3PM ET 02/20/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 3PM ET 02/20/2026 Newscast

Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: February 20, 2026

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Main Theme

This episode delivers hourly updates on top national and international developments, including the President’s response to a major Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, rising US-Iran tensions, a significant cyberattack on a Mississippi hospital, and consumer news ranging from congressional redistricting to new beverage flavors.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Tariffs

• The Supreme Court struck down the President’s application of the Emergency Powers Act to impose tariffs.

• President pivots to alternative legal mechanisms, invoking Section 122 to implement a new 10% global tariff.

• There is political fallout and division, with the President openly criticizing some justices.

  Memorable Moments:

  • [00:12] Political Commentator: “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.”
  • [00:29] Political Commentator: “Today, I will sign an order to impose a 10% global tariff under section 122. Over and above our normal tariffs already being charged.”
  • [00:39] Fox News Anchor: “Three conservative justices joined Liberals in today’s 6-3 ruling. The President saying he’s ashamed of certain members of the court, accusing them of not having the courage to do what’s right for the country.”

• The ruling did not address tariff money already collected; some Democrats call for refunds.

• The President also commented on Iran, expressing sorrow for the Iranian people.

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2. Escalating Tensions with Iran

• The President considers a limited military strike as nuclear talks stall.

• Iran threatens to retaliate with ballistic and cruise missiles against US bases should there be an attack.

• Observers foresee the strong potential for renewed Middle East conflict.

  Memorable Quotes:

  • [01:01] Political Commentator: “You know, the people of Iran are a lot different than the leaders of Iran and it’s very, very, very sad situation.”
  • [01:15] Jennifer Griffin:
    “Earlier today, the president, when asked, said he is considering a limited strike on Iran. Iran has vowed to respond with ballistic and cruise missiles targeting US bases in the Gulf. If the US does that sometime in the next month, the US could find itself in another war in the Middle East without a clear exit strategy. The amount [of] military hardware the Pentagon is positioning in the region signals to most military observers that it is not a question of if, but when.”

• A second US aircraft carrier is en route to the region.

• Iran has rejected US demands for zero uranium enrichment.

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3. New US Transportation Regulation

• [01:43] The Transportation Secretary announces that all commercial truck and bus drivers must now take their license tests in English.

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4. Mississippi Hospital Cyberattack

• [02:13] Ransomware attack continues at University of Mississippi Medical Center.

• Clinics are closed; hospitals and emergency rooms remain open, but the outage is expected to last for several days.

• The attack disrupted health records, and it is still being determined whether any patient data was compromised.

  Memorable Segment:

  • [02:20] Carmen Roberts:
    “Hospitals and emergency rooms at the University of Mississippi Medical Center will remain open, but officials warn 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.”

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5. Congressional Redistricting in Virginia

• [02:51] Virginia’s legislature, led by Democrats, approves a new congressional map aiming to flip seats in the midterm elections.
• The process is paused after a judge issues a temporary restraining order.

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6. Consumer: Beverage Industry News

• [03:21] Major expansion of new and returning soda flavors from Keurig Dr. Pepper.

  • Dr. Pepper Creamy Coconut & Zero Sugar version back in April.
  • A&W to debut Root Beer Float soda in summer.
  • Snapple’s special blend marks US 250th birthday.
  • Canada Dry introduces Strawberry Fruit Splash.

  Notable Quote:

  • [03:21] Ainslie Earhart:
    “Keurig Dr. Pepper is rolling out one of its largest flavor expansions in years, blending limited time returns with brand new twists.”

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7. Financial Markets Update

• [03:59] Stocks remain up as trading day nears close:
  • Dow up 169 points
  • S&P up 41 points
  • NASDAQ up 1 point

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Additional Noteworthy Segments

• [02:13–02:20] Hospital Cyberattack (Carmen Roberts reporting)
• [03:21–03:59] Consumer News on Beverages (Ainslie Earhart reporting)

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Conclusion

This Fox News Hourly Update covers a sweeping range of fast-moving national and international stories: a Supreme Court and presidential standoff over tariffs, serious Iran-US friction, a major cyberattack in the South, changes to trucker licensing, election map battles, and a splash of lighter beverage news. The tone remains urgent and direct, mixing political commentary with factual reporting and consumer updates.

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Transcript

[Fox News Anchor]

The president's not backing down on Lisa Brady, FOX News. He's pivoting to alternatives after the Supreme Court struck down his use of the Emergency Powers act for tariffs.

[Political Commentator]

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]

He says today's ruling clarifies how many alternatives he has for now settling on

[Political Commentator]

one today, I will sign an order to impose a 10% global tariff under section 122. Over and above. Are normal tariffs already being charged?

[Fox News Anchor]

Three conservative justices joined Liberals in today's 63 ruling. The President saying he's ashamed of certain members of the court, accusing them of not having the courage to do what's right for the country. The ruling did not address money already collected. Some Democrats calling for refunds of the tariffs struck down. The president also taking questions on Iran and saying he feels bad for the Iranian people.

[Political Commentator]

You know, the people of Iran are a lot different than the leaders of Iran and it's very, very, very sad situation.

[Fox News Anchor]

A second US Aircraft carrier set to arrive in the region as the president awaits an update from Iran's negotiating team in nuclear talks.

[Jennifer Griffin]

Earlier today, the president, when asked, said he is considering a limited strike on Iran. Iran has vowed to respond with ballistic and cruise missiles targeting US Bases in the Gulf. If the US does that sometime in the next month, the US could find itself in another war in the Middle east without a clear exit strategy. The amount military hardware the Pentagon is positioning in the region signals to most military observers that it is not a question of if, but when.

[Fox News Anchor]

Fox's Jennifer Griffin. Iran has pushed back on U.S. demands for zero uranium enrichment. The U.S. transportation Secretary just announcing all truckers and bus drivers will have to take commercial driver's license tests in English. America is listening to Fox News.

[Jennifer Griffin]

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

[Ainslie Earhart]

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

[Fox News Anchor]

listen to Podcasts, disruptions for a second day at a Mississippi hospital hit by a ransomware attack.

[Carmen Roberts]

Hospitals and emergency rooms at the University of Mississippi Medical center will remain open, but officials warn 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. 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. The FBI is working with the medical center to get systems back up and deal with the cyber criminals.

[Fox News Anchor]

Fox's Carmen Roberts in addition to the clinic closure, some elective procedures have been canceled. A new congressional map wins approval in Virginia's legislature, passed by Democrats hoping to flip seats in the midterm elections this fall as both parties push redistricting efforts in multiple states. In Virginia, they plan to send the new map to voters in April, but that's on hold after a judge issued a temporary restraining order yesterday. A celebration is planned in the soft drink aisle with more than 35 new and returning flavors.

[Ainslie Earhart]

Keurig Dr. Pepper is rolling out one of its largest flavor expansions in years, blending limited time returns with brand new twists. Dr. Pepper Creamy coconut and a zero sugar version return in April, while A and W will debut a root beer float soda this summer. Snapple is marking America's 250th birthday with its 205th tea party blend. And Canada Dry adds a strawberry fruit splash flavor. Many of the drinks will be available for a limited time, with zero sugar versions hitting store shelves throughout the year. Matt Murphy, FOX News an hour to

[Fox News Anchor]

the close on Wall street, stocks remain higher right now. The Dow's up 169 points, the S&P up 41, the NASDAQ up 1. Brady, this is Fox News.