Fox News Hourly Update – 11PM ET 02/20/2026 Newscast

Date: February 21, 2026
Host: Lisa Lucera (FOX News)
Duration Covered: Approximately 4 minutes (excluding ads/outros)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire roundup of the day's top headlines from the United States and abroad. Topics include President Trump’s new tariffs, escalating tensions with Iran, the aftermath of a California avalanche, a deadly US military strike in the Pacific, a possible terrorist incident in Las Vegas, political maneuvering in Virginia’s congressional map, a major ransomware attack on a Mississippi medical center, and a massive food recall due to contamination risks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s New Tariffs

• Summary: President Trump signs an order implementing a 10% tariff on most imported goods after the Supreme Court blocked his prior emergency order.
• Details:
  • Some exceptions: “Certain critical minerals, metals used in currency and bullion and energy products.” (Lisa Lucera, 00:29)
  • Trump’s stance, in his own words:

    "Foreign countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic. They're so happy and they're dancing in the streets. But they won't be dancing for long, that I can assure you.”
    — Fox News Anchor quoting Trump (00:17)

2. U.S.–Iran Tensions

• Summary: The situation with Iran escalates as President Trump contemplates limited strikes amid ongoing nuclear negotiations.
• Details:
  • Iran threatens to retaliate against U.S. military bases in the region if attacked, naming vulnerabilities in Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain.
  • Geopolitical context:

    “The Strait of Hormuz at its narrowest point is just 21 miles wide, and most of Iran's missiles are mobile.”
    — Ainsley Earhardt (00:44)

  • Diplomatic update: Iran’s top diplomat expects to have a deal proposal ready in the next few days. (Lisa Lucera, 01:05)

3. California Sierra Nevada Avalanche Investigation

• Summary: Authorities are looking into possible criminal negligence after a deadly avalanche kills eight and leaves one still missing.
• Details:
  • Investigations by county sheriff and state workplace safety agency focus on why Blackbird Mountain Guides didn't cancel the trip despite a severe storm.
  • Scale of disaster:

    “Crews have not recovered the bodies of the eight people killed or found the body of a ninth person missing and presumed dead in the avalanche near Castle Peak, which was roughly the size of a football field.”
    — Fox News Anchor (01:25)

4. U.S. Military Action in the Eastern Pacific

• Summary:
  The U.S. military confirms another deadly strike, this time targeting a suspected drug boat, resulting in three deaths.
  (Lisa Lucera, 01:44)

5. Las Vegas Suspected Terrorist Attack

• Summary: Police in Las Vegas treat as terrorism an incident where a man rammed his car into a power substation, causing his own death.
• Details:
  • Perpetrator was from Albany, NY and had been reported missing.
    (Lisa Lucera, 02:37)

6. Virginia Congressional Redistricting Controversy

• Summary: Virginia’s legislature passes a new, Democrat-friendly congressional map, but a judge halts its implementation.
• Details:
  • Map intended to add four “easily winnable” Democratic seats (Eben Brown, 02:58)
  • Legal setback: A judge blocks the new map from appearing on the referendum vote, complicating its introduction for the midterms.
  • Broader context: Both Virginia and California Democrats are pushing for more seats to counteract Republican maneuvers in Florida and Texas.

7. University of Mississippi Medical Center Ransomware Attack

• Summary: The center is forced to close clinics and cancel elective procedures for another day after a ransomware attack.
• Details:
  • Hospitals and ERs remain operational, but many systems are disrupted, including health records.
  • Officials cannot confirm whether patient privacy was compromised.
  • The FBI and authorities are investigating and aiding recovery efforts.

    “Authorities say the attack disrupted multiple systems, including the medical center's health records platform, but it's unclear whether hackers accessed patients’ private information.”
    — Carmen Roberts (03:43)

8. Massive Frozen Chicken Fried Rice Recall

• Summary:
  Nearly 3.4 million pounds of Ajinomoto chicken fried rice products recalled in the US and Canada due to risk of glass contamination.
• Details:
  • Products impacted: Sold at Trader Joe’s (US); Ajinomoto Yakitori chicken (Canada)
    (Lisa Lucera, 04:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Tariffs:
  "Foreign countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic. They're so happy and they're dancing in the streets. But they won't be dancing for long, that I can assure you."
  — Fox News Anchor quoting Trump (00:17)

• On Middle East Escalation:
  “Iranian leaders have said any attack by the United States, limited or not, would cause them to unleash their vast missile arsenal at US bases...”
  — Ainsley Earhardt (00:44)

• On the Avalanche Investigation:
  “Crews have not recovered the bodies of the eight people killed or found the body of a ninth person missing and presumed dead in the avalanche near Castle Peak, which was roughly the size of a football field.”
  — Fox News Anchor (01:25)

• On Mississippi Ransomware Attack:
  “The clinic shutdown may last for several more days as investigators work to determine the full scope of the cyber attack and restore network systems.”
  — Carmen Roberts (03:43)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Trump’s new 10% tariffs | | 00:44 | U.S.–Iran tensions & military posturing | | 01:05 | Iran’s imminent nuclear deal proposal | | 01:25 | Sierra Nevada avalanche investigation & criminal negligence | | 01:44 | U.S. military strike in the eastern Pacific | | 02:37 | Las Vegas suspected terrorism incident | | 02:58 | Virginia redistricting fight | | 03:36 | University of Mississippi Medical Center ransomware attack | | 04:17 | Ajinomoto frozen chicken fried rice massive recall |

Tone & Language

The reporting is brisk, urgent, factual, and crisply delivered with characteristic FOX News urgency. Quotes from officials and politicians are dramatic and pointed, matching the contentious topics and high-stakes issues being described.

Summary

This newscast offers a condensed but comprehensive update on U.S. politics, foreign relations, disaster response, cybercrime, public health, and consumer safety. It is a snapshot of a complex, eventful day, capturing the scale and seriousness of current events as reported through the lens of FOX News.