NPR News Now — 3PM EST — February 23, 2026

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This succinct NPR News Now episode provides a rapid update on significant news headlines as of February 23, 2026, at 3PM EST. Key topics include President Trump's anticipated State of the Union address, a crippling Nor’easter in the Northeast, the arrest of former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson, current Wall Street downturns, U.S. election redistricting battles, and a look at the risks and trends involving synthetic peptides.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Upcoming State of the Union Address

• Theme: High anticipation surrounds Trump’s forthcoming speech, set against a backdrop of low public sentiment and recent Supreme Court decisions.
• Backdrop: “The latest poll suggests a majority of Americans believe the country is worse off than a year ago. A key part is backlash over Trump’s global tariffs policy, which was largely struck down by the supreme court last week.” — Lakshmi Singh (00:19)
• Political Drama: Mara Liaison speculates whether Trump will directly criticize Supreme Court justices during the address, and whether he’ll meaningfully address affordability concerns, which voters care deeply about.
• Quote: “Will he repeat his insults, call them lapdogs and fools, or how much time he will be talking about affordability? That’s something he has struggled to do consistently for months.” — Mara Liaison (00:46)

2. Historic Nor’easter Paralyzes the Northeast

• Severity: Heavy snow at “2 to 3 inches an hour” with dangerous “wind gusts anywhere from 40 to 70 mph.”
• Impact: Over 40 million people are under blizzard warnings; widespread travel bans and power outages reported.
• Governor’s Warning: “We were seeing very dangerous situations on the road. Tree branches down and coming down, utility lines down, as well as whiteout conditions.” — Governor of New Jersey (01:37)
• Regional Effects: More than half a million without power from Virginia to New York; over 5,000 U.S. flights cancelled with thousands more delayed.

3. UK’s Former Ambassador Arrested in Epstein File Probe

• Details: Peter Mandelson, former UK ambassador to Washington, arrested for “misconduct in public office” after ties with Jeffrey Epstein came to light.
• Escalating Scandal: He’s suspected of sharing confidential government information with Epstein, alongside Prince Andrew (King Charles’ brother), who was arrested days prior.
• Prime Minister’s Involvement: “Starmer has come close to losing his own job over his judgment in naming Mandelson in the first place.” — Lauren Frayer (02:47)

4. Financial Market Update

• Selloff: Wall Street is sharply down—Dow drops more than 800 points (-1.6%), S&P down 1%, Nasdaq falls 1.4%.
• Quote: “The Dow Jones industrial average is now down more than 800 points, or 1.6%, at 48,825.” — Lakshmi Singh (02:58); Repeat update at (04:40).

5. Utah Redistricting Legal Battle

• Court Decision: Federal judges uphold a new congressional map imposed by a state judge, after previous Republican-led map was ruled partisan gerrymandering.
• National Context: The conflict is part of wider U.S. redistricting disputes headlining the midterm election cycle.

6. Rising Trend and Risks: Synthetic Peptides in Wellness

• Popularity: Peptides are gaining traction among wellness enthusiasts who believe they boost health and recovery.
• Risk Factors: Most peptides are unproven in humans; only some like insulin and GLP-1 are FDA-approved.
• Expert Warning: “Most of the research has just been done on, like in rodents or, you know, in a plastic dish in a lab.” — Paul Knoffler (UC Davis School of Medicine) (04:21)
• Advice: Consult a doctor before use; beware of unregulated, potentially harmful products.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Trump and the Supreme Court:
  “Will he repeat his insults, call them lapdogs and fools…?”
  — Mara Liaison (00:46)
• On the Nor’easter’s Danger:
  “Tree branches down and coming down, utility lines down, as well as whiteout conditions.”
  — Governor of New Jersey (01:37)
• On Peptide Risks:
  “Most of the research has just been done on, like in rodents or… in a plastic dish in a lab.”
  — Paul Knoffler (04:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:14] — Opening headlines; Trump’s State of the Union preview
• [01:02] — Nor’easter conditions and regional impact
• [01:31] — New Jersey governor’s interview on the storm response
• [01:43] — Power outages and flight cancellations update
• [01:50] — Arrest of Peter Mandelson in UK Epstein probe
• [02:58] — Wall Street plunge and continued market coverage at [04:40]
• [03:12] — Utah redistricting ruling and national election context
• [04:04] — Synthetic peptides trend and health risks

This five-minute NPR News Now segment delivers concise, vital updates on domestic and international developments, with a timely blend of politics, crises, and science, maintaining NPR’s signature tone of clarity and urgency.