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NPR News Now

NPR News: 02-20-2026 5AM EST

20 Feb 2026

Transcription

Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

1.347 - 5.697 Dave Mattingly

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly.

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Chapter 2: What financial commitments is President Trump making for Gaza's reconstruction?

6.178 - 26.138 Dave Mattingly

President Trump says the U.S. is pledging $10 billion to help rebuild Gaza. In addition, he says other countries are promising to contribute almost $7 billion The money will be managed by the president's Board of Peace. Trump hosted the board's first meeting yesterday in Washington, across from the State Department, where the commitments were announced.

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26.74 - 49.796 Dave Mattingly

This comes amid efforts to implement the next phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. That deal was brokered by the U.S. After the Board of Peace meeting, President Trump traveled to Georgia yesterday where a special election is underway to replace former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Raul Bali with member station WABE has more.

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50.497 - 76.938 Raul Bali

Speaking at this steel processing plant, Trump focused much of his speech on his economic policy, including tariffs, taxes, and manufacturing. It included this claim. You notice, what word have you not heard over the last two weeks? Affordability. Because I've won. I've won affordability. Trump also blasted the use of mail-in ballots and opposition of voter ID proposals.

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77.519 - 100.879 Raul Bali

Several key races here have wide-ranging implications. The special election comes as Trump looks to shore up his razor-thin majority in the House with MAGA loyalists. And U.S. Senator John Ossoff will be fighting to keep his seat as the only Democratic incumbent on the ballot in a state won by Trump. For NPR News, I'm Raul Bali in Rome, Georgia.

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100.96 - 116.1 Dave Mattingly

President Trump is nominating his former personal lawyer for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. As NPR's Nina Totenberg reports, Justin Smith has played a key role in a variety of Trump's legal disputes.

116.452 - 132.874 Nina Totenberg

In 2023, Smith represented Trump in his unsuccessful efforts to overturn a $5 million jury verdict, finding him liable for sexually assaulting writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump is now appealing his losses in that case to the Supreme Court.

132.854 - 157.275 Nina Totenberg

In announcing Smith's nomination on Truth Social, Trump said that the nominee had also played a major role in persuading the Supreme Court to grant Trump substantial immunity from criminal prosecution after leaving office. Smith is an attorney in a boutique law practice in Missouri that was started by Trump's current Solicitor General, D. John Sauer. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington.

157.492 - 178.707 Dave Mattingly

Long-term mortgage rates in the U.S. have dropped to their lowest level in more than three years. Freddie Mac says the interest rate on the average 30-year fixed-rate loan declined this week to slightly more than 6 percent. September of 2022 was the last time that rate was below 6 percent. This is NPR News from Washington.

Chapter 3: How is Trump's economic policy impacting the special election in Georgia?

181.1 - 203.264 Dave Mattingly

A court in Virginia is blocking a proposal by the state's Democratic lawmakers to hold an April referendum on redrawing the state's congressional map. A temporary restraining order had been sought by the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. The state's attorney general says he will appeal. At the Winter Olympic Games in Italy, the U.S.

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203.284 - 214.639 Dave Mattingly

women's hockey team is celebrating a gold medal after beating Canada in overtime 2-1. NPR's Becky Sullivan says this is the American team's third Olympic gold medal all time.

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215.24 - 229.804 Becky Sullivan

This U.S. team was a freight train running through the Olympic Games with a blend of experienced vets like the five-time Olympian Hillary Knight and thrilling young talent like the 22-year-old phenom Layla Edwards. But Canada, the traditional women's hockey power, took the U.S. to the brink.

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229.784 - 249.195 Becky Sullivan

A rare defensive lapse by Edwards in the second period gave Canada a window to score a shorthanded goal to go up 1-0. Later, with two minutes left in regulation, she made amends with a rocket of a shot that Knight tipped up and in for the equalizer. Great patience and poise with the puck, and then as soon as it was going over to Layla, I was like, I better get in front of that net.

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249.215 - 257.749 Becky Sullivan

That sent it to overtime where Megan Keller had a slick one-on-one move to beat the Canadian defender and score the game-winning goal. Becky Sullivan, NPR News, Milan.

257.78 - 279.417 Dave Mattingly

Later today, the U.S. men's hockey team plays Slovakia in the Olympic semifinals. The winner will face either Canada or Finland in the gold medal game. Also on the ice in Milan, American Alyssa Liu won gold in women's figure skating. It's the first such gold medal for the U.S. in 24 years. I'm Dave Mattingly, NPR News in Washington.

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