NPR News Now – 7AM EST, February 24, 2026

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update, hosted by Korva Coleman, covers the latest developments in U.S. politics, ongoing international conflicts, significant weather events, and key updates from around the country. The episode’s main stories include Justice Department actions related to Jeffrey Epstein files and President Trump, a former British ambassador’s arrest, updates on Trump’s presidency, stalled immigration funding, the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, severe winter storms in the Northeast, wildfire containment efforts in Oklahoma and Kansas, and plans to honor the late civil rights leader Jesse Jackson.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DOJ and Jeffrey Epstein Files: Allegations Involving President Trump

• [00:13]
  • NPR reports that the Justice Department (DOJ) has withheld or removed some pages in the publicly available Epstein files, notably those related to 1983 sexual abuse allegations against then-private citizen Donald Trump.
  • Notably, four FBI interviews with the accuser as an adult are on record, but only one is public, and that one omits any mention of Trump.
  • Trump “has consistently denied wrongdoing.”
  • “An NPR investigation finds that the Justice Department has withheld or removed some pages in the public database of the Jeffrey Epstein files.” — Korva Coleman [00:13]

2. British Political Scandal: Arrest of Peter Mandelson

• [01:03]
  • NPR’s Lauren Frayer reports from London on Peter Mandelson’s arrest and release on bail in the Epstein files investigation.
  • Mandelson, a former British ambassador and government minister, is accused of:
    • Passing government secrets to Epstein (including market-sensitive documents to be shared with bankers).
    • Advising an American CEO to threaten a fellow cabinet minister.
  • He has apologized for his ties to Epstein but has not responded to these latest allegations.
  • The arrest follows similar allegations against Prince Andrew. Both have yet to be charged.
  • “Mandelson's arrest comes days after that of King Charles' brother Andrew on similar grounds. Neither man has been charged.” — Lauren Frayer [01:38]

3. U.S. Politics: Trump's State of the Union and Homeland Security Funding

• [01:48]
  • President Trump is set to deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term.
  • Polling shows many believe the country is “moving in the wrong direction.”
  • Democrats will offer two responses: one in English and one in Spanish.
  • The Department of Homeland Security remains partially shut down, as Congress has not yet passed a spending bill; Democrats are demanding changes to federal immigration enforcement.

4. International News: Fourth Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

• [02:28]
  • NPR’s Charles Maynes reports from Moscow.
  • Despite President Trump’s promises to quickly resolve the conflict, negotiations have stalled due to:
    • Russian demands for additional Ukrainian territory.
    • Ukraine’s insistence on U.S.-backed security guarantees.
  • The Kremlin claims it “will simply take what diplomacy doesn’t deliver,” but critics dismiss this as a negotiating tactic.
  • Russian advances are described as “glacial” and costly in terms of losses.
  • “The Kremlin says its military will simply take what diplomacy doesn't deliver. Yet critics argue that claim… [is] mostly negotiating tactics.” — Charles Maynes [02:48]

5. Severe Winter Weather in the Northeast

• [03:11]
  • A massive blizzard has moved out of the Northeast, leaving over a quarter million without power in Massachusetts, with outages also in Delaware and New Jersey.
  • Rhode Island received over 3 feet of snow, setting records.
  • Ben Burke reports from Fall River, Massachusetts:
    • Emergency services are hindered; “ambulances and fire trucks are getting stuck in the snow.”
    • Mayor Paul Coogan is coordinating with officials and the National Guard for extra help.
    • Memorable Quote: “This is like the Blizzard of ’78 that you all heard about. This is it again.” — Mayor Paul Coogan [03:52]
    • The 1978 blizzard “shut down driving for over a week and contributed to close to two dozen deaths.”

6. Wildfire in Oklahoma and Kansas

• [04:16]
  • The Range Road fire is just 65% contained, having scorched nearly 450 square miles—a footprint approaching the size of Los Angeles.
  • The number of evacuees is still unknown.

7. Civil Rights Leader Jesse Jackson to Lie in State

• [04:38]
  • Jesse Jackson’s family has agreed to allow his body to lie in state at the South Carolina State House on March 2.
  • Jackson, a major civil rights figure, died at age 84.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “An NPR investigation finds that the Justice Department has withheld or removed some pages in the public database of the Jeffrey Epstein files.”
  — Korva Coleman [00:13]
• “Mandelson's arrest comes days after that of King Charles' brother Andrew on similar grounds. Neither man has been charged.”
  — Lauren Frayer [01:38]
• “This is like the Blizzard of ’78 that you all heard about. This is it again.”
  — Mayor Paul Coogan [03:52]
• “The Kremlin says its military will simply take what diplomacy doesn't deliver. Yet critics argue that claim… [is] mostly negotiating tactics.”
  — Charles Maynes [02:48]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Epstein/Trump DOJ Files: 00:13–01:03
• Peter Mandelson Arrest in UK/Epstein Connection: 01:03–01:48
• Trump’s State of the Union, DHS Shutdown: 01:48–02:28
• Ukraine War, Anniv. and Stalemate: 02:28–03:11
• Northeast Blizzard, Massachusetts, Rhode Island Impact: 03:11–04:16
• Oklahoma/Kansas Wildfire: 04:16–04:38
• Jesse Jackson’s Passing and State Honors: 04:38–04:57

Summary Flow

The episode provides a concise but impactful roundup of major national and international events, with special focus on government transparency, political accountability, weather-driven crises, and ongoing conflicts. Through brief but vivid updates, listeners are brought up to speed on controversies involving high-profile figures, the daily realities of Americans affected by extreme weather, and broader challenges facing global diplomacy and leadership. Humanizing quotes and well-attributed reporting lend urgency and context throughout.