11PM ET 02/17/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: 11PM ET, February 17, 2026 – Episode Summary

Main Theme

This episode delivers a concise roundup of the day's top news stories, spanning crime, ongoing investigations, political disputes over vaccine changes, legislative moves on fraud, a high-profile legal case, and major media merger negotiations.

---

Key News Stories & Insights

1. Pawtucket, Rhode Island Ice Rink Shooting

[00:02 - 00:46]

• Incident Details:
  • Police confirm a deadly shooting at a local ice rink was a targeted attack aimed at the shooter’s family members.
  • Suspect: Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito.
  • Victims: Ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and their adult son, Aiden Dorgan, were killed. Three others (ex-wife’s parents and a family friend) were wounded.
• Resolution:
  • Police Chief Tina Gonsalves: Credited a "good Samaritan" with subduing the gunman—“bringing the attack to what she described as a swift end.”
• Memorable Moment:
  • The revelation of a family motivation and prompt civilian intervention adds gravity and a sense of community bravery.

---

2. Ongoing Search for Nancy Guthrie

[00:46 - 01:17]

• Update:
  • Search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, enters its third week.
  • Sheriff Chris Nanos:
    • Quote [00:46]: “I believe it was a kidnapping, but I'm not the one investigating this. I have a team of some very qualified, very hardworking young men and women.”
  • New clue: DNA found on a glove at the scene does not match any database profiles.

---

3. California Prepares to Sue Over CDC Vaccine Updates

[01:17 - 01:46]

• Issue:
  • CDC released a new childhood immunization schedule, removing recommendations for several vaccines, including rotavirus, influenza, hepatitis A and B.
• Response:
  • California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticizes the changes and plans to challenge them in court.
  • Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.:
    • Quote [01:17]: “I like the facts, I like science.”
    • Asserts: “the update protects children, respects families and rebuilds trust in public health.” [01:46]
• Notable Insight:
  • The removal of vaccine recommendations signals significant shifts in federal health policy and ignites legal and political conflict between state and federal leaders.

---

4. Capitol Security Incident

[02:30 - 02:49]

• Event:
  • US Capitol Police arrested an 18-year-old man, who ran towards the Capitol's west side with a shotgun, tactical vest, and gloves.
• Context:
  • Congress is in recess.

---

5. Minnesota Legislature Targets Widespread Fraud

[02:49 - 03:23]

• Allegation:
  • Whistleblowers and prosecutors allege over $9 billion in taxpayer fraud went unchecked for years.
• Political Reaction:
  • House Republicans push for the creation of an independent Inspector General’s Office.
  • Democrats propose increased transparency for ICE operations.
• Reporter Jeff Manasso:
  • Details divided legislative agenda and prior failures to establish anti-fraud oversight.

---

6. Legal Case: Jill Biden’s First Husband Charged

[03:23 - 03:41]

• Update:
  • William Stevenson, first husband of former First Lady Jill Biden, pleads not guilty to murdering Linda Stevenson, his wife, found dead on December 28th in Wilmington, Delaware.

---

7. Major Media Merger Negotiations

[03:41 - 04:22]

• Development:
  • Warner Bros. Discovery will reopen merger talks with Paramount Skydance.
  • Paramount aims for full acquisition, offering to raise bid from $30 to $31 per share.
  • Netflix already has a partial bid (excluding cable channels).
  • Netflix asserts their deal remains “superior” but offers a 7-day waiver for Warner’s decision-making.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Netflix said in a statement that it believes its offer remains superior, but granted Warner a seven day waiver to fully and finally resolve this matter.” [04:22]

---

Notable Quotes

• Chief Tina Gonsalves (Pawtucket Police): “...subduing the shooter, bringing the attack to what she described as a swift end.” [00:46]
• Sheriff Chris Nanos (Pima County): “I believe it was a kidnapping, but I'm not the one investigating this...” [00:46]
• Attorney General Rob Bonta: “I like the facts, I like science.” [01:17] (as attribution to Kennedy, but Bonta is quoted as preparing a legal challenge)
• Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: “The update protects children, respects families and rebuilds trust in public health.” [01:46]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Pawtucket Shooting: 00:02 – 00:46
• Nancy Guthrie Search: 00:46 – 01:17
• Childhood Vaccine Guidelines Lawsuit: 01:17 – 01:46
• Capitol Security Incident: 02:30 – 02:49
• Minnesota Fraud Investigation: 02:49 – 03:23
• Jill Biden’s First Husband Trial: 03:23 – 03:41
• Warner Bros.-Paramount Merger Negotiations: 03:41 – 04:22

---

Memorable Moments

• The swift intervention of a good Samaritan during a family-targeted mass shooting.
• The lingering uncertainty and hopefulness in the Nancy Guthrie missing person investigation.
• Sharp state-federal conflict over childhood vaccine policy, with strong public statements from both California’s Attorney General and federal officials.
• A high-stakes media industry showdown, with Netflix and Warner-Paramount vying for transformative deals.

---

This episode offers a rapid-fire, headline-driven look at the day's major stories, spotlighting impactful developments across law enforcement, health policy, government oversight, and business.

Transcript

[A]

A targeted attack. I'm Lisa Lacera, Fox News. Police in Pawtucket, Rhode island say the suspect in yesterday's deadly shooting at an ice rink shot members of his family. Chief Tina Gonzale says the suspect has been identified as Robert Dorgan, who also went by the name Roberta Esposito. One of the victims was his ex wife Rhonda Dorgan and also his son, adult son Aiden Dorgan and she says three others, his ex wife's parents and family friend were wounded yesterday. Chief Gonsalves credited a good Samaritan with subduing the shooter, bringing the attack to what she described as a swift end. The search for Nancy Guthrie is now in its third week and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos tells Fox he has a theory about why she was taken.

[B]

I believe it was a kidnapping, but I'm not the one investigating this. I have a team of some very qualified, very hardworking young men and women.

[A]

The 84 year old mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie was last seen January 31st when a family member dropped her off at home today. Authorities said DNA evidence recovered on a glove found near the scene does not match any profile in their system. The state of California preparing to sue over the Trump administration's changes to childhood vaccine recommendations.

[C]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issuing a new childhood immunization schedule removing long standing recommendations including for vaccines against rotavirus, influenza, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. California Attorney General Rob Bonta slamming the changes and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Telling Reuters, I like the facts, I like science. Banta revealing his team is planning to challenge the guidelines, saying they're looking at what the complaint looks like.

[A]

Fox's Kristin Goodwin Secretary Kennedy has said the update protects children, respects families and rebuilds trust in public health. America is listening to Fox News.

[D]

Building a business is hard, but protecting it doesn't have to be with LegalZoom for more than 20 years, LegalZoom's online tools and network of attorneys have helped over 4 million businesses start strong and stay compliant. Rest easy knowing your business formation is done right from day one with LegalZoom. When you need a legal hand, trust LegalZoom. Get started at legalzoom.com LegalZoom provides access to independent attorneys and self service tools. LegalZoom is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

[A]

US Capitol Police say they've arrested an 18 year old man after he ran from his vehicle to the west side of the Capitol building armed with a shotgun and wearing a tactical vest and gloves. Congress is in recess this week. Minnesota's divided legislature gets back to work with efforts to tackle widespread fraud in the state.

[E]

Minnesota House Republicans say they're ready to hold people accountable for widespread fraud that whistleblowers and federal prosecutors alleged went unchecked for years with more than $9 billion stolen from taxpayers. The new legislative session kicking off with GOP leaders promising to push once again for an independent Office of the Inspector General to investigate fraud after previously failing to get the effort past Democrats, who in the new session will introduce their own proposals, including increasing transparency in ICE operations in the state. Jeff Manasso, Fox News.

[A]

The first husband of former first lady Jill Biden has pled not guilty to charges he killed his wife. William Stevenson was charged earlier this month with killing Linda Stevenson. She was found unresponsive at their home in Wilmington, Delaware, December 28. A planned media merger could be headed in another direction.

[B]

Warner Bros. Discovery says it will reopen merger talks with Paramount Skydance. Paramount wants to buy all of the business, including the cable unit, which includes CNN and tnt. Warner says Paramount is willing to boost its offer from $30 a share to 31 if Warner reopens talks. Netflix already has a deal to buy most of the business, Warner's movie and TV studios and HBO Max, but not the cable channels. Netflix said in a statement that it believes its offer remains superior, but granted Warner a seven day waiver to fully and finally resolve this matter. Netflix has the right to match any offer Warner accepts from another b.

[A]

Fox is Jenny Costola. I'm Lisa Licera. This is Fox News.

[C]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[E]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.