11PM ET 02/19/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 11PM ET 02/19/2026 Newscast

Date: February 20, 2026
Host: Lisa Lacera (with Fox News Correspondents and Analysts)

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers concise coverage of major national and global headlines from late February 2026. The episode focuses on escalating tensions with Iran, political developments in the US, new disclosures on extraterrestrial life, the arrest of former Prince Andrew, updates in employment numbers, and a historic exhibit in Philadelphia. Key voices include President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and prominent Fox News correspondents.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-Iran Tensions and Military Posture

• [00:02-00:40] President Trump issues strong warnings to Iran amid ongoing diplomatic negotiations on a nuclear deal.
  • Trump expresses urgency: "10 to 15 days is enough time" to reach a deal.
  • The US displays military readiness:
    • USS Gerald R. Ford enters the Mediterranean.
    • Multiple carrier strike groups and destroyers are deployed to strategic locations (Arabian, Red, Mediterranean seas).
    • US fighter jets stationed in Jordan and Qatar.
  • Notable Quote:
    "If they do not take that diplomatic option, very bad things could happen." — Fox News Correspondent [00:16]

2. Nuclear Negotiations and Israel Relations

• [00:40] Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans a trip to Tel Aviv to update Prime Minister Netanyahu on nuclear talks with Iran.
• President Trump makes headlines by announcing declassification moves:
  • On Truth Social, he states intent to begin "the process of identifying and releasing government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life," tying to a recent comment from former President Obama on aliens.

3. Domestic Politics and the State of the Union

• [01:16-01:37] President Trump campaigns in Georgia:
  • Economic themes: Jobs and affordability dominate voter concerns ahead of midterm elections.
  • Trump reiterates grievances from the 2020 election:
    • Notable Quote:
      "We don't want mail in ballots except for the military far away, except for people that are ill, disabled or people that are away." — News Analyst [01:26]
  • Early voting is underway in the special election to fill Marjorie Taylor Greene’s congressional seat.
  • The episode notes public tension between Trump and Greene, who had a “falling out" after being close allies.

4. Prince Andrew’s Arrest in England

• [02:30-03:14] Former Prince Andrew arrested by Thames Valley Police after revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files released in the US.
  • Allegations: Andrew gave Epstein inside information on government business and investments.
  • Covered period: Andrew’s tenure as Britain’s trade envoy (2010-2011).
  • Possible violations: Government Secrets Act.
  • King Charles supports the ongoing investigation.
  • Notable Quote:
    "They were assessing if those emails show Andrew giving Epstein inside information about government business and investment opportunities." — News Analyst [02:38]

5. Historic Philadelphia Exhibit Restored

• [03:14-03:41] A legal dispute over historical narratives:
  • An exhibit about nine people enslaved by President George Washington is ordered restored to Independence Mall after a federal judge rules against the Trump administration’s effort to control National Park Service storytelling.
  • The exhibit’s presence is secured while litigation proceeds.

6. Positive US Job Market Update

• [03:41-04:19] New economic report highlights:
  • Unemployment claims drop to 206,000 (below forecast).
  • Continuing claims slightly up to 1.86 million.
  • Federal Reserve minutes indicate signs of stabilization in the job market.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Fewer people were filing for unemployment benefits last week...most of the participants see signs the job market has stabilized." — Economic Reporter [03:41]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "10 to 15 days is enough time."
  – President Trump (summarized by Lisa Lacera) [00:02]

• "If they do not take that diplomatic option, very bad things could happen."
  – Fox News Correspondent [00:16]

• "We don't want mail in ballots except for the military far away, except for people that are ill, disabled or people that are away."
  – News Analyst [01:26]

• "They were assessing if those emails show Andrew giving Epstein inside information about government business and investment opportunities."
  – News Analyst [02:38]

• "Fewer people were filing for unemployment benefits last week...most of the participants see signs the job market has stabilized."
  – Economic Reporter [03:41]

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Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | President Trump’s warning to Iran, mention of timeline | | 00:16 | Details on US military deployments in the region | | 00:40 | Rubio to Israel, alien files release announcement | | 01:16 | Trump’s economic message in Georgia, midterm context | | 01:26 | Trump’s stance on mail-in ballots | | 01:37 | Special election for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat | | 02:30 | Arrest of former Prince Andrew, Epstein connection | | 03:14 | Washington slavery exhibit legal restoration | | 03:41 | Positive job market update |

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Summary Tone

The broadcast maintains a direct, urgent news style, with succinct factual reporting and clear attributions. It oscillates between serious geopolitical matters, domestic political maneuvering, and major legal/cultural milestones.

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For listeners seeking a rapid yet thorough sweep of key news items—for the US and beyond—this newscast blends high-level context with up-to-the-minute details, punctuated by pointed remarks from key figures and timely updates from Fox correspondents.

Transcript

[Lisa Lacera]

Stern words from President Trump. I'm Lisa Lacera, Fox News. Directed at Iran even as members of the administration try to reach a nuclear deal. And he says he believes 10 to 15 days is enough time.

[Fox News Correspondent]

Once again, the president said if they do not take that diplomatic option, that very bad things could happen. In the backdrop, we know the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is making its way into the Mediterranean Sea. The carrier strike group in the Arabian Sea, a variety of US Destroyers in the Red and Mediterranean seas and a variety of US Fighter jets in places like Jordan and Qatar.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox is straying in Tel Aviv. Secretary of State Marco Rubio set to travel to Israel next week to update Prime Minister Netanyahu on the nuclear talks. President Trump posting on Truth Social that he will be directing the secretary of war and other relevant departments and agencies to begin the process of of identifying and releasing government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life. The president was asked about it this afternoon aboard Air Force One after former President Obama said in a podcast that aliens are real. And the president took his economic message to Georgia ahead of next week's State of the Union address.

[Podcast Host]

Jobs and affordability are on the minds of voters as they head into this year's midterms, but the president also repeated grievances over his 2020 election loss in Georgia.

[News Analyst]

We don't want mail in ballots except for the military far away, except for people that are ill, disabled or people that are away.

[Podcast Host]

Trump's visit to northwest Georgia comes as early voting is already underway in the special election to fill the unexpired term of Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's Jonathan Cerri in Rome, Georgia. Greene, a one time member of the president's inner circle, at a public falling out with the president last year. America is listening to Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

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[Lisa Lacera]

The former Prince Andrew has been released after his arrest in England earlier today on suspicion of misconduct while in public office.

[News Analyst]

The younger brother of King Charles was taken into custody at his home by Thames Valley police after those revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files released here in the U.S. police previously said that they were assessing if those emails show Andrew giving Epstein inside information about government business and investment opportunities. They include details of Andrews official trips and confidential briefings that he had while he served as Britain's trade envoy in 2010 and 2011. That would be a violation of the Government Secrets Act. Andrew's brother King Charles, said he does support the investigation.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's Eric Shawn an exhibit in Philadelphia on the lives of nine people once enslaved by President George Washington is returning to Independence Mall after a legal battle between the city and the Trump administration. The administration had argued that it alone can decide what stories are told at National Park Service Properties, but a federal judge disagreed, ordering the exhibit to be restored while the lawsuit proceeds. This is another encouraging report for the job market.

[Economic Reporter]

Fewer people were filing for unemployment benefits last week. The number of new claims slipped to 206,000 in the week ending February 14, below the forecast of 225,000. Though economists have been expecting weekly claims numbers to be impacted by storm disruptions and the President's Day holiday, this week may have been a factor in last week's filings. Continuing claims, those remaining on benefits rose slightly to 1.86 million in line with expectations. Minutes from the January Federal Reserve meeting suggest most of the participants see signs the job market has stabilized.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox Jenny Casola, I'm Lisa Licera. This is Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

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

[Podcast Host]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide

[News Analyst]

hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told.

[Podcast Host]

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