11PM ET 02/22/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 11PM ET 02/22/2026 Newscast

Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Debra Valentine
Podcast: FOX News Hourly Update

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Overview

This episode delivers concise coverage of significant national and international events dominating the news cycle: a historic winter storm impacting the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, a security breach and shooting at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, cartel violence affecting American tourists in Mexico, a statement on U.S. involvement in a military operation there, the U.S. men’s hockey gold medal at the Winter Olympics, and political unrest in Iran. The tone is urgent and informative, in keeping with live hourly newscasts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bomb Cyclone Hits Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

• [00:02–00:35]

  • States of Emergency: Eight states—including New Jersey—are facing emergency orders due to a powerful blizzard dubbed a “bomb cyclone” (Debra Valentine).
  • On-the-Ground Impact:
    • Heavy, sticky snowfall (2-3 inches per hour) threatens power lines and trees (Bob Van Dillen).
    • NJ Transit halts train services; commercial vehicles banned from state highways.
  • Travel Advisories:
    • [00:35–00:43] Travel bans, road closures, and expected accumulations up to 2 feet of snow (Debra Valentine/Madison Scarpino/Lucas Tomlinson).
    • Flight Disruptions: 15,000+ flight cancellations or delays in and out of the U.S. (Debra Valentine).

  Quote:

  • "This snowfall is going to start sticking to everything and it's going to start bringing down some power lines… Snowfall rates 2 to 3 inches of snow per hour."
    — Bob Van Dillen, [00:18]

2. Mar-a-Lago Security Breach and Shooting

• [00:43–01:47]

  • Incident:
    • The Secret Service fatally shot Austin Tower Martin, 21, after he breached President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago perimeter while armed.
    • President Trump has not commented as of broadcast time (Lucas Tomlinson).
  • Official Statement:
    • White House press secretary Caroline Levitt’s X post praises Secret Service actions and criticizes Democrats over a government shutdown impacting security.
    • Tension highlighted over partial government shutdown’s effects on federal security operations.

  Quote:

  • "The United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person armed with a gun and a gas canister who intruded President Trump's home. … It's shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their department."
    — Read by Lucas Tomlinson from Caroline Levitt’s statement, [01:11]

3. Cartel Violence and U.S. Travel Advisory in Mexico

• [02:38–03:20]

  • Background:
    • After cartel boss El Mencho’s death, violence erupts—vehicles set afire, road blockades, tourists advised to shelter in place, especially in Puerto Vallarta (Ainsley Earhart).
    • Mexican government and U.S. State Department issue strong travel warnings.
  • U.S. Involvement:
    • White House confirms U.S. intel support for the operation (Debra Valentine).

  Quote:

  • "Tourists in the seaside city of Puerto Vallarta were told not to leave their resort as a Mexican government official warned of clashes in the area."
    — Ainsley Earhart, [02:45]

4. U.S. Men’s Hockey Wins Gold at Winter Olympics

• [03:20–04:07]

  • Historic Victory:
    • U.S. men’s hockey secures gold over Canada in overtime, 2-1, in Milan—first since “Miracle on Ice” 46 years ago (Madison Scarpino).
    • Florida-born Jack Hughes, 24, scores winning goal just 1:41 into OT.
    • Hughes celebrates national pride in post-game comments.

  Quote:

  • "Chants of USA were roaring from the crowd after the 2 to 1 overtime win. Exactly 46 years since the Miracle on Ice game…"
    — Madison Scarpino, [03:31]

5. Political Unrest in Iran & Upcoming Nuclear Talks

• [04:07–04:34]
  • Campus Protests:
    • Iranian universities erupt amid worsening economic conditions (Debra Valentine).
  • Diplomatic Update:
    • Oman to host U.S.-Iran nuclear talks Thursday in Geneva.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote
|-----------|----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:18 | Bob Van Dillen | “This snowfall is going to start sticking… Snowfall rates 2 to 3 inches…” | | 01:11 | Lucas Tomlinson | “The United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively…” (quoting Caroline Levitt) | | 02:45 | Ainsley Earhart | “Tourists in the seaside city of Puerto Vallarta were told not to leave their resort…” | | 03:31 | Madison Scarpino | “Chants of USA were roaring from the crowd after the 2 to 1 overtime win…” |

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02: Historic blizzard and states of emergency
• 00:43: Mar-a-Lago security breach and Secret Service response
• 02:38: Cartel violence in Mexico; U.S. travel advisories
• 03:20: U.S. men’s hockey gold medal victory
• 04:07: Iranian university protests and diplomatic developments

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Conclusion

This fast-moving FOX News update spotlights urgent domestic crises—a record-setting blizzard with cascading infrastructure impacts and a high-profile White House security incident—alongside major headlines in global security and sports. Official statements, real-time consequences, and historical context create a brisk yet comprehensive newscast, with flashes of patriotism and calls for public vigilance woven throughout.

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Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

A historic blizzard. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. 8 Northeast and Mid Atlantic states are under states of emergency due to a bomb cyclone bringing heavy snow and high winds, including New Jersey. Fox Weather's Bob Van Dillen reports from Manasquan.

[Bob Van Dillen]

This snowfall is going to start sticking to everything and it's going to start bringing down some power lines and maybe some limbs and trees because of the sheer weight of the snow. It's going to be on it. And New Jersey Transit, they are going to stop train operations. And there's no more commercial vehicles allowed on the Jersey highways. Snowfall rates 2 to 3 inches of snow per hour.

[Debra Valentine]

Yeah. Massachusetts governor is Maura Healey.

[Madison Scarpino]

Our ask and plea as always is

[Lucas Tomlinson]

going to be to please stay off the roads.

[Debra Valentine]

Travel bans and restrictions are in place as upwards of 2ft of snow is forecast. FlightAware.com says there have been at least 15,000 flight cancellations and delays between today and tomorrow within, into or out of the US the Secret Service shot and killed an armed man, 21 year old Austin Tower Martin of North Carolina today after he breached the perimeter of President Trump's Mar A Lago estate. Fox's Lucas Tomlinson reports from Florida.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

We have not heard any reaction from President Trump about the killing of this 21 year old Austin Martin after breaching the compound at Mar A Lago. Now one person we did hear from is President Trump's press secretary Caroline Levitt, who took to X to post the following quote in the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep. The United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person armed with a gun and a gas canister who intruded President Trump's home. Federal law enforcement are working 24, 7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans. It's shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their department.

[Debra Valentine]

The White House blaming Democrats for a partial government shutdown for the security breach. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Debra Valentine]

tourists in parts of Mexico are being told to shelter in place after the killing of a cartel leader, Fox's Jill Naito reports.

[Ainsley Earhart]

After the killing of El Mencho, there are reports of cartel members lashing out some blocking roadways by setting vehicles on fire. Tourists in the seaside city of Puerto Vallarta were told not to leave their resort as a Mexican government official warned of clashes in the area. Following a federal operation, the US State Department issued a travel advisory for several Mexican states, telling Americans to seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements. Avoid crowds and be aware of your surroundings. Chill NATO Fox News In a posting

[Debra Valentine]

on X, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt has confirmed the US Provided intel support for that operation. The US Men's hockey team winning the gold medal over Canada at the Winter Olympics.

[Madison Scarpino]

It was a historic and thrilling overtime win in Milan. This men's hockey game was one of the most anticipated events in the Olympics this year and it did not disappoint. Chants of USA were roaring from the crowd after the 2 to 1 overtime win. Exactly 46 years since the Miracle on Ice game where the US defeated Russia to later go on and win the gold medal. It was 24 year old Florida born Jack Hughes who scored the winning goal just 1 minute and 41 seconds into overtime. And in an interview with NBC after the win, Hughes was saying how proud he was to be an American and just so proud to win for our country.

[Debra Valentine]

That's Fox's Madison Scarpino with that report. Anti government protests erupting at Iran's universities amid ongoing economic tensions in Tehran this weekend. Oman says that the next round of talks between the US And Iran over its nuclear program are scheduled for Thursday. Geneva I'm Debra Valentine. This is Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart.

[Debra Valentine]

Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of

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