NPR News Now – Detailed Summary

Episode: NPR News: 02-24-2026 6AM EST
Host: Korva Coleman, NPR
Date: February 24, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers the top headlines and significant developments as of February 24, 2026, focusing on the latest in the Jeffrey Epstein files, President Trump's upcoming State of the Union address, ongoing winter storm aftermath in the Northeast, a deadly U.S. military strike in the Caribbean, rising violence in Mexico, and health updates on U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn.

1. NPR Investigation: Missing Pages in Epstein Files

• NPR reveals that dozens of pages are missing or withheld from the Department of Justice's public database on Jeffrey Epstein.
• Some missing pages relate to allegations of sexual abuse involving both Epstein and former President Donald Trump.
• The DOJ prepared a slideshow in Fall 2025 referencing an allegation that Trump abused a minor in 1983. This information was sent to the FBI but is absent from public releases.
• Stephen Fowler (Reporter):
  • Cites FBI records showing four interviews with the accuser, but only one is public—and that version omits any reference to Trump.
  • DOJ tracking logs suggest at least 50 pages remain unpublished.
• Quote:

  "There's records showing the FBI interviewed this accuser four times. Only one of those interviews is in the public Epstein database, and it does not mention Trump at all. And the Justice Department's own tracking indicates there's at least 50 pages that exist but were not made public."
  — Stephen Fowler, 00:55

• Trump has repeatedly stated he broke ties with Epstein "years ago over his behavior."

2. Trump’s State of the Union – Political Stakes

• President Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress with his first State of the Union since returning to the White House.
• Elena Moore (Reporter):
  • Notes high political stakes as the election year opens: Republicans are defending Congressional control, and Trump faces low approval ratings.
  • NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll: Majority believe Trump is taking the country in the "wrong direction."
  • Historical context: Since WWII, the president's party loses on average 27 House and 4 Senate seats in midterms.
• Quote:

  "In the latest NPR PBS News Marist Poll, a majority of Americans say Trump is moving the country in the wrong direction. Low poll numbers are often a warning sign."
  — Elena Moore, 01:35

3. Democratic Responses to the Address

• Democrats to issue two official responses:
  • Gov. Abigail Spamberger (Virginia): Response in English.
  • Sen. Alex Padilla (California): Response in Spanish.

4. Historic Winter Storm in the Northeast

• A major blizzard leaves record snowfall, especially in eastern Massachusetts.
• Over 250,000 households without power in hardest-hit areas; Delaware and parts of New York also affected.
• Steve Kastenbaum (Reporter, New York):
  • 2,000+ snowplows working to clear up to 2 feet of snow.
  • Mayor Zoran Mamdani: City hiring thousands of temporary workers for snow shoveling.
  • Korva Coleman quotes Mayor's pay increase: "We've increased pay to $30 per hour." (02:55)
  • Emergency travel ban lifted, but travel is still discouraged.
• Notable Quote:

  "Over 2,000 sanitation department snowplows are working to clear up to 2ft of snow... Mayor Zoran Mamdani said the city is hiring thousands of temporary workers to shovel snow due to the historic nature of this blizzard."
  — Steve Kastenbaum, 02:41

5. U.S. Military Strike in the Caribbean

• The Pentagon confirms a deadly U.S. boat strike targeting an alleged drug boat; three alleged terrorists killed.
• Comes amidst a lawsuit against the Trump administration by families of men killed in a previous U.S. boat strike (claiming the victims were fishermen, not involved in crime).

6. Violence Update in Mexico

• U.S. State Department issues warning for Americans in Mexico.
• Recent killing of a major drug lord by Mexican authorities sparks widespread violence.
• No further details given on impact or government response.

7. Lindsey Vonn's Severe Olympic Injury

• U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn is out of the hospital and recovering from a debilitating crash at the Winter Olympics.
• Vonn had multiple surgeries for a broken left leg, with injuries severe enough to nearly require amputation.
• Will Stone (Reporter):
  • Vonn developed compartment syndrome, a rare but severe risk from such trauma.
  • Dr. Anthony Petrosini (Orthopedic Surgeon): Emphasizes gravity of injury; likens it more to car accidents than sports injuries.
• Quotes:

  "Vonn called it the most extreme and painful and challenging injury she's ever faced in her life times 100."
  — Will Stone, 04:06
  "You don't see the severity of this injury in other sports. This is more like something you see in a car accident type of collision."
  — Dr. Anthony Petrosini, 04:32

8. Financial Update

• Dow futures are higher in premarket trading.
• Note: No further financial detail shared.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Epstein Files Investigation: 00:11–01:16
• State of the Union & Election Stakes: 01:16–02:09
• Winter Storm Coverage: 02:09–03:11
• Pentagon Strike & Mexico Warning: 03:11–04:06
• Lindsey Vonn Injury Update: 04:06–04:45
• Financial Snapshot: 04:45

Memorable Moments

• DOJ withholding of Epstein file pages, especially regarding Trump (00:11–01:16)
• "Low poll numbers are often a warning sign" for Trump’s reelection hopes (01:35)
• Historic measures for NYC snow cleanup and $30/hour pay rate (02:41–02:58)
• Vonn’s injury described as "most extreme and painful...times 100" (04:06)

For the latest, concise, but revealing headline summaries, this NPR News Now episode provides a fast-moving snapshot of the national landscape on February 24, 2026.