Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET 02/19/2026 Newscast
Host: Chris DeMaio
Date: February 19, 2026
Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Episode Overview
This Fox News Hourly Update encapsulates breaking national and international news stories as of the early morning on February 19, 2026. The episode focuses on a tragic avalanche in California, ongoing search efforts in a high-profile missing persons case in Arizona, escalating tensions between the US and Iran, Uber’s latest investment in autonomous vehicles, and a courtroom battle involving Mark Zuckerberg and the social media industry’s impact on youth mental health.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. California Avalanche Tragedy
- Location: Sierra Nevada, California
- Casualties: Eight dead, one missing, six rescued after an avalanche buried a group of 15 skiers on a guided backcountry trip amidst a severe winter storm.
- Rescue Efforts:
- Weather remains a challenge for ongoing search operations.
- The six survivors include a man and five women, ages 30–55; two were hospitalized, one released, and all injuries are non-life-threatening.
- Officials confirm extremity of conditions and note that this is the deadliest US avalanche since 1981.
Notable Quotes:
- Sheriff Shannon Moon (00:12):
"Rescuers responded to a call about an avalanche burying 15 skiers in a rugged backcountry area Tuesday, revealing six were rescued but eight were found dead and one is still missing."
- Kristen Goodwin (00:40):
"One individual was stabilized last night and released. One is still being treated at the hospital. I've been told both subjects are non-life threatening injuries."
- Chris DeMaio (00:58):
"The avalanche [is] the deadliest in the US since 1981 when 11 climbers were killed on Mount Rainier in Washington."
2. Arizona Missing Person Case
- Subject: Search for Nancy Guthrie, missing for 19 days.
- Developments:
- Tip line receives an anonymous $100,000 donation, raising the local reward to $102,500, plus a $100,000 FBI reward.
- Law enforcement withholding operational details, including collaboration with Mexican authorities and investigative techniques.
- SWAT team movements and other search actions remain confidential.
Notable Quote:
- Grinnell Scott (01:15):
"The Pima County Sheriff's Office says its tip line has gotten an anonymous $100,000 donation to help solicit more information. That brings the local reward to $102,500 in addition to the $100,000 the FBI has offered."
3. US-Iran Tensions Escalate
- Diplomatic Update: Talks between the United States and Iran have faltered, with heightened war risk.
- US Outlook:
- A senior adviser warns of a "90% chance" of military action against Iran in the next few weeks if diplomacy fails.
- Iran claims progress but issues threats against US interests, and conducts joint naval drills with Russia.
- Context: On the eve of the inaugural Board of Peace meeting, aiming to curb conflict in Gaza and rebuild the area.
Notable Quote:
- Kevin Cork (02:37):
"There's a 90% chance of military action against Iran within the next few weeks if diplomatic efforts continue to falter."
4. Uber’s Autonomous Vehicle Expansion
- Investment: Over $100 million into autonomous vehicle charging centers.
- Implementation:
- Charging depots in key cities: Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Dallas, with plans for more.
- Collaboration with Google’s Waymo and China’s WeRide to offer robo-taxis.
- Broader ambitions: self-driving freight and delivery.
Notable Quote:
- Kristen Goodwin (03:21):
"Uber Technologies is investing more than $100 million to develop autonomous vehicle charging hubs... the move includes the depots where Uber runs day to day operations and at pit stops throughout priority cities."
5. Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Zuckerberg Courtroom Testimony
- Context:
- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies regarding Instagram's impact on youth mental health, amid a lawsuit filed by a 20-year-old plaintiff aiming to hold social media giants accountable.
- Debate on companies’ responsibilities and internal advice on how Zuckerberg should present himself.
Notable Quote:
- Chris DeMaio (04:03):
"The Meta CEO answered questions about young people's use of Instagram, even the internal advice he received to be authentic and not robotic. The plaintiff, a now 20 year old woman, is seeking to hold social media companies responsible for mental health harms to children who use their platforms."
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Avalanche in Sierra Nevada: 00:02–00:58
- Search for Nancy Guthrie: 01:15–01:54
- US-Iran Tensions: 02:31–03:18
- Uber Autonomous Vehicle Expansion: 03:21–04:03
- Zuckerberg Testifies on Social Media & Mental Health: 04:03–04:28
Memorable Moments
- Sheriff Shannon Moon describing the extreme conditions of the avalanche rescue (00:12, 00:49).
- Breaking update on the unprecedented reward for Nancy Guthrie’s case (01:15).
- Stark warning over potential US-Iran military conflict, as diplomatic efforts falter (02:37).
- Uber’s ambitious move into autonomous vehicle infrastructure, signaling the future of rideshare (03:21).
- Public scrutiny of Meta’s leadership and youth mental health in court (04:03).
This Fox News Hourly Update rapidly covers high-impact stories—capturing urgent developments and public safety issues, technological innovation, and geopolitics—in a concise, direct style representative of the network’s breaking news ethos.