NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, February 19, 2026

Episode Date: February 20, 2026

Figure skater Alysa Liu wins gold for Team USA, ending 20-year medal drought; Brutal conditions slow recovery efforts after avalanche; Former Prince Andrew arrested in UK; 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.

Tonight, Team USA spectacular day at the Winter Olympics, dominating on the ice in two of the most thrilling gold medal wins of these games. Alyssa Liu's golden moment, delivering a perfect performance. America's first individual gold in women's figure skating in 24 years. Plus, the thrilling sudden death overtime win for U.S. women's hockey. We talk to the players as Team USA moves up in the medal count. Also tonight, the Stubborn. stunning image, former Prince Andrew photographed as he's released from police custody. The disgraced royal arrested by UK police over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, marking an

unprecedented moment in modern times. Police searching his houses what they were looking for as his brother, King Charles, speaks out. Deadly avalanche disaster, the brutal conditions for rescuers, still searching for one missing person after eight were killed in Northern California. as we track that potential nor'easter, will it bring snow to the East Coast? New details in the Nancy Guthrie case were inside the communication center as they feel thousands of tips pouring in, and what an expert says the holster on the suspect reveals. March to war, President Trump's new timeline as a U.S. Armada moved towards Iran. NBC News exclusive, the $70 million jet for the Department of Homeland Security,

it has a bedroom, showers, even a bar. Why did Secretary Nome need this plane? While the ambulance chase a naked man stealing an ambulance with a patient inside and taking off when it took for police to stop him. A sports car barreling into a school bus getting wedged underneath how the driver miraculously walked away. And meet the Olympians, define age and gravity.

Nightly news starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yomas. And good evening. We begin tonight with possibly the biggest night yet for Team USA at the Winter Olympics. Two of the most stunning gold medal wins of these games happening back to back. Late today, the comeback story of all comeback stories, Alyssa Liu, who retired four years ago, not only returned to the ice, but she dominated,

nailing her free skate to stand atop the podium as the star. Star-Spangled banner played. A gold medal is always a huge moment, but she is now the first American woman to win an individual figure skating gold in 24 years. And imagine being Megan Keller, the American hockey player from Michigan, and you're in the gold medal game of the Olympics when it's sudden death overtime. You're handed the puck and you do this. You can feel that energy, that game-winning goal is the U.S. trailed until the last two minutes of the game. Today's domination in Italy pushing Team USA up the medal count. Look at this. The U.S. is now in second place with just a few more days of competition. Our Stephanie Goss, at the rink in Milan tonight,

for all the action. Tonight, Alyssa Lou is Team USA's Golden Girl, smashing a 20-year medal drought for the U.S. in one of the marquee events of the Winter Games. Lou rising to the moment with a flawless skate and a huge smile. Now a two-time Olympic gold medalist. I did exactly what I wanted to do. Even like my ending, I had it all planned out, and I remembered to do everything. So I don't know, I'm really happy and grateful. Lou retired from the sport at 16, but came back two years ago. Her comeback now getting its storybook ending.

I never thought to imagine something like this or dreamt of it. My dreams were complete today. Amber Glenn came in looking for redemption after a disastrous fall in the short program. And she got it. A strong skate with just one bobble near the end, leading Glenn to mouth so close. Statement made by Amber Glenn. I felt like I had nothing and everything to prove. It's been a very hard few weeks here, and I wanted to do this for me. Finishing in fifth place after mistakes by a number of other skaters. There was a far more bruising battle taking place on the ice across town in women's hockey. USA versus Canada, a time-honored rivalry that once again did not disappoint. The U.S. has dominated these winter games, but Canada came in hot, scoring in the second period,

and the U.S. women struggled to answer. Then with just two minutes to go, Captain Hillary Knight, a five-time Olympian, scored the tying goal. Score! And sending it into overtime. Megan Keller seizing the momentum, scoring the winning goal. The game winning goal. What went through your head when you realized you scored it? Not a whole lot.

Honestly, he's finding the closest teammate trying to rip gloves off, helmets off, and hug one another. What a moment. And with that, Stephanie joins us now live from outside the hockey arena. Steph, take us inside those final moments. And tonight's medals boosting Team USA overall in a big way. Yeah, sure. You know, Tom, the Canadian fans, and there were a lot of them in there tonight, they thought their team had it. wrapped up. And then Hillary Knight tied it, sending it into that electrifying overtime when

Megan Keller scored the winning goal. It capped off an incredible day for Team USA, rising up to second in the overall medal count. And we're not done here. The U.S. men play here at this arena tomorrow against Slovakia in the semifinals, Tom. All right, we look forward to that. Stephanie. We thank you. You can see Alyssa Luce full performance and that medal ceremony tonight at 8 p.m. right here on NBC and Peacock. Our other major story, of course, tonight, the first images of former Prince Andrew released from custody. He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, connected to his years of friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Was he funneling the disgrace financier UK trade secrets? Ralph Sanchez with the former prince under arrest.

Tonight, a haunted-looking former Prince Andrew released after nearly 12 hours in police custody. Driven away from a police station in Eastern England after his unprecedented arrest in the early hours of his 66th birthday. The king's younger brother taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office, while authorities searched his house in Norfolk and his former royal residence near Winter Castle. Andrew has not been charged with a crime, and authorities have not made public the details of the allegations against him. But his release doesn't mean he's in the clear, and he could still face charges. Police tonight saying he is under investigation. It comes weeks after the Justice Department released emails Andrew allegedly sent to the late sex offender

Jeffrey Epstein in 2010. Andrew was serving as a UK trade envoy at the time and appears to have forwarded Epstein British government documents on trade policy. Also in the files, these photos of Andrew kneeling over an unidentified woman. It's not clear why. King Charles was not told in advance about today's arrest, a palace official tells NBC news. Do you have any reaction to the arrest of your brother, sir? Your Majesty, how are you feeling after your brother's arrest? Saying in a statement, I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten, Windsor. Let me state clearly, the law must take its course.

Has the royal family ever faced a crisis like this before? Not in modern memory, certainly not in the past 400 years or so. In fact, the last time a royal was arrested was in 1647, when King Charles I was captured in the English Civil War. Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019, following this interview with the BBC about his relationship with Epstein. But you were staying at the house of a convicted sex offender? It was a convenient place to stay. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his association with Epstein. He denied having ever met Virginia Roberts Joufrey, who said she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17.

She died by suicide last year. Today, her family calling the arrest a vindication. It's a very proud moment for us. Andrew was stripped of his royal titles last year, as Joufrey's posthumous memoir was published. Back in the U.S., some of the highest profile names are also under scrutiny. Bill Gates is skipping an AI summit in India as questions swirl over his ties to Epstein. And Casey Wasserman, the chair of the 2028 Olympics, is facing calls to resign and selling his talent agency because of his links to Galane Maxwell.

Neither man has been accused of criminal wrongdoing. Andrew's arrest today, the latest chapter in his longfall from Grace, and the international fallout from the Epstein files. And Raf joins us live from Buckingham Palace tonight. Raf, could the former prince face prison time? Potentially, Tom, yes, misconduct in public office is a serious offense in the most extreme cases. It can lead to life imprisonment.

That doesn't seem likely here. and it could still be weeks before prosecutors make a final decision on whether or not to bring charges. Tom. Raf Sanchez for us. Raf, thank you. Back home now in the unrelenting snowstorm out west as rescuers try desperately to reach that final missing skier after an avalanche that killed eight people. Morgan Chesky and his team in Truckee, California again for us tonight. Tonight near whiteout conditions in California causing havoc on mountain highways, stranding drivers and leaving thousands without power.

forcing some schools to even close. In the high Sierra at nearly two feet of fresh snow, complicating an already dangerous recovery mission after California's deadliest avalanche ever. One skier still missing with eight others confirmed dead, as avalanche warnings only increase. And this is why that avalanche warning has been extended. Snow now for days on end that you can barely walk through, much less reach a remote area tucked away in the Sierra backcountry. Authority's not yet releasing any victim names, pledging to bring everyone back home. Best describe it, tragic's the word that first comes to my mind, and the second word is impossible. We are facing worse avalanche risk than when the actual initial avalanche occurred.

Sugar Bowl Academy, a local ski school, saying multiple members of their community were lost. However, officials say no children were involved. Blackbird Mountain Guides temporarily suspending on. operations, confirming three of the Rhone were among the victims. In Utah, authorities say an avalanche gave way, killing a young girl. But yesterday, officials say one father died while snowmobiling with his son in yet another avalanche. Tonight in Truckee, as search and rescue teams wait for conditions to improve, a close-knit community left in mourning. And tonight, with this seemingly non-stop snowstorm that only continues to pound this region, authorities,

looking for any possible way to reach those still on the mountain telling me they're looking at building a snow helicopter landing pad or even cutting an entirely new trail down that mountain. Tom? Morgan Chesky for us. Morgan, we thank you for that. There's some video that's just come into the newsroom we want to show you. These are tornadoes that are touching down in Illinois. This extreme weather is now on the move tonight. I want to bring in Bill Cairns. And Bill, it's going to be dangerous tonight. Yeah, especially south of Indianapolis, maybe the Bloomington area. We've already had a couple tornadoes reported in Illinois. You just saw those pictures.

And we still have active tornado warnings. Bloomington, you had about maybe a half hour until this storm gets near you. This is a storm that has a history of producing tornadoes. As far as the nor'easter goes, we're still thinking this is going to be a very intense storm. But instead of going up the coast, it goes off the coast. It looks more like a glancing blow. So still some snow. But it does not at this time look like to be an epic storm.

All right, Bill, we thank you for that. Now to the urgent search for Nancy Guthrie. For the first time, we're taking you. inside the 911 call center where operators are being inundated with thousands of tips. Liz Kreutz is there for us. Tonight, the agonizing search for Nancy Guthrie stretching into its 19th day. Inside the Pima County Sheriff's 911 Communication Center, this is where dispatchers are fielding the thousands of tips pouring in.

We've been inundated with phone calls. But with massive public interest comes massive distraction. The department says the system is getting bogged down with callers, sharing everything from theories to premonitions. If you're thinking about calling in a tip or lead or if you have specific information regarding the case, I ask that you stop and take a moment and think, is this tip viable? Is it credible? What we don't want are the opinions and the thoughts and kind of wondering if investigators are doing A, B, C, and D. Currently, 400 investigators are working the case, canvassing Tucson looking for clues.

Part of what makes this search so challenging is just how vast the area around Nancy's home is. You can get a sense of it here. Pima County is about 9,000 square miles. That is larger than the entire state of New Jersey. And a lot of it looks like this. Massive mountain ranges and the Sonoran Desert that stretches for miles. What do you make of this? Ballistics expert, John Korea, says the suspect's holster, which he says appears to be a universal fit indicates to him this isn't someone familiar with firearms. universal fit means it doesn't fit anything well. That holster is so cheap that you won't even find that in the bargain bin at the gun store. And Tom, that unknown DNA is still being analyzed tonight. Meanwhile, neighbors continue to leave these messages of hope outside the home. Tom. Everyone waiting for those DNA results. All right, Liz, we thank you for that. In the Middle East, a staggering display of U.S. power now moving into position.

As those high-stakes nuclear talks with Iran appear to hit a wall, Garrett Hayek. is following this first, and Garrett, the president now with a new timeline tonight? That's right, Tom. The U.S. will soon complete one of the biggest buildups of American military force in the Middle East in decades, with aircraft carriers, submarines, air defense systems, and fighter jets, all moving into position. All the pieces will soon be in place to conduct sustained strikes against Iran. But the president said today, he's still pushing for a negotiated nuclear deal with the country, and he's willing to wait a bit longer for it, telling reporters Iran has a roughly 10 to 15-day window to make a deal. Both sides claimed progress after rare direct talks earlier this week,

but there's no sign of any imminent diplomatic breakthrough. Tom. All right, Garrett, we thank you. We have exclusive new details about a controversial push from ICE to purchase a luxury Boeing jet. The price tag, $70 million, all of it taxpayer money. Julia Ainslie is here now. Julia, what are you learning about this jet? Tom, we've obtained pictures from inside the Boeing 737 Max 8, Secretary of Homeland Security, Christy Noem has recently been leasing. ICE is now waiting on the White House to approve the $70 million purchase of this plane, which comes equipped with a bedroom, multiple showers, large screen TVs, and a bar. A DHS spokesperson said the plane will also be used for deportations.

But two DHS officials involved in the purchase say they're skeptical the plane will be used for anything more than Nome's travel. It's worth noting DHS already has a plane for the secretary. It's owned by the Coast Guard and was recently upgraded to a Gulfstream jet, Tom. All right, Julia Ainsley, with that exclusive tonight. When we return in 60 seconds, the stolen ambulance chase across Wisconsin, the surprise police got when they finally ended the suspect's joyride. You'll see what happened.

That's next. We're back now with a high-speed ambulance chase caught on camera after a suspect stole it with a patient still in the back. Here's Maggie Vespal with the video. Come on with your hands up. Tonight, dramatic body camera video out of Wisconsin showing the chaos capping a high-speed chase. Hands up! Hands up! With the driver of that stolen ambulance emerging completely naked.

The video blurred by Wisconsin Rapids Police. This guy jumped into the driver's seat, took off with the ambulance totally naked. That's correct. So it's never happened in my career. Investigators say, 37-year-old Benjamin Feltz hijacked the ambulance Tuesday evening as two pair of were loading a 50-year-old woman into the back. Sold the ambulance. There's a piece that's been back. You see officers repeatedly try to stop him.

Deploying spikes, which he dodges. The chase lasting 40 minutes. Court documents saying the patient pleaded for her life telling Feltz, I'm dying of kidney disease. Finally, one set of spikes works. You see the ambulance crash into a field. The patient unharmed. The investigators say Feltz later admitted to consuming a large amount of a chemical cleaning agent.

His lawyer not responding to our request for comment, he faces nearly a dozen charges. Maggie Vesp up, NBC News. All right, we're back in a moment with wild video of a car crashing into a school bus. Look at this. Then getting stuck underneath it. What happened to the driver? That's next. Welcome back.

The head of NASA says the lives of two. astronauts who were stuck on the International Space Station were put at risk by engineering failures and NASA managers who should have never let them lift off. Boeing, the company behind the starliner that got stuck, says it's working to fix the spacecraft so it can safely carry astronauts eventually. And take a look at this video out of South Florida. You see the Jaguar. They're speeding down the road, but then it slams right in the back of a school bus getting wedged underneath it. This happened to your Fort Myers, Florida. Authorities say no street. students were on board, luckily. Both the bus driver and the Jaguar driver only had minor injuries.

Okay, when we come back tonight, it's not their first go-around. For many, it's not their second. The older athletes making it look easy from the Olympics. That's next. A look tonight at the stunning Olympic cauldron there in Milan, where there are just a few days left of the Winter Olympics. And tonight, we wanted to spotlight some of the athletes at these games who are proving age is just a number. Here's Molly Hunter. No matter how much training you put in, sometimes there's no match for decades of experience. Just ask five-time Olympians, Alana Myers-Taylor and Kaylee Humphreys. Taking gold and bronze in the monobob this week at ages 41 and 40. You get a lot of people that like to reach off. You know, as soon as you reach 40, it's all downhill from there. And I think

Alana and I are both proof that that's not true. On the ice, it feels. It's a lot of 54 years old, Rich Ronan made history subbing in on the men's U.S. curling team, becoming the oldest ever American Winter Olympian. And this week, bringing the energy to the Tofana. 47-year-old alpine skier Sarah Schlepper suited up for Team USA at four Olympics and three more for her adopted Mexico. This year, her 18-year-old son, an Olympian too, becoming the first mother-son duo to compete at the same winter game.

It's amazing. And 44-year-old American snowboarder Nick Baumgarter is a fan favorite. It takes every bit of me and every bit of effort that I have to be able to compete with these kids. You see how fast they are. He won gold in Beijing at 40, no medals this time, instead winning thousands of new followers on social media. Am I so old to be here? No, of course not. Does it look weird that I'm here?

Someone said that this is my last Olympics. Absolutely not. This is so much fun for a 44-year-old. I love it. I love you guys. Thank you. You'll see me again. Molly Hunter, NBC News, Cortina. Nick Baumgartner, going strong. Primetime Olympics coverage kicks off tonight at 8 p.m.

on NBC and Peacock and, oh, what a night it is. That's nightly news for this Thursday. I'm Tom Yamas. Thanks so much for watching tonight. And always, we're here for you. Good night.