5AM ET 02/22/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET, February 22, 2026

Host: Chris DiMaio (Fox News)
Notable Reporters: Molly Line, Carmen Roberts, Chanley Painter
Episode Theme: Breaking news across weather, national security, government services, and international diplomacy.

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Overview

This episode delivers up-to-the-minute national headlines, focusing on a historic winter blizzard, an avalanche tragedy, immigration enforcement controversy, moon mission delays from NASA, and tense nuclear diplomacy with Iran. The coverage reflects Fox News’ brisk, urgent tone, emphasizing both immediate impacts and underlying political dynamics.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Historic Blizzard Threatens Northeast

[00:03–00:51]

• Millions along the i95 corridor brace for a potentially record-breaking blizzard.
  • "More than 26 million Americans are under a blizzard warning." (Molly Line, 00:15)
• Forecasts predict:
  • Widespread snowfall: 1 to 2 feet common across the Northeast.
  • Extreme outliers: Jersey Shore could see up to 4 feet.
  • High winds up to 60 mph, starting Sunday from the Mid-Atlantic and Appalachians, spreading through to Boston.
• Urgent warnings about travel chaos: “Dangerous and messy travel from Washington, D.C. to Boston.”

California Avalanche Recovery

[00:51]

• Rescuers recover bodies of nine skiers after a deadly avalanche in California.
  • Recovery delayed due to risk of another avalanche.

Immigration Enforcement Debate

[00:51–01:30]

• New Fox poll: 59% of voters find ICE’s enforcement “too aggressive.”
• Vice President Vance credits stricter immigration measures with increased safety:
  • “You saw murders come down by 20% in 2025. A big part of that is you’ve gotten these violent, criminal illegal aliens out of the country.” (VP Vance, on ‘My View with Lara Trump’, quoted at 01:12)
• Partisan standoff over immigration:
  • Ongoing government shutdown as Democrats and Republicans struggle to resolve enforcement policy.

Suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

[01:30–01:51]

• Homeland Security suspends expedited airport screening programs (TSA PreCheck, Global Entry).
  • Cause: The partial government shutdown.
  • Travelers warned of anticipated headaches.

NASA Moon Mission Delay

[02:40–03:23]

• Artemis 2, NASA’s next crewed Moon mission, postponed again.
  • "It’s another setback... April is now the earliest the four astronauts could launch." (Carmen Roberts, 02:45)
  • Latest technical issue: Helium flow to rocket’s upper stage.
  • Artemis 2 would have been the first crewed lunar journey in 50 years.

US–Iran Nuclear Tensions

[03:23–04:23]

• Diplomatic ultimatum from President Trump:
  • Iran given 10–15 days to finalize a nuclear deal or face “serious consequences.”
  • “He says Iran can’t continue to threaten stability in the region.” (Chanley Painter, 03:40)
• Escalating US military presence:
  • “Dozens of military aircraft, thousands of troops, two aircraft carriers, and other naval forces.”
• Deal outlook:
  • Potential pact: Iran limits nuclear activity for sanctions relief.
• Internal debate in Trump administration:
  • Some advisers advocate military action; others urge economic focus before midterms.
• Limited strikes on the table, as a means to pressure Iran into negotiations.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "More than 26 million Americans are under a blizzard warning."
  — Molly Line, [00:15]

• “You saw murders come down by 20% in 2025. A big part of that is you’ve gotten these violent, criminal illegal aliens out of the country.”
  — Vice President Vance, [01:12]

• “It’s another setback for NASA’s plan to send astronauts back to the moon... April is now the earliest the four astronauts could launch.”
  — Carmen Roberts, [02:45]

• “President Trump is giving Tehran just 10 to 15 days to come to an agreement.”
  — Chanley Painter, [03:40]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03 – Snowstorm threat report begins (Chris DiMaio, Molly Line)
• 00:51 – Avalanche update, new Fox poll, and immigration debate
• 01:30 – TSA PreCheck/Global Entry suspension explained
• 02:40 – NASA Artemis 2 delay developments (Carmen Roberts)
• 03:40 – US–Iran nuclear deal ultimatum, military buildup (Chanley Painter)

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Summary

This Fox News newscast captures a tumultuous day in America, weaving together environmental dangers, political battles, space exploration setbacks, and international security dramas. Listeners are rapidly briefed on the risks and responses to a historic snowstorm, consequences of deepening partisan divides on immigration, technical complications with America’s lunar ambitions, and the high-stakes deadline diplomacy facing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The reporting is brisk, forward-looking, and focused on both immediate impacts and the broader national context.

Transcript

[Chris DiMaio]

Lots of snow on the way. I'm Chris DiMaio, Fox News. Millions of Americans on the i95 corridor are bracing themselves for a historic blizzard threatening to drop records amounts of snow across the northeast.

[Molly Line]

More than 26 million Americans are under a blizzard warning. A powerful nor' easter is forecast to bring 1 to 2ft of snow to much of the Northeast. And those numbers continue to ratchet up north. New forecast models now show the Jersey shore could see up to 4ft before it's over. Heavy snow and strong winds are expected to start Sunday in the mid Atlantic and the Appalachians. Moving into the Northeast, some places could see winds up to 60 miles per hour. All this is expected to make for dangerous and messy travel from Washington, D.C. to Boston.

[Chris DiMaio]

That's Fox's Molly Line reporting. Rescuers have recovered the bodies of nine skiers killed in an avalanche earlier this week in California. Search teams were previously unable to retrieve the bodies because of the risk of another avalanche. A new Fox poll finds 59% of American voters say ICE has been too aggressive in stopping illegal migrants who are living in the U.S. but Vice President Vance says the nation has been a lot safer due to the immigration crackdown. You saw murders come down by 20% in 2025. Well, a big part of that, there's a lot of reasons for it. A big part of that is you've gotten these violent, criminal illegal aliens out of the country. The vice president appearing on fox's My View with Larra Trump. The Department of Homeland Security says It's suspending the TSA PreCheck and global Entry Airport Security Systems. They help speed registered travelers through security lines. It potentially can cause headaches for flyers. The suspension is in response to the partial government shutdown in which Democrats and Republicans are trying to resolve differences on immigration enforcement. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Chris DiMaio]

NASA delays its moon launch again. Fox's Carmen Roberts has the details.

[Carmen Roberts]

It's another setback for NASA's plan to send astronauts back to the moon the space agency had to delay the highly anticipated Artemis 2 mission after a new technical issue surfaced over the weekend. NASA says April is now the earliest the four astronauts could launch. Administrator Jared Isaacman the disappointment is real, especially for the teams working tirelessly to make the mission happen. Artemis 2 would mark the first time astronauts traveled to the moon in more than 50 years, but the first lunar landing of the program is still years away. Carmen Roberts, Fox News.

[Chris DiMaio]

The setback comes just one day after NASA announced the March 6 launch target. NASA says the new problem involved the flow of helium to the rocket's upper stage. Meantime, Iran is running out of time to reach a deal with the US on its nuclear program or face serious consequences.

[Chanley Painter]

President Trump is giving Tehran just 10 to 15 days to come to an agreement. He says Iran can't continue to threaten stability in the region. The warning comes as the US Continues building up a major military presence in the Middle East. It includes dozens of military aircraft, thousands of troops, two aircraft carriers and other naval forces. A top Iranian official claims claims a draft deal could be ready in the next few days. That plan apparently centers on curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Reuters reports the Trump administration remains divided on possible military action. Some advisers are urging the president to instead put more focus on the economy ahead of November's midterms.

[Chris DiMaio]

That's Fox's Chanley Painter reporting. The president has suggested that he's open to a limited military strike against Iran to force the Middle east nation to the negotiation table. I'm Chris DiMeo. This is Fox.

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