{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftodays-news.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Ftodays-news-february-21-224-2026-v6biof4y","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"TODAY'S NEWS, February 21-224, 2026","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/01f7d4b2-716c-43f9-8a03-c96056c76782/4fdd8979-8145-4382-ad4e-74b620114221/wwoptodays_news_cover.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"","height":200,"description":"Announcement of departure from X to Truth Social after repeated hacks, gratitude to supporters in Layton, release of *America in the 21st Century*, and confirmation of a 25th anniversary edition of *A Patriot’s History*. Political coverage includes New York City’s deficit dispute, Democratic divisions over AI and energy policy, GOP gains in California and Pennsylvania, CIA report revisions, Louisiana SNAP restrictions, court rulings in Trump-related cases, and continued restructuring of the Department of Education. Epstein developments feature renewed scrutiny of associates, arrests, resignations, and debate over document releases. Immigration updates highlight reduced migrant hiring in Texas, increased California assistance funding, White House efforts tied to election policy, and contested deportation figures. Economic news notes a sharp Dow drop on tariff developments, IBM losses, a Defense Department AI agreement, and falling mortgage rates. Internationally, Mexico’s cartel crackdown and expanded U.S. cooperation lead, alongside developments in Panama, China, Japan, and the UK. Cultural items address religious belief data and loneliness trends, while entertainment and sports updates include strong viewership for new series, team victories, market reactions affecting Netflix, a study linking optimism to longevity, a Texas lawsuit over youth gender-transition treatments, and felony charges in a Pennsylvania sextortion case."}