Eight backcountry skiers were found dead and one remained missing near California's Lake Tahoe after being caught in an avalanche, authorities announced Wednesday. The incident, which occurred on February 17, 2026, is the nation's deadliest in nearly half a century, according to NPR News.
The skiers were in the Soda Springs area when the avalanche struck. Capt. Russell "Rusty" Greene stated, "Someone saw the avalanche, yelled avalanche, and it overtook them rather quickly," according to NPR News. Rescue teams discovered the bodies, and were still searching for the missing skier.
In other news, actor Peter Greene, known for his role in "Pulp Fiction," died on December 12 at the age of 60 from an accidental gunshot wound, Variety reported Wednesday. The New York Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound of the left axilla with injury of the brachial artery.
Meanwhile, at the Milano Cortina Games, figure skater Amber Glenn is making her Olympic debut. Despite landing a triple axel in the women's short program on February 17, she struggled with her performance, according to Time. Glenn explained that a mistake during her flying sit spin put her off balance, making her "a little bit noodle-y."
Also at the games, Mikaela Shiffrin celebrated an Olympic win. Her father, Jeff, was known for his support of his daughter. "This is a validation for all her effort," Jeff said, according to Time.
Finally, scientists have identified a concerning pattern in wildfires around the world, according to Vox. Extreme heat, high winds, and severe dry conditions are increasingly synchronizing, creating conditions for massive blazes. On January 10, 2026, Australia faced its most catastrophic bushfire conditions since the 2019-2020 fires, with over 30 blazes scorching 350,000 hectares and destroying more than 300 structures, according to Vox.
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