NPR News: 02-17-2026 11AM EST
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corva Coleman.
What significant event involving Jesse Jackson is reported in this episode?
Civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson died this morning at the age of 84. That's according to a statement from his family and the organization he founded, the Rainbow Push Coalition. President Trump acknowledged Jackson's death in an online post this morning. NPR's Daniel Kurtzleben has more.
Trump called Jackson, quote, a good man with lots of personality, grit, and street smarts. The president also made Jackson's death largely about himself in the post, touting criminal justice reform and HBCU funding he enacted. Last year, the administration gave extra funding to HBCUs, days after cutting funding to other minority-serving colleges. Trump also complained about how he is, quote, falsely and consistently called a racist by the scoundrels and lunatics on the radical left. In addition, he managed to swipe at former President Obama in the post. Two weeks ago at the National Prayer Breakfast, Jackson's son, Democratic Representative Jonathan Jackson, led a prayer that seemed to swipe at Trump and his policies.
Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.
The Department of Homeland Security remains partially shut down. Congress has yet to pass a funding bill. As NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports, the stalemate continues.
Congressional Democrats sent a counteroffer to the White House late last night. Details on the trading of offers between Republicans and Democrats have been kept under wraps. Top congressional Democrats have only dismissed the White House's plan as not substantive enough. In the wake of two fatal shootings in Minneapolis by federal agents, Democrats are demanding significant changes to the policies of DHS, specifically immigration enforcement. The latest counteroffer comes as both chambers of Congress are out this week on recess. Barbara Sprint, NPR News, Washington.
The board of Warner Bros. Discovery is unanimously recommending that shareholders approve the sale of studio and streaming assets to Netflix. The day for the vote is March 20th. And yet, as NPR's David Folkenflik reports, Warner is also inviting Paramount to make a best-last bid for the entire company.
The Netflix deal, valued at nearly $83 billion, involves HBO Max, Warner Bros. Studios, and DC Comics. Paramount has bid $108 billion for the whole shebang, including such cable properties as CNN, TBS and Discovery, offering sports and news. Warner has repeatedly rebuffed the bids from Paramount, which is led by David Ellison. His father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, is one of the richest people on Earth and an advisor to President Trump. Trump says he won't play a role, but the Ellisons have privately suggested they can get around serious antitrust concerns that have cropped up in the U.S. and Europe. Netflix retains the right to match any such offer from Paramount, but has shown no such interest in Warner's cable TV properties.
David Folkenflik, NPR News.
On Wall Street, stocks are lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down more than 120 points. This is NPR. Winter storm warnings and advisories are up for large parts of the West this morning. There are avalanche warnings in northern Idaho and Montana. Heavy snow is falling on some mountains in California, Nevada and Utah. The Islamic holy month of Ramadan starts tomorrow in many nations. Officials in Saudi Arabia declared they've observed the crescent moon, launching the religious observance. Ramadan is marked with fasting, prayer and good works for others. This year, Ramadan coincides with the start of the Christian season of Lent. It also is observed with prayer, fasting, and good works for others.
Today also marks the first day of Lunar New Year for many in Asia and the beginning of the Year of the Horse. Ashish Valentine reports a manufacturing defect in China has left Internet users there cackling.
A sad-looking plush toy has gone viral in China. A factory in the manufacturing city of Yiwu was supposed to make thousands of smiling horse dolls just in time for the new year.
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