5PM ET 02/18/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 5PM ET, February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update provides concise coverage of the day's biggest national stories, spanning politics, major news events, crime investigations, and sports. Stories range from President Biden’s upcoming economic message and Black History Month remarks, to an avalanche in California, updates on the Jeffrey Epstein case, and a redemption story at the Winter Olympics.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Biden’s Economic Message & Black History Month Tribute

Timestamps: 00:03–00:24

• President Biden will address the nation about the economy at the next State of the Union and in an upcoming speech in Georgia.
• At a White House event for Black History Month, President Biden:
  • Celebrated the contributions of Black Americans.
  • Paid tribute to civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, calling him a hero and a good man a day after his passing.
• Some Democratic lawmakers will boycott the State of the Union in favor of a progressive rally.
  Notable Quote:
  • President Biden: "We thank God for the strength and courage and grit and devotion of black Americans who have helped make America the most powerful country in the history of the world." (00:15)

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2. Potomac River Sewage Spill – Political Blame Game

Timestamps: 00:24–01:23

• The Trump administration offers federal help for a massive sewage spill in the Potomac River after last month’s pipe collapse.
• President Trump blames Democratic leaders in VA, MD, and DC for the disaster; Maryland Governor Wes Moore claims the federal government is responsible.
• Federal agencies have plans ready but await state and city requests to act. Notable Quotes:
  • White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt: "President Trump blames the Democratic leaders... for last month's pipe collapse that surged millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac..." (00:47)
  • White House Official: "Again, we've been standing by. This is a problem we want to fix." (01:03)
  • Caroline Levitt: "President Trump needs to do his job." (Conveying MD Governor's criticism) (01:13)

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3. Deadly Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe

Timestamps: 01:23–01:53

• 8 skiers confirmed dead, 1 still missing after an avalanche struck a group on a multi-day winter camping trip near Castle Peak, CA.
• Harsh conditions – heavy snow, gale-force winds, and warnings – made rescue efforts challenging.
• Six survivors were rescued after hours. Notable Moment:
  • Fox reporter describes the avalanche as “the length of a football field.” (01:31)

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4. House Oversight Committee Questions Les Wexner over Epstein Ties

Timestamps: 02:15–02:43

• Billionaire Les Wexner testifies remotely regarding his financial and business ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Lawmakers question Wexner’s claim that he was unaware of Epstein’s theft or abuse.
• Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett expresses skepticism about Wexner’s missing funds claim. Notable Quotes:
  • Jasmine Crockett: "Almost inconceivable to be missing the amounts of money that are missing and somehow Mr. Wexner have no idea." (02:32)
• Wexner insists his relationship with Epstein was only business, not social.

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5. Epstein’s Zorro Ranch Bought by Political Candidate, Plans Christian Retreat

Timestamps: 03:07–03:33

• Former Texas Senator Don Huffines and his wife purchased Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch in New Mexico.
• Huffines plans to rename it “San Rafael Ranch” and turn it into a Christian retreat centered on healing.
• NM lawmakers are investigating possible abuses and trafficking at the ranch. Notable Moment:
  • Huffines revealed intentions to “remake it as a Christian retreat.” (03:07)

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6. Michaela Shiffrin Wins Gold – Olympic Redemption

Timestamps: 03:33–04:02

• American skier Michaela Shiffrin wins gold in the women’s slalom at the Winter Olympics in Italy, her final Olympic event.
• This marks her third career gold and first since 2014 after overcoming previous setbacks and a crash-induced PTSD in 2024. Notable Moments:
  • “Shifrin had gotten eight starts in Olympic competition without a medal.”
  • “Wednesday’s victory in Italy, Shiffrin’s third career gold medal and first since the 2014 Olympics.” (03:48)

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7. Financial Markets Update

Timestamps: 04:02–04:10

• Stock markets finished higher: Dow up 129 points, S&P and Nasdaq also closed in the green.

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Memorable Quotes & Segments (with Timestamps)

• President Biden on Black Americans’ contributions:
  "We thank God for the strength and courage and grit and devotion of black Americans who have helped make America the most powerful country in the history of the world." (President Joe Biden, 00:15)
• On geopolitical finger-pointing over Potomac sewage:
  "Again, we've been standing by. This is a problem we want to fix." (White House Official, 01:03)
• Congressional skepticism about Les Wexner's Epstein testimony:
  "Almost inconceivable to be missing the amounts of money that are missing and somehow Mr. Wexner have no idea." (Rep. Jasmine Crockett, 02:32)

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Additional Highlights

• Democratic lawmakers’ planned boycott of the State of the Union (00:24).
• Ongoing investigation into abuse at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch as it’s set to become a Christian facility (03:33).
• Strong close for U.S. financial markets rounding out the newscast (04:02).

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This Fox News Hourly Update delivers a snapshot of major political, social, and sports stories, punctuated by direct statements from figures at the heart of each issue, and contextual political and legal developments.

Transcript

[Alisa Brady]

The president has a message for the American people. Alisa Brady, FOX News. He says he'll be talking about the economy in next week's State of the Union address and tomorrow in Georgia, insisting he's making life better for all Americans.

[President Joe Biden]

But we thank God for the strength and courage and grit and devotion of black Americans who have helped make America the most powerful country in the history of the world.

[Alisa Brady]

This during a White House event marking Black History Month. Also paying tribute to the Reverend Jesse Jackson a day after his passing, calling him a hero and a good man. Several Democratic lawmakers say they'll boycott the State of the Union instead, planning to attend a rally being organized by progressive groups on the National Mall. The Trump administration says it's ready to help clean up a massive sewage spill in the Potomac River.

[White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt]

President Trump blames the Democratic leaders of Virginia, Maryland and D.C. for last month's pipe collapse that surged millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac. White House press secretary Caroline Levitt says the president is waiting for a request from the governors and mayor.

[White House Official]

The federal government has been preparing plans. The White House has been in contact with fema, with the Army Corps of Engineers, with the Environmental Protection Agency. Again, we've been standing by. This is a problem we want to fix.

[White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt]

Maryland Governor Wes Moore says the collapse pipe is the responsibility of the federal government, saying the spill is mostly contained and President Trump needs to do his job.

[Alisa Brady]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House Eight skiers confirmed dead, one still missing after an avalanche near Lake Tahoe in California.

[Fox Reporter]

A group of 15 skiers, four guides and 11 of their clients finishing up a three day winter camping trip in Castle Peak. An avalanche warning was in effect at the time. With heavy snow and gale force winds, it took hours for some 50 rescuers to get to a group of six that managed to survive the avalanche that was described as the length of a football field.

[Alisa Brady]

Fox's Claudia Cowan in Sausalito America is listening to FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

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

[Podcast Narrator]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Alisa Brady]

A billionaire businessman testifies to the House Oversight Committee about his former relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, leaving some members of the panel skeptical, including about Les Wexner's claim he didn't realize Epstein was stealing money from him. Texas Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett it is.

[White House Official]

Almost inconceivable to be missing the amounts of money that are missing and somehow Mr. Wexner have no idea.

[Alisa Brady]

Wexner telling the panel Epstein was managing his personal finances in a business, not social relationship and that he didn't know about Epstein's abuse of young women and girls. Staff attorneys for the committee taking Wexner's deposition at his Ohio home after the 88 year old was mentioned repeatedly in the Epstein files. One text a Texas politician plans to turn a ranch once owned by Epstein into a religious retreat.

[Ainsley Earhart]

In a post on X, Don huffines reveals in 2023, he and his wife bought the Zorro ranch near Stanley, New Mexico. The nearly 8,000 acre property owned by late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for more than two decades until his death. Huffines, a former Texas state senator currently running for Texas comptroller, says he's renaming it San Rafael Ranch after the saint associated with healing, noting he plans to remake it as a Christian retreat.

[Alisa Brady]

Fox's Kristin Goodwin State lawmakers in New Mexico have launched an investigation into possible abuse and trafficking at the ranch. Redemption for American skier Michaela Shiffrin, the 30 year old winning gold in the women's slalom, her final event of the Winter Olympics in Italy.

[Podcast Narrator]

The most decorated Alpine skier ever, Shifrin had gotten eight starts in Olympic competition without a medal. In 2024, she suffered a crash that left her with PTSD. Wednesday's victory in Italy, Shifra's third career gold medal and first since the 2014 Olympics.

[Alisa Brady]

Fox's Jared Max Stocks finish higher, the Dow up 129 points. The S and P and the Nasdaq also finish in the green. Elisa Brady, Fox News.