NPR News Now: 02-23-2026 6AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Date: February 23, 2026
Length: 5 minutes
Format: Concise hourly news update

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of breaking national and international news, touching on a major winter storm on the US East Coast, the political climate ahead of President Trump’s State of the Union address, changes in US tariffs, the killing of a major Mexican drug lord, a security breach at President Trump’s Florida estate, and updates on airport security operations. The tone remains direct, factual, and urgent, with brief expert commentary and field reports.

Major Headlines & Key Discussion Points

1. Massive Nor’easter Hits U.S. East Coast

[00:15–00:57]

• Blizzard warnings remain active from Virginia's coast up to Maine’s Canadian border.
• Impact on New York City:
  • Over two inches of snowfall per hour overnight.
  • Streets deserted following a citywide state of emergency and travel ban.
  • More than 3,000 flight cancellations at three major airports.
  • Tens of thousands lose power across New Jersey.
• Quote:

  “Snow fell at a rate of more than 2 inches per hour as building maintenance workers pushed snow blowers through the night trying to keep sidewalks clear.”
  —Steve Kastenbaum, [00:31]

• The situation is described as historic and severely disruptive.

2. U.S. Political Climate & Upcoming State of the Union

[00:57–02:00]

• President Trump to deliver his first State of the Union address of his second term.
• New NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll Findings:
  • 57% of 1,400+ Americans polled say the State of the Union is "not strong" (up 4 points from last year).
  • 80% of Democrats and two-thirds of independents are pessimistic, while 73% of Republicans rate it as "strong."
  • Notable splits by education (69% of college graduates find it weak) and gender.
  • 60% believe the country is worse off than a year ago.
  • Most see Trump’s policy direction as "change for the worse."
• Quote:

  “That presents a political challenge for Trump's State of the Union address in this midterm election year.”
  —Domenico Montanaro, [01:56]

3. Major Changes to U.S. Tariffs & International Reactions

[02:00–03:10]

• Starting tonight, the U.S. will stop collecting many Trump-imposed tariffs, per a Supreme Court order.
• President Trump plans to reimpose a 15% global tariff using different legal authority.
• International Impact:
  • China is reviewing the situation.
  • European officials are alarmed, reacting strongly to the unstable trade policy.
  • Effects on Businesses:
    • Michael Shapps, a wine grower importing/exporting transatlantically, notes rising costs and dwindling business prospects.
    • “The doors were open. Now they're closed.” —Michael Shapps, [02:56]
  • Many European wine growers are exiting the U.S. market, disrupting historic trade ties.
  • EU officials warn against being, “taken hostage by the Trump administration and its tariffs.” —Paraphrased, [02:58]

4. Organized Crime Leader Killed in Mexico

[03:10–04:13]

• Mexican military kills Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (“El Mencho”), head of the Jalisco New Generation cartel.
• The U.S. had a $15 million bounty on him for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine.
• Aftermath:
  • Widespread violence erupts in Jalisco: vehicles and businesses set on fire.
  • El Mencho died en route to Mexico City after being wounded.
  • His death leaves a "power vacuum," often a precursor to further violence.
• Quote:

  “El Mencho’s death now leaves a power vacuum in Mexico, and that is usually followed by intense violence.”
  —Eder Peralta, [04:07]

5. Intruder Killed at President Trump’s Florida Estate

[04:13–04:36]

• Incident: An armed intruder breached Trump’s Florida estate carrying a shotgun and a gas can.
• Secret Service and sheriff’s deputy responded with lethal force; the suspect (Austin Martin, 21, of North Carolina) was killed.
• President Trump was in Washington, D.C. at the time; no other injuries reported.

6. Airport Security Update

[04:36–04:55]

• Despite federal shutdown-induced confusion, TSA’s PreCheck program remains functional.
• Initial suspension of PreCheck was reversed and operations continue as normal.

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Description | |-----------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:31 | Steve Kastenbaum | “Snow fell at a rate of more than 2 inches per hour as building maintenance workers pushed snow blowers through the night…” | | 01:56 | Domenico Montanaro | “That presents a political challenge for Trump's State of the Union address in this midterm election year.” | | 02:56 | Michael Shapps | “The doors were open. Now they're closed.” | | 04:07 | Eder Peralta | “El Mencho’s death now leaves a power vacuum in Mexico, and that is usually followed by intense violence.” |

Additional Quick Notes

• Wall Street futures opened lower.
• European and Chinese officials are monitoring and potentially preparing responses to U.S. tariff maneuvers.
• No new updates on the ongoing government shutdown beyond mentions of its effect on federal agencies.

Useful Timestamps

• Blizzard/Nor’easter Coverage: [00:15–00:57]
• State of the Union/Poll Results: [00:57–02:00]
• Tariffs/Business Impact: [02:00–03:10]
• El Mencho & Mexican Cartel Violence: [03:10–04:13]
• Florida Estate Intruder/PreCheck Update: [04:13–04:55]

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive yet concise brief of the featured NPR News Now episode.