NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Episode Date: February 19, 2026

Deadly avalanche near Lake Tahoe kills 8; Oklahoma wildfires burn thousands of acres; Investigators zero in on DNA found in Nancy Guthrie home and question gun shop owners; 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.

Breaking news tonight, the deadliest avalanche in California's history. Eight people confirmed dead and one skier still missing. A group of 15 buried under a massive avalanche the size of a football field. Rescuers battling treacherous conditions, finding six people alive. The community in mourning, as questions grow over why the group with professional guides went out despite the major risk. Our team is there tonight. raging wildfires across the plains, including firenadoes, buildings, even this bus, engulfed in flames, people racing out of their homes. Plus, Al Roker tracking a possible Northeaster this weekend.

The new leads in the Nancy Guthrie case, the list of photos and names, investigators are now showing gun shop owners in the area. Plus, could genetic DNA testing help find a suspect in a matter of days? Michaela Schifrin's Olympic redemption. The legendary skier claiming gold, snapping her metal drought, what she told us moments after. Plus, the amazing overtime victory for Team USA's men's hockey team, one step closer to gold. Midair chaos, a man screaming and throwing punches inside the cabin, how flight staff and passengers jumped in to stop him. Mark Zuckerberg in the hot seat, the meta-CEO-Mead, the meta-CEO grilled

on if his social media companies failed to protect kids. Plus the moment parents confront him outside the courtroom. The controversy rocking the race for Congress, a Texas congressman from a critical district accused of having an affair with an aide

who then took her own life, how he's responding. Terrifying video of an alleged drunk driver crashing into a family outside of a preschool. And the dog in the fight for gold crashing an Olympic race, How's this for a photo finish? Nightly News starts right now.

This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. And good evening. It was a race against both time and the full fury of Mother Nature. Rescuers frantically trying to save a group of backcountry skiers buried in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe. They were able to save six, but today we learned that eight have died with one still missing. This was the scene in northern California earlier today. Look at all that snow as crews fought near white out conditions to find those skiers. The tragic end making it the most deadly avalanche in California's history. Firefighters battling a different side of Mother Nature as this massive wildfire spread from Oklahoma to Kansas forcing thousands to evacuate, even spawning firenadoes like the one you see right here. All of this is a possible Northeaster is taking aim at the East Coast this weekend. We're covering it all tonight, and we begin with Morgan Chesky and his team who made his way through feet of snow to the command center near Lake Tahoe. Tonight, rescue crews battling brutal conditions in the high Sierra, powering through up to eight feet of fresh snow, searching for a missing skier, now presumed dead. Their group of 15 trapped when a snowy mountainside gave way, caught in an avalanche the size of a football field.

Authorities confirming while crews rescued six people overnight. Today's search teams found eight experienced skiers dead. Someone saw the avalanche, yelled avalanche, and then it overtook them rather quickly. Authorities say the danger isn't only from the non-stop snow in your white-out conditions, but the fact it's falling on a weak, unstable layer, driving that avalanche risk up across a vast portion of the entire Sierra. Officials say this group was run by Blackbird Mountain Guides to a popular area known as Castle Peak. group on their final day. But just days before, Blackbird posting this video on Instagram, with the caption, Big Storm in Coming, the company says they are working in full coordination

with authorities to support the ongoing rescue. Tonight, the community here grieving. This is devastating. It is, it affects us all. The avalanche threat not isolated to California. In Europe, stunning video from avalanches in Italy and Switzerland this week. A stark reminder of the sheer power and unpredictability of mountain winters. Back in California, as rescuers race to find that remaining skier, an avalanche warning now extended. All right, Morgan joins us now live. And Morgan, the snow is still falling where you are. We know they rescued at least six skiers.

How are they doing? Yeah, Tom, of those six skiers that were rescued overnight, we know two were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated. but tonight we've learned that one of them has already been released and the other is expected to make a full recovery. In the meantime, the search remains very much ongoing to recover that missing skier. Tom. Terrible news there again as the snow is coming down hard tonight. Morgan, we thank you for that. We head to Oklahoma now, which is now under a state of emergency as devastating wildfires burn across thousands of acres,

destroying homes and buildings, sending some residents fleeing. Ryan Chandler is in the fire zone. Across Oklahoma's panhandle, an urgent rush to escape the flames as fast-moving wildfires burned through these homes, buildings, even this bus. The devastating flames and high winds mixing to create fire worlds in Woodward, Oklahoma. The dangerous blaze causing a state of emergency. As the Oklahoma State Forestry Agency estimates, five fires have burned more than 150,000 acres across the region.

At 1.4,000 of the town's residents under a voluntary evacuation. Woodward, run. Daryl Stewart cut this video as the flames rushed toward his home. There's a different planet today. His home is still standing tonight, saved by mere seconds. But you got super lucky, it seems. A lot don't get no credit. We got blessed with the finest firefighters there is.

Just east of us in Beaver County, a building at this gas plants, going up in flames. As the critical fire risk continues, officials urge those in the danger zone to stay vigilant and ready to evacuate. Ryan Chandler joins us now live, and Ryan, so many people still

working to recover from that damage tonight? So many people tonight returning to their homes to find they were nearly destroyed. Tom, just look at this land behind me. It is charred black land as far as the eye can see. And here you realize just how close These flames got to this neighborhood.

These flames stopped just feet from this house, Tom. All right, Ryan Chandler, for us, Ryan, we thank you. I want to bring an Al Roker. Al, it's been brutal on the West Coast, and I know you're tracking all this other extreme weather across the country. That's right. We are watching the rain still fall. We've got another one to three inches of snow in the Sierra Nevada. About an inch of rain along the California coastline.

Again, some flooding possible there. Now we've got that fire weather threat from Amarillo, Texas, Oklahoma City, Wichita Falls, We move a little further east. We've got a risk of severe weather tomorrow. 11 million people, damaging winds, tornadoes possible. Indianapolis, Decatur, Paducah, Kentucky. Plus, we've got these winter weather advisories from the west coast right through the Great Lakes into the northeast.

We're watching snow falling there. And here comes that nor'easter. We're going to be watching that very closely. Right now the American model, Tom, brings it off the coast. The heaviest snow should stay away, but we're going to continue to track it. Tom. Okay, Al, we thank you for that. Now to the urgent search for Nancy Guthrie.

and the new developments. Today, NBC News learning that investigators are canvassing gun stores in the area with the list of names and photos of men. Are these persons of interest? NBC's Liz Croix is in Tucson with that new information. Tonight, as investigators zero in on the unknown DNA found at Nancy Guthrie's home, NBC News is learning more about how they're also canvassing gun stores across Tucson trying to identify the armed suspect. Owners of two different gun shops tell us investigators came to their store with a list of names, three to four pages long, including photos of potential people of interest. This is one of those stores. The owner tells us he didn't recognize or sell a gun to anyone on that list. The other owner tells us on the list he was shown all the photos were of young

to middle-aged men. Meanwhile, the sheriff says the unknown DNA found at the home is a mixture, which can take a long time to process. The fact that it may be a mixture, to me, is even more compelling because that is so common in violent crimes. And we know there was some type of altercation that caused Nancy to bleed. And so hopefully that meant she fought back and was able to create a DNA sample that can be used for analysis. The sheriff says they're now turning to investigative genetic genealogy using public DNA databases, not private ones like 23 and me, to try to identify whose DNA it is. Was the DNA sample taken from a place that it's possible the suspect could have been?

I'm not going to get into its actual location. But yes, we believe that we may have some DNA there that may be our suspect. In recent years, genetic genealogy has successfully identified other high-profile criminals like the Golden State Killer and University of Idaho murderer Brian Coburger. In that case, it took several weeks to find a match. Her kidnapper should be very afraid because he's definitely. going to be identified through this method if nothing else works. It's really just a matter of time. It's going to be hours, days, or weeks, but he's going to be caught. Liz joins us again live.

Liz, we know Tucson is very close to the Mexico border. Do we know if officials have spoken with the Mexican authorities? Yeah, Tom, yes, two officials briefed on this case, say since Nancy went missing, law enforcement has been in touch with officials on both sides of the border, which they do say is common in missing persons cases like this. Tom. And international dragnon. All right, Liz, we thank you for that. There was chaos in the skies this morning after a man attacked fellow travelers on a Delta flight.

Passengers and flight attendants fighting back and was caught on video. Tom Costello has this story. A terrifying explosion of violence, just as an early morning Delta flight was leaving Houston hobby. A passenger suddenly attacking another passenger. as flight attendants climbed over the seats to pull him off. And then he stumbled and fell in my seat next to me, and I was so scared.

So I just put my feet up and my hands up because I was getting ready to kick for my dear life. Fellow passengers jumped into help. Oh, my God. He stumbled to the back and just start punching everybody. And before that, he was trying to go to the cockpit. The pilot quickly declared an emergency returning to Houston. We do have police here. We're going to wait until they come on board.

Houston police took the suspect into custody on a mental health hole. This is my first time having a breach of the cockpit event. Sources say he never actually got to the cockpit but did attack flight attendants and passengers. While the FAA reports unruly passenger behavior has been declining in recent years, penalties have gone up. $44,000 fines per violation, potential criminal charges, and permanently banned from an airline. Tom? Okay, Tom Costello for us, Tom. Tom, thank you. In Los Angeles today, Mark Zuckerberg had to come face to face with grieving

families from across the country while he took this stand in a landmark social media addiction trial. Laura Jarrett has this story. Meadow CEO Mark Zuckerberg arriving at a Los Angeles courthouse today to a barrage of cameras and grieving parents from around the country. I want accountability. Parents who say the social media empire Zuckerberg built is purposely addictive. and dangerous for kids. The intention of the company was to prey on teens, exploit them so they can make greater profits.

The tech giant and Facebook founder, combative at times on the stand, dismissing the idea that his main goal was to maximize the time teens spent on Instagram, saying, that's not how we run the company now. Zuckerberg repeatedly confronted with company presentations and internal documents, suggesting he's known for more than a decade about the popularity of the app among young children. One report from 2015, estimating that over 4 million Instagram users were under 13, while the meta boss emphasized safety features in place now, like age verification. Meta, which owns Instagram, has denied any blame for the harm that's been alleged by the now 20-year-old woman at the center of this landmark trial,

who says she developed depression and anxiety from getting hooked on Instagram as a young kid. And she's not the only one. More than 1,500 lawsuits with similar claims remain pending, like Lori Schatz, whose daughter Annalie died by suicide at 18. So these kids should be graduating and getting married, and they fell into the trap of a design product that killed them. Laura Jarrett, NBC News. A powerful Texas congressman is in the middle of a heated house race and now facing allegations of an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. Ryan Nobles has his response tonight.

Tonight, Texas Congressman Tony Gonzalez is hitting back, responding to a new report of an alleged affair with the staffer who died in September after setting herself on fire. That staffer, Regina Santos Avila, worked for Gonzalez for close to four years before her death. And now the San Antonio Express News reporting on allegations she was having an affair with the congressman. In November, Gonzalez denied the two had an inappropriate relationship. But the rumors are completely untruthful. I don't know exactly what happened. No one's contacted me.

I haven't contacted anyone. But in a new statement to NBC News, Congressman Gonzalez does not address the accusations of an affair. Instead, saying, I am not going to engage in these personal smears. and instead will remain focused on helping President Trump secure the border and improve the lives of all Texans. According to Attorney Bobby Barrera, who represents Santos-Civilas's husband, his client believes Santos-Cavillas was having an affair, which is why they were estranged, and the couple was living apart at the time of her suicide. Barrera did not say what his client's beliefs of an affair were based on.

Gonzalez is facing a major political fight this fall. He's locked in a very tight Republican primary. And with or without these allegations, Democrats plan to mount a vigorous general election campaign against him as well. The House Ethics Committee has not said if it's open an investigation into Gonzalez. House rules prohibit members of Congress from having romantic relationships with their staff. Tom. All right, Ryan, when we come back in just 60 seconds, Michaela Schifrin, shocking the world, taking gold, and we're right there for the emotional moment she won it all.

Stay with us. We're back now with Michaela Schifrin's emotional win at the Olympics today after an eight-year drought. Molly Hunter was there for it all. Shiffran hopes it all comes true. Tonight, the best ski racer in the world delivered not one, but two mere perfect runs. Finally, Olympic redemption for Michaela Shiffran, and it wasn't even close at the finish crouching down as it sunk in. The crowd roaring. Oh my God, I was crying. I was shaking.

It's been eight years since Shiffran stood on an Olympic podium. As you waited to stand up onto the podium, you closed your eyes. You really took a moment. What was going through your head right then? Yeah, so I mean, sometimes it's just easier to see the world when you close your eyes. I've been trying to just, like, heart in my heart, connect with everybody who I do love, who is not here. That's a big moment without her dad. It is.

Have you been thinking about that a lot today? Yeah, I have been, actually. And I did before the second run. I actually had probably my most emotional moments before the second run, wondering how I could possibly talk to him somehow. After losing her dad suddenly in 2020 and after skiing away empty handed at the 22 Beijing Games, today Schiffin cemented her Olympic legacy. And elsewhere, Americans found more metal success.

In snowboarding and cross-country skiing. In the women's team sprint, an unexpected guest made an appearance on the course, even getting his own photo finish as he crossed the line. In Milan, the semifinals are now set for men's hockey. Three of today's games going into overtime, including Team USA versus Sweden. The Swedes at a cross, score! The Swedes tied things up with just a minute 30 to go, but Quinn Hughes came up big in OT. When here, shoots, he scores!

And the Americans punch their ticket to the next round. And looking ahead to tomorrow, it's a big one. The American women face off against the Canadians in the gold medal hockey match. We're excited for that one. Tom? Team USA hockey, great all around. All right, Molly, thank you. We're back in a moment with the workers dangling off the side of a building.

Look at that. How crews brought them to safety. We'll explain next. We're back with a frightening incident captured on video and a warning this is hard to watch. This ring camera footage shows a mother and her kids hit by a car as they walk down the sidewalk, backpacks in hand. The mother quickly pulls the children away, but one appears to be struck by the car as it tears across the sidewalk and barrels through a fence.

Also tonight, a risky rescue out of California. Video shows two workers in Sacramento dangling off the side of an eight-story building. The scaffolding broke, trapping them near the top. Rescue crews used a ladder to reach them, hosting both workers safely. down to the ground. When we come back tonight, she retired at the age of 16. Now all eyes are on Team USA star Alyssa Lou, who's back on the ice and has a real shot at the podium. That's next. Back now with a look inside of Milan, where tomorrow, figure skater Alyssa Lou will try to end a 20-year metal drought for Team USA in women's singles. Lou quit the sport four years ago,

but now she's back and better than ever. Effie Goss. Alyssa Lou took the ice in Milan with the eyes of the world on her. She skates with such freedom and lightness. The California native with the big smile and striped hair owned it, skating a nearly flawless routine. I'm just like really, really happy. And this moment's really exciting.

And I don't want it to, you know, end. Now in good position to win the first medal in U.S. women's figure skating since 2006. It's hard to believe that four years ago, at the age of 16, fresh off an appearance in the Beijing Olympics, Lou said she never wanted to compete again, announcing her retirement. I was kind of just going through the motions before. I was never really in it. But three years later, she decided to lace up again. Would you say you have a different mindset today than before the Beijing Olympics? Oh, yeah, 100%. And now, I mean, I really am in it.

She launched an improbable comeback, even winning the World Championship. It stopped being fun for you, and you pulled away. Yeah. Is it fun now? Yes, it is fun now. Now on figure skating's biggest stage, Lou is once again a shining star. It's like she skates on a cloud. Rediscovering success and finding new joy.

Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, Malone. And a quick reminder, it's the best show around primetime Olympics coverage kicks off tonight at 8 p.m. right here on NBC and Peacock. That's nightly news for this Wednesday. I'm Tom Yamas. Thanks so much for watching tonight. And always, we're here for you. Good night.