11PM ET 02/18/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 11PM ET 02/18/2026

Host: FOX News Podcasts | Date: February 19, 2026

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Overview

This episode delivers a concise, high-level summary of the day’s most significant political, legal, and cultural stories. Key segments focus on President Trump’s administration’s economic messaging leading up to the midterm elections, the ongoing scrutiny of social media’s effect on youth through legal testimony, missing persons cases, a deadly avalanche in California, and business and entertainment updates.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. Trump Administration Refines Economic Messaging for the Midterms

• [00:03–00:44]
  • Lisa Lacera introduces President Trump’s cabinet efforts in shaping their communication strategy on the economy ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
  • Caroline Levitt reports dozens of administration officials gathering on Capitol Hill to coordinate their approach and emphasize economic success.
  • Ainsley Earhart highlights Trump’s intention to travel more frequently to promote his economic record:

    "That's what the president loves to do to get out across the country. He's spoken about his intention to go across the country a lot more." [00:20]

  • Despite efforts, polling suggests most Americans remain dissatisfied with the handling of the economy, while Democrats focus their campaigns on affordability.
  • The White House hints the economy will be central to next week’s State of the Union address.

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2. Tech on Trial: Mark Zuckerberg Testifies in LA

• [00:44–01:15]
  • Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appears in a Los Angeles court as part of a trial focused on social media companies’ roles in youth self-harm and addiction.
  • A 20-year-old accuser alleges platforms are purposely addictive and harmful to young users.
  • Zuckerberg admits children under 13 aren’t allowed on Instagram but concedes:

    "[Admitting] age verification is difficult." [00:44–01:15]

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3. Ongoing Search for Missing Nancy Guthrie

• [01:15–01:31]
  • Jonathan Hunt describes the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84, mother of "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie.
  • DNA searches have failed to find a match in the FBI database; authorities now turn to genetic genealogy—including companies like Othram—for leads.
  • Nancy Guthrie has been missing for 18 days.

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4. Lake Tahoe Avalanche Leaves Eight Dead

• [01:31–02:00]
  • Six people were rescued after being trapped for six hours following an avalanche at Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada.
  • Eight skiers are confirmed dead, and one remains missing as search and rescue operations continue.

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5. Legal Inquiry: Les Wexner Questioned on Epstein Relationship

• [02:31–03:17]
  • House Oversight Committee staff attorneys deposed 88-year-old billionaire Les Wexner, longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Wexner’s opening statement (via Jessica Rosenthal) denies any close friendship and asserts:

    "I've been the subject of outrageous and untrue statements, but my heart goes out to the survivors of Epstein's crimes." [02:36]

  • He claims to have cut ties with Epstein nearly 20 years ago upon discovering theft and labels Epstein "a con man," expressing regret for ever having met him.

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6. Uber Invests in Autonomous Vehicle Infrastructure

• [03:17–03:59]
  • Ginny Coselda reports Uber’s $100+ million investment to establish charging hubs for autonomous vehicles.
  • The project begins in key markets like California’s Bay Area, LA, and Dallas, facilitating Uber’s expansion into self-driving rideshare and freight through partnerships (Google’s Waymo and China’s Weride).

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7. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Hosts Paul McCartney Exhibit

• [03:59–04:28]
  • The new summer exhibit will spotlight Paul McCartney and Wings, featuring instruments, outfits, handwritten lyrics, and other memorabilia.
  • The exhibit traces McCartney’s work from his 1970 solo debut to Wings’ disbandment in 1981.
  • Opens May 15th in Cleveland.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Ainsley Earhart on Trump’s campaign style:

  "That's what the president loves to do to get out across the country. He's spoken about his intention to go across the country a lot more." [00:20]

• Jessica Rosenthal quoting Les Wexner:

  "I've been the subject of outrageous and untrue statements, but my heart goes out to the survivors of Epstein's crimes." [02:36]

• Jonathan Hunt on the Guthrie case:

  "Investigators hit something of a DNA dead end in terms of finding a match on the FBI's database. They're now also looking at genetic genealogy testing, turning to companies like Othram..." [01:15]

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Timestamps for Significant Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------| | 00:03–00:44 | Trump admin economic messaging, midterm context | | 00:44–01:15 | Zuckerberg court testimony, youth self-harm | | 01:15–01:31 | Nancy Guthrie disappearance investigation | | 01:31–02:00 | Lake Tahoe avalanche tragedy | | 02:31–03:17 | Les Wexner deposition on Epstein ties | | 03:17–03:59 | Uber autonomous charging hub investment | | 03:59–04:28 | Paul McCartney & Wings Hall of Fame exhibit |

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Tone:
The episode maintains an urgent, fact-forward news delivery style—direct, focused, and informative, with correspondents delivering reports in a neutral, concise manner.

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Transcript

[Lisa Lacera]

Getting the word out. I'm Lisa Lacera of Fox News. President Trump's cabinet refining its messaging on the economy ahead of the midterm elections.

[Caroline Levitt]

Dozens of administration members gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday for a meeting on midterm messaging and touting economic success.

[Ainsley Earhart]

And that's what the president loves to do to get out across the country. He's spoken about his intention to go across the country a lot more.

[Caroline Levitt]

White House Press secretary Caroline Levitt previewing a Thursday trip to Georgia where President Trump will visit businesses. Still, polling shows a majority of Americans are not satisfied with the president's handling of the economy as Democrats campaign on a platform of affordability.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House. The White House has hinted the economy will be a main theme of next week's State of the Union address. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg taking the stand in a trial in Los angeles and now 20 year old accuses social media companies of creating platforms that are addictive and contribute to self harm among young people. Zuckerberg told the court that people under 13 are not allowed on Instagram but also admitting age verification is difficult. The Pima County Sheriff's Office digging deeper into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

[Jonathan Hunt]

Investigators hit something of a DNA dead end in terms of finding a match on the FBI's database. They're now also looking at genetic genealogy testing, turning to companies like Othram, which is a Woodlands, Texas based company.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's Jonathan Hunt in Tucson. The 84 year old mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie has been missing for 18 days. Eight skiers are dead. One is missing after an avalanche near Lake Tahoe in California. Search and rescue crews went to the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada after getting a call late yesterday. Six people were rescued after being trapped in the avalanche for six hours. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Lisa Lacera]

The House Oversight Committee has questioned a billionaire former friend of Jeffrey Epstein.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

Staff attorneys went to the home of 88 year old billionaire Les Wexner to take his deposition in New Albany, Ohio. Fox News Digital obtained his opening statement in which Wexner said he's pleased to testify to set the record straight that he's been the subject of outrageous and untrue statements, but also that his heart goes out to the survivors of Epstein's crimes. Now, as far as his relationship with Epstein, Wexner said he didn't socialize with him but hired Epstein and gave him power of attorney over financial matters as Wexner's retail empire grew. However, as Epstein's legal Troubles grew in 2007, Wexner and his wife found Epstein had been stealing from them and they cut ties. Nearly 20 years ago, Wexner said Epstein was a con man and he regrets ever having met him. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News Uber is expanding.

[Ginny Coselda]

Their rideshare services Uber Technologies is investing more than 100 million doll dollars to develop autonomous vehicle charging hubs. It's Uber's latest push to scale up its self driving service. The move includes the depots where Uber runs day to day operations and at pit stops throughout priority cities. The charging expansion will start in California's Bay Area and Los Angeles, also in Dallas. Before expanding, Uber has partnered with Google's Waymo in the US China's Weride to offer robo taxis on its ride app. It's also working on self driving, freight and delivery. Ginny Coselda, FOX News A new exhibit.

[Lisa Lacera]

Coming to the Rock and Roll hall of Fame this summer. The museum says the exhibit will feature instruments, outfits, handwritten lyrics and other memorabilia of Paul McCartney and Wings. It tracks McCartney's path from his first solo album in 1970 through Wings, forming in 1971 and breaking up in 1981. McCartney is in the hall as a member of the Beatles and a solo artist. The exhibit opens May 15th. I'm Lisa Licera. This is FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Podcast Narrator]

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