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Major Winter Storm Strengthens into Powerful Bomb Cyclone; Tourists Trapped After Violence Erupts in Mexico Over Killing of El Mencho; Trump's Net Approval Pre-State-of-the-Union Address. Aired 8:00-8:30a ET
Aired February 23, 2026 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[08:00:00]
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: ... to fly with the dog as a service animal. So she left the dog at the counter and went to try to catch her flight. She did not, by the way, make it on the plane. She was stopped before she got on board.
In any case, a new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.
SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, this morning's breaking news, the massive bomb cyclone slamming 40 million people along the Northeast, dumping up to a foot and a half of heavy snow with near hurricane force winds triggering states of emergency and travel bans.
Now, in Mexico, worry about what happens next after Special Forces took out a drug lord over the weekend, creating a cartel leadership vacuum, and you're seeing fires in the streets after this. This hour, we speak to an American stranded by the wave of violence there.
And new polling this morning ahead of the president's State of the Union address. CNN's polling showing Donald Trump is about to face an increasingly disapproving public that questions his priorities.
I'm Sara Sidner with John Berman and Kate Bolduan. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, we're continuing to track the breaking news this morning of snow, snow and more snow, guys. We're taking here's a live camera of snowy New York City this morning. Just one view of it.
This is one of the strongest winter storms that millions have seen in years. It's hitting the Northeast right now. More than, as Sara said, more than 40 million people are facing blizzard warnings across 11 states.
I'm going to show you also what it looks like in Times Square as we speak. The storm -- or early this morning -- the storm intensifying enough that it's now considered a bomb cyclone. Widespread blizzard conditions are being felt across the region.
We're talking Boston, Providence, Hartford and the New York City metro area. More than a foot has already fallen in some areas. It's expected to continue falling at a rate of two to three inches per hour through 10 a.m. Add to that wind gusts that have hit some 70 miles an hour in places. It's making for whiteout conditions, of course. Let me play for you Boston's mayor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR MICHELLE WU, (D) BOSTON: This is a very serious storm that has the potential to be a historic nor'easter. Please, please make plans to stay inside. Stay warm.
Do not be on the roads. We're seeing that the rate of snowfall could be upwards of an inch, two inches an hour. That will be whiteout conditions.
And so we need everyone to just be inside. Stay warm, stay safe and let the plows do their work.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BOLDUAN: And they're working hard. The roads are understandably a mess throughout the region, impassable in some places. A snowplow overturned in Long Island, actually creating something of a spill that took hours to clean up.
By the time this finally ends, we could be looking at two feet of snow in spots. We have full team coverage for you across the region. Boston, Philadelphia, New York and the CNN Weather Center.
Let's start with Michael Yoshida. Michael, what are you seeing in Boston?
MICHAEL YOSHIDA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Kate. You talk about this nor'easter. What's pretty nasty out here at this point.
You heard the mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, in that sound by talking about the seriousness of the storm. Well we're starting to see that these heavy winds, all of this snow falling at this point. We do have plows out. You can see one there.
We look over to the side. We have some of the smaller trucks with their plows going as they're trying to keep up with all of this snow that has really picked up over the last few hours here in Boston. When we talk about the entire state of Massachusetts, we know a state of emergency was issued by the governor.
Some 3,000 pieces of equipment ready to try and handle all of this snowfall here in Boston. We know more than 900 pieces of equipment are going to be trying to keep up with all of these conditions. They are asking people if you don't have to be out here, to please stay home.
But it's not just the snow and the wind that we are worried about. It's what that means for the potential for power outages. Checking the MEMA power outage map a short time ago here for the state of Massachusetts, we had already more than one hundred thousand people without power. When you get this snow, which if you looked out, it's heavy, it's thick, it's wet. They are worried once that gets on the trees, gets on the power lines. That's what leads to these power outages.
We do know hundreds of tree crews, line crews. They're staged throughout the state, mostly in the Cape area where there's a big concern for those power outages. But of course, they can't get out and start working to make repairs until this passes.
And we're just really getting into the thick of it here in Boston -- Kate.
BOLDUAN: All right, Michael Yoshida, in the middle of it, seeing a lot of snowplows around you, which is a wonderful sight to see on a day like this.
YOSHIDA: And they are going to need them there.
BERMAN: They're going to need them there. I need to check on my parents who are up there. If you're watching, text me now.
[08:05:00]
All right. So where is this storm going? How bad will it get?
Let's get to senior meteorologist Derek Van Dam. Who's next, Derek?
DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: All right. So Montauk already reporting a wind gust of hurricane strength this morning. I'm going to show you two different live shots.
One, you're looking at Philadelphia. This is happening as we speak. You can see the American flag flying around.
But look to my left. That is a caked over ice cam. We'll call it an ice cam this morning.
This is coming out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. And I'm bringing this up because this is the nature of the snow that is falling from the sky. It is very heavy.
It is very wet. And it is accumulating quickly on the branches and the tree limbs. And you factor in the winds, and you know we've got problems.
Blizzard conditions. Over 70 mile per hour wind gusts reported from the coastal areas of New Jersey through the Cape. That is why we are reducing the visibilities to under a quarter mile sustained winds over 35 miles per hour.
We'll call this a "snowcane" this morning because, yes, it looks like a hurricane. In fact, it's got minimum central pressure of 972 millibars. That's equivalent to a typical Category 2 hurricane.
So check this out. We've already had over 15 inches in Central Park. So this is the fifth largest snowfall or in the past five years, I should say, significant.
Long Island, you go further east on 495. And, yes, we're approaching 20 inches, nearly two feet in New Jersey. The radar lighting up like a Christmas tree.
But if we get specific, you can see the winds that are really going to cause the havoc on this heavy, wet snowfall that is falling. We're going to come to an end here this morning quickly in the nation's capital. But sliding further north and east on I-95, New York to Philadelphia into the Hamptons as well as the Cape, the Massachusetts Turnpike.
These areas are going to get clobbered with the heavy snowfall. And then you factor in the winds. And that's where we start to bring down the tree branches.
There's a lot of pine trees across this area. So with that heavy, wet snow accumulating and the winds gusting over Hurricane Force for some locations, that will continue to increase. The power outage numbers that last I checked were approaching a half a million customers with this bomb cyclone that is moving through.
Yes, the snow comes to an end late this evening for New York City. But it continues into Boston through the overnight hours and then the winds and the cold air behind it -- John.
BERMAN: Yes, that does not look good. And those winds are strong. And they're going to get it for some time in some of these locations.
All right, Derek Van Dam, keep us posted throughout the morning. Thank you very much.
SIDNER: You had to walk to work the same way I did today. I got pushed by the wind.
BERMAN: If you crossed the street, yes, it was hard.
SIDNER: But it was literally, we went a block. And it was like I was running because the wind was just shoving me.
BERMAN: I couldn't see where I was going. I almost ended up at, like, Fox. I mean, honestly, like, you know, you couldn't see anything.
SIDNER: John --
BERMAN: Just saying.
SIDNER: I'm just going to leave it there. I'm glad you made it here.
All right, this morning, tourists stranded as violence and chaos breaks out across Mexico after special forces kill a drug lord there. We're learning more about the raid as American citizens are stranded because of the violence.
Plus, new polling this morning. It spells bad news for President Trump as he prepares to address the nation tomorrow at the State of the Union.
Also, not even a steel gate and heavy chains could stop these crooks from taking off with tens of thousands of dollars worth of trading cards.
All of those stories coming up.
[08:10:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SIDNER: This morning, thousands of tourists remained stranded in parts of Mexico as a wave of violence sweeps across several Mexican states. The unrest was triggered by a high-stakes military operation where Mexican Special Forces killed cartel leader who is known as El Mencho. The long-pursued leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, widespread violence from suspected cartel members caused several airlines to cancel all their flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta.
Those stranded in the popular resort town now are saying it feels more like a war zone there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRAVIS DAGENAIS, AMERICAN FROM LA STUCK IN PUERTO VALLARTA: It really did look and feel like a war zone. And I think that feeling of anxiety, that feeling of what does happen next or what could happen next is driving what a lot of people are feeling right now. It's also a place where Canadian tourists, American tourists and tourists from around the world do see a safe haven, a bit of a paradise.
So it is jarring to have that contrast.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIDNER: Yes, it is a paradise. CNN's Valeria Leon joins us now from Mexico City. You know, so many people from around the world go to Puerto Vallarta to enjoy the beauty of that place because it is a gorgeous place to be.
Right now though, some of them are really scared. Can you give us some sense of what is going on here and the story behind this cartel leader?
VALERIA LEON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Sara, the impact of the violence following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, is now extending into daily life across western Mexico, including schools, sports and public events. Authorities say classes have been suspended, businesses ordered to close and curfews remain in place in several cities as security forces work to prevent further unrest.
Now the United States is addressing its role in the operation. In a statement posted online, Karoline Leavitt, the U.S. Press Secretary, spoke about American involvement.
[08:15:00]
I quote, "The United States will ensure narco-terrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland are forced to face the wrath of justice they have long deserved."
And the Trump administration also commends and thanks the Mexican military.
Meanwhile, in resort areas like Puerto Vallarta, American visitors describe hotels locking down, staff also warning guests not to go out and roads blocked by burning vehicles. Some international flights have been cancelled, leaving travelers stranded and the U.S. State Department has advised Americans in affected areas to shelter in place as Mexican authorities try to contain the situation. Also, airlines have responded as well with AeroMexico cancelling all flights to Puerto Vallarta amid the unrest. And this is not a small resort. Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico's most visited destinations with more than 6 million tourists passing through last year.
All of this unfolding as Mexico confronts a critical test of security and leadership. This detention marks one of the most significant blows to organized crime in recent years and the first high-profile security operation under President Claudia Sheinbaum -- Sara.
SIDNER: It is just, these scenes are incredible and what has happened is actually incredible there where such a high-level member of a cartel has been taken out. Valeria Leon, thank you very much. I know the tourists are very scared, but of course the residents have to live with this.
And so a lot of people thinking about what their lives are going to be like as well in these next coming days. Appreciate your reporting there from Mexico City for us -- Kate.
BOLDUAN: All right, thank you. And we're going to speak with one of the tourists, American tourists now stuck in Mexico. They're going to be our guest coming up.
We're also tracking the storm this morning. It's packing a very serious punch across the northeast. Right now, hundreds of thousands are waking up without power.
Also happening this morning, a woman's going on trial accused of killing her husband and then writing a children's book about grief.
[08:20:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BOLDUAN: Tomorrow will be the fourth State of the Union address delivered by President Trump between his two terms in office. And new CNN polling is now out on the eve of this big event showing some record lows for President Trump's approval. Overall job approval now standing at 36 percent.
But there's much more to it, especially when you look in the past. CNN's Harry Enten is running the numbers on this one for us. Harry, what's your take with what you're looking at on how people are feeling about how Trump is doing in this moment?
HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes, OK. I would borrow the phrasing of Tony Blair, of course, the former prime minister of Great Britain, saying, weak, weak, weak. It was weak over there in the United Kingdom.
It is weak here in the United States when it comes to President Trump. OK, Trump's net approval rating. Look at all the pre-SOTU polls, the State of the Union.
Look at this. OK, we're at this point. Look at that.
Negative 27 points. My goodness gracious, the snow is up to the knees here in New York City. And Trump seems to be well underneath it at this point.
Compare that to where he was in 2020, 2019, and 2018. In term one, going into those State of the Unions. Minus 10.
Way lower now. Minus 15. Way lower now.
Minus 15. Way lower now. The bottom line is this.
Donald Trump has never been weaker going into a State of the Union address according to our CNN polling than he is right now, and weaker by a considerable amount.
BOLDUAN: So this is his first term to his second term. How does it compare to other presidents at this point in their second term, though?
ENTEN: Yes, OK. It's not just that Donald Trump is breaking records compared to himself when it comes to State of the Unions. He's breaking records compared to other presidents at this point going into a State of the Union.
What are we talking about? Look at all the 21st century presidents on your screen right here. About at this point in his second term going into the State of the Union.
Trump at minus 27 points. Obama was at minus 15 points. George W. Bush was at minus 11 points.
You don't have to be a mathematical genius to know that minus 27 points is considerably lower than minus 15 or minus 11. So Trump isn't just weaker than he's ever been going into a State of the Union address.
He is weaker than any other president this century going into a State of the Union address at this point in their second term.
BOLDUAN: You're talking about it all throughout the show as we're going through these numbers but talk about what is driving this drop for the president. ENTEN: What is driving this drop? I said record was the name of the game when it came to this segment, right? Talking about the lowest Trump has ever been going into the State of the Union, the lowest that any president has been this century going into a State of the Union at this point in their presidency.
It is also the weakest that Donald Trump has ever been with independents. Look at this drop. We've been talking about it the past few months.
At this point, a year ago, Donald Trump was at minus 13 points. Look at this. Minus 47 points among independents.
The lowest Donald Trump has ever been in either of his two terms as president with independents. That is driving these numbers. When you're 47 points underwater with independents, that's the name of the game.
You can't be above water overall, and that's why Donald Trump is near record lows overall and the lowest he's ever been going into a State of the Union address.
BOLDUAN: Quite a message on the eve of this big moment.
ENTEN: Yes.
Thank you, Harry.
ENTEN: Thank you.
BOLDUAN: John.
BERMAN: Those numbers with independents, just eye-popping there.
All right, news this morning for folks who depend on their TSA pre- check. The Trump administration had threatened to suspend it due to this partial shutdown. So what we have learned will happen next.
[08:25:00]
And first, the former Prince Andrew was under arrest. Now, he's in the Louvre, in a manner of speaking. What's going on here?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: All right, this morning, millions are waking up to whiteout conditions across the northeast. You see that car right there with its wipers up. That's why you leave the wipers up.
This bomb cyclone dumping heavy snow, unleashing powerful winds, causing coastal flooding. In New York City, a travel ban remains in place until noon today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR ZOHRAN MANDANI, (D) NEW YORK: We are asking New Yorkers to avoid all non-essential travel. Please, for your safety, stay home. Stay inside.
And stay off the roads.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Snowfall totals atop more than 15 inches in Central Park at both LaGuardia and JFK as well. Long Island, more than 22 inches. Let's get right to seeing as Gloria Pazmino here in New York City ...
[08:30:00]
