MON SIX

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Weekend nor'easter forecast to be a 'big storm.' But there's a catch

Frank Jenkins February 19, 2026

A snowstorm is coming, but its impacts to the East Coast still remain highly uncertain just a few days before the event.

"An East Coast storm could develop as soon as Sunday Feb. 22, but the track of this potential nor'easter isn't yet determined, leaving impacts such as snow, rain, wind and coastal flooding uncertain from New England to the mid-Atlantic states," saidWeather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman in an online forecast.

Another forecaster, AccuWeather meteorologist Jon Porter, told USA TODAY Feb. 19 that "there's going to be a big storm, but it could be just off the Atlantic coast." He said a slight shift to the west will result in higher snow totals, but a slight shift to the east means lower snow totals.

Uncertainty isn't unusual

Porter said this level of uncertainty just a few days before a storm isn't unusual. "This is a pretty typical snow threat for the eastern U.S."

One reason for the uncertainty, he said, is that part of the energy that will fuel the storm is still off the California coast. He said once that energy comes onshore in the next day or so, it will be better sampled by the National Weather Service's balloon network. This will give better data for the computer weather models to digest.

"Small details will matter in determining the final outcome of the storm," he said.

Jose Castillo of Tarrytown, NY. walks through snow along Route 9 in Tarrytown during the early hours of the winter storm Jan. 25, 2026. The storm was predicted to drop up to a foot of snow on the lower Hudson Valley. A huge winter storm dumped heavy amounts of snow and ice across wide swaths of the U.S.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Bobby Sanchez and his Granddaughter Faith Castro walk through the snow in Blauvelt, NY on Jan. 25, 2026.

Bobby Sanchez and his Granddaughter Faith Castro walk through the snow in Blauvelt, NY on Jan. 25, 2026.

Pedestrians walk in the Old City as snow falls in Knoxville, Tenn., during a winter storm on Jan. 24, 2026.

Despited being covered from the chilling cold, Keith Wilson, of Milwaukee, walks with frozen eyelashes down East State Street in Milwaukee on Jan. 23, 2026. The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold watch across Wisconsin with windchills between 30 and 40 below zero.

Matthew Trecek, a Marquette University first year law student from Mission Hills Kansas, is bundled up from the cold as he makes his way to class down North 13th St. on campus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Jan. 23, 2026. The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold watch across Wisconsin with windchills between 30 and 40 below zero.

Children are pushed down a snow-covered hill during a winter storm in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.

The William Whitner statue decorated with scarves and blankets for those in need near the Anderson County Courthouse, as residents wake up to a scene of white winter mix in Anderson, SC on Sunday, Jan 25, 2026.

Mark Anstaett of Clintonville cross country skis though Whetstone Park as Winter Storm Fern continues to dump snow on the Columbus, Ohio area on Jan. 25, 2026.

Indiana Hoosiers braved the single digit cold weather to celebrate on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, during the Indiana Football College Football Playoff National Championship celebration and parade at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.

Thomas Beckers sleds down Linden Avenue with his sons, Anouk, 6, left, and Malu, 3, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. The storm is expected to bring snow, sleet, freezing temperatures and ice across multiple states this weekend.

A student of Iowa State University shields his face from the cold while wearing for bus at a bus stop in the university campus in the extreme cold on Jan. 23, 2026, in Ames, Iowa.

Postal carrier Seth Martinson delivers mail during a stretch of extreme cold weather on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Appleton, Wisc.

Yahaira Rojas, of Milwaukee, shields her face from the cold as she walks down North 10th Street in from of the Milwaukee County Courthouse in Milwaukee, Wisc. on Jan. 23, 2026. The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold watch across Wisconsin with windchills between 30 and 40 below zero.

See fun faces of people making the best of winter weather

Jose Castillo of Tarrytown, NY. walks throughsnowalong Route 9 in Tarrytown during the early hours of the winter storm Jan. 25, 2026. The storm was predicted to drop up to a foot of snow on the lower Hudson Valley. A huge winter storm dumped heavy amounts of snow and ice across wide swaths of the U.S.

Subtle changes in track mean drastic changes to impacts

Theweather service confirmswhat the private forecasters say: "There remains a strong potential for a coastal low by Sunday [Feb. 22] and early Monday [Feb. 23] for the East Coast, but the track of the low remains uncertain. A track closer to the coast would result in heavy coastal rain and inland snow from the Mid-Atlantic to New England, and strong winds near the coast with the potential for coastal flooding."

However, the weather service said a more offshore track would mean less inland precipitation and wind, and the heaviest precipitation near the Delmarva Peninsula and extending to eastern North Carolina.

"Both scenarios remain equally plausible at this point, but potential remains for some possible impactful snow somewhere near the Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast. This will continue to be monitored closely as even subtle changes in track could mean more drastic changes to impacts," the weather service said in anonline forecast discussion.

A National Weather Service forecast issued on Feb. 19 for Feb. 21-22 shows the potential for rain, mixed precipitation or snow from Texas to New England.

A National Weather Service forecast issued on Feb. 19 for Saturday, Feb. 21, through Sunday, Feb. 22, shows the potential for rain, mixed precipitation or snow from Texas to New England. Meanwhile, forecasts for Monday, Feb. 23, show a chance of snow throughout the Northeast.

Dueling models

Two of the main weather models that forecasters use to predict weather − colloquially known as the American and the European models − can't seem to agree on the forecast. The American "GFS" model still shows a big storm for the big cities of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with 2 to 3 feet or more of snowfall, which is "unbelievable," said Weather Trader meteorologist Ryan Maue in an email to USA TODAY.

However, he said the European (ECMWF) weather model "is still NOT interested in the coastal storm having major impacts to the Mid-Atlantic or the Northeast. We're currently in the 2 inches to 4 inches category as the highest probability outcome," according to the European model, Maue said.

AccuWeather agrees with the Euro model, and as of Feb. 19 is calling for 1-3 inches of snow in Philadelphia and New York City, and 2-4 inches in Boston.

The weather service, pointing out the differences between the models, summed it up this way: "This continues to be a low-confidence forecast at this time as it pertains to extent of wintry weather and coastal winds."

AccuWeather's Porter said "we'll know more in the next 24 hours."

Doyle Rice is a national correspondent for USA TODAY, with a focus on weather and climate.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Weekend nor'easter, snow storm in forecast, but there's a catch

Couple who alleges IVF clinic mixed up their embryos continue court battle to find child's parents

Frank Jenkins February 19, 2026

A judge ordered weekly hearings in a case involving a Florida couple who alleges that an IVF clinic gave them the wrong embryos, which they learned upon the birth of a baby girl last year.

Tiffany Score and Steven Mills filed a lawsuit against the Fertility Center of Orlando last month, asking that the reproductive health clinic identify the biological parents of the baby Score gave birth to in December, according to the complaint filed last month. The couple is also asking for information on what happened to their own embryos and whether or not someone else gave birth to their biological child.

According to the January complaint, Score gave birth to a baby girl on Dec. 11, 2025, but it was immediately clear that the baby was unlikely to be related to the couple. Mills and Score are both "racially caucasian" while the baby had the appearance of a "racially non-caucasian child," the complaint said.

"Genetic testing also proved that the baby was not Mills and Score's biological child," according to the complaint.

The couple said that they developed a strong bond with the baby girl, but that they feel a moral and legal obligation to unite her with her biological parents.

Score and Mills also feel they deserve to be relieved of the "ever-increasing mental anguish of not knowing whether a child or children belonging to them are in someone else's care."

A motion filed last week requested an emergency hearing in the case, after the couple alleged that the fertility clinic failed to identify the baby's parents to them, and that a person contacted them to say they had an embryo transfer at the same time as Score did last year.

"This patient, acting on her own initiative in response to published media reports about this litigation, self-reported to Plaintiffs as someone who also had an embryo transfer on April 7, 2025, and who birthed a baby in December 2025," the motion said.

The woman, who was not identified, has a last name similar to the couple's, the motion said. Photos of her and her husband also allegedly show they have a similar physical appearance to the baby girl who Score birthed in December.

But the woman gave birth to a baby boy, and Score and Mills were under the belief their remaining embryos were girls, the motion said.

The motion alleges that the clinic did provide the couple with a report, but that it only detailed the clinic's processes and did not include information on who else might have received their embryo or who the baby girl's parents might be.

Robert T. Terenzio, an attorney representing Fertility Center of Orlando, submitted a letter to the court outlining a proposed protocol for investigating the situation in order to protect the privacy of the patients.

Among the items on the list was having the clinic work on an internal investigation separate from updates to the court. It also suggested providing the court with operational facts and aggregate information that do not contain identifiable information openly, but only providing information that contains personal identifying information under appropriate safeguards, according to the letter filed with the court.

Terenzio did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for comment on the matter on Thursday.

The Fertility Center of Orlando told NBC News affiliate WESH that it was "actively cooperating with an investigation to support one of our patients."

"Multiple entities are involved in this process, and all parties are working diligently to help identify when and where the error may have occurred," the statement said. "Our priority remains transparency and the well-being of the patient and child involved."

Judge Margaret Schreiber ordered weekly status hearings in the case during an emergency relief hearing on Tuesday, according to the court minutes.

The clinic was ordered to provide a certification that the patients were contacted, as well as to advise the court on who has waived their confidentiality and who has not. A report on the confidentiality matter will be sent directly to the court 24 hours before the next hearing.

Attorneys representing Score and Mills did not immediately respond to an email from NBC News requesting comment on Thursday. The couple told WESH on Wednesday that, until this week's hearing, the clinic had not provided them with a timeline or any verifiable information in the case.

"Faced with the prospect of a court order at yesterday's hearing, the clinic has now promised cooperation, but that promise has not yet been fulfilled," they said. "We hope it will be."

Trump admin restores Philadelphia slavery exhibit after judge set deadline

Frank Jenkins February 19, 2026

The National Park Service (NPS) on Thursday began restoring the panels that were removed from the slavery exhibit at the President's House in Philadelphia.

The restoration comes after U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe ordered the Trump administration to do so by 5 p.m. on Friday. The outdoor exhibit is a memorial to the nine enslaved Africans who were held at the site by President George Washington.

NPS workersbegan restoring the panelsahead of the deadline, according to ABC station in Philadelphia, WPVI.

The deadline was set in an order filed on Wednesday by Rufe, who is overseeing Philadelphia's federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over the removal of the slavery exhibit, The exhibit wastaken down by the National Park Service (NPS) on Jan. 23.

Rufegranted a preliminary injunction requested by the city of Philadelphia in a Monday ruling, ordering the Department of Interior, which oversees NPS, to restore the exhibit as the lawsuit moves forward.

Trump admin removes memorial honoring people enslaved by George Washington in Philadelphia

In setting the deadline, Rufe cited the federal government's "failure to comply" with her order to restore the exhibit.

The Interior Department appealed Rufe's ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on Wednesday.

On Wednesday evening, the department also filed an emergency motion for an immediate stay that would block the preliminary injunction granted to Philadelphia pending the federal government's appeal.

"The Court should stay its preliminary injunction pending appeal because the Government is likely to prevail on the merits, will face irreparable injury absent a stay, and the remaining factors also support a stay," the motion states.

Judge orders Trump administration to restore slavery exhibit at President's House Site

Rufe ordered the city of Philadelphia to respond to the Trump administration's motion for an emergency stay by 4 p.m. local time on Thursday.

ABC News reached out to representatives of the city of Philadelphia, NPS and to the U.S. Interior Dept. for further comment.

Judge orders Trump admin to 'mitigate' further 'damage' to slavery exhibit panels as Philadelphia fights their removal

In granting the preliminary injunction and ordering the government to restore the exhibit,Rufe cited George Orwell's dystopian novel "1984,comparing their actions to those of Big Brother in the book.

"As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell's 1984 now existed, with its motto 'Ignorance is Strength,' this Court is now asked to determine whether the federal government has the power it claims -- to dissemble and disassemble historical truths when it has some domain over historical facts. It does not," she wrote.

"An agency, whether the Department of the Interior, NPS, or any other agency, cannot arbitrarily decide what is true, based on its own whims or the whims of the new leadership, regardless of the evidence before it," she added in the ruling.

She also concluded that NPS should have consulted with the city before amending the exhibit.

Philadelphia sues Trump admin over removal of memorial honoring people enslaved by George Washington

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker called the judge's decision a "huge win for the people of this city and our country."

"We will not allow anyone to erase our history today," Parker said on Tuesday.

The boards and panels that were removed told the stories of Austin, Christopher Sheels, Giles, Hercules, Joe Richardson, Moll, Oney Judge, Paris and Richmond -- the nine enslaved Africans held by Washington as his home in Philadelphia.

They were removed to comply with President Donald Trump'sMarch 27, 2025, executive order, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," which directed the Interior Department to remove what they called "divisive, race-centered ideology" and narratives from federal cultural institutions, a department spokesperson told ABC News in a statement last month.

ABC News' Peter Charalambous and Sabina Ghebremedhin contributed to this report.

Meet Nazgul, the Speedy Dog Who Crashed a 2026 Winter Olympics Cross-Country Race

Frank Jenkins February 19, 2026

MAXIM THORE/BILDBYRÅN/Shutterstock

NEED TO KNOW

Nazgul, a 2-year-old pup, was caught on camera running to the finish line of a women's cross-country team sprint qualifier at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Nazgul allegedly escaped from his home at a nearby bed and breakfast
His surprise appearance left one skier shocked, with her saying, "I was like, 'Am I hallucinating?"

The furry four-legged local who made his bid for gold during the 2026 Winter Olympics after escaping his doghouse has become somewhat of a household name – Meet Nazgul.

Nazgul first made headlines during a women's cross-country team sprint qualifying race on Wednesday, Feb. 18, when the Czechoslovakian wolfdog was seencrashing the courseas some of the 2026 Winter Olympians were reaching the finish line.

As members of Team Croatia and Team Australia crossed the finish line, Nazgul first took a peek at the cameras before joining what he appeared to have thought was a game of chase.

"Anybody lost their dog?" the on-course announcer jokingly said, after noting, "it's a fairly nice mutt there, not hindering anybody's progress. One of those moments you have to laugh about."

Adding, "But you know, better it happened now than during the group sprints, let's put it that way."

After the race, Nazgul went over to say a quick hello to the Olympians who crossed the finish line and volunteers before heading to the post-finish area with the other athletes.

"I was like, 'Am I hallucinating?" Tena Hadzic, a 21-year-old Croatian skier who saw the Nazgul during the race, toldNPR. "I don't know what I should do, because maybe he could attack me, bite me."

After receiving a few quick pets, the unharmed two-year-old pup was returned home to a nearby bed-and-breakfast, but not before his 15 seconds of fame with numerous media outlets and social media users sharing his unexpected appearance.

Nazgul's owner, who decided to remain anonymous, spoke to NPR while driving to watch an Olympic biathlon race at another venue.

"He was crying [that] morning more than normal because he was seeing us leaving — and I think he just wanted to follow us," the owner said. "He always looks for people."

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Nazgul didn't appear to affect the preliminary qualifying round.

Although no one has seemingly blamed the "stubborn, but very sweet" Nazgul for inserting himself in the team sprint, Hadzic said she believes that had the event been the finals, her reaction might've been different.

"It's not that big a deal, because I'm not fighting for medals or anything big," she said. "But if that happened in the finals, it could really cost someone the medals, or a really good result."

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come topeople.comto check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.

Read the original article onPeople

Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is expected to play against the Rockets a day after being in a car crash

Frank Jenkins February 19, 2026

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is not listed on the team's injury report and is expected to play Thursday night against the Houston Rockets, one day after beinginvolved in a two-car crashin Charlotte.

The Hornets are one of the NBA's hottest teams having won 10 of their last 11 games and Ball is a big reason for that success.

Ball appeared to be driving through an intersection when his camouflage-colored, custom-made Hummer collided with another vehicle Wednesday, according tovideo obtained by WSOC-TVin Charlotte. The station later posted video of Ball, wearing anaqua-colored Hornets hoodie, getting out his truck and into another car before being driven away. Police were on the scene at the time.

A police report has not been made available.

There was no information available on the person in the other car involved in the collision, although video showed that driver calmly get out of his car and begin walking toward Ball's truck after the crash.

Video showed the left front tire of Ball's truck was missing.

Ball is just the latest professional sports athlete to be involved in a car crash in Charlotte.

Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newtonfractured his backin a 2014 crash in which he flipped his pickup truck near Bank of America Stadium — less than a mile from where Ball's crash occurred.

And in 2024, Panthers current backup quarterback Andy Daltoninjured his thumbwhen he was involved in a two-car crash in Charlotte.

Former Hornets guard Bobby Phills was killed in a car crash at age 30 following a practice on Jan. 12, 2000.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

O's INF Jordan Westburg physically 'unable to participate'

Frank Jenkins February 19, 2026

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg was not on the field with the team for a spring training workout on Thursday, and manager Craig Albernaz doesn't know when his status will change.

"He's unable to participate right now," the first-year manager said Thursday. "Getting evaluated by our medical team and also outside people. See what's going on with Jordan and get him ready to go."

Westburg, 27, felt his oblique tighten on the right side early in spring training. Albernaz did not specifically point to the muscle injury as the reason for his absence and wouldn't say if he had a different injury.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said earlier this month that Westburg's oblique injury dates to January.

The Baltimore Banner reported Thursday, however, that Westburg had imaging done on his elbow.

"Just physically unable to go," Albernaz said. "We want to make sure we do our due diligence. Make sure Jordan has the best chance to play this year."

Injuries have been a hindrance in Westburg's three seasons in Baltimore, which drafted him 30th overall in 2020 out of Mississippi State.

He played 85 games last season and required injured list stints due to a left hamstring injury and a sprained ankle. He also missed parts of 2025 spring training with back tightness. He played 107 games in 2024 and was named an All-Star, but also missed seven weeks with a fractured hand.

In 260 career games, Westburg has a .264 batting average with 38 home runs and 127 RBIs.

--Field Level Media

King Charles III at London Fashion Week amid brother Andrew's arrest

Frank Jenkins February 19, 2026

King Charles IIIshocked royal onlookers by sitting front row at a fashion show on the same day younger brotherAndrew Mountbatten-Windsorwasarrested on suspicion of misconduct in public life.

The British monarch was spotted at the opening of London Fashion Week on Thursday, Feb. 19. The appearance coincided with the arrest of the former Prince Andrew, who was apprehended by British police Thursday, Feb. 19, the day of his birthday; Mountbatten-Windsor has not been charged.

The former royal has faced intense scrutiny over his friendship with the late convictedsex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, has denied any wrongdoing and said he regrets the friendship. He has not responded to requests for comment following the latestEpstein filespublished by the U.S. Justice Department.

Britain's King Charles III appeared alongside fashion designer Stella McCartney during Tolu Coker's runway, the opening show of London Fashion Week 2026 on Feb. 19, 2026. Britain's former prince Andrew was arrested the same day on suspicion of misconduct, with King Charles III saying in a statement "the law must take its course."