Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: Mark Zuckerberg Will Soon Take the Witness Stand
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Dave Anthony (FOX News), with reports from Kelly Saberry, Jessica Rosenthal, Mad Finn, Jeff Manasso, and Ains Earhart

Episode Overview

This FOX News Hourly Update highlights several major headlines from February 18, 2026. The main focus is the upcoming testimony of Mark Zuckerberg as Meta faces a landmark trial over alleged harm to minors from its social media platforms. Additional stories include developments in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, the search for missing skiers at Lake Tahoe, controversy over ICE practices in Minnesota, an airport incident in Houston, Wall Street updates, and Winter Olympics highlights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mark Zuckerberg to Testify in Social Media Trial

[00:03 – 00:27]

• Main Theme: Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify in a highly-publicized court case in Los Angeles, where Meta platforms are accused of prioritizing profit over minors' safety.
• Details:
  • Plaintiffs allege Meta's Instagram and Google's YouTube intentionally designed addictive features (Autoplay, Infinite Scroll) which harmed a young user's mental health.
  • The central plaintiff is referred to as "KGM," a 20-year-old named Kaylee.
  • Snapchat and TikTok parent companies settled out of court before trial.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Kelly Saberry: “Zuckerberg's testimony will be the centerpiece of a massive trial that alleges that Zuckerberg's Meta platforms like Instagram prioritize profit over the safety of minors.” [00:13]

2. Les Wexner’s Testimony in Epstein Investigation

[00:46 – 01:18]

• Summary: Les Wexner, former CEO of L Brands (Victoria's Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, Bath & Body Works), undergoes a congressional deposition regarding ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Key Details:
  • Wexner allegedly once gave Epstein control over his personal finances.
  • Wexner claims he was a victim of Epstein’s theft, severing the relationship in 2008.
  • Wexner is "mentioned frequently in the Epstein files," per Jessica Rosenthal.
• Notable Quotes:
  • 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.” [00:57]

3. Lake Tahoe Avalanche & Nancy Guthrie Search Update

[01:18 – 01:39]

• News: Search efforts continue for missing skiers after an avalanche on Lake Tahoe, with six rescued and nine still missing.
• Additional: Forensic analysis on a glove found in the ongoing Nancy Guthrie missing person case showed no matches in federal DNA databases.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Mad Finn: “That glove of interest did not have a CODIS hit and also it did not match DNA inside the house. But...the glove could come into play at some point.” [01:39]

4. ICE Controversy in Minnesota

[02:32 – 03:14]

• Story: ICE faces lawsuits and public protests after a Mexican national suffered a skull fracture during an enforcement action in St. Paul.
  • Allegations include racial profiling and excessive force.
  • ICE claims the injury occurred as the individual attempted to flee while handcuffed.
  • The ACLU cites “hundreds of complaints” and is bringing the matter before a judge.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Jeff Manaso: “Police in Saint Paul and federal investigators looking to identify what caused skull fractures that landed the subject of ICE action in intensive care in January.” [02:32]
  • ACLU Attorney John Bealer: “When Minnesotans constitutional rights are violated, their attorneys go to courts to seek remedies. And when the courts grant those remedies, the federal government must comply.” [03:00 – 03:05]

5. Disturbance on Delta Airlines Flight in Houston

[03:14 – 03:47]

• Incident: A passenger allegedly tried to breach the cockpit of a Delta flight at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport; police responded before takeoff.
  • Officials believe the passenger had a mental health issue.
  • A man was seen escorted out in handcuffs, but official identification was not confirmed.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Ains Earhart: “Police say a person believed to be experiencing a mental health issue was taken off the aircraft.” [03:31]

6. Markets and Winter Olympics Update

[03:47 – End]

• Wall Street: Both the Dow and Nasdaq surged nearly 300 points.
• Winter Olympics:
  • Michaela Shiffrin won gold in women’s slalom, her first since 2018.
  • The U.S. trails Norway in overall Winter Olympic medals.
  • U.S. men’s hockey faces Sweden in the quarterfinals.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Dave Anthony: “American skier Michaela Shifrin won gold in women's slalom. She'd failed the medal earlier in Italy and was shut out in 2022. After winning gold in 2014 and 18…” [03:47]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Zuckerberg’s Impending Testimony:
  • “Zuckerberg's testimony will be the centerpiece of a massive trial…”
    – Kelly Saberry, [00:13]
• On Les Wexner and Jeffrey Epstein:
  • “Wexner apparently trusted Jeffrey Epstein so much he gave him control over his personal finances…”
    – Jessica Rosenthal, [00:57]
• On the ICE Lawsuit:
  • “When Minnesotans constitutional rights are violated, their attorneys go to courts to seek remedies…”
    – ACLU Attorney John Bealer (quoted by Mad Finn), [03:00]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:03 – Headline introduction; Zuckerberg testimony preview
• 00:13 – 00:27 – Social media trial, claims against Meta platforms
• 00:46 – 01:18 – Les Wexner deposition in Epstein probe
• 01:18 – 01:57 – Lake Tahoe avalanche, Nancy Guthrie search, forensic update
• 02:32 – 03:14 – ICE controversy and lawsuit in Minnesota
• 03:14 – 03:47 – Houston Delta flight disturbance
• 03:47 – End – Market surge, Winter Olympics updates

Summary

This episode offers a concise, high-tempo overview of the day's major national headlines. The focus is on Mark Zuckerberg’s upcoming court testimony related to social media harms, but the coverage spans a broad range of major legal, criminal, and sports stories. The reporting style is brisk, urgent, and fact-focused, providing listeners with an effective, up-to-date summary of current events.