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Morning Announcements

Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 - NM probes Epstein ranch; TX primary; Colbert vs FCC; Netflix vs Paramount; Trump files airport trademark

Morning Announcements

Betches

Daily News, News, News Commentary, Politics

4.71.7K Ratings

🗓️ 18 February 2026

⏱️ 15 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Today’s Headlines: New Mexico has approved a bipartisan “truth commission” to investigate alleged sexual abuse and trafficking at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe. The commission will have subpoena power, a $2 million budget funded by a Deutsche Bank settlement, and will operate through 2026. Meanwhile, Epstein’s former benefactor Les Wexner is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee behind closed doors at his Ohio home. Early voting is underway in Texas’ Senate primaries after late-night host Stephen Colbert said CBS forced him to cancel an interview with Democratic candidate James Talarico following FCC guidance on political airtime. In media shakeups, Anderson Cooper is leaving CBS’ 60 Minutes, and independent journalist Georgia Fort pleaded not guilty to federal felony charges tied to covering an anti-ICE protest. On the corporate front, Warner Bros. Discovery reopened talks with Paramount over a $77.9 billion acquisition bid as Netflix circles with a competing offer. The Trump administration is reportedly reviewing its relationship with AI company Anthropic after questions about military use of its Claude model, while Palantir sued Swiss outlet Republik over an investigative report. Meta is facing scrutiny over AI chatbot safety for minors and a patent for AI systems that simulate deceased users. EU regulators are investigating Shein under the Digital Services Act, and the Trump administration has spent at least $40 million deporting migrants to third countries, including Cameroon. Nuclear talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Geneva reportedly made progress toward a potential new deal. In Argentina, the Senate passed sweeping labor reforms sparking nationwide strike threats. Trump-linked businesses also filed trademarks for “President Donald J. Trump International Airport.” Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson has died at 84. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: The Guardian: New Mexico approves truth commission on alleged Jeffrey Epstein ranch abuse Dispatch: What do we know about Les Wexner and Epstein as deposition approaches? NYT: Colbert Slams Trump Administration After CBS Pulls Talarico Interview Status: Cooper’s Final Minutes Minnesota Reformer: Journalist Georgia Fort pleads not guilty to felony charges stemming from church protest WSJ: Warner Reopens Talks With Paramount After Sweetened Offer Axios: Exclusive: Pentagon threatens Anthropic punishment European Journalist: Switzerland: US analytics firm takes Republik magazine to court – European Federation of Journalists Mashable: Meta wins patent for AI that could post for dead social media users Axios: Unreleased Meta product didn't protect kids from exploitation, tests found PBS News: Shein under investigation in EU over illegal products and addictive online design features AP News: More third-country nationals have been deported by the US to Cameroon, lawyers tell Axios: U.S. and Iran say progress made in Geneva nuclear talks Reuters: Argentine unions to hold general strike over labor reform bill Gerben Law: Trump’s Private Company Files Trademark for ‘President Donald J. Trump International Airport’ Axios: Civil rights icon Jesse Jackson dies at 84 Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com⁠⁠ Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Prime Video brings the best in entertainment.

0:03.0

The end of the world continues with season two of the global phenomenon, Fallout, included with Prime.

0:09.0

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0:12.0

Bring home the epic conclusion to the untold story of the Witches of Oz.

0:16.0

Buy or rent, Wicked for Good Now.

0:18.0

I'm taking you to see the wizard.

0:20.0

There's no going back. Whatever you're into,

0:22.9

it's right here. Prime Video. Click or tap the banner to find out more. Today is Wednesday, February

0:33.0

18th, and you're listening to the morning announcements presented by Betches Media. I'm your host, Sammy Sage, and the morning announcements is your daily five-minute breakdown of the headlines

0:42.1

that isn't a megaphone for the loudest voices, but a magnifying glass for the most important news.

0:48.1

This episode of the morning announcements is brought to you by Built. It's 2026, and if you're still

0:53.4

paying rent without Bilt, it's time for a change.

0:56.1

Built is the loyalty program for renters that rewards you monthly, with points and exclusive benefits in your neighborhood.

1:01.7

So every rent payment earns you points that can be used towards flights, hotels, lift rides, Amazon.com purchases, and so much more.

1:09.1

Stay tuned to the end of the episode to learn more.

1:11.7

Join the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com slash morning.

1:15.6

That's J-O-I-N-B-I-L-T dot com slash morning.

1:19.4

And make sure to use our URL so they know we sent you.

1:24.9

The state of New Mexico has approved the creation of a Truth Commission to investigate abuse

1:29.9

on Jeffrey Epstein's 10,000-acre Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe.

1:34.2

Fucking finally.

1:35.5

As a reminder, multiple women and girls have said that they were sexually abused at Zoro Ranch.

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