NPR News Now – February 25, 2026, 9AM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: A concise rundown of the latest news in politics, business, international affairs, weather, and markets.

Main Themes

This episode delivers a comprehensive update on key national and international developments, with a spotlight on President Trump’s State of the Union address and economic claims, the Democratic response, dramatic changes in the media industry, international diplomacy, a contentious federal nomination, and U.S. weather impacts.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. President Trump’s State of the Union: Economic Claims & Public Response

[00:18–01:11]

• President Trump’s Message:

  • Celebrated what he described as an “economic turnaround.”

• Fact-Checking the Claims (Scott Horsley):

  • Official stats contradict Trump’s optimism:
    • “Economic growth was slower during Trump's first year back in office than it was during the final year of the Biden administration.”
      (Scott Horsley, 00:36)
    • Job growth lags, and inflation remains stubborn, with tariffs reportedly raising import prices.
    • Trump cited cheaper eggs and gasoline, but:
      “The overall cost of living continues to climb. That's weighing the president's approval rating…”
      (Scott Horsley, 00:48)
    • NPR/PBS News/Marist poll: 6 in 10 Americans think the country’s worse off now than a year ago.

2. Democratic Response: Gov. Abigail Spanberger's Critique

[01:11–01:46]

• Spanberger’s Economic Assessment:
  • Offers a starkly different take:
    “Costs are too high in housing, health care, energy and childcare. And I know these same conversations are being had all across this country.”
    (Abigail Spanberger, 01:32)
  • Describes Americans as “struggling under [Trump’s] policies.”
  • From colonial Williamsburg, accuses Trump of “pitting Americans against each other” and labels his immigration officer tactics “reckless.”

3. Major Media Merger Moves: Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery

[01:46–02:51]

• Paramount Boosts Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery:
  • Paramount chief David Ellison ups his offer:
    • “He now promises to pay $31 per share, a dollar more than his last offer...valued at about $108 billion.”
      (David Folkenflick, 02:16)
  • Netflix had submitted a rival $83 billion bid, bypassing Warner’s cable assets.
  • Warner’s board undecided; Netflix has four days to counter if Paramount’s offer is preferred.
  • Shareholder vote planned for March.

4. Global Diplomacy: Germany Urges China on Trade and Ukraine

[02:51–03:32]

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Visit to China:
  • Pushes for “fairer trade rules and more help in ending the war in Ukraine.”
  • Europe says China hasn’t done enough regarding Russia’s aggression; China claims impartiality.
  • Underlines the necessity of Beijing’s involvement in global crises.

5. Contentious Federal Nomination: Steve Pierce for Bureau of Land Management

[03:32–04:10]

• Senate Review of Nomination:
  • Pierce, ex-congressman and Vietnam vet, claims most public land shouldn’t remain under federal control.
  • Veteran groups wary—such as Janessa Goldbeck, Vet Voice Foundation:
    “When Steve Pierce says we do not even need most of this land, he is not just talking about acreage, he's talking about eliminating veterans jobs.”
    (Janessa Goldbeck, 03:49)
  • Environmentalists cite his oil/gas industry ties; ranching and energy sectors back him.

6. Northeast Winter Storm: Aftermath and Outlook

[04:10–04:41]

• Post-Storm Recovery:
  • Up to two feet of snow; widespread power outages and flight disruptions.
  • “In Massachusetts, more than 160,000 people are still without power, and crews from around the country are helping restore electricity there.”
    (Jeanine Herbst, 04:18)
  • Hundreds of flights canceled, over 8,000 delayed.
  • Another (lighter) storm expected tonight—about an inch of snow predicted.

7. Market Update

[04:41–04:56]

• Financial Markets:
  • U.S. futures up slightly (~0.3%) across all major indices.

Notable Quotes

• Scott Horsley [00:36]:
  “Economic growth was slower during Trump's first year back in office than it was during the final year of the Biden administration. Job growth was much slower, and inflation has mostly moved sideways, with Trump's own tariffs contributing to higher prices of some imports.”

• Abigail Spanberger [01:32]:
  “Costs are too high in housing, health care, energy and childcare. And I know these same conversations are being had all across this country.”

• Janessa Goldbeck [03:49]:
  “When Steve Pierce says we do not even need most of this land, he is not just talking about acreage, he's talking about eliminating veterans jobs.”

Memorable Moments

• The contrasting rhetoric between President Trump and Governor Spanberger, highlighting sharp partisan divides on the economy.
• Paramount and Netflix’s escalating corporate battle for Warner Bros. Discovery.
• The ongoing fallout from a significant winter storm in the Northeast, with widespread power outages and travel chaos.

Timestamps for Quick Reference

• 00:18 – Opening headlines and Trump’s State of the Union recap
• 00:31 – Scott Horsley’s economic fact-check
• 01:11 – Spanberger’s Democratic response
• 02:06 – Paramount/Warner/Netflix media deal updates
• 02:51 – German Chancellor’s visit to China
• 03:32 – Senate committee and Steve Pierce’s nomination
• 04:10 – Northeast storm aftermath and forecast
• 04:41 – U.S. market update

This concise but information-dense episode captures the tension in U.S. politics and economy, shifting global business, and the everyday impact of major weather. Perfect for a 5-minute catch-up on what matters most this morning.