NPR News Now: 02-24-2026 3AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder (NPR)
Air Date: February 24, 2026
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of major overnight and developing news stories, with updates on severe winter weather in the Northeast, a pivotal cartel leader killed in Mexico, US immigration policy battles, an attack in Moscow, and a new study linking wildfire smoke to mental health.

Main Headlines and Key Discussion Points

1. Historic Blizzard Paralyzes the Northeast

[00:16 - 01:15]

• Ongoing Snow and Cleanup:
  • Major snowstorm leaves up to 2.5 feet across New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
  • New York City heavily impacted; 2,000+ snowplows mobilized.

    “Over 2,000 sanitation department snowplows are working to clear up to 2ft of snow from the streets here.”
    — Steve Kastenbaum, (00:37)

  • Mayor Zoran Mamdani hires thousands of temporary workers for snow removal.
  • Emergency travel ban lifted, but Mayor requests people "not to drive if possible" to allow crews to work.
  • New Jersey still coping with widespread power outages.
  • More snow expected in coming days.

2. Mexico’s Most Wanted Cartel Leader Killed

[01:15 - 02:05]

• Military Action and Aftermath:
  • Mexican forces killed El Mencho, leader of Jalisco New Generation Cartel, in a raid.
  • 2,000 soldiers deployed to Jalisco amid continued clashes.
  • El Mencho’s significance:

    “Within the past 10 years, he turned the Jalisco New Generation cartel into one of the biggest organized crime groups in the world. ... They began operating outside the country, in Europe and the U.S."
    — Eder Peralta, (01:39)

  • The cartel trafficked billions in cocaine and fentanyl; US had a $15 million bounty on El Mencho.
  • US provided intelligence for the raid, which resulted in dozens of deaths.

3. Legal Battle Over Maryland ICE Detention Facility

[02:05 - 03:02]

• Lawsuit Details:
  • Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown sues Department of Homeland Security to halt construction of an ICE detention center.
  • Concerns cited:
    • Lack of public input and environmental impact review.
    • Strain on wastewater infrastructure:

      “A facility this size would generate nearly four times more wastewater than the site was designed for, risking sewage overflows...”
      — Scott Moscione, (02:44)

    • Traffic, air quality, emergency services burden.
    • Health risks including recent outbreaks, like measles.
  • Planned facility could detain up to 1,500 people.

4. ICE Training Criticized as “Broken”

[03:13 - 03:31]

• Public Testimony Highlights:
  • Former ICE lawyer Ryan Schrank testifies on systemic training failures for deportation officers.
  • Testimony delivered during public forum with US lawmakers.
  • Schrank recently resigned; DHS denies allegations of "cutting corners."

5. Attack in Moscow

[03:31 - 03:48]

• Details of the Incident:
  • An unidentified attacker detonated an explosive near a police vehicle outside a Moscow railway station.
  • Both attacker and a police officer killed; two other officers injured.
  • Motive remains unclear.

6. Wildfire Smoke and Mental Health

[04:12 - 04:52]

• New Research Insights:
  • University of New Mexico study links wildfire smoke exposure to short-term declines in mental health.
  • Notable finding:

    “The negative effects can occur even when the smoke is so thin it’s barely visible.”
    — Dr. Xu Guang Leung (paraphrased, 04:24)

  • Mental health was at its lowest a week after exposure, but rebounded to near-normal after three weeks.
  • Despite regulatory gains in air quality, increased wildfires have “halted or reversed” progress over the past decade.

Notable Quotes

• “Over 2,000 sanitation department snowplows are working to clear up to 2ft of snow from the streets here.”
  — Steve Kastenbaum, (00:37)

• “Within the past 10 years, he turned the Jalisco New Generation cartel into one of the biggest organized crime groups in the world.”
  — Eder Peralta, (01:39)

• “A facility this size would generate nearly four times more wastewater than the site was designed for, risking sewage overflows on the property and backups throughout the surrounding community.”
  — Scott Moscione, (02:44)

• “The negative effects can occur even when the smoke is so thin it’s barely visible.”
  — Dr. Xu Guang Leung, paraphrased by Daniel Montano (04:24)

Key Timestamps

• 00:16 - 01:15: Blizzard coverage, NYC cleanup, regional impact
• 01:15 - 02:05: Raid on El Mencho, cartel context, US involvement
• 02:05 - 03:02: Maryland ICE detention facility lawsuit
• 03:13 - 03:31: Critique of ICE officer training
• 03:31 - 03:48: Moscow railway attack
• 04:12 - 04:52: Study on wildfire smoke and mental health impacts

Tone Note:
Clear, brisk, and direct reporting style with an emphasis on concise updates and outside correspondent input.

This summary captures the episode’s key points and developments, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners or readers seeking up-to-date, actionable news.