum, 00:34)
• Mayor Zoran Mandani issued a travel ban; all streets, highways, and bridges are closed.
• Forecasts predict up to 18–24 inches of snow.
• New York City Chancellor declares a rare Snow Day for 940,000 public school students.

2. Secret Service Shooting at Mar-a-Lago

[01:17–01:49]

• A 21-year-old man, Austin Tucker of North Carolina, was shot and killed while trying to enter President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home.
  • He drove onto the grounds, exited with a gas can and shotgun, and was shot after leveling the weapon at officers.
• No further details provided on motive or potential threats.

3. Nvidia Earnings Amid AI Bubble Concerns

[01:49–02:31]

• Nvidia set to release highly anticipated quarterly earnings.
• Company is "now the most valuable in the world," selling chips fueling the AI boom.
• Concerns grow about a possible AI bubble, as major tech firms invest billions with uncertain future payoffs.
  • "It's unclear how soon or how much those investments will pay off." (Maria Aspen, 02:00)
• Other companies like Home Depot and TJ Maxx owner will also report earnings, drawing investor attention to consumer spending and the Supreme Court’s recent tariff ruling.

4. Mexican Cartel Leader Killed, Violence Erupts

[02:31–03:08]

• Mexican military attempted to arrest "El Mencho," leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
• El Mencho was fatally wounded during the operation; died en route to the hospital.
• His death triggered violent clashes between rival cartels seeking to fill the power vacuum.
  • Jeff Jones, an American in Puerto Vallarta:
    • "Normally, you don't see this—one plume of smoke, maybe multiple plumes. Within a matter of 15, 20 minutes, there were eight, 10, more than a dozen plumes of smoke going up." (Jeff Jones, 02:54)
• U.S. previously designated the cartel as a terrorist organization.

5. Pakistan-Afghanistan Cross-Border Airstrikes

[03:08–03:50]

• Pakistani military claims to have killed at least 70 militants with airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan.
• Strikes targeted militant hideouts blamed for attacks inside Pakistan.
• Afghan officials counter-claim strikes hit civilian areas, resulting in deaths of women, children, and the bombing of a religious school.
• Highlights escalating conflict and humanitarian concerns on the Afghan-Pakistani border.

6. YouTube’s First Video Acquired by the V&A Museum

[03:50–04:36]

• London's Victoria and Albert Museum acquires “Me at the Zoo,” YouTube’s first uploaded video (April 23, 2005).
  • The 19-second video shows co-founder Jawed Karim at the San Diego Zoo.
• Museum also obtained YouTube’s original 2006 website code and early advertisements.
• Significance noted for internet history and web design:
  • "The Victoria and Albert Museum said the video captures a significant moment in the history of the Internet and Web design." (Chloe Veltman, 04:07)

7. U.S. Men’s Hockey Team’s Historic Olympic Victory

[04:36–04:56]

• Jack Hughes scored the winning goal in overtime, securing a 2–1 win over Canada.
• Marks the U.S. men's team’s first Olympic gold since 1980’s “Miracle on Ice.”
• Lake Placid fans erupted in “USA, USA” chants after the dramatic victory.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “The sound of snow blowers echoed across the city as the sun fell. The snow accumulation increased and winds picked up here.”
  — Steve Kastenbaum, 00:34
• “Within a matter of 15, 20 minutes, there were eight, 10, more than a dozen plumes of smoke going up. And at that point, we knew something was going on.”
  — Jeff Jones (on violence in Puerto Vallarta), 02:54
• “The Victoria and Albert Museum said the video captures a significant moment in the history of the Internet and Web design.”
  — Chloe Veltman, 04:07
• "It's the team's first Olympic gold since the miracle on ice in Lake Placid in 1980."
  — Dale Willman, 04:36

Important Segment Timestamps

• Northeast Blizzard / NYC Emergency: 00:17–01:17
• Mar-a-Lago Shooting: 01:17–01:49
• Nvidia & AI Market Discussion: 01:49–02:31
• Mexican Cartel Leader Killed / Violence: 02:31–03:08
• Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan: 03:08–03:50
• YouTube’s First Video and Internet History: 03:50–04:36
• U.S. Olympic Hockey Gold: 04:36–04:56

Episode Tone

Factual, concise, and urgent—typical of NPR’s news reporting style. Reporters and host maintain a calm, authoritative tone, offering clarity amidst breaking stories and key global developments.