5AM ET 02/16/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET, February 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This newscast delivers concise updates on major developing stories: the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, a significant winter storm brewing in the western US, the partial government shutdown with partisan divides over ICE reforms, new developments in the Epstein files, and an update on the Bondi Beach mass shooting in Australia.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Search for Nancy Guthrie Continues

• Savannah Guthrie’s Public Appeal (00:22 – 00:38)

  • NBC “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie issues a heartfelt plea on social media for her mother’s safe return, as the FBI marks the third week of the search.
    • Quote:

      "I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is... It’s never too late."
      — Savannah Guthrie (00:22, 00:36)

• Emerging Evidence: DNA Testing on a Glove (00:38 – 01:29)

  • FBI reports discovery of a key piece of evidence: a black glove with male DNA, found two miles from Nancy Guthrie’s home. The glove matches those seen on the search suspect via doorbell footage.
  • DNA is being processed at a Florida lab, with results soon to be compared through the FBI’s CODIS database.
  • Investigators also recovered 16 additional gloves, most belonging to search volunteers.
    • Quote:

      "The preliminary results are now in and authorities are waiting on official confirmation before putting the unknown male profile into the FBI's DNA database called CODIS."
      — Max Gordon (00:50)

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2. Major Western Winter Storm Approaching

• Forecast & Regional Impact (01:29 – 01:43)
  • A massive winter storm is expected to hit the western U.S., primarily impacting Monday through Wednesday morning.
    • Quote:

      "Generally, it's Monday through Wednesday morning for the worst of it, but there'll be even some lingering snow that continues beyond that."
      — Marc Chouinard, National Weather Service Meteorologist (01:34)

  • Heavy snow is anticipated in Northern California, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Nevada; some Sierra Nevada elevations could see over six feet.

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3. Partial Government Shutdown: ICE Reform Debate

• Democratic & Republican Perspectives (02:32 – 03:14)
  • The government enters a partial shutdown amid heated conflict over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies.
    • Democrats demand ICE reforms, including calls for body cameras and greater transparency:
      • Quote:

        “You ought to be able to know that they are law enforcement and what agency they’re from and have a name or a badge number.”
        — Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) (02:53)

    • Republicans argue the reforms weaken security and politicize law enforcement:
      • Quote:

        “You’re making our homeland, the United States of America less secure because you’re trying to make a political point.”
        — Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) (03:05)

  • Impact: ICE remains funded, but TSA and other Homeland Security employees face pay delays, raising concerns about travel disruptions.

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4. Justice Department Releases Epstein Files

• Congressional Oversight & Accountability (03:23 – 04:11)
  • DOJ announces all available Jeffrey Epstein-related files have been made public.
  • Congressman Robert Garcia (D-CA) pledges to “find every co-conspirator” and expose those responsible for aiding in the crimes.
    • Quotes:

      “Those people need to be exposed. That work has begun.”
      — Rep. Robert Garcia (03:41)
      “It wasn’t just Ghislaine Maxwell. Garcia says the questions he has are for people in both Republican and Democratic administrations, because evidence of Epstein’s crimes existed during both.”
      — Reporter summary (03:58)

  • Investigation seeks to determine the full scope of victimization and all involved parties, regardless of political affiliation.

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5. Update on Bondi Beach Mass Shooting (Australia)

• Suspect's Court Appearance (04:11 – 04:28)
  • One accused gunman, Naveed Akram, appeared in court by video link but did not issue any pleas. Charges include murder and acts of terrorism connected to the Bondi attack.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Savannah Guthrie: "It’s never too late." (00:36)
• Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE): "You ought to be able to know that they are law enforcement and what agency they’re from and have a name or a badge number." (02:53)
• Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC): "You're making our homeland, the United States of America less secure because you’re trying to make a political point." (03:05)
• Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA): "Those people need to be exposed. That work has begun." (03:41)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Search for Nancy Guthrie: 00:02—01:29
• Western Winter Storm: 01:29—01:43
• Partial Government Shutdown/ICE Debate: 02:32—03:23
• Epstein Files Released: 03:23—04:11
• Bondi Beach Shooting Court Update: 04:11—04:28

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This episode presents urgent updates on major national and international stories, maintaining an urgent and factual tone while delivering a cross-section of viewpoints on the ongoing issues.

Transcript

[Marc Chouinard]

Still hopeful.

[Sue Guzman]

I'm Sue Guzman. FOX NEWS A search for Nancy Guthrie continues as her daughter, NBC Today show co host Savannah Guthrie, speaks out again on social media. Details from fox's Ashley Strohmeier.

[Samantha Guthrie]

Samantha Guthrie releasing a new Instagram statement as the search for her missing mom, Nancy enters its third week.

[Savannah Guthrie]

I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is.

[Ainsley Earhart]

But.

[Savannah Guthrie]

It'S never too late.

[Samantha Guthrie]

It comes as the FBI reveals a black glove that appeared to match the gloves worn by the suspect on doorbell camera contains male DNA evidence that is.

[Sue Guzman]

Being tested on the new glove findings. Here's fox's Max Gordon.

[Max Gordon]

Investigators are looking at a glove that they recovered from the side of the road about two miles away from Nancy Guthrie's house. The FBI says that it looks similar to the ones worn by the suspect. The gloves sent to a private lab Florida for DNA testing. The preliminary results are now in and authorities are waiting on official confirmation before putting the unknown male profile into the FBI's DNA database called CODIS. This process typically takes about 24 hours from when the FBI receives DNA evidence. Investigators collected about 16 gloves in various areas near the house. Most of them belonged to searchers and had been discarded while looking for Nancy Guthrie.

[Sue Guzman]

The western third of the United States expected to be hit with a massive winter storm this week.

[Marc Chouinard]

Generally, it's Monday through Wednesday morning for the worst of it, but there'll be even some lingering snow that continues beyond that.

[Sue Guzman]

That is National Weather Service meteorologist Marc Chouinard. Heavy snowfall expected in parts of Northern California, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Nevada. And higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada can see over six feet of snow. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Sue Guzman]

The latest partial government shutdown is in effect as Democrats call for ICE reforms and Republicans say it's time to move on. Fox's Jill Nader.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware said the White House is willing to listen to his party's call for an overhaul of ICE because of an outcry from Americans. He said people are fed up with seeing brutal tactics by ICE agents and.

[Marc Chouinard]

Told Fox News Sunday they ought to wear body cameras. You ought to be able to know that they are law enforcement and what agency they're from and have a name or a badge number.

[Ainsley Earhart]

But Republican South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

[Podcast Host]

Told Fox, you're making our homeland, the United States of America less secure because you're trying to make a political point.

[Ainsley Earhart]

ICE still has funding, but Homeland Security fed workers at the TSA and elsewhere are going without paychecks. In Washington, Jill NATO, Fox News Airlines.

[Sue Guzman]

Warning the shutdown could result in delays for travelers. The Justice Department says this weekend it had released all of the Epstein files. It can fox's Granal Scott, House Oversight.

[Robert Garcia]

Committee's ranking Democrat Congressman Robert Garcia said on CBS Face the Nation in the pages they have, they want to find.

[Unknown Fox News Correspondent]

Every co conspirator, those that themselves terrorized and brutalized women and children. Those people need to be exposed. That work has begun.

[Robert Garcia]

In addition, he wants to know the full extent of the victimization who was.

[Unknown Fox News Correspondent]

Involved in the trafficking of girls and women. It wasn't just Ghislaine.

[Robert Garcia]

Maxwell Garcia says the questions he has are for people in both Republican and Democratic administrations because evidence of Epstein's crimes existed during both. Gernall scott, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

One of the accused gunmen in the Bondi beach mass shooting in Australia made a court appearance today, Naveed Akram. Appearing via video link. He didn't enter any pleas to the charges against him, including murder and committing a terrorist attack. I'm Sue Gosman. This is FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart.

[Sue Guzman]

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

[Podcast Host]

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