NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, February 21, 2026

Episode Date: February 22, 2026

Blizzard warnings issued as massive winter storm takes aim at East Coast; New details about shooting death of U.S. citizen in Texas involving federal agent; NASA’s moon mission likely delayed over new problem; and more on tonight’s broadcast.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Good evening. We begin tonight with a life-threatening situation about to unfold across the northeast. Cities from D.C. to Boston are in the bullseye for a powerful winter storm that's set to bring one to two feet of snow and whiteout conditions that could make travel impossible. That story, bad news for places like New York City still recovering from a powerful storm just weeks ago. And now the city is under its first blizzard warning in a decade. We've got the latest forecast. in just a moment, but we begin with Valerie Castro. Tonight, 30 million people under blizzard warnings as a dangerous Nor'easter quickly takes shape. They're selling out of all of our shovels, anything that removes snow.

The life-threatening conditions stretching up and down the mid-Atlantic, just weeks after the last winter wallop. I'm devastated. I don't want to see any more sludgy snow all over the ground. New Jersey's governor declaring a state of emergency. Snowfall during this time could. reach two inches per hour. Winds will be much stronger than the storm in January. New York City under its first blizzard warning in 10 years, expecting at least a foot of snow. I am asking all

New Yorkers to stay inside and stay off the roads for your safety. It's time to brace for impact, New Yorkers. While out west, this is not a good sign. Salt Lake County, Utah authorities confirming to NBC News, two skiers were injured, one critically, after they apparently triggered an avalanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon, a popular ski area, bystanders capturing the rescue operations. This, as officials announced, they have recovered the bodies of nine backcountry skiers near Lake Tahoe and California after the deadly avalanche earlier this week. Cruise today conducted avalanche mitigation in Nevada County.

Back east, the expected storm and delays making travelers extra cautious with their plans. We don't want to risk it. I was hearing it could be nothing, and I was hearing it could be 50. inches of snow. And Valerie Castro joins us live from LaGuardia Airport. Valerie, you're already starting to see travel impacts from the storm. Jose, that's right. According to Flight Aware, there are already more than a thousand flights canceled across

the country for tomorrow. Airlines say if you need to adjust your travel plans, do it now, using their apps or online, or you risk getting stranded tomorrow. Jose? Valerie Castro, thank you. Let's bring in meteorologist Violeta Yas from our NBC, New York station. Violeta, what can we expect? Jose, this is going to be a major winter storm that develops and moves up the coast,

producing very significant snowfall rates of up to two inches per hour as things really start to ramp up tomorrow afternoon. We'll see blizzard conditions developed by tomorrow night into Monday with the heavy snow and winds over 50 miles per hour. We'll gradually see that snow taper off as we head into Monday night. But by that point, we'll be looking at over a foot of snow in some of our main. major northeast cities here from near Philadelphia, up through New York City, and into Boston, with those strongest wind gusts expected near the coast, 50 to potentially 60 miles per hour there across parts of Long Island. Jose?

Violeta, yes, thank you so much. President Trump is raising his new global tariff on imports to 15%. The president making that announcement today less than a day after he signed an executive order implementing a new 10% tariff. That move came hours after the Supreme Court invalidated Most of his sweeping tariffs he enacted last April. There are growing questions tonight over newly released documents about another fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by a federal agent last year in Texas. Priscilla Thompson reports. New details are emerging about a previously undisclosed shooting of a U.S. citizen by a federal agent. 23-year-old Ruben Ray Martinez shot and killed by an officer last March.

The fact that this was not disclosed for almost a year, that's a cover-up. He says that's because the federal agent's involvement was never revealed. It was never disclosed how exactly he was killed or who killed him. According to an incident report obtained by nonprofit watchdog American oversight, Homeland Security investigators on South Padre Island conducting immigration enforcement were assisting local police with traffic control. The report says a driver failed to follow instructions and accelerated striking an agent.

Then another agent fired multiple rounds at the driver. The Department of Homeland Security says the agent fired defensive shots to protect himself, his fellow agents, and the general public, and that the agent hit by the car was taken to a hospital with a knee injury. ICE now, cow! This comes amid increased scrutiny of federal law enforcement after the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Martinez's death now the earliest known fatal shooting by a federal agent since the nationwide immigration crackdown began.

His family remembering him as a kind, beautiful soul and demanding answers. The Texas Department of Public Safety says it's investigating. Priscilla Thompson, NBC News. NASA is facing a setback tonight for its Artemis II moon launch. The rocket may have to be rolled off the launch pad for urgent repairs. Dana Griffin has this report. Tonight, a technical setback likely forcing NASA to delay its moon mission. Data showing an interruption in helium flow to the Artemis 2 rocket,

despite the system performing as expected Thursday during rehearsals. We're now targeting March 6th as our earliest launch attempt. I am going to caveat that. There is still pending work. That launch date now up in the air. NASA administrator, Jared, Isaacman explaining on social media work to fix the issue is underway, saying, I understand people are disappointed by this development. That disappointment is felt most by the team at NASA who have

been working tirelessly to prepare for this great endeavor. The launch had been targeted for earlier this month, but delayed due to a different problem. What are the risks with these sort of glitches? Well, there's always a risk because the helium is used to purge fuel once you get up in space, and those fuel valves, they can burst if you don't push them. So this could be deadly? Yes, it could be catastrophic. Artemis II is said to be the first crude lunar mission in more than 50 years, carrying four astronauts around the moon and back,

an essential precursor to future missions to put humans on the moon. NASA says the next available launch window late April. We're swinging for the fence, trying to make the impossible possible. An ambitious goal. Plus great risk to one day have life flourish beyond earth. Dana Griffin, NBC News. To the search for Nancy Guthrie and the Pima County Sheriff telling NBC News, the investigation is still growing as they launch a search for new clues.

Aaron McLaughlin reports from Tucson. Three weeks since Nancy Guthrie was taken from her Tucson home, investigators are still searching for clues. It's never fast enough for the sheriff. I want it like you. Come on, guys. goalest, go, let's finder. But the reality is, is I also know that sometimes things take time. Late Friday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos sent down with NBC News to take stock of the investigation

so far. Are there names you're looking into? No. Would you say the investigation is growing or shrinking? In terms of leads and working and getting out there, I think that's still growing, yeah. A big break in the case, this Ness camera footage released 11 days ago, showing a suspect on Guthrie's doorstep the night of the kidnapping. I think we're getting a little closer to identifying some of the other articles, not just that backpack, like the shoes, the pants, the shirt or jacket. Another key lead, unknown DNA found inside the Guthrie home, potentially belonging to the suspect. Nano says the samples are mixed, meaning they contain DNA from more than one person,

making it harder to run through national databases. Our lab tells us that there's challenges with it. The technology is moving so fast and in such a frenzy that they think some of this stuff will resolve itself just in a matter of weeks, months, or maybe a year. 21 days in, no arrests, no name suspect, and still no sign of Nancy. What's your message to the Guthrie family? We're not quitting. We'll find her. Yeah.

Aaron McLaughlin, NBC News, Tucson, Arizona. And now to the Olympics and Team USA making history, winning the most U.S. gold medals ever in a single winter games. Shaquille Brewster is in Milan. About to drop in. He puts this to his feet. USA could be golden again. These three massive jumps and dramatic flips in the mixed team areas. Lallis.

Stamps it. Seals it. Let's go! Delivers for Team USA! Earning Team USA, it's 11th gold medal, the most ever won by the U.S. in a single Winter Olympics. On the ice. Fantastic. That's that teamwork. The U.S. team has got to do. 36-year-old speed skater Mia Manginello raced her way to a bronze medal in the mass start.

Mia May medalist in her final race. Celebratory tears and hugs marking the end of her Olympics career. Just explain the motion that we saw. I can't. It was the most surreal moment of my life. It was something that I had been envisioning all year. Here they go in that quest for an Olympic medal. And a bronze for USA in the two-woman bobsled, Kaylee's tying Alana Myers-Taylor as the most decorated female bobsledders in Olympic history. While there was a disappointing finish for Jordan Stoles. Narrowly missing the podium after dominating over the past two weeks.

Team USA is still going home with a historic number of gold medals and you're responsible for two of them. Yeah, it's super cool. I'm super happy to get two, especially for Team USA and the silver is also nice. And after this scary moment Friday night showing a Polish speed skater sliced just above her eye by a competitor's blade, Camilla Salir posting this image from the hospital today. And the attention now shifting to men's hockey where Team USA will take on rival Canada in the gold medal game all ahead of tomorrow night's close. ceremony taking place in the historic Verona Arena. Jose? Shaquille Brewster in Milan for us. Thank you. And don't miss our primetime coverage of the Winter Olympics tonight, 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock. Conan O'Brien is speaking for the first time about the deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner. O'Brien telling the New Yorker, he was in shock

after they were found dead the night after the Reiner's and their son Nick attended his holiday party. McReyner is now facing murder charges in their deaths. Also tonight, measles cases spreading in states across the country as health officials struggle to contain it in new hotspots. One person who survived the disease is sharing an urgent new message tonight. Here's Erica Edwards. Tonight, measles is making its march nationwide. CDC's latest count showing 982 cases in 26 states so far this year. The latest hot spot is Florida with 92 cases, the majority associated with Athe Maria University near Naples. I got very dehydrated. Student Blaise Carney telling our affiliate WBBH, he was one of the first on campus to be diagnosed with the highly contagious virus last month.

A combination of measles and strep throat, he said, sent him to the emergency department. I just progressively got worse until I was in the ER. They had a full body rash. Carney said he already had symptoms by the time university officials sent a letter warning students of a potential measles outbreak, reading in part that the cases most likely originated with the student's holiday travel from another state. In South Carolina, the outbreak that began last fall remains the largest in a generation, 973 cases as a Friday. Sending at least 20 people to the hospital, some with the brain inflammation called encephalitis, according to South Carolina State epidemiology. Linda Bell. She credits a recent slowdown in that state to a boost in vaccinations. And no vaccine offers 100% protection against infection, but the MMR vaccine is safe. Carney says he was vaccinated as a child and still recommends the shots to others.

You might not protect you 100%, but it's your best shot. Erica Edwards, NBC News. And we're back in a moment with the mascots who have become big stars at the Milan Cortina Games. The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics have been in the spotlight. And as Stephanie Goss report, something else is getting a lot of attention. And it's not just the athletes. Tina and Milo attract a crowd. The Olympic mascots whose names are short from Milan and Cortina smile, jump, and pose.

A lot of posing. They're super adorable and definitely getting a lot of attention. But what are they? They look like otters, but... Otters, not otter. Letters. Give us the first letter. Okay, all right. S. S. Squirrels? The mascots are stotes, furry little mountain dwellers in the weasel family. Have you ever heard of a stout before? I have never heard of a stout. A stout.

Stute is not right. The stout has been a beloved animal in Italy for centuries. Da Vinci even had a thing for them. Italian grade schoolers designed Milo and Tina. And after a string of somewhat questionable Olympic characters, remember that the the Friege from Paris, these two have been a huge hit. When it comes to merch from these games, there is simply nothing in higher demand than a little stuffed Milo or Tina. We've actually been looking for them. We went to the store today and we weren't able to find them. Maybe these U.S. college kids didn't try hard enough. Well, now obviously on a mission in this beautiful ancient city of Milan to find the one thing.

Apparently, no one can seem to find a stuffed stout. There were none here. It looks like the police showed out right there. The megastore steps away from the Duomo seemed a good bet. Nothing. They've been sold out for days. Turns out there's only one sure-fire way to get a mascot. Just win a medal.

Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, Milan. When we come back, there's good news tonight about the Olympic athletes who got to reunite with their heroes. There's good news tonight. You know, so often the good news doesn't get as much attention as the bad, so every Saturday we highlight the many people who spread joy and love, and as the Winter Olympics closed tomorrow, we're shining a light on the people who inspire the athletes who inspire us.

The four Olympic speed skater Brittany Bow hit the ice in Milan, her childhood coach, Renee Hildebrand, inspired her to dream big. She instilled in me absolute greatness. She was always so confident in me. I definitely wouldn't be here without her. Renee, so moved by Brittany's message. It means the world to me. As a coach, you sacrificed as well as the kids do.

But months later, Brittany got the surprise of a lifetime during what she thought was just another interview. She made these little cut-out paper hammers that we would tape in our helmet to always remember, like, when it's time to go, to the start line, it's hammer time. Was it hammer time? Stop it!

Hey, Bebo. Oh, my sweet girl. Not good at me. That moment, part of a special project from our NBC local stations called Launching Legends, an effort to reunite Olympians with their childhood mentors,

like hockey star Hillary Knight. I owe a lot of my career to him. That's good. Right here. Hey. Oh my gosh. There she is, reuniting with George Hughes, her childhood coach, who she says made hockey accessible to her, changing the course of her life. I was able to receive an education, travel around the world, and meet amazing people, all because you believed in me to be able to start skating and play hockey.

Yeah, well, that's my girl. George still watches all of Hillary's games and got the chance to cheer her on all over again ahead of her final Winter Olympics. I'm going to say one last thing. Yeah. You are the go. Thank you. Girls rule. Girls rule.

And here's the go. I would say my principal from my middle school days. She was a great source of support. And that's Team USA hockey player Caroline Harvey, shouting out Lisa Diet. Her former principal and soccer coach thanking her for the lessons she taught her. Sometimes it would be a tough game or, you know, maybe in the classroom I was slacking off of it. She would get on me. She would teach me great work habits and to never give up.

And for her form of principle? Knowing all the people that have been a part of her life, the fact that I came to her mind, that obviously means a lot to me. So when Lisa got the chance to surprise Caroline, making the trip was a no-brainer. She was my soccer coach, but she was also my mentor off the ice as well. She played such a big role in that part of my life.

And, you're here? I'm here. you came all the way here. It's been amazing watching you grow from when you were, you know, a little eight-year-old running around the school and to see where you are today. Keep doing what you're doing. You're a wonderful role model for all the girls growing up watching your life. And that's NBC Nightly News for this Saturday.

I'm Jose Diazbollah. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Good night.