Eight Dead in Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: Eight Dead in Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Lisa Lucera, FOX News Podcasts

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major national stories, anchored by the tragic avalanche near Lake Tahoe that resulted in eight deaths. Additional reporting covers the ongoing investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, updates on the looming federal shutdown and border security, congressional questioning of Les Wexner regarding Jeffrey Epstein, Uber’s expansion of autonomous technology, and a new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibition honoring Paul McCartney and Wings.

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Key Stories & Insights

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1. Avalanche Tragedy at Castle Peak

Timestamp: 00:02 – 00:50

• Incident Details:

  • Eight skiers died, and one remains missing after an avalanche struck a group of 15 (4 guides, 11 clients) in California’s Sierra Nevada.
  • The group was finishing a three-day winter camping trip in Castle Peak with an avalanche warning already in effect due to heavy snow and gale-force winds.

• Rescue Efforts:

  • Approximately 50 rescuers worked for hours to reach the six survivors, who managed to dig themselves out and call for help via emergency beacons.
  • Survivors’ ages ranged from 30 to 55. Two could not walk out but are expected to recover.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Lisa Lucera, (00:02): “A ski trip ends in tragedy. Eight skiers are dead and one remains missing after an avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada mountains.”
  • Unnamed Fox Correspondent, (00:13): “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.”

• Context:

  • This area near Donner Summit had been closed nearly a century before its 2020 reopening, adding to the gravity of the event.

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2. Search for Nancy Guthrie

Timestamp: 00:50 – 01:24

• Status:

  • Investigation continues as DNA from a glove near the disappearance scene did not match any profile in the FBI database.

• Next Steps:

  • Law enforcement considering genetic genealogy and databases like CODIS to pursue new leads.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Investigator Statement, (01:12): “Investigators are currently looking into additional investigative genetic genealogy options for DNA evidence to check for matches. CODIS is one option of many databases that are available.”

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3. Government Shutdown & Homeland Security

Timestamp: 01:24 – 02:01

• Political Stalemate:

  • With Congress in recess, a federal shutdown looms. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt criticizes the Democratic counterproposal as “very unserious.”

• Shutdown Impact:

  • ICE and Customs and Border Protection remain funded due to last year’s legislative package.
  • Agencies like FEMA and TSA are affected.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Caroline Levitt, (01:33): “Last night they sent over a counter proposal that frankly was very unserious and we hope they get serious very soon because Americans are going to be impacted by this.”

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4. Les Wexner and Jeffrey Epstein Investigation

Timestamp: 03:01 – 03:45

• Congressional Inquiry:

  • The House Oversight Committee deposed billionaire Les Wexner regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

• Wexner’s Statement:

  • Stated he never socialized with Epstein but gave him financial authority amid Wexner’s retail growth.
  • Severed ties in 2007 after discovering Epstein’s theft; called Epstein a “con man” and expressed regret.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Les Wexner, via statement (03:33): “He [Epstein] was a con man and I regret ever having met him.”

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5. Uber’s Autonomous Vehicle Expansion

Timestamp: 03:45 – 04:28

• Business Move:

  • Uber to invest over $100 million in autonomous vehicle charging hubs, focusing initial expansion in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Dallas.

• Partnerships:

  • Collaborating with Google’s Waymo and China’s WeRide for robo-taxis; also developing self-driving freight and delivery services.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Reporter, (03:49): “Uber Technologies is investing more than $100 million to develop autonomous vehicle charging hubs. It's Uber's latest push to scale up its self driving service.”

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6. Paul McCartney & Wings Rock Hall Exhibit

Timestamp: 04:28 – 04:59

• Upcoming Event:

  • The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will host a new exhibit spotlighting Paul McCartney and Wings—featuring instruments, handwritten lyrics, and memorabilia from 1970–1981.
  • The exhibit opens May 15.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Lisa Lucera, (04:28): “The exhibit will feature instruments, outfits, handwritten lyrics and other memorabilia of Paul McCartney and Wings.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Avalanche Coverage: 00:02 – 00:50
• Nancy Guthrie Investigation: 00:50 – 01:24
• Government Shutdown & Border Security: 01:24 – 02:01
• Jeffrey Epstein/Lex Wexner Deposition: 03:01 – 03:45
• Uber Autonomous Vehicle Expansion: 03:45 – 04:28
• McCartney & Wings Exhibit: 04:28 – 04:59

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Memorable Moments & Tone

• The opening avalanche report is stark and urgent, conveying the danger to backcountry adventurers.
• Human resilience is highlighted as survivors use beacons to call for help amidst chaos.
• The tone on the government shutdown is pointed, especially in the White House’s critique: “We hope they get serious very soon because Americans are going to be impacted by this.” (01:38)
• Les Wexner’s testimony stands out for its candid regret: “I regret ever having met him.” (03:43)

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This episode tells a compelling story of tragedy, perseverance, and ongoing controversies—keeping listeners informed about critical national headlines in a brisk, accessible format.

Transcript

[A]

A ski trip ends in tragedy. I'm Lisa Lucera, FOX News. Eight skiers are dead and one remains missing after an avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

[B]

The 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. They dug their way out and were able to send text messages with their emergency beacons and call for help. Those who survived ranged in age from 30 to 55. Two were not able to walk out, but they are expected to be okay.

[A]

Fox's Claudia Cowan in Sausalito. The skiers were on the last day of the backcountry trip. The area near Donner Summit was was closed for nearly a century before it was reopened in 2020. The Pima county sheriff says they continue to sift through evidence in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie after DNA collected on a glove found near the scene did not match any profile in the FBI database.

[C]

The sheriff's department writing investigators are currently looking into additional investigative genetic genealogy options for DNA evidence to check for matches. CODIS is one option of many databases that are available.

[A]

Fox's Matt Finn in Tucson. The Department of Homeland Security remains sh as members of Congress are in recess. White House press Secretary Caroline Levitt criticized the plan from Democrats to end the stalemate. Last night they sent over a counter proposal that frankly was very unserious and we hope they get serious very soon because Americans are going to be impacted by this. The shutdown does not affect ICE or Customs and Border protection. They are paid with funding from the passage of last year's big beautiful bill. It does affect that apartments like FEMA and the tsa. America is listening to Fox News Nearly home.

[D]

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[A]

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

[F]

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.

[A]

Uber expanding its rideshare services Uber Technologies.

[C]

Is investing more than $100 million 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 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. Chinny Coselda, FOX NEWS New exhibit coming.

[A]

To the Rock and Roll hall of Fame this summer. The museum says the exhibit will Fe 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 formation in 1971 and breakup in 1981. McCartney is in the hall as a member of the Beatles and as a solo artist. The exhibit opens May 15th. I'm Lisa Lacera. This is Fox News.

[E]

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