Podcast Summary: Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: Are They Buried Alive in the Snow?
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: FOX News Podcasts (Dave Anthony)

Overview

This episode delivers concise, up-to-the-minute updates on major national and international news stories. The focus includes an urgent avalanche rescue near Lake Tahoe, developments in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance, ongoing Russia-Ukraine and Iran-US diplomatic efforts, Winter Olympics accomplishments, the congressional probe into the Epstein files, and a high-profile social media trial in Los Angeles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Avalanche Rescue Near Lake Tahoe

• Situation:

  • Nine backcountry skiers remain missing after 17 hours in harsh weather conditions following an avalanche near Lake Tahoe, California.
  • Six other skiers have been rescued, with two hospitalized. The rescue was complicated by "just about the worst weather conditions you can imagine."

• Notable Insights:

  • Despite the difficult rescue, swift response and coordination with the Truckee Fire played a critical role.
  • The search continues for the missing individuals under challenging conditions.

  Quotes:

  • [00:10] Claudia Cowan: “Nine backcountry skiers have been missing for more than 17 hours in just about the worst weather conditions you can imagine.”
  • [00:21] Claudia Cowan: “It took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach the skiers and transport them to safety where they were medically evaluated... Two of the six skiers have been transported to a hospital for treatment.”

2. Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Update (Tucson, Arizona)

• Situation:

  • The investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is in its 18th day.
  • New forensic information: Two unidentified DNA samples were found—one on a glove two miles from her home, the other inside the house. These belong to different individuals and have no matches in the FBI national database.

• Notable Insights:

  • The lack of matches complicates the search for a suspect, but the analysis continues with both local sheriffs and the FBI involved.

  Quotes:

  • [00:44] Brian Yenis: “The DNA found on the glove two miles from Nancy Guthrie's home belonging to an unknown male and the DNA found inside of the Guthrie home belonging to an unknown individual are two different people.”

3. International Affairs: Russia-Ukraine and Iran-US Negotiations

• Situation:

  • Another round of US-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in Geneva, with both sides calling discussions “difficult,” centering on disputed territorial claims.
  • Indirect talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program also occurred.
  • Russia and Iran announce joint military drills in the Sea of Oman, where American warships are present.

• Notable Insights:

  • Vice President Vance, in a candid exchange, underlines the US’s stance on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

  Quotes:

  • [01:18] Vice President Vance: "It's one of the most hostile and also one of the most irrational regimes in the world. You can't have people like that have the most dangerous weapon known to man."

4. Winter Olympics Highlights

• Situation:
  • The US earned a snowboarding bronze and a silver in men's team cross country. Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo achieved his 10th career gold, more than any other Winter Olympian.
• Memorable Moment:
  • The episode briefly celebrates American and Norwegian athletic achievements at the Winter Olympics.

5. Epstein Congressional Investigation

• Situation:

  • Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused the Trump administration of “a cover up” in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, expressing a desire for next week's congressional questioning to be public.
  • Former President Bill Clinton will testify the following day, after initial resistance from both.
  • Les Wexner, the former CEO of L Brands and a figure frequently listed in the Epstein files, will also be deposed by the House Oversight Committee.

• Notable Insights:

  • The political stakes and public scrutiny around the Epstein case remain high, with public depositions promised for prominent individuals.

  Quotes:

  • [02:18] “Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is accusing the Trump administration of a cover up in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.”
  • [02:42] Jessica Rosenthal: “At one point, Wexner apparently trusted Jeffrey Epstein so much he gave him control over his personal finances, though attorneys for Wexner say Epstein ended up stealing from Wexner.”

6. Social Media Trial in Los Angeles

• Situation:

  • In a major trial, Meta (Facebook's parent company) CEO Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify, even as the trial faces delays due to a juror’s hospitalization.
  • Meta and YouTube face allegations of creating addictive features that led to teen depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Both companies deny wrongdoing and sought to limit expert and insider testimonies, but the judge allows all witnesses to take the stand.

• Notable Insights:

  • The testimony of Zuckerberg and industry experts is expected to be pivotal in the trial’s outcome, highlighting the increasing legal and societal pressure on social media platforms regarding youth mental health.

  Quotes:

  • [03:23] Ainsley Earhart: “Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will take the stand regardless of if the juror returns in time for his testimony.”
  • [03:38] Kristen Goodwin: “Meta and YouTube are accused of knowingly creating addictive features that led to teen depression, self harm and suicidal thoughts. Both have denied the claims.”

7. Market Update

• Situation:
  • Stock futures were modestly rising ahead of the opening bell.

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Context | |-----------|-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:10 | Claudia Cowan | “Nine backcountry skiers have been missing for more than 17 hours in just about the worst weather conditions..."| | 00:44 | Brian Yenis | “The DNA found on the glove two miles from Nancy Guthrie's home...are two different people.” | | 01:18 | Vice President Vance | "...You can't have people like that have the most dangerous weapon known to man.” | | 02:18 | Dave Anthony | “Hillary Clinton is accusing the Trump administration of a cover up in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.” | | 02:42 | Jessica Rosenthal | “Wexner apparently trusted Jeffrey Epstein so much he gave him control over his personal finances...” | | 03:23 | Ainsley Earhart | “Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will take the stand regardless of if the juror returns in time for his testimony.” |

Segment Timestamps

• Avalanche Rescue Near Tahoe: 00:03–00:41
• Nancy Guthrie Investigation: 00:41–01:07
• International Affairs (Geneva Talks, Iran): 01:07–02:00
• Winter Olympics: 01:40–02:00
• Epstein Investigation & Clinton Testimony: 02:18–02:42
• Les Wexner Deposition: 02:42–03:22
• Social Media Trial: 03:22–04:08
• Market Update: 04:08–04:15 (approx)

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a brisk, urgent newsroom tone, with succinct reporting and regular updates on high-stakes, evolving stories. Direct quotations and firsthand attributions keep listeners informed with a sense of immediacy and gravitas, typical of Fox News reporting.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the main headlines, context, and key quotes, offering a clear understanding of the episode's coverage without the need to listen in full.