NEWS - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 - NEWS
The investigation into the abduction of Nancy Guthrie entered its third week authorities await key DNA evidence and daughter Savannah Guthrie urges her mother's abductors to "do the right thing." LA Times
VOA VIEW: It doesn't seem that there is no compassion.
The support for Ukrainian athletes at the Milan-Cortina Games suggests there may be challenges with reinstating Russia and Belarus for the LA28 Olympics. LA Times
VOA VIEW: The situation is still up in the air.
Voter trust in U.S. elections has declined across party lines ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. LA Times
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Long Island Rep. Laura Gillen is facing a stiff Democratic primary challenge amid fury from her left flank over her vote last month to support continued funding for homeland security and immigration enforcement. New York Post
VOA VIEW: You would think the voters would be smarter.
President Trump vowed Monday not to allow the federal government to pay for any cost overruns from the ambitious Gateway Tunnel project to expand the Northeast Corridor rail line between Newark and New York City. New York Post
VOA VIEW: As they should not.
Venezuela sits just above the equator, but that didn't stop the Democratic socialist -- who majored in international relations at Boston University -- from making the embarrassing gaffe while speaking at a Technical University of Berlin panel Sunday. New York Post
VOA VIEW: AOC is a stupid fool.
Canine lovers are forking over millions for new high-end luxury jewelry for their pooches, causing demand on the East Coast to spike and has one business owner considering an expansion to The Golden State. New York Post
Aging means “becoming a target” of the industry, one expert said. After decades of debate, politicians of all stripes are proposing bans. New York Times
The U.S. secretary of state said in Budapest that the president was “deeply committed” to the success of Viktor Orban, who has boasted of creating an “illiberal state.” New York Times
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The greatest impact is expected across Northern California, where a pair of powerful storms began on Sunday night and were forecast to last into the week. New York Times
The United States is sending the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Middle East as President Donald Trump comments that regime change might be “the best thing” amid rising tensions with Iran. OANN
VOA VIEW: Trump is gearing up for the worse.
A supervisory special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office in the Dominican Republic has been arrested in connection with an investigation into the misuse of a U.S. visa program intended for confidential informants. OANN
VOA VIEW: He should be severely punished.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reassured European allies at a national security conference in Munich, Germany, that the U.S. cares “deeply” about the transatlantic alliance, emphasizing shared Western values. OANN
VOA VIEW: Good position and speech.
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Robert Duvall, widely referred to as a “titan” of American cinema, whose career spanned over six decades, died on Sunday. He was 95 years old. OANN
A Ukrainian drone strike ignited fires at one of Russia's Black Sea ports, officials said Sunday, ahead of fresh talks aimed at ending the nearly 4-year-old war. Washington Times
A Dallas-area federal jury indicted five people this week accused of defrauding customers of their cattle company of $220 million. Washington Times
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The Navy removed the commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason on Friday, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command during a critical phase of the ship's pre-deployment preparation. Washington Times
More than a decade before he became the country's first president, George Washington was leading a critical campaign in the early days of the American Revolution. The Siege of Boston was his first campaign as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and, in many ways, set the stage for his military and political successes - celebrated on Presidents Day. Washington Times
Most retail and food establishments will remain open, but services like mail delivery will be suspended for the federal holiday. CBS
The FBI investigated more than 170 cases of passengers assaulting other passengers on flights in 2024. CBS
VOA VIEW: They should pay heavely.
USA Hockey says girls' participation nationwide has surged 65% over the past 15 seasons, making it one of the fastest growing youth sports in the country. CBS
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Sunday marked the second day of a partial government shutdown impacting more than 260,000 government workers under the Department of Homeland Security across multiple agencies, including TSA, FEMA and the Coast Guard. Democrats are calling for a ban on face coverings for immigration agents and for officers to display identification and wear body cameras. CBS
Data centers powering artificial intelligence have strained the electrical grid and driven utility costs higher for consumers. CNBC
VOA VIEW: Someone must pay.
The postponement comes as the island nation's communist-run government endures its biggest test since the collapse of the Soviet Union. CNBC
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TikTok's U.S. joint venture seems to have survived a turbulent rollout relatively unscathed, as concerns of a mass user exodus now appear overstated. CNBC
VOA VIEW: Time will tell.
A report from a blockchain analytics company has found that cryptocurrency is playing a growing role in suspected human trafficking activity. CNBC
Free breakfast is a staple of the hospitality industry, but from Hyatt to Holiday Inn and Marriott, the economics and hotel business models are changing. CNBC
After 57 years of searching, shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn discovered the luxury steamer Lac La Belle that sank in Lake Michigan in 1872 during a gale. FOX News
A New Mexico woman faces felony charges after she allegedly gave birth in a portable toilet before drowning the newborn in the holding tank. FOX News
ICE plans a $38.3 billion detention expansion to 92,600 beds for deportations, according to an internal memo revealing eight mega-centers by 2026. FOX News
A Ukraine anti-corruption law enforcement initiative has detained former Energy Minister German Galushchenko as he was attempting to leave the country, authorities said. UPI
President Donald Trump said member states of his newly created Board of Peace have pledged more than $5 billion toward rebuilding Gaza and thousands of personnel to maintain security in the Palestinian enclave. UPI
The International Space Station is once again fully staffed with the arrival of astronauts from NASA, the European Space Agency and Roscosmos on Saturday afternoon. UPI
The U.S. military intercepted and boarded an oil tanker overnight that was linked to Venezuela after tracking it from the Caribbean into the Indian Ocean. UPI
VOA VIEW: As it should be.
The U.S. military struck dozens of ISIS targets in Syria while conducting retaliatory strikes for the deaths of two soldiers and their interpreter. UPI
Many demonstrations were held around the globe to protest the actions of Iran's current regime, which is accused of killing thousands of Iranians. UPI
VOA VIEW: Iran must have a regime change.
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A Long Island school district is being probed by the Trump administration for letting a biological boy try out for the girls’ volleyball team, sources told The Post. All those involved should pay heavily.
The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is one of 18 school districts or colleges across the country that is currently being investigated over its policies regarding transgender participation in sports, the US Department of Education announced earlier this week. The Long Island investigation specifically zeroes in on complaints that one of the three high schools in the district had allowed a volleyball player, who was born biologically male, to trial for the girls’ team, the sources said.
The district, which covers the hamlets of Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick and North Merrick, oversees three high schools. Officials haven’t confirmed which school is at the center of the federal probe but the district insisted it had always acted in compliance with the state’s policies. “The Bellmore-Merrick Central HS District has always focused on supporting all students, respecting due process, and fulfilling its legal obligations,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “At all times the district acted in full compliance with all laws and regulations. Bellmore-Merrick has followed the guidance and legal framework governing New York State public schools issued by the NYS Education Department.”
New York City’s Department of Education and a slew of other schools and colleges were also being investigated, according to federal officials. It wasn’t clear if there were specific allegations being leveled against the city DOE. The inquiries were all instigated by the department’s Office for Civil Rights following complaints the educations institutions had all allegedly violated Title IX by allowing trans students to compete in female sport categories. “Time and again, the Trump Administration has made its position clear: violations of women’s rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said.
