The Pour Over Today - Cartel Chaos Calming in Mexico, the State of the Union, the Russia-Ukraine War’s 4th Anniversary, & More | 02.25.2026

Episode Date: February 25, 2026

Today, we’re talking about violence in Mexico following the death of cartel boss “El Mencho”; President Trump’s State of the Union address; the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war; and other top news for Wednesday, February 25th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Looking to support us? You can choose to pay ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out our sponsors! We actually use and enjoy every single one. Cru Wild Alaskan HelloFresh Safe House Project Gloo QAVA CCCU Filament Bible Upside Mosh LMNT Not Just Sunday Podcast Bible Gateway Plus Life Application Study Bible Unto TPO Corrections Page

Hey there, this is Bailey at the pourover. And this is San at the poorover. Today, we're talking about violence in Mexico following the death of cartel boss Elmenscho, President Trump's State of the Union address, the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, and other top news for Wednesday, February 25th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the pourover. Here's your quote of the day. Great Grace and St.

small gifts are better than great gifts and no grace. John Bunyan. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Mexico is recovering from a wave of violence following Sunday's killing of its most wanted cartel boss, El Muncho. Born Nemesio A Segura Cervantes, El Mendoza headed up the Hylisco New Generation Cartel, also known as C-JNG, a major U.S. supplier of fentanyl, meth, and cocaine. Mexican authorities followed one of El Mancho's lovers to his hideout.

The drug lord died in custody after being injured in a shootout. C.JNG retaliated by blocking 250-plus roads and burning cars across 20-plus Mexican states. Over 70 people were killed in the operation and ensuing violence, including 25 Mexican National Guard members, El Tully, the alleged mastermind of CJNG's response, 30-plus additional suspected cartel members, and others. As of yesterday, roadblocks were reportedly cleared, thousands of security forces deployed, and normal flight schedules resumed across tourist destinations like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Cosmo. Christians live as strangers and exiles in our home countries. whether that temporary home is peaceful, disorderly, or somewhere in between. Seek the good of the land you're passing through, while eagerly anticipating the coming of your permanent home.

Jeremiah 29, 4 through 7 says, This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon. Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce. pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive. President Trump gave the country's semi-quincennial progress report last night. In his state of the union address, number 47 touted lower inflation and higher international investments than under President Biden,

a declining murder rate, his quote, pieced through strength foreign policy approach, and cracked down on illegal immigration. Half the room clapped a lot. The crowd at the Capitol, which featured astronauts from NASA's Artemis II Lunar Mission, and the Golden U.S. men's hockey team, was light on Democrats, many of whom walked out or attended counter-programming in protest.

Texas Representative Al Green was removed for holding a sign that read, Black people aren't apes. Dems tapped Virginia Governor, Spanberger to deliver the rebuttal in English and Senator Alex Padilla and Espaniel. The customary opposing party speech criticized President Trump's handling of the economy, ice raids, and more. Here are some verses to consider whether you're feeling like the state of your own life is full of good news, hard news, or the confusing in between. The Lord. The Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding and faithful love

and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. Exodus 34 versus 6 through 7. Yesterday marked the fourth anniversary of the start of the Russia-Ukraine War. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion against Ukraine, starting the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. Since 2022, rough estimates, since... suggest around 1.8 million soldiers from both sides have been killed, wounded, or are missing.

Russia at around 1.2 million. Ukraine, 600,000. Nearly 15,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, at least 763 children, and roughly 8 million Ukrainians have been displaced. Yesterday, Ukrainian President Zelensky praised his country for not raising, quote, a white flag, and defending, quote, the blue and yellow one. Several EU leaders in Kiev for the anniversary vowed to stand, quote, unwaveringly with Ukraine until peace is restored, and described the war as a, quote, failure for Russia.

The Kremlin agreed, sort of, saying Russia's, quote, goals haven't been fully achieved yet, and the invasion would continue. Join us in praying for lasting peace. between Russia and Ukraine. Let's pray. How long, oh Lord, will this stormy night stretch on?

As this conflict drags on, our helplessness grows, but you have not changed. From you alone comes perfect peace. Bring your kingdom's peace here as it is in heaven. Dismantle the suspicions that separate us. Provide for the war-torn. Heal those wounded and grieving. Free the power hungry from hatred, cruelty, and revenge.

Empower leaders with wisdom to negotiate creatively. Embolden your church to go courageously into the mess, proclaiming the gospel of peace. And in future days, when hard-fought, carefully woven reconciliation unravels again, turn our eyes to your unending reign of peace. Amen. Hey, it's Dan from the poorover. I've been making a purpose. purposeful effort to eat more seafood because I know it's packed with nutrients and I feel better when

I do. But finding quality seafood where I live is a feat. That's why I started ordering from wild Alaskan. They deliver 100% wild caught, never-firmed seafood like coho salmon and Pacific halibut straight to my door. It comes perfectly portioned and frozen right off the boat, locking in taste, texture, and nutrients like omega-3s. So it's both delicious and super easy to prep a quick nutritious dinner for my family. My first box from Wild Alaskan company definitely made me realize not all fish is the same. Get seafood you can trust. Go to wildalaskan.com slash TPO for $35.com for $3.5.com for $35 off your first box of premium wild caught seafood. That's wildalaskan.com for $35 off your first order. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates.

Northeasterners are dreaming of a white national clam chowder day. which is apparently a national holiday today. This week, Winterstorm Hernando brought blizzard conditions to over 40 million people from Virginia to Maine. The Nor'easter, which dumped a record-setting 37.9 inches of snow on Providence, Rhode Island, has left 600,000-plus residents without power, canceled thousands of flights, and led several New England states to issue travel bans. Lord Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the U.S., was arrested Monday on suspicion of giving Jeffrey Epstein confidential government information. The longtime Labor Party figure, who was released on bail yesterday morning, denies wrongdoing and says he regrets his association with Epstein.

Mandelson's arrest further widens Epstein-related fallout in Britain following last week's arrest of Andrew Mountbatten. Windsor. Anti-government protests have reignited across Iran. Demonstrations at universities began Saturday, the 40-day mark since thousands were killed in January's protests over government repression and economic hardship. Tehran says it won't, quote, bow down to pressure ahead of resuming nuclear negotiations with the U.S. Thursday. Meanwhile, the Middle East military buildup continues as Uncle Sam reportedly weighs to

Draking Iran. Recent home buyers are Googling, should I refinance my mortgage? On Monday, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 5.99%, the lowest rate since 2022, amid renewed tariff uncertainty, cooling inflation, and a less than impressive GDP report. The fluctuating factors led to a stock market sell-off,

which brought Treasury yields down, and mortgage rates down with them. The Guthrie family is offering $1 million for Nancy Guthrie's return. In a video posted yesterday, 24 days after her mother's disappearance, Savannah Guthrie acknowledged Nancy, quote, may already be gone, but that her family is, quote, blowing on the embers of hope. Investigators have received tens of thousands of tips since the search began, but no new breaks in the case have been announced.

That's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening, TPOFam. If you're listening on the Apple Podcasts app, give us a five-star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. We're grateful for your support

and hope you have a great rest of your week. Catch you on Friday. Reading the Bible is life-changing and sometimes confusing. Instead of turning to Google for answers, get clarity you can count on with Bible Gateway Plus. You get ad-free Bible study with trusted commentary and study notes from real scholars,

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