NPR News Now: February 18, 2026, 2AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder, NPR
Date: February 18, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise news update covers major stories from across the United States: a perilous avalanche rescue operation in California, controversy over the FBI's seizure of Georgia’s 2020 election ballots, deadly vehicle pileups in Colorado, developments in a missing persons case in Arizona, a community vigil after a tragic shooting in Rhode Island, groundbreaking research linking air pollution to Alzheimer's disease, and a brief preview of American skier Mikaela Shiffrin’s upcoming Olympic appearance.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. California Avalanche Rescue

[00:15 – 01:15]

• Incident: Six skiers rescued after being caught in an avalanche near Castle Peak, northwest of Lake Tahoe; nine people still missing.
• Context: The group had stayed at a backcountry hut since Sunday, heading back when the avalanche occurred.
• Warnings: Sierra Avalanche Center had issued warnings only hours before.
• Ongoing Risks:

  "The storm is ongoing. You know, it's still snowing anywhere from 2 to 4 inches an hour right now, and that avalanche path is reloading with new snow very rapidly."
  — Brian Schwartz, Lead Forecaster, Sierra Avalanche Center [00:54]

• Response: Truckee-based Blackbird Mountain Guides involved in the response, in contact with affected clients.
• Reporter: Greg Mechek, CAP Radio

2. Georgia Ballot Seizure Controversy

[01:15 – 02:01]

• Story: Fulton County officials allege the FBI misled a magistrate judge to seize 2020 election ballots.
• Concerns:
  • Legal filings say agents did not allege a crime and omitted evidence from state inquiries confirming no fraud and Biden's win.
  • Quoting from county’s filing:

    "...the Fourth Amendment demands probable cause, not possible cause."
    — Legal filings, Fulton County [01:26]

• Investigation: NPR review found significant omissions in the FBI's affidavit.
• Reporter: Stephen Fowler, NPR News Atlanta

3. Colorado Storm and Fatal Highway Crash

[02:01 – 02:28]

• Incident: More than 30 vehicles, including six semi-trailers, crashed on I-25 due to “brownout” conditions from blowing dirt.
• Casualties: Four dead, nearly 30 hospitalized with varying injuries.
• Conditions:

  "The lack of moisture and stuff that we've had in the area recently. The dirt and everything just transversed all the way across i25 and created just what I'll call is a dirt or a brownout."
  — Maj. Brian Lyons, State Patrol [02:17]

• Additional Impact: Strong winds also caused wildfires and flight delays at Denver Airport.

4. New Development in Missing Arizona Woman Case

[02:28 – 03:14]

• Case: Nancy Guthrie disappeared Feb 1; glove found near her home did not match known individuals.
• Details:
  • Glove matched those worn by an armed intruder seen in video disabling Guthrie's doorbell camera.
  • The incident remains under investigation by Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI.

5. Rhode Island Community Reacts to Hockey Game Shooting

[03:14 – 03:49]

• Incident: Shooting at a youth hockey game; shooter killed ex-wife and one son, injured three others, then died by suicide.
• Community Response: Vigil held in Pawtucket.
• Casualties: Three additional people injured, including the ex-wife’s parents and a family friend.

6. Air Pollution Link to Alzheimer’s Disease

[03:49 – 04:35]

• Study: New research published in PLOS Medicine connects dirty air to increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in people with a history of stroke.
• Scope: Study analyzed Medicare data for millions of US patients.
• Context: Air quality improved in recent decades, but policy shifts in 2025 by the Trump administration signaled possible regulatory changes.
• Quote:

  “It found that older Americans had a higher chance of getting diagnosed with Alzheimer’s if they had lived in a place with dirty air within the previous five years, especially if the person had also had a stroke.”
  — Alejandra Barunda, NPR [03:49]

7. Olympics Preview: Mikaela Shiffrin Returns

[04:35 – 04:54]

• Story: American skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin aims to end her Olympic medal drought in Italy.
• Note: Shiffrin has 108 World Cup victories; last Olympic medal was in 2018.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The storm is ongoing. You know, it's still snowing anywhere from 2 to 4 inches an hour right now, and that avalanche path is reloading with new snow very rapidly.”
  — Brian Schwartz, Sierra Avalanche Center [00:54]

• “The Fourth Amendment demands probable cause, not possible cause.”
  — Fulton County legal filing, reported by Stephen Fowler [01:26]

• “The dirt and everything just transversed all the way across I-25 and created just what I'll call is a dirt or a brownout.”
  — Maj. Brian Lyons, Colorado State Patrol [02:17]

• “It found that older Americans had a higher chance of getting diagnosed with Alzheimer's if they had lived in a place with dirty air within the previous five years, especially if the person had also had a stroke.”
  — Alejandra Barunda, NPR [03:49]

Useful Timestamps

• [00:15] – California Avalanche Rescue
• [01:15] – Georgia Election Ballot Seizure
• [02:01] – Colorado Brownout Highway Crash
• [02:28] – Arizona Missing Person Case
• [03:14] – Pawtucket Shooting & Vigil
• [03:49] – Air Pollution & Alzheimer’s Study
• [04:35] – Mikaela Shiffrin Olympic Preview

This segment provides a brisk but thorough update on urgent events across the country, combining breaking news, developing investigations, community impacts, and scientific insight.