11PM ET 02/13/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 11PM ET 02/13/2026 Newscast

Date: February 14, 2026
Host: Lisa Licera (with reports from Chad, Jenny Coselda, and segments featuring Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others)
Podcast: FOX News Hourly Update
Episode Purpose:
A fast-paced breakdown of the top national and international news stories of the hour, with a focus on U.S. political standoffs, international security developments, economic indicators, and notable moments from political leaders.

---

Main Theme

This episode centers on the political stalemate over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, the ramifications of the partial shutdown, international tensions involving Iran and U.S. military mobilization, notable activity by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the global stage, and updates on inflation and chocolate prices in the U.S.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DHS Shutdown & Congressional Stalemate

• Backdrop: No bipartisan agreement was reached to fund DHS. Democrats pushed for changes to ICE policy, contributing to the standoff.

• Impact: Critical agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection are funded, but other DHS departments, including FEMA and TSA, will face operational disruptions.

• Consequences: Tens of thousands of FEMA and TSA employees face working without pay — for the third time since October.

  • Quote: “Republicans say you could see an impact at the airport or in disaster recovery zone.” (00:22, Reporter)

• Congress in Recess: With Congress now in recess, the shutdown is expected to last at least a week and a half. (00:35)

2. Criminal Investigation in Florida

• A Florida lab is examining DNA found at the home of missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.
• Sheriff Chris Nanos reports that the DNA does not belong to Guthrie or her family.
• The FBI is investigating doorbell cam footage showing a masked man attempting to cover the camera. (00:35)

3. U.S.–Iran Tensions and Military Maneuvers

• Escalation: President Trump, seeking a new nuclear deal with Iran, ordered a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

  • Quote: “Regime change is the best thing that could happen to Iran.” (01:10, President Trump)

• The USS Gerald Ford moves from the Caribbean to join another strike group in the region.

• Strategic Context: USS Ford was previously deployed near Venezuela for potential actions related to Nicolas Maduro.

• Warnings to Iran: President Trump threatens “very traumatic consequences” if a nuclear deal isn’t reached in roughly a month. (01:27, Chad)

• Notable Exchange:

  • President Trump: “Well, in case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need…” (01:22)
  • Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: “If we don’t have a deal, we’ll need it.” (01:26)

4. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the International Stage

• Event: Ocasio-Cortez participates in the 62nd Munich Security Conference in Germany.

  • Quote: “We have to have a working class centered politics if we are going to succeed and also if we are going to stave off the scourges of authoritarianism.” (02:52, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez)

• She reiterates her critique of President Trump, labeling him a fascist, and is mentioned as both a key figure for the 2028 presidential race and a possible challenger to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. (03:04)

5. Economic Updates

• Inflation:

  • Price increases moderated in January 2026.
  • Key Stats:
    • Consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.2% in January; 2.4% annually.
    • Core CPI (excl. food/energy): up 0.3% in January, 2.5% annually.
  • Historical Note: CPI peaked at 9.1% in June 2020.
  • Context: January inflation numbers are often distorted by post-holiday price hikes, making this moderation especially notable.
  • Quote: “The improvements in the report are especially encouraging since January readings are often skewed by companies raising prices at the start of the year following the holiday season.” (03:23, Jenny Coselda)

• Chocolate Prices:

  • Cocoa prices have plummeted nearly 70% since last Valentine’s Day.
  • Paradox: Chocolate retail prices are up 14% year-over-year, and price hikes in Europe are even sharper.
  • Explanation: Despite falling cocoa prices, supply chain issues and other factors keep chocolate prices high. (04:07)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On shutdown impact:

  • “The money runs out in about an hour. I’m Lisa Licera. FOX News.” (00:02, Lisa Licera)
  • “Tens of thousands of employees at FEMA and TSA may need to work without pay for the third time since October.” (00:22, Reporter)

• On Iran/Tensions:

  • “Regime change is the best thing that could happen to Iran.” (01:10, President Trump)
  • “President Trump has warned Iran will face very traumatic consequences if it does not make a deal over its nuclear program.” (01:27, Chad)

• On Ocasio-Cortez and security:

  • “We have to have a working class centered politics if we are going to succeed and also if we are going to stave off the scourges of authoritarianism.” (02:52, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez)

• On Inflation:

  • “Price increases moderated in January. The consumer price index rose just 0.2% for the month and 2.4% on an annual basis… The improvements in the report are especially encouraging.” (03:23, Jenny Coselda)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:02] DHS shutdown imminent; background and impacts
• [00:35] Nancy Guthrie case update; DNA and FBI investigation
• [01:10] Trump comments on Iran; second carrier deployed
• [01:27] White House warnings; U.S. military maneuvers near Venezuela/Iran
• [02:44] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at Munich Security Conference
• [03:23] Inflation data and core CPI
• [04:07] Paradox of cocoa prices and chocolate inflation

---

Conclusion

This hour delivers a rapid, information-dense briefing: from the immediate consequences of partisan gridlock on DHS funding, to the escalating U.S.-Iran standoff and high-profile remarks at a major security conference. Economic news tempers anxieties with positive inflation data, while consumer caution persists due to persistent chocolate price hikes despite falling cocoa costs. The episode effectively captures the volatile intersection of American politics, global affairs, and household economics in early 2026.

Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

The money runs out in about an hour. I'm Lisa Licera. FOX News. After Democrats and Republicans couldn't reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, Democrats were pushing for policy changes to ice. Though ICE and Customs and Border Protection are funded through the one big beautiful bill, other DHS departments will feel the pain.

[NetSuite Oracle Advertiser]

Republicans say you could see an impact at the airport or in disaster recovery zone. Tens of thousands of employees at FEMA and TSA may need to work without pay for the third time since October.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's CHAD Congress is now in recess. That means the shutdown will be in effect for at least a week and a half. A lab in Florida now examining DNA found in the home of Nancy Guthrie. As Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos tells Fox that DNA does not belong to the missing 84 year old or anyone in her family. The FBI continues to look at the recovered doorbell camera video which shows a man in a ski mask and backpack on Nancy Guthrie's porch attempting to cover up the camera with plants. Regime change is the best thing that could happen to Iran. Those words from President Trump this afternoon after earlier ordering a second aircraft carrier to the Middle east as he seeks a nuclear deal.

[Chad]

The USS Gerald Ford is moving from the Caribbean to join another aircraft carrier group in the Middle East.

[Lisa Licera]

Well, in case we don't make a deal, we'll need.

[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]

If we don't have a deal, we'll need it.

[Chad]

President Trump has warned Iran will face very traumatic consequences if it does not make a deal over its nuclear program. This week, the president suggested an agreement should be made in about a month's time. The USS Ford, deployed to the Caribbean in the fall, is part of a naval force established near Venezuela ahead of a military operation to capture the country's former leader, Nicolas Maduro.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Jared Halpern the White House. America is listening to FOX News.

[NetSuite Oracle Advertiser]

Every business is asking the same question. How do we make AI work for us? No more waiting with NetSuite by Oracle. You can put AI to work. Today, NetSuite is the number one AI Cloud ERP trusted by over 43,000 businesses. It's the unified suite that brings your finances, inventory, commerce, HR and CRM into a single source of truth. The connected data is what makes your AI smarter, helping you make fast decisions if your revenues are at least in the seven figures. Get our free business guide demystifying [e-mail].

[Lisa Licera]

Fox a high profile progressive congresswoman gets some attention on the international Stage at.

[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]

The 62nd Munich Security Conference in Germany. Progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez warning we.

[Lisa Licera]

Have to have a working class centered politics if we are going to succeed and also if we are going to stave off the scourges of authoritarianism.

[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]

The New York congresswoman is one of several Democrats to call President Trump a fascist. She's seen as a possible 2028 presidential contender, but is also being encouraged to primary New York senior Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in Washington. Ryan Schmelz, FOX NEWS There's a sign.

[Lisa Licera]

That inflation is cooling.

[Jenny Coselda]

Price increases moderated in January. The consumer price index rose just 0.2% for the month and 2.4% on an annual basis. The numbers showed improvement and were below economists predictions. Core CPI excluding food and energy rose 0.3% in January and for the year it was up 2.5%. Inflation measured by the CPI peaked at 9.1% in June of 2020, which was the highest reading in nearly 41 years. The improvements in the report are especially encouraging since January readings are often skewed by companies raising prices at the start of the year following the holiday season. Jenny Coselda, FOX NEWS Cocoa prices have.

[Lisa Licera]

Fallen nearly 70% since last Valentine's Day, but that won't make boxes of chocolate or even chocolate Easter bunnies more affordable this year. Market research company Data assembly says chocolate prices at U.S. retail stores rose 14% between Jan. 1 in the first week of February. Compared to the same period last year, Europe has seen even steeper price increases. I'm Lisa Licera. This is FOX News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Chad]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now at fox news, podcast.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.