News On Tap For Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Never Surrender

Today’s “News On Tap” is tinged with sorrow, but it’s also got a strong flavor of determination. We’ve got news on the death of civil rights icon & Democratic leader Jesse Jackson, new details in Trump’s war on democracy, & updates on Trump’s immigration wars. We’ve also got new details on the Trumpstein files, along with election AND media news, and the two categories overlapping. We’ve also got updates from the Olympics, and foreign affairs news too. Plus, Jo Carducci AKA JoJo from Jerz is back in the bar tonight! Before she gets here, you should read up & get informed!

First Round - Keep Hope Alive

• Jesse Jackson, Charismatic Civil Rights Leader Who Twice Ran For President, Dies At 84 [Gift Link]

• Karen Tumulty: While The Quiet Racism & Centrist Bias Of The Democratic Party Were Against Him In 1988, Jesse Jackson’s Campaign Made A Difference Far Into The Future [Gift Link]

• Keisha Blain: Why Jesse Jackson’s Push To ‘Keep Hope Alive’ Is More Important Now Than Ever

Second Round - Trump's Many Wars

Trump’s War On Democracy

• Senate Republican Leader Thune Guarantees Voter ID Bill Vote In The Senate, Despite Strong Democratic Opposition

• Election Denier Involved In 2020 Fake Electors Plot Wrote Part Of SAVE America Act

• Fmr. Pres. Barack Obama Calls On Americans To Fight Republican Voting Restrictions, Warns SAVE Act ‘Would Make It Harder To Vote’

• Votebeat: Trump-Backed SAVE Bill Could Throw The 2026 Midterms Into Total Disarray

Immigration Wars Continue

• DHS Shutdown Over ICE Regulations Rolls On, With No End In Sight

• Federal Judge Rules Kilmar Abrego Garcia Can’t Be Re-Detained By Immigration Authorities

• Minnesota Officials Confirm Trump FBI Refusing To Share Alex Pretti Shooting Evidence

• WCCO Minneapolis: Minnesota Family Says ICE Agents Faked Car Trouble To Lure Man Out Of Home

• Georgia Teacher Killed In Crash Caused By ICE/DHS Chasing Immigrant

• Home Builders Warn Republicans Over Trump’s Immigration Raids: ‘South Texas Will Never Be Red Again’

Third Round - The Trump/Epstein Files

• New Mexico Approves Comprehensive Probe Of Epstein’s Zorro Ranch

• Hillary Clinton Accuses Trump Administration Of Epstein Files ‘Cover-Up’ In New BBC Interview

• Tom Pritzker, Citing Epstein Connection, Steps Down As Hyatt’s Executive Chairman

• L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Now Says Casey Wasserman Should “Step Down” From LA28 Olympics Committee Amid His Appearance In Epstein Files

• Dan Pfeiffer: Why Democratic Candidates Should Run Against The Trump-Epstein Class

Fourth Round - More News To Drink About

Election Land

• Early Voting Begins For High-Stakes Texas Primary Elections

• More Than 70,000 Voters Will Now Stay On North Carolina Voter Rolls After Lawsuit Settles Case

Miscellaneous But Important

• History Matters - Judge Orders Trump Admin. To Restore Slavery Exhibit At Original President’s Home In Philadelphia

• Shooting At Rhode Island Youth Hockey Game Leaves 3 Dead, Including Shooter, And 3 More Wounded, In Apparent Domestic Violence Event

• Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs California-UK Clean Energy Pact

• Trump Lashes Out At California Gov. Newsom’s Green Energy Deal With UK

Foreign Affairs

• Iran Says Progress Made In Nuclear Talks With Trump Admin. As Iran’s Supreme Leader Warns Trump Over Military Buildup

• Ukraine And Russia Hold Peace Talks, But Expectations Remain Low

• Alleged ISIS Supporter Charged Over Plans To Attack 2024 Taylor Swift Concert In Vienna, Austria

Fifth Round - Media, Entertainment, & More

Rest In Peace

• Billy Steinberg, Songwriter Who Co-Wrote Smashes Including ‘Like a Virgin,’ ‘True Colors,’ ‘Eternal Flame’ and ‘So Emotional,’ Dies at 74

Media Matters

• Warner Bros. Discovery Agrees To Engage With Paramount In Talks, But For Now Still Backs Netflix Deal As It Sets March 20 Shareholder Vote

• Colbert Confirms CBS Execs Pulled Guest James Talarico Amid Fears Of Trump’s FCC, Posts Interview On YouTube Instead

• Democratic FCC Commissioner Criticizes CBS Decision To Ban Broadcast Of Stephen Colbert Interview With James Talarico

• Anderson Cooper To Leave 60 Minutes Amid Turmoil At CBS News

Olympic Recap

• USA Continues Women’s Bobsled Domination As Elana Meyers Taylor, Kaillie Humphries Win Monobob Gold & Bronze

• Elana Meyers Taylor Ties Record For Most Decorated American Woman At Winter Olympics

• U.S. & Canada Now Set To Meet For Gold For The 7th Time In Olympic Women’s Hockey

• ‘Blade Angels’ Glenn, Liu, And Levito To Skate In Olympic Figure Skating Women’s Short Program Today

• USA Women’s Curling Team Bounces Back With Big Win Over Denmark

• Team USA Wins Olympic Silver Medal In Men’s Speed Skating Team Pursuit

Today’s Special Guest

Jo Carducci, AKA Jo From Jerz, political commentator, firebrand, burgeoning media mogul, and friend of ours comes back to the bar tonight! We’ll talk about her prolific Substack “Are you f’ng kidding me?”, her primary podcast “Sane(ish) with Jo Carducci” & her other show with our friend BrooklynDad_Defiant! “The JoJo & BDD Show,” as well as her growing media group The Siren Network. We’ll also draw a few rounds from the News On Tap. and talk about what Jo’s plans will be for next week’s State Of The Union. Join us tonight!

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