NPR News: 02-26-2026 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – February 27, 2026, 9PM EST

Episode Overview

This fast-paced NPR News Now episode covers the day’s top headlines in just five minutes. Reporting from Washington, NPR brings updates on Hillary Clinton’s deposition before Congress, legal developments in a high-profile immigration case, the hurricane that shattered wind speed records, market impacts from chipmaker Nvidia, rural healthcare initiatives led by Dr. Mehmet Oz, and the renaming of a prominent Tennessee children’s hospital in honor of Dolly Parton.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hillary Clinton Testifies on Epstein Connections

[00:15 – 01:19]

• Clinton's Deposition: Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and First Lady, spent six hours before the House Oversight Committee answering questions about Jeffrey Epstein and her husband, Bill Clinton’s relationship with him.
• Closed Doors: Clinton expressed “disappointment” that her deposition was not public, noting the repetitiveness of the committee’s questioning.

  • “I don’t know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein. I never went to his island. I never went to his homes. I never went to his offices.” — Hillary Clinton [00:48]

• Clinton stated Bill Clinton’s connection to Epstein ended years before Epstein’s criminal activities were revealed. Committee Chair James Comer (R) acknowledged Clinton answered most questions, but members remained unsatisfied about parts of her testimony.
• Bill Clinton is scheduled to testify in front of the committee later in the week.

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2. Legal Challenge: Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Retaliation Case

[01:19 – 02:20]

• Case Background: Federal court arguments centered on whether the charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia should be dismissed. Defense claims retaliation by the government after Garcia’s wrongful deportation gained national attention.
• Investigation Timeline: DOJ’s investigation into Garcia’s alleged migrant smuggling only began after the Supreme Court ordered his return to the U.S.—suggesting the prosecution may be driven by the publicity of his deportation case.
• Expected Decision: The judge will likely rule by early April.

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3. Historic Hurricane Melissa Sets Wind Speed Record

[02:20 – 03:09]

• Record-Breaking Storm: The National Hurricane Center’s newly released report confirms Hurricane Melissa, which devastated Jamaica in 2025, achieved the highest instantaneous wind speed ever inside a tropical cyclone—219 knots (over 250 mph).
  • This record surpasses the previous maximum by more than 10 miles per hour, a record set by a 2010 typhoon.
• Climate Change Context: Scientists tie increasing hurricane power to climate change.

  • “It was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic, ... it set an all-time record...” — Rebecca Hersher [02:30]

• The death toll in Jamaica reached at least 95.

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4. U.S. Markets Dip Amid Nvidia Slump

[03:09 – 03:19]

• Market Impact: Despite upward trends in most stocks, chipmaker Nvidia’s declining share price dragged overall U.S. stock indices lower.

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5. German Court Rules on AfD Surveillance

[03:19 – 03:46]

• Political Oversight: A German court prevents authorities from labeling the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as “extremist” while it reviews the party’s legal challenge. However, authorities may continue broad surveillance of party activities during this period.

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6. Dr. Mehmet Oz Promotes Rural Health Funding

[03:46 – 04:24]

• Healthcare Initiative: Visiting Scranton, PA, Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, highlighted a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program.
  • Funding may support telemedicine, workforce development, and maternity care, among other priorities.

  • “This is a liferope. It’s a[n] opportunity to get back into the game and that money could be used here wisely.” — Dr. Mehmet Oz [03:55]

• Pennsylvania’s Share: $193 million is allocated this year to Pennsylvania alone.
• Medicaid Uncertainty: Oz expresses optimism despite looming Trump administration cuts ($900 billion over 10 years) and shifts to Medicaid work requirements going into effect in 2027.

  • “We’re optimistic that Pennsylvania would do well, especially with the Rural Health Transformation Fund.” — Dr. Mehmet Oz [04:19]

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7. Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital Debuts in Knoxville

[04:32 – 04:57]

• Hospital Renaming: East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is now the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, a move to transform pediatric care in the region.
• Parton’s Philanthropy: Highlights include sending 3 million books monthly to children and a $1 million donation supporting critical Moderna COVID-19 vaccine research.

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Memorable Quotes

• Hillary Clinton:

  “I did not know Jeffrey Epstein. I never went to his island. I never went to his homes. I never went to his offices.” [00:48]

• Dr. Mehmet Oz:

  “This is a liferope. It’s a[n] opportunity to get back into the game and that money could be used here wisely.” [03:55]

  “We’re optimistic that Pennsylvania would do well, especially with the Rural Health Transformation Fund.” [04:19]

• Rebecca Hersher on Hurricane Melissa:

  “It was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic, ... it set an all-time record…” [02:30]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Hillary Clinton Deposition & Epstein Questions: 00:15 – 01:19
• Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Court Decision: 01:19 – 02:20
• Hurricane Melissa Record: 02:20 – 03:09
• Nvidia Stocks & Market Dip: 03:09 – 03:19
• Germany’s AfD Surveillance Ruling: 03:19 – 03:46
• Dr. Oz & Rural Health Funds: 03:46 – 04:24
• Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital: 04:32 – 04:57

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Summary

This episode delivers a tight, informative roundup of major national and international developments, including high-profile Congressional testimony, implications of climate change in extreme weather events, key court battles, financial market movers, healthcare funding priorities, and a heartening nod to Dolly Parton’s philanthropy. Designed for busy listeners, the report balances political, legal, economic, and humanitarian news, shifting quickly between essential updates while capturing the original tone and voices of the correspondents.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

See Terms Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Former Secretary of State and first Lady Hillary Clinton spoke to the press after today's six hour deposition before the House Oversight Committee. The panel asked her questions about the late convicted sex Jeffrey Epstein, who had a friendship with her husband, former President Bill Clinton. NPR's Sage Miller has more.

[NPR Correspondent Sage Miller]

Hillary Clinton reiterated that she was disappointed that the deposition was held behind closed doors instead of publicly. She said she answered the same questions over and over.

[Hillary Clinton]

I don't know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein. I never went to his island. I never went to his homes. I never went to his offices.

[NPR Correspondent Sage Miller]

Clinton also said that her husband's relationship with Epstein ended several years before Epstein's criminal history came to light. Republican committee Chair James Comer told reporters Clinton answered most of their questions, but that they weren't satisfied with all her answers. Former President Bill Clinton is set to testify in front of the committee Friday. Sage Miller, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

A federal judge heard arguments today on whether to dismiss the charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia. His attorneys say the government's case is retaliation after his wrongful deportation to El Salvador gained national attention. Mariana Bacallau of member station WPLN reports

[NPR Correspondent Mariana Bacallau]

the defense focused their questioning on why the justice department considered a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee a top priority. The DOJ did not begin investigating Abrego Garcia until after the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to return him to the US Several government officials testified that although state troopers had alerted the FBI and other agencies after that traffic stop that Abrego Garcia was potentially smuggling migran, top officials only turned their attention to him after his deportation. In court, they said that the high profile nature of the case made it a top priority within the department. A ruling is expected sometime in early April. For NPR News, I'm Mariana Bacallau in Nashville.

[NPR News Anchor]

The National Hurricane center has released its official report on Hurricane Melissa, which hit Jamaica last year. NPR's Rebecca Hershel reports. The storm set a new record for wind speed.

[NPR Correspondent Rebecca Hersher]

Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica as a massive Category 5 hurricane last year and killed at least 95 people. It was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic, and according to the new report, it set an all time record for the highest instantaneous wind speed ever recorded inside a tropical cyclone, 219 knots, which is more than 250 miles per hour. It breaks the previous record recorded inside a typhoon in 2010 by more than 10 miles per hour. Climate change is making large, powerful hurricanes and typhoons more likely. Rebecca Hersher, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

Chipmaker Nvidia's stock dragged the U.S. market lower, even though most stocks rose. This is NPR News. A German court says that the country's domestic intelligence agency can't label the Alternative for Germany party as a right wing extremist group. While it considers a complaint by the party over the designation, it would allow officials to carry out broader surveillance over the party's activities. The head of the Centers for for Medicaid, Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz, visited Scranton, Pennsylvania, today to tout a $50 billion plan to help rural hospitals. Lydia McFarlane of member station WVIA reports.

[NPR Correspondent Lydia McFarlane]

Dr. Oz says states can use funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program for workforce development, telemedicine, maternity care and more.

[Dr. Mehmet Oz]

This is a life rope. It's a opportunity to get back in to the game and that money could be used here wisely.

[NPR Correspondent Lydia McFarlane]

Pennsylvania was awarded $193 million this year. Oz says he's not concerned about the predicted financial struggles hospitals could face with changes to Medicaid. The Trump administration plans to cut the federal health care program by more than $900 billion over 10 years.

[Dr. Mehmet Oz]

We're optimistic that Pennsylvania would do well, especially with the Rural Health Transformation Fund.

[NPR Correspondent Lydia McFarlane]

Changes to Medicaid work requirements begin to take effect in 2027. For NPR News, I'm Lydia McFarlane in Scranton.

[NPR News Anchor]

The East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville is now known as the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital. Hospital officials say the name change is part of a promise to transform pediatric care in the region. Parton's philanthropy already impacts her home state and beyond, including a program that sends 3 million books to kids every month. And she donated $1 million to research that helped produce Moderna's COVID 19 vaccine. This is NPR News.

[Mint Mobile Announcer]

This message comes from Mint mobile. Starting at $15 a month, make the [e-mail] Switch $45 upfront payment for 3 months 5 gigabyte plan equivalent to $15 a month Taxes and fees Extra first 3 months only. See terms.