NPR News: 02-18-2026 11AM EST
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What are the key issues in the Meta social media trial?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corva Coleman. The CEO of big tech company Meta will testify today in a landmark social media trial. Mark Zuckerberg is facing accusations that Meta's platform Instagram has been engineered to hook young people. NPR's Bobby Allen has more.
Zuckerberg will take the witness stand and defend Meta's social media apps before a Los Angeles jury. A core question of the trial is whether tech companies should be found legally liable for designing social media apps in ways that have harmed or worsened users' mental health. Silicon Valley has long avoided legal repercussions thanks to a federal shield known as Section 230. It makes it hard to sue tech companies for content users post. But this trial is framing social media platforms as a defective product. designed knowing the harms they could cause. Zuckerberg is expected to emphasize META's safeguards for teens. The outcome of this trial could shape 1,600 other social media addiction cases still pending.
Bobby Allen, NPR News.
A federal law allows local police to be deputized for immigration enforcement duties. They're partnered with ICE officials. The use of these agreements has soared in President Trump's second term. NPR's Jacqueline Diaz has more.
Under the 287G program, state or local police can get the power to question, investigate, or arrest people for civil immigration violations. Data reviewed by NPR shows that as of February 13th, Immigration and Customs Enforcement had reported more than 1,400 such agreements with police. In 2019, there were just 45 such deals. The Trump administration sees it as a major tool in its immigration agenda. Critics of the program are warning that 287G powers heighten the risk of racial profiling and civil rights violations by local police, who get little training in complex immigration law. Jacqueline Diaz, NPR News.
Parts of Northern California are getting their first big winter storm of the season. From Jefferson Public Radio, Jane Vaughn reports it's bringing snow and some hail.
Heavy snowfall has mainly impacted higher elevations across the region, while lower areas are getting hit with rain. James White is a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Eureka. He says this storm signals the return of winter.
We're far below average for snowfall across most of Northern California. So this would be kind of more of a moderate, typical winter storm. It's particularly notable just because we've had so few this year.
How does Section 230 protect tech companies from lawsuits?
The region is facing a variety of weather warnings and advisories. For NPR News, I'm Jane Vaughn.
There's no word on nine missing backcountry skiers in Northern California. Rescuers say they went missing after an avalanche near Lake Tahoe. Six other skiers were rescued. Two of them were hospitalized. Officials from the Nevada County California Sheriff's Office say the search for the missing skiers continues. You're listening to NPR News. Fire officials in Oklahoma say a massive wildfire has burned more than 220 square miles. The Ranger Road fire has now crossed the border into Kansas. Officials with the Kansas Forest Service say they're sending personnel to assist local fire departments. There are unconfirmed reports some firefighters were injured in both states fighting the blaze. The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings for the regions with powerful winds and very low humidity.
The Catholic Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, will visit an ICE detention center today. He'll offer services for ASH Wednesday. Fiona Andre of Religion News Service has more.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin is leading an ASH Wednesday service for detainees at the Lenny Hall, the largest ICE facility on the East Coast. And Catholic activists are also holding a service in the parking lot. Bishops across the country, as well as the Pope, have pushed to get access to these ICE facilities. Cornel Tobin has called ICE a, quote, lawless organization.
What impact could the Meta trial have on social media addiction cases?
He's among dozens of Catholic leaders who have condemned the administration's detention of migrants. To observe Ash Wednesday, many Christians have a cross made of ashes drawn on their foreheads as a sign of repentance.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What are the key issues in the Meta social media trial?
0:00–2:29
2
How does Section 230 protect tech companies from lawsuits?
2:29–4:03
3
What impact could the Meta trial have on social media addiction cases?
4:03–4:36
4
How does the 287G program affect local police and immigration enforcement?
4:36–4:39