Fox News Hourly Update – 3PM ET 02/23/2026 Newscast
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: February 23, 2026
Main Theme
This episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of major news stories as of 3PM Eastern Time, with updates on the catastrophic snowstorm in the Northeast, Congressional gridlock over funding, breaking crime and arrest news, international violence, and sports updates.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Historic Snowstorm Impacts the Northeast
- Severe snowfall:
- Over 2 feet in parts of the Northeast, nearly 20 inches in Central Park.
- Providence, Rhode Island, hit hardest with a record 32 inches of snow; blizzard conditions in at least five states.
- Public safety measures:
- New York City Mayor Zoramdani urges all non-emergency vehicles to stay off roads.
- Multiple plowing runs needed before roads are clear; NYC schools to reopen but not everywhere else.
- Infrastructure disruptions:
- More than 600,000 customers lose power due to high winds and heavy snow.
- Over 20,000 flights affected nationwide, with ripple cancellations especially in New York and Boston.
- LaGuardia Airport alone records over 22 inches of snow.
Memorable quote:
"I continue to encourage all non emergency... traffic, cars, trucks, scooters and e bikes to remain off the roads." – Mayor Zoramdani (00:13)
2. Congressional Stalemate: Homeland Security Funding
- After a 10-day break, Congress returns with no deal in sight over Homeland Security funding, stalling on Democratic demands for immigration enforcement reforms.
- Secret Service at risk:
- Secret Service agents aren’t getting paid, raising Republican concerns, especially after a security breach at Mar-a-Lago when an armed man was shot and killed (the president was not present).
Relevant segment:
"That means that Secret Service agents protecting the president are not getting paid. That bothers Republicans, especially after Sunday's episode at Mar A Lago." – Chad Pergram (01:16)
- State of the Union preview:
- President to give State of the Union address tomorrow; speculation on Olympic hockey teams attending after their travel was affected by storm.
3. Economic Spotlight: Netflix’s Industry Impact
- Netflix's economic footprint:
- $225 billion contributed to the US economy in the last decade.
- Productions across all 50 states, employing over 150,000 Americans in various industries.
Memorable quote:
"Carpenters, electricians, small businesses, real American jobs, Netflix investing in America." (02:00)
4. High-Profile Crime and International Scandal
- Nick Reiner Update:
- Son of director Rob Reiner, Nick Reiner, remains held without bail, pleads not guilty to murdering both parents; preliminary hearing set for April 29.
- Former British Ambassador Arrested:
- Peter Mandelson, former UK Ambassador to the US, arrested in London for misconduct in public office.
- Allegations: Passing sensitive government info to Jeffrey Epstein about 15 years ago; sacked after evidence showed prolonged contact with Epstein.
- Links to recent similar arrest of former Prince Andrew.
Quote:
"[Police] arrested a 72 year old man for misconduct in public office and it appears to be related to documents containing sensitive government information Mandelson is accused of passing on to Epstein..." – Jessica Rosenthal (02:50)
5. International News: Drug Lord Killed in Mexico
- Wave of violence:
- At least 73 deaths tied to a failed Mexican army operation to capture drug lord 'El Mencho' (now dead).
- Resorts in Mexico urge guests to shelter in place.
6. Sports Update: Lindsey Vonn’s Catastrophic Injury
- Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn:
- In her first race at the Winter Olympics (Italy), Vonn suffers a severe crash leading to a complex fracture of her left tibia and requiring multiple surgeries.
- She develops compartment syndrome; her leg is saved from amputation by Dr. Tom Hackett.
Notable moment:
“Dr. Tom Hackett saved my leg. He saved my leg from being amputated. He did what's called a fasciotomy.” – Lindsey Vonn (04:02)
- Vonn also broke her right ankle, remains in a wheelchair, and faces a lengthy recovery.
Another quote:
“I'm in a wheelchair right now. I'm very much immobile. I'll be in a wheelchair for a while because I also broke my right ankle.” – Lindsey Vonn (04:13)
Additional Notable Quotes
- “Things are just slowly starting to get back on track here. Much worse in cities like New York and Boston. Today alone at New York airports, thousands of flights were canceled.” – Connor Hansen, at DC's Reagan National Airport (00:45)
- “America is listening to FOX News.” – Lisa Brady (01:59)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Severe snowstorm & disruptions: 00:03 – 01:07
- Congressional gridlock & security breach: 01:07 – 01:29
- Netflix economic impact: 02:00 – 02:30
- Nick Reiner & Peter Mandelson legal updates: 02:30 – 03:27
- Violence in Mexico / El Mencho: 03:27 – 03:42
- Lindsey Vonn injury & statement: 03:42 – 04:21
Summary Flow and Tone
The episode follows Fox News' brisk, headline-driven tone, rapidly cycling through updates: natural disaster aftermath, political standoffs, breaking legal news, global crime, and personal stories of resilience—delivering a concise yet information-rich newscast for listeners seeking the latest developments.